2012 Ford F-150: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2012 Ford F-150 receives some new features, but is largely unchanged otherwise. Ford's best-selling vehicle comes in three cab styles: Regular cab; SuperCab extended cab with rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts; and SuperCrew crew cab, which has 4 conventional doors. Available bed lengths include 5.5, 6.5, and 8 feet. Trim levels include base XL, sporty STX, off-road-oriented FX2 and FX4, volume XLT, uplevel King Ranch and Lariat, and line-topping Platinum. F-150 also offers some special-edition models including the sporty Harley-Davidson and off-road SVT Raptor. Previously offered only as a SuperCab, the Raptor can now be ordered as a SuperCrew.

F-150 is available with several engines. The base engine is a 302-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. Available on most models is a 360-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. Standard on the Raptor and Harley-Davidson is a 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. This engine is offered on certain other F-150 trim levels as well. Also available is a 365-horsepower turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. The 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 are capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission for all models. Maximum towing capacity is 6,100 pounds with the 3.7-liter V6, 10,000 pounds with the 5.0-liter V8, and 11,300 pounds with the 3.5-liter V6 and 6.2-liter V8.

Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive that cannot be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing for off-road use are still offered on most models. For 2012, the Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum receive a new 4WD system with an all-wheel-drive setting that powers the front wheels when needed. That mode can be activated when on dry pavement. The F-150 Harley-Davidson is available with AWD with low-range gearing. Also new for 2012 is a hill-start-assist system that prevents the truck from rolling backward on inclines. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags.

Available on most F-150 models are features such as a hideaway side step for access to the pickup bed, a tailgate step, a retractable cable lock to secure items in the bed, and a capless fuel filler. Electronic devices include Ford's Sync voice-activated cell-phone and MP3-player control system, a voice-activated navigation system that includes real-time traffic information, and rearview camera. For 2012, a front-mounted camera for off-roading is available on the Raptor.