Ford F-150 Platinum review

They say that timing is everything and Ford Australia’s timing of its F-150 facelift – weeks after the US and Israel declared war with Iran prompting a global fuel crisis – could hardly have been worse.

Big American pickups like the F-150 are rightly regarded as fuel guzzlers at the best of times, but with the price of unleaded racing past $2.50 per litre, 2,600kg utes with 136-litre fuel tanks and large capacity petrol engines aren’t exactly what the market is crying out for.

To be fair, fuel-efficiency is probably never top-of-mind with buyers in a segment populated by giants like the RAM, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

It’s certainly not a factor with this facelifted F-150 model which powers on with its impressive 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 intact, still producing a mighty 298kW/678Nm while slurping a hearty 13.4L/100km combined cycle.

Expanded lineup and pricing

What has changed in this relatively modest mid-life update of what has long been America’s best-selling vehicle is Australian consumers now have access to the top-spec F-150 Platinum variant.

The Platinum joins the updated XLT and Lariat to create a three-variant lineup, all in 4x4 Crew Cab configuration, with the option of long and short wheelbases bringing the available combinations to six.

In a win for consumers who buy their utes by the metre, the short and long wheelbase are priced identically, with the updated lineup starting at $114,950 for the XLT, rising to $143,950 for the Lariat, and topping out with the Platinum which costs a hefty $163,950.

Now, as before, all Ford Australia F-150 variants are reengineered from left to right-hand drive at a purpose-built facility in Melbourne by Ford’s remanufacturing partner, RMA Automotive.

The vehicles come with a full Ford Australia manufacturer warranty and access to its 200 dealer locations nationwide for technical support.

While both the XLT and Lariat include minor design updates and changes to spec and equipment, it’s the new Platinum we’re focused on here, with Ford estimating sales will be split evenly between the three variants, with long wheelbase examples making up around 35% of sales in each case.

Powertrain, towing and on-road manners

We drove the standard wheelbase Platinum and anyone with a whiff of petrol running through their veins couldn’t help but be impressed by the effortless grunt of Ford’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6.

The engine channels the sound and the stump-pulling torque of a large capacity V8, putting its power to the tarmac via a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4x4 system.

The combination delivers a 4,500kg maximum braked towing capacity and 704kg payload which is, of course, largely the point of these big and powerful pickups.

While towing and load hauling might be among the F-150s more obvious capabilities, the enormous cabin, luxury fitout and relaxed cruising manners are other desirable attributes.

Platinum distinction and features

Bespoke badging, black and smoked-metal accents, and 20-inch wheels distinguish the Platinum from its stablemates, which boasts a generous list of standard features including auto power-deployable side steps, a multi-folding hard tonneau cover, Pro Access tailgate with side-hinged and drop-down access, and bespoke suspension tune using adaptive dampers.

Inside, there’s luxury leather trim, multi-adjustable front seats with massage function, heating and ventilation, and a fold-flat sleeping mode for those times when you’ve forgotten the tent or need a kip while on a road trip.

Also included are a 12-inch LCD portrait touchscreen, 14-speaker B&O audio system, dual panel sunroof, wireless phone charger, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Less desirable attributes of the big Ford include its sheer dimensions, which makes navigating congested areas a chore, including finding carparks that can accommodates its near 6m length.

While you’ll see plenty of them navigating city streets, it’s out on the open road where the F-150 really shines, delivering excellent ride comfort, great visibility, a cosseted cabin and assured overtaking ability.

Final impressions

In essence, the F-150 is to utes what a Harley Davidson Fat Boy is to motorcycles – big, comfortable, powerful and meant for open road touring rather than threading bends at pace.

It’s a role the F-150 Platinum fills to a tee and while it certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying such full-size pickups provide a level of comfort, performance and load carrying ability you simply can’t get in mid-sized utes like Ranger and HiLux.

Ford F-150 Platinum specifications

• PRICE: $163,950 (MRLP)
• WARRANTY: Five years/unlimited kilometres, covering both the vehicle and the local conversion.
• POWERTRAIN: 3.5-litre ‘EcoBoost’ twin-turbo V6 (298kW/678Nm), 10-speed automatic, full-time 4x4 with high and low-range, electronic locking rear differential.
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 13.4L/100km (311g/km CO2)
• FOR: Excellent performance, refined drivetrain, hefty towing capacity, good payload, large tub, well equipped, generously proportioned cabin, improved steering over predecessor.
• AGAINST: High purchase price, high fuel consumption, over-sized dimensions, quality of some trim items doesn’t match price, noisy electric side steps, no motorised tonneau (rigid).
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