Which Ford Trucks Made The Cut?
Not every Ford truck can handle the weight of the lofty expectations that many associate with the storied American auto company. Ask any longtime driver, and they'll tell you that some trucks build loyalty, and others can break it in an instant. So here's a straight-up look at which models delivered the goods and which ones you'll want to forget ever existed.
1. F-150 Lightning Lariat (2022–2024)
The Lightning Lariat produces up to 580 horsepower with an extended-range battery and can tow 10,000 pounds. It also has a lockable front trunk (aka "Mega Power Frunk") that fits golf bags or toolkits. Plus, it can power your house for three days in an outage.
2. F-250 Super Duty Platinum (2022)
With a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel engine, this truck generates 1,050 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 23,000 pounds conventionally or over 30,000 pounds with a gooseneck. The Platinum trim also includes heated and cooled leather seats, adaptive steering, a 12-inch touchscreen, and lane-keeping assist.
2022 Ford Super Duty Platinum! What's New? by TCcustoms
3. Ranger Raptor Edition (2024)
This midsize pickup Ranger Raptor gets a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 with 405 horsepower and FOX Live Valve shocks that adjust to the terrain as you drive. It's wide and ready to rip through mud, sand, or snow. You also get locking differentials and real off-road tools.
4. F-350 King Ranch (2021)
The 2021 F-350 King Ranch offered a choice between a 7.3L gas engine and a 6.7L diesel with 475 horsepower. Inside, saddle leather covered the seats, and heat extended to the back row. It towed over 21,000 pounds and remained impressively quiet with a tech-filled cabin.
2021 Ford F350 king ranch  by Kayle at McLaren Scottsdale
5. F-150 Raptor R (2023)
It's a muscle car on stilts. The Raptor R takes the Shelby GT500's 5.2L supercharged V8 and drops it into a desert-running monster with 700 horsepower. This thing is loud and shockingly capable. It has 37-inch tires, FOX racing suspension, and reinforced everything.
6. Maverick Hybrid XLT (2022)
A compact truck with a hybrid engine used to sound like a gimmick. But the Maverick XLT proved everyone wrong. It uses a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor to get around 42 mpg city. The payload is 1,500 pounds, and it can tow 2,000 pounds.
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
7. F-150 Tremor Package (2021)
The Tremor is powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower; it has off-road tuned suspension and a locking rear diff. It's less flashy but still ready for the trail. Inside, you get tough materials and a good tech setup.
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor Review by Autotrader
8. F-250 Lariat Ultimate (2022)
This is the truck you want if you're towing serious weight but still want heated seats. With a 7.3L gas V8 or the 6.7L diesel, the Lariat Ultimate trim brings a perfect mix of grunt and gadgets. Features include power-adjustable pedals, navigation, premium audio, and driver-assist tech.
Rapid Red 2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat Review - MacPhee Ford by MacPhee Ford
9. F-150 Heritage Edition (2023)
The Heritage Edition celebrates 75 years of F-Series trucks with retro colors and old-school badging. But inside, it's all 2020s: touchscreen infotainment and optional hybrid powertrain. It's a looker, sure, but it doesn't rely on nostalgia alone. This one hauls just as well as it winks at the past.
23 F-150 Heritage | Review & Road Test by Kelley Blue Book
10. F-150 XL EcoBoost (2021)
This truck came with a 2.7L twin-turbo V6 that delivered 325 horsepower and could tow up to 10,100 pounds. Gas mileage was respectable, and reliability scored well for the price point. You could also add 4WD and basic driver-assist features.
2021 Ford F-150 XLT Sport 2.7 EcoBoost by Martin Taroni
For every legend, there's a letdown. Now that we've covered the standouts, it's time to face the flops. These ten trucks had big names but even bigger problems.
1. Courier Pickup Truck (1972–1982)
Imported from Mazda and rebadged as a Ford in the 1970s and early 1980s, the Courier lacked power and durability. Its 1.8L and 2.3L engines were sluggish, and its light-duty build often couldn't handle daily demands. Consequently, it quietly faded from production.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
2. F-100 Base/Short Bed (1970s)
You might think smaller equals lighter and easier. In this case, it meant stripped-down and underpowered. The short bed version of the F-100, especially during its 1970s base years, was basic to a fault. While the suspension was era-appropriate, it lacks the stability and comfort expected today.
1970 Ford F100 Short Bed 4x4 Survivor For Sale! by ICON
3. F-250 Diesel (2002)
The 2002 F-250 Diesel with the 7.3L Power Stroke engine seemed promising, yet issues surfaced over time. Owners reported fuel injector failures and poor turbo responsiveness. Additionally, the outdated transmission struggled under full loads. Though it sold well initially, reliability concerns drove long-term owners away.
SOLD⚠️⚠️ ❗🪙FOR SALE: 2002 Ford F-250 Lariat - Diesel 4x4 by California Auto Direct
4. Super Duty 6.0L Diesel (2003–2007)
Here lies the most cursed diesel in Ford's lineup. The 6.0L was supposed to replace the aging 7.3L with cleaner emissions and better power. Instead, it delivered blown head gaskets and lawsuits. Mechanics know this one well because they fix it often.
2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT - POV Test Drive (Binaural Audio) by Winding Road Magazine
5. F-150 Diesel (2018)
Ford's attempt to bring diesel efficiency to the F-150 line in 2018 sounded smart. Unfortunately, the 3.0L Power Stroke underperformed in both sales and satisfaction. It towed less than its gas siblings and offered little real-world fuel savings. Consequently, Ford dropped it quietly just a few years later.
2018 Ford F-150 Diesel Review - First Drive by AutoGuide.com
6. F-350 Dually (2011)
Heavy-duty in name, but not always in performance. The 2011 F-350 Dually faced repeated complaints over fuel system failures and uneven braking when under load. Moreover, early DEF issues caused emissions sensors to trip, leading to limp mode while towing. For long-haul work, that's a dealbreaker.
2011 Ford F350 Dually Super Duty Lariat Powerstroke Review by Grayson’s Garage
7. F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition (2002–2003)
This truck looked like a leather jacket but drove like a compromise. The F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition offered chrome and black paint but didn't back it up with meaningful performance upgrades. It was expensive and mostly a fashion statement.
The Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Was a Muscle Car Pickup Truck by Doug DeMuro
8. Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2001–2010)
Marketed as a hybrid between SUV and pickup, the Explorer Sport Trac tried to do everything and didn’t excel at much. Poor ride quality and plastic-heavy interiors held it back. It wasn’t quite truck enough for truck fans and not SUV enough for families.
9. F-350 Gas Engine (2008)
The 2008 F-350 with the 5.4L Triton V8 proved disappointing in more ways than one. It lacked torque compared to the diesel option and often suffered from spark plug blowouts due to a flawed design. Furthermore, its resale value dropped faster than its 0–60 time ever did.
10. Ford FX4 (2004–2008)
Ford hyped the FX4 as the off-road-ready F-150, but 2004 buyers got more rust than grit. Frame corrosion and a jerky ride made the "tough" package feel unfinished. It had stickers and skid plates, sure. But confidence? That's what it left at the trailhead.
