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The Features of the 2023 Ford F150 Supercab
Ford offers a variety of models in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive with almost unlimited options for any truck lover, but for 2023 Ford is treating the SuperCab as the neglected cab-style stepchild. Due to a lack of demand, Ford has decided to leave the SuperCab off any trim level above the Lariat. (So if you crave your truck’s interior to be like your wife’s Lexus and want the King Ranch, Platinum, or Limited body styles, you must pay for the SuperCrew).
Trim Levels
Ford offers the Supercab in three trim levels, the XL, XLT, and Lariat. While customers can choose a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the two bottom trims are the only ones that offer all three cab configurations. The Lariat starts with a SuperCab and offers the SuperCrew as an option.
The XL is an essential work truck with few frills (black vinyl flooring, a black steering wheel, 40/20/40 cloth seats, and power windows). The XL has come a long way from your grandfather’s ride with an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync4 with Android Auto, a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, and a standard 3.3L Ti-VCT V6. While the standard safety and convenience features are appreciated, it offers a basic truck with dinky features. (Frankly, we expected more, but if that’s all you need, it will get the job done).
Should owners wish for a few more stuff, the XLT and Lariat offer more driver assistance features like BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with TrailerTow and Traffic Alert. Ford’s new CoPilot 360 system is standard (which is a blessing on long-distance trips). While the XLT offers carpeting and a few refinements over the XL, there is a huge range of options on the Lariat trim (about $20k more). The 12-inch info screen is large enough to be functional, and the massive suite of safety features like land departure warning, reverse sensing System, and pre-collision alert are all standard features that most adults have grown to expect their cars to have. (And who doesn’t like leather - its standard, too).
Engine
The base engine for the base model (XL and XLT trims) is the 3.3L Ti-VCT with auto stop/start producing 290 horsepower and 265 lb/ft of torque. While the twin-independent cam timing offers better gas mileage than your father’s truck, it doesn’t have the pop that the 2,7 Eco-boost has or the revs of the 5.0L V8, which are optional on 4x4 units). The 2.7 Eco0boost is standard for Lariat.
Exterior
The XL features black as its favorite color, with black bumpers, door handles, and black skull cap side mirrors. Chrome features are an option (they offer a nice upgrade). The truck has a plain appearance. The XLT has chrome bumpers and color-painted door handles, but for some reason has black side mirrors like the XL. A two-tone paint scheme is optional on the XLT.
The Lariat has enough chrome to look like the Ford trucks I remember, and there’s some comfort in that. The chrome bumpers match the silver accented grille and chrome mirrors and door handles. The feeling from the appearance is that the Lariat is just more upscale, and in these days of American drivers, how you look in your truck is almost essential as what you can do with your truck.
Payload and Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity for the 3.3L Ti-VCT is 8200 lbs, while the 2.7 Eco-boost with its 400 ft/lbs of torque sets the bar higher at 14k lbs. (The 5.0L is just around that mark). While not the most in its class (despite what Ford claims), the numbers are still high enough to compete with other half-ton pickups the competitors are pushing out.
The payload capacity of the optional 5.0L V8 is 3,325 lbs, which makes the F150 highly capable of handling tasks. The Eco-boost and 3.3L are less. Still, their 2400 - 2600 lbs are more than adequate.
Interior Space
The space behind the front seat is enough to store cargo or a couple of passengers (the rear bench seat folds down flat). With only 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the front seat, rear passengers will miss the additional 20 feet that the SuperCrew offers.
Fuel Economy
The 3.3L Ti-VCT gets a respectable 19 city/24 hwy. For those concerned with the rising gas prices, we’d recommend using the Eco-boost, which has better horsepower and torque and uses less fuel. (20 city/26 hwy).
A Word About Electrics/Hybrids
Unfortunately, Ford has applied the same reasoning to the premium models to the hybrid version and the new Ford F150 Lightning. The SuperCrew is the only option for King Ranch, Platinum, or Limited models. This writer understands that Ford may feel it knows its clientele, but there are still a bunch of truck lovers out there who don’t need to haul their families but need an electric truck with cab space to store power tools. For more information regarding the availability of the Ford F150 in your area, contact your local Ford dealer or see all the details @ Ford.com
