The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks in America and this year, Ford started selling a diesel version of its famous pickup truck. Ford is well-known for making some great engines for its trucks, and the F-150 diesel was no exception. Here are two reasons why MotorTrend loved this diesel F-150.

Fuel economy

Diesel engines, when the automaker isn’t lying about things, tend to have great fuel economies, especially compared to gas engines. The diesel F-150 is no exception, and according to MotorTrend, its fuel economy was simply superior to its competition. 

In MotorTrend’s drive tests, the diesel F-150’s 3.0-liter V6, which generates 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, was able to get a remarkable 23.7 combined MPG. It’s no surprise then that the F-150 diesel is at the top of its class when compared with other trucks in terms of fuel economy.

For example, pickups like the Nissan Frontier and the Ram 1500 are simply miles behind the fuel economy of the F-150 diesel. The Frontier gets a combined mpg of 17 and the Ram 1500 gets a combined MPG of 15. That significant difference in fuel economy can mean a lot of money, especially when gas, or, in the F-150’s case, diesel, prices are high. 

It should be noted, however, that MotorTrend wasn’t even testing the most fuel-efficient F-150 diesel trim, either. According to the government, the most fuel-efficient F-150 diesel had a fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on highways, and 25 mpg combined. It’s also worth noting that according to MotorTrend, in its tests of the F-150, the F-150 had a better fuel economy than the government said it would. It stands to reason then that the most fuel-efficient F-150 diesel is even more fuel-efficient than the government says it is.

Comfort

The other thing that MotorTrend loved about the F-150 diesel was how comfortable and quiet the ride was. After a long day at work, that’s exactly the type of ride that drivers want from their trucks, and the F-150 diesel, much like the F-150’s other trims, is able to deliver on that. Other trucks, like the Toyota Tacoma, suffer from having a very noisy and uncomfortable ride.

The F-150 on the other hand, according to MotorTrend, feels like a real truck when you’re sitting inside it. It’s not the smoothest ride, but it’s not an uncomfortable one either by any means. Furthermore, in terms of its interior look and feel, the F-150 scored well, too.

Of course, how beautiful interior features are is in the eye of the beholder, but the F-150, in general, is considered to have a very luxurious and premium interior. With lots of room, plenty of standard features, and loads of options, the F-150 rightfully earned its place as the best selling vehicle in America.

Price point

MotorTrend had a lot of good things to say about the F-150 diesel, but its high-tech engine does add to its hefty price. At a $48,000 starting price tag, it’s already a pretty expensive truck for the average household. The trim that MotorTrend tested actually cost about $65,000, and that’s simply a lot of money for the average family.

That said, compared to its competition, the F-150 diesel is actually priced about average. Two other trucks that were competing with the F-150 diesel for MotorTrend’s truck of the year competition were the GMC Sierra and the Ram 1500. The Sierra had a price tag that ranged from $54,000 to $67,000. The Ram 1500 had a price tag that ranged from $37,000 to $68,000.