The Ford F-150 has been around since 1948. For the last four decades, it’s been the best-selling pickup truck in the U.S. For the last three decades? It’s been the top-selling vehicle. 

Yet, despite its massive popularity, the Ford F-150 is often ranked below its top rivals on various reviews. Is the Ford F-150 really the best truck? Or is it just hype?

The 2020 Ford F-150

Like most trucks on today’s market, the 2020 Ford F-150 can be whatever you want it to be. Do you want a bad-ass off-roading adventure truck? Try the Ford F-150 Raptor. If you want a luxury cruiser? You can have that with the F-150 too. You can also get a truck to do the heavy lifting for you in your business or around the home for the tasks you need to get done. 

From a hard-working truck with a standard cab and an eight-foot bed to a family vehicle with four doors and a shorter bed, the Ford F-150 is highly versatile. There’s a wide assortment of configurations available with the F-150 to meet all types of needs and budgets.

The Ford F-150 an impressive full-size pickup truck. With six engine options, a smooth ride, and class-leading hauling and towing chops, the F-150 is a top seller. The fact that its predicted reliability rating is usually strong doesn’t hurt it either.

Better than the rest?

While the Ford F-150 is a top-selling pickup truck, it doesn’t always measure up to the competition. 

Let’s look at the 2020 Ram 1500 as an example. The Ram 1500 got a redesign in 2019 and it was a good one. Good enough to rank the Ram 1500 ahead of the Ford F-150 in Edmunds’ Best Trucks List for full-size trucks. While many truck fans are loyal to a brand, there’s no denying that the new Ram might be enough to make some switch teams. 

You get a dynamic driving experience regardless of which Ram 1500 you select and it has a new rear suspension that’s unique for the class. The ride quality of the Ram is more like a car than a truck for those who want a family or luxury vehicle. 

The best part? The Ram can get all the work you need a truck for done with ease. It has great ratings for hauling and towing.

The Ram might not have the Ford F-150 beat on engine options but it’s the clear winner when it comes to cabin quality. The interior of the new Ram 1500 uses top-quality materials and seats that are incredibly comfortable. The infotainment system is user-friendly as is the rest of the tech. 

It gets even more opulent as you explore the various trim levels of the Ram. There are storage options that are spacious and top-of-the-class. There’s a versatile center console, roomy bins in the floor, and compartments you can lock integrated into the side of the truck’s bed.

If that’s not enough, on Consumer Reports’ ranking of full-size pickup trucks, the Ford F-150 came in fifth. Noted drops in predicted reliability, emergency and routine handling, and ride quality appeared to be culprits.

Too much respect?

Now isn’t the time for Ford to become complacent about its popular F-series trucks. The Ford F-150 is an impressive truck but competition is fierce. Ford shouldn’t rely on its truck’s reputation to carry for it too long. Yes, the F-series set the industry standard for a long time. But times change.

The competition, like the Ram 1500, is catching up and doing some things better. The more modern design of some of F-150’s peers along with its improving engine options and available features are catching the attention of truck enthusiasts.

The last redesign the F-150 received was in 2015 and its design is starting to feel dated. The automaker would also be wise to take a look at what’s currently working and not working for the company now.

The 2020 Ford F-150 still a versatile, capable truck very worthy of respect. If, however, Ford wants it to remain the most popular full-size pickup truck? It’ll need to take a long look at what the competition is doing and do it better.