A Truck For Everyone: Does the Updated '24 Ford F-150 Bring the Best Pickup Lineup Ever?

• December 20, 2023
• Story By
  Mike Garrett

You simply cannot understate just how important the F-150 is for Ford. Not only is it the company's bread and butter, but F-series trucks are also regularly the number-one-selling vehicle in America.

That, of course, means that Ford takes great care when updating this perennial all-star pickup and enthusiast favorite. 

New & Improved

Earlier this fall, the company debuted an updated version of the F-150 for the '24 model year. And among the changes are an optional new "Pro Access" tailgate that includes a swing door.

There's also new front-end styling, and a change to the engine lineup that drops the old base model 3.3L naturally aspirated V6 engine for the 2.7 EcoBoost engine.

These updates for 2024 improve on what was already one of the most wide-reaching pickup truck lineups ever offered. One that includes everything from hybrids and turbos to supercharged V8s — and all-electric powertrains.

We also love that Ford still gives F-150 buyers a choice between the 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost V6s and the more traditional naturally aspirated 5.0L V8. 

Along with mainstream buyers, the lineup also offers a lot of options for enthusiasts, particularly for those who want an off-road capable truck. 

Enthusiast-Friendly

We've always thought the F-150 Tremor was one of the true sweet spots in the F-150 lineup.

It offers a serious improvement in off-road capability and its own unique look without going as extreme as the flagship Raptor.

And for '24 the Tremor gets an entirely new front end and grille, making it feel less like an option package and more like its own unique model.

Need more? That's where the F-150 Raptor comes in of course. And for 2024 the Raptor gets an updated set of FOX Dual Live Valve shocks to further improve its desert-running cred.

And if for some reason the regular Raptor isn't enough for you, there's the Raptor R which adds a 5.2 liter supercharged V8 engine that makes it perhaps the wildest production off-road pickup ever.

The Electric Option

You can't forget about the F-150 Lightning either. Though the all-electric F-150 is a completely different beast, beneath its familiar-looking F-150 body it's a welcome addition to the lineup.

For 2024 Ford adds two new options to the F-150 Lightning lineup. First, there's the new "Flash" model, a tech-centric trim that slots between the XLT and Lariat. Then there's the Platinum Black, which will be limited to 2,000 examples.

Going with an electric truck brings its own challenges - particularly when talking about the purchase price, true driving range while towing and charging infrastructure. So you'll certainly want to consider those things before choosing a Lightning over a gasoline F-150.

But if you can make an F-150 Lightning work for you, the silent, gasoline-free running and massive horsepower and torque can be hard to beat.

Make Way for the Lobo?

Now from an enthusiast perspective, if there's one thing that's missing from the current F-150 lineup,  a street performance model. In other words, a true successor to the supercharged V8 F-150 SVT Lightning of the early 2000s.

And the rumor is Ford is working on that, perhaps with them using the name "Lobo" for performance-oriented versions of both the F-150 and Maverick.

Would the F-150 Lobo be a street version of the Raptor? Would there be a version with the Raptor R's blown V8? Or how about going old-school and offering the F-150 Lobo with the Super Duty's 7.3 liter "Godzilla" V8?

The Lobo would only add to what is easily one the most wide-reaching pickup lineups ever. One with offerings for work-truck buyers, EV fans, luxury customers, and enthusiasts alike.