2006 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4X4 New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2006 Ford F-150?
With a revised Dodge Ram on sale for 2006 and a brand-new, Texas-built Toyota Tundra on the horizon, Ford is not taking any chances with its F-150 Pickup this year. A limited-edition F-150 Harley-Davidson model debuts, equipped with rear-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive system – a first on an F-150. The Harley truck includes special interior and exterior trim, rich aniline leather upholstery, and 22-inch polished and forged aluminum wheels. Twenty-inch wheels can be ordered for the F-150 FX4, Lariat, and King Ranch this year, and traction control is now available on any 2WD model equipped with a V8 engine. F-150 SuperCrew will be offered with a 6.5-foot bed in 2006, adding a foot of cargo length to this popular model. Ford offers a free six-month subscription to Sirius satellite radio on F-150s with STX, XLT, FX4, and Lariat trim – the same set of models available with chrome tubular side steps for 2006. An XL Decor Package dresses up the base truck, while a new Chrome Package adds glitz to the XLT or Lariat models. Lariat can also be painted in a new Smokestone color, while a Luxury Package adds comfort and convenience items to the rugged F-150 FX4. A flexible-fuel 5.4-liter V8 arrives later in the model year.

Advantages of the 2006 Ford F-150:

• Ride quality
• Steering response
• Braking performance
• Handling
• Quiet cabin
• Comfortable front seats
• Dash design and layout

Objections to the 2006 Ford F-150:

• Weak 4.2-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 engines
• Slow downshifts when passing power is needed
• Poorly functioning cupholders

Editor's Advice:
If you can't find a 2006 Ford F-150 that meets your needs, the right truck for you simply does not exist. Though not class-leading, the optional 5.4-liter V8 produces power and torque on par with all competitors except the Dodge Ram Hemi. The Ford F-150 offers outstanding braking, steering, handling and ride quality; thanks for this athleticism go, in part, to a fully-boxed frame that is nine times stiffer torsionally than the previous-generation F-150. Our complaints with the hardware are limited to the underpowered 4.6-liter V8 that came standard on our F-150 STX SuperCab 4WD test truck, the frustration we experienced waiting for the transmission to downshift for passing power, and the muscle required to shift the transfer case lever. Off-road capability is the best we've experienced in a full-size pickup. The cab is commendably quiet at speed, and is constructed of what appear to be quality materials. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the controls are easy to find and use. However, climbing into and out of the 4WD model takes a bit of agility and we wished for more practical storage space. Strangely, more than half of the six front cupholders could not accommodate a one-liter water bottle and the two center armrest cupholders failed to steady a 24-ounce drink. If adults will be frequent passengers, we recommend the Super Crew model, which offers more rear seat space than the SuperCab. Nissan's Titan is an appealing alternative, and we like the Dodge Ram's brash character and powerful Hemi engine, but neither can be tailored to specific owner desires like the 2006 Ford F-150.