By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Luxo interior and ride quality
• Microsoft Sync - the only endearing Microsoft product in existence
• Gutsy and fuel efficient Triton V8

Dings:

• Mundane exterior styling…
• …except for the obnoxiously large faux chrome grille
• Cargo loops in bed smaller than a needle hole

Ruling: Although you might not notice at first glance, Ford’s F-150 really is new and improved.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• High-Quality Hide
• Luxurious for a truck
• Solid, reliable performer
• Deals galore can be had on them right now

Dings:

• Outpowered by competitors
• Four speed automatic with no tow/haul feature
• Heavy (duh)
• Thirsty (double-duh)

Ruling: The F-150 is as functional as a Leatherman and more boring than watching C-SPAN, but at least functional boredom comes in classy Texas-style luxury.

Until the Honda Civic recently de-throned it, for decades, yes decades, the F-150 pickup has been the number one selling vehicle in the good ‘ole US of A. If this statistic comes as a surprise, then you either live on the east coast, the west coast or the lost coast. Heartland America is where the F-150 thrives. Take a trip down to the local diner in Peoria, Illinois sometime. You’ll see pickup beds filled with everything from horse feed to Hemi engine blocks. They range in age and condition from rusty, run-down, Reagan era models to a brand new shiny, speck-free 2008 King Ranch Edition; identical to the one we tested.

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