Ford F-Series 2025 Full Review – Engine Options, Towing Capacity, Interior Features, Technology, Price & Real-World Performance Explained

The Ford F-Series—specifically the iconic F-150—is not just a truck; it is the single best-selling vehicle in North America, a symbol of freedom, power, and capability. For years, Indian enthusiasts could only dream of seeing this behemoth on our roads. Thanks to the “private import” or “CBU (Completely Built Unit)” route, a handful of these trucks, particularly the high-performance F-150 Raptor, have found their way onto Indian tarmac, usually via specialist importers.

Let’s be clear: this is not a mainstream launch. The Ford F-Series in India is a niche, luxury, lifestyle product. We are reviewing the F-150 in the context of what it costs and how it performs once it lands here, facing Indian duties, registration, and road conditions.

What is the price tag for this dream? Due to the hefty import duties (upwards of 125% for CBUs) and required modifications (like RHD conversion), the Ex-showroom starting price for an imported Ford F-150 Raptor can range from a conservative Rs. 1.00 Crore to an eye-watering Rs. 2.75 Crore (On-Road equivalent), depending on the engine and trim. This places it not against local pickup trucks, but against German luxury SUVs.

But once you see it, you understand the hype. Nothing else commands this level of road presence.

Quick Specs Table: F-150 Raptor (Performance Spec)

We will focus on the most commonly imported and talked-about version: the high-performance F-150 Raptor, which embodies the F-Series spirit.

Feature	F-150 Raptor (High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost)
Engine	3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 (EcoBoost)
Max Power	450 BHP @ 5850 rpm
Max Torque	691 Nm @ 3000 rpm
Transmission	10-speed Automatic (SelectShift)
Towing Capacity	~3,700 kg (Varies by configuration)
Ground Clearance	305 mm (12 inches) – Unladen
Fuel Tank Capacity	~136 Litres (36 US Gallons)

Exterior Design & Road Presence: The Absolute Boss

The F-Series, particularly the F-150, is a visual declaration. It’s not designed to blend in; it’s designed to dominate.

• Size and Stance: The sheer scale of the F-150 is the first thing that hits you. At roughly 5.9 meters in length and over 2 meters wide, it dwarfs every other car on the road—including full-size SUVs like the Fortuner and Land Cruiser. It is a true full-size truck.
• The Grille: The massive, blocky front grille with the colossal “F O R D” lettering is unmistakable. The stacked LED headlamps are futuristic and give it an aggressive brow.
• Road Presence: Does it turn heads on the road? Yes, it breaks necks. In Indian metro cities, driving an F-Series is a celebrity experience. It stops traffic, both figuratively and literally, due to its size. It’s a statement of status, power, and defiance against the norm.
• Practicality Challenge: The flip side is its size. Navigating narrow city lanes, crowded markets, or finding parking that can accommodate its massive length and width is a constant, genuine struggle. This is a highway and open-road vehicle first.

Interior, Comfort & Features: Luxury Workhorse

Stepping inside the F-150, you are instantly transported into a cabin that balances rugged capability with American-style luxury.

Dashboard & Features

The cabin is built to endure, but in the premium trims (Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor), the feature list puts many German luxury sedans to shame.

• Dashboard Quality: The materials are robust. While there are hard plastics lower down (it is still a truck, after all), the leather-wrapped surfaces, metallic accents, and premium stitching in the upper trims create a high-quality feel.
• Touchscreen: You get a massive 12-inch or even a 15-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system that is incredibly intuitive, crisp, and feature-packed.
• Key Features: The list is designed for comfort on long drives and harsh weather:
  • Heated and Ventilated Front Seats (often massaging too): Unheard of in a pickup segment in India.
  • B&O Premium Sound System: Exceptional audio quality.
  • Pro Power Onboard: This is a killer feature—a massive integrated inverter that provides $2\text{ kW}$ to $7.2\text{ kW}$ of power output in the bed, essentially turning your truck into a mobile generator. Perfect for camping or emergency power.
  • Stowable Gear Shifter: The automatic gear lever folds flat, allowing the center armrest to fold out into a usable desk for working on a laptop.

Space & Comfort

The F-150 is typically imported in the SuperCrew configuration, which is a proper full-size four-door cabin.

• Front: The captain seats are like recliners; immense width and excellent support.
• Rear: Can 3 people sit at the back? Easily. The legroom and shoulder room in the SuperCrew are greater than almost any SUV sold in India, including the Fortuner and Gloster. It genuinely seats three large adults in comfort. Rear AC vents are standard, and depending on the trim, the rear seats can also be heated.
• The Bed: The massive cargo bed, often lined with a spray-in liner, offers unparalleled utility for sports equipment, adventure gear, or just showing off.

Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics

The power is immense, bordering on ridiculous for Indian roads, but it’s glorious. We’ll focus on the popular 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the Raptor, which delivers 450 BHP and 691 Nm of torque.

Highway Drive: Effortless Power

This engine is a twin-turbocharged monster. Acceleration is brutal and immediate; the power comes on quickly thanks to the turbos.

• Stability at 100kmph+: The F-150 is built for highway cruising. The sheer weight and length keep it planted and stable, making The 10-speed automatic transmission is a marvel, always selecting the right gear for smooth progress or instant thrust.

Suspension and Off-Road Prowess

This is the Raptor’s specialty, utilizing FOX Live Valve shocks with enormous travel.

• How does it handle Indian potholes? The suspension doesn’t just absorb potholes; it makes potholes disappear. The long-travel suspension, especially in the Raptor, is designed for high-speed desert running and completely isolates the cabin from bad roads. This is arguably the most comfortable vehicle over broken patches in India.
• City Drive: The biggest challenge here is maneuverability. The steering is relatively light for such a large vehicle, but the turning radius is massive. It is not easy to park—the 360-degree camera system is absolutely essential for navigating parking lots.

Safety (Crucial Section): Built Like a Tank

The F-Series is engineered to meet stringent US Federal safety standards, which are among the highest globally.

• Build Quality: Built on a fully-boxed, high-strength steel frame, it is quite literally built like a tank.
• Safety Features: Standard equipment is extensive, often including:
  • 8 Airbags (Front, side, knee, and curtain)
  • AdvancedTrak® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®)
  • Ford Co-Pilot360™: This advanced suite often includes features that would qualify for Level 2 ADAS:
    • Adaptive Cruise Control
    • Lane-Keeping System
    • Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
    • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Trailer Coverage
• Global NCAP Rating: Not tested by Global NCAP, but receives high marks in US crash tests (NHTSA and IIHS). Its sheer size and structural integrity offer a massive safety advantage over smaller vehicles on Indian roads.

Real World Mileage: The Truth

The Ford F-Series is powered by large, powerful, often turbocharged engines designed for heavy-duty work, not fuel efficiency in the traditional Indian sense. We use the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) figures and convert them to kilometers per liter (kmpl) for an Indian context.

Powertrain	EPA Claimed MPG (City/Hwy)	ARAI Claimed (Estimated kmpl)	Real World City Mileage (Estimated kmpl)	Real World Highway Mileage (Estimated kmpl)
3.5L EcoBoost V6 (4×4)	16/24 MPG	approx 6.8	4.5 – 5.5	7.0 – 8.5
5.0L V8 (4×4)	16/24 MPG	approx 6.8	{4.0 – 5.0 kmp	{6.5 – 7.5
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid (4×4)	22/24 MPG	approx 9.7	7.5 – 8.5kmp	{9.0 – 10.0

Is it worth the price tag? The running cost is enormous. In city traffic, the real mileage drops sharply to for the petrol variants. The Hybrid option offers the only remotely acceptable fuel efficiency. Owners of this truck must be prepared for monumental fuel bills.

The Competition: Ford F-Series vs Toyota Hilux vs Isuzu V-Cross

The Ford F-Series operates in a luxury segment of its own. Its “direct rivals” in India are the largest, most feature-rich lifestyle pickup trucks available locally, which are significantly smaller and cheaper.

Feature	Ford F-150 Raptor (CBU)	Toyota Hilux (Top-End)	Isuzu D-Max V-Cross (Top-End)
Price (Ex-showroom Est.)	Rs. 1.50 – 2.75 Crore	Rs. 38.00 Lakh	Rs. 27.00 Lakh
Engine Power	450 BHP / 691 Nm	201 BHP / 500 Nm	161 BHP / 360 Nm
Transmission	10-speed AT	6-speed AT	6-speed AT
Ground Clearance	305 mm (Segment Highest)	220 mm	225 mm
Key Features	FOX Racing Shocks, Pro Power Onboard, ADAS, Massaging Seats	7 Airbags, Auto LSD, Leather Seats, Solid Reliability	6 Airbags, Bi-LED Projectors, Shift-on-Fly 4WD
Cabin Space	Full-Size (Massive)	Mid-Size (Large)	Mid-Size (Comfortable)

Winner: Value For Money (VFM)

• The Isuzu V-Cross is the best entry point for a dedicated lifestyle pickup truck on a budget.
• The Toyota Hilux brings the legendary Toyota reliability and robust build quality, justifying its premium price tag.
• The Ford F-Series is not VFM by any metric—it’s an aspirational, ultra-luxury, high-performance toy. It’s for the buyer who wants the biggest, most unique vehicle on the road, with zero compromises on power or features, and has an unlimited budget for acquisition and running costs.

Read more : Kia Syros

FINAL VERDICT: A Truck Too Big, But Too Good

The Ford F-Series is a spectacular machine. It offers unmatched comfort over bad roads (thanks to that world-class suspension), immense power, and a feature set that elevates the concept of a “pickup truck” to that of a true luxury vehicle. However, its sheer size is its biggest enemy in India’s traffic and parking scenarios.

Buy it if:

• You want the ultimate road presence and a truly unique, imported vehicle.
• You need unmatched off-road capability (Raptor) and suspension comfort over the worst terrain.
• You need the Pro Power Onboard feature for remote applications or luxury camping.

Skip it if:

• You care about real mileage (The thirst is real).
• Your daily commute involves narrow city lanes, tight parking, or crowded markets.
• You prefer the peace of mind of a local dealer service network and easy parts availability.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

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