Overview

FORD Australia updated its F-150 pick-up range for 2026, introducing refreshed exterior styling, tech upgrades and a new flagship Platinum variant to top the local three-grade line-up. 

The entry-price for an ‘Effie’ is now $114,950 (up $8000 on the previous generation) for the XLT we’re testing, stepping up to $143,950 (up $4000) for the Lariat and $163,950 for the new Platinum grade – all before on-road costs.

Crucially, though, Ford has introduced price parity across wheelbases, meaning buyers can get into a short wheelbase (1662mm-long tray) or the long wheelbase (2000mm-long tray) for the same money.

Despite being the base-spec trim, the XLT receives a healthy dose of standard equipment with the update, like LED headlights, tail-lights and fogs, fresh 20-inch six-spoke alloys, and an updated front grille that looks seriously dominant on the road.

Under that long, square bonnet, the F-150 range retains Ford’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, producing stout outputs of 298kW/678Nm, running through a 10-speed automatic.

The XLT uses a part-time four-wheel-drive system, while the Lariat and Platinum get full-time 4x4.

Payload figures get a slight boost across the updated line-up, thanks to slightly improved GVM and GCM ratings, but it’s marginal and unlikely to tempt a tradie out of a mid-size dual-cab if it’s outright carrying capacity they’re after.

The XLT SWB we’re in offers a payload of 853kg, while the LWB can carry 878kg, and maximum braked towing across all grades and wheelbases is 4500kg when using a 70mm tow ball. 

Inside, the XLT now scores the same 12-inch digital driver display and 12-inch infotainment touchscreen as higher trim grades, making a strong case for the base runner. The XLT does however settle for cloth upholstery and more plastic than its leather-bound big brother models, but gets the handy mobile fold-out ‘office’ centre console.

While the XLT scores some advanced driver functions like pre-collision assist, cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring, it lacks the comprehensive suite the Lariat and Platinum get, which includes adaptive cruise and lane centring.

The F-150 is backed by Ford’s standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Driving Impressions

After picking up the F-150 XLT, I took it on a 1500km round-trip from Brisbane down to Moree and out to a handful of farms across the region for the cotton harvest. What better test, right?

After stretching its legs on the highway, and on some quieter country roads, I can say with certainty you’ll be hard-pressed finding a better country mile-muncher.

The long wheelbase and lounge-chair layout make for a comfortable ride, and it's grunty enough to get around road trains with ease. In fact, you’ve got to be careful dropping the hammer when overtaking because it picks up pace at an alarming rate.

It's a quick car, despite its size, with the 3.5-litre turbo V6 offering a mountain of torque from right down in the rev range, and it just builds, and builds, either overwhelming the rear rubber or risking your licence.

The constant 4x4 on the upstream models is a good thing, because the XLT does struggle for grip. Sure, that’s fun, but I'd take the grip over the drama.

I averaged around 10.5-litres per 100km across the trip, but I've seen double that when towing with an F-150, so it all comes down to what you're doing.

There's no denying this is a big car, with a big engine, so it isn't a light sipper, but given the performance underfoot I’d argue it’s within the realm of reasonable. Then again, people dropping six figures for a ute probably aren’t lying awake at night stressing about the cost of fuel.

With a 136-litre fuel tank, highway driving will easily get you 1000km between stops, but expect less if you make use of all that horsepower (it’s hard not to).

The spaciousness across both the first and second row is phenomenal, and it's always the first thing people comment on when they get in.

It's easier than you’d think to live with around town too, but tight underground car parks, or inner-city parallel street parks can get dicey. It’s a big lump of car, and we weren’t even in the long wheelbase model…

Every time I spend time in an Effie, I come away wanting to buy one. I don't need one, I can't afford one, and I'm aware they're a bit big on Aussie roads. But, none of that matters when you're in one.

Maybe the yanks are onto something? Or, it's a novelty when you're used to a midsize ute. The reality is, though, the F-150 is just a great ute, and it does just about everything really well.

Logic tells me to keep my Isuzu D-Max, which cost roughly half as much, can carry more, uses less fuel, and fits in any standard car space. But, I'm seriously tempted...