Ford F-150 Used Buying Guide

• Despite this being a truck, it is surprisingly safe, coming with a Top Safety Pick in 2018.
• The best years for a used Ford F-150 are 2024 and 2018 in their respective generations.
• While there are a ton of engine options, if you value the highest towing capacity, then you’re locked into the 3.5L V6, making this the best option for tradesmen.

When this generation hit the roads, it had been around for a while, making this the best on the market. This generation comes in a ton of trims to pick from; the trims are the XL, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, Limited, and the Raptor.

For the lower-end trims, you can find an 8-inch screen, and while this isn’t small, there is a larger one in the lineup. If you want the largest screen, then you can look for a trim that is equipped with the 12-inch screen. No matter which screen you find yourself looking at, you will be able to enjoy Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. These screens also come with optional navigation and SiriusXM radio, giving you the option for more if you’re lucky.

This generation also comes with a ton of engine options for you to look for, depending on your needs. The engines are a 3.3 L V6, 2.7 L and 3.5 L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6s, a 5.0 L V8, and a 3.0 L turbo-diesel V6. Of these engines, you’ll want the 3.5L V6 as it has the highest towing capacity at 14,000 pounds. This engine is the most efficient in the lineup as it comes with an EPA rating of 25 MPG combined.

If you prefer the diesel engine, then the 3.0L V6 is the engine that you need to be on the lookout for. It won’t come with the highest tow rating, but it is capable of towing 12,100 pounds, making this a solid option. While it isn’t the strongest, it is efficient, compared to some of the other options, coming with an EPA-rated 23 MPG combined. This engine would eventually be dropped thanks to a lack of interest in 2022.

In 2024, Ford decided it was time to change the features a bit, so they ended up equipping the 12-inch screen on all models. On the high-end trims, you may be able to find ones that are equipped with a heads-up display. Other new standard features include blind spot monitor, rear parking sensors, and Class IV trailer hitch.

An area where Ford shines is options, and the thirteenth generation is no different, as it comes with XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trim levels. Being that this generation is “older,” it still shares the heated and cooled seats, proving that you can still look good, despite having some age.

Throughout this generation's life, it saw a ton of engine options, but most of them were just upgrades to existing engines. The engines that you can find are the 3.3L V6, 3.5L V6, 2.7L V6, 5.0L V8, and the 3.0L V6 diesel engine. These engines are the same ones that are shared with the most recent generation.

The first few years of the generation were a bit to be desired, but in 2018 the model saw a facelift. This came with a two-bar grille design that debuted on the 2017 Super Duty model line, bringing the F-Series family more in line with one another.

While trucks are typically synonymous with safety, in 2018, the F-150 was given the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick thanks to the inclusion of pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.