2017 F150 SuperCrew Lariat FX4 3.5L EcoBoost

I thought I would post my initial impressions of my new truck. Maybe it will help somebody decide, and maybe someone will post something that I don't know that will help me get more out of the truck.

I bought it 12/31, so I’ve been in it about a week and a half at this point. That means I reserve the right to change my opinion. I came out of a 2010 model of the same truck, so my opinions are swayed by that model, engine, transmission, etc.


3.5L EcoBoost
This thing is amazing. My 5.4L had lots of towing power. You really couldn’t tell you were pulling a boat/trailer. But, it wasn’t fast. This thing is fast. Sport mode, on I-285 in Atlanta, is exhilarating. I’m sure the novelty will wear off, but having the ability accelerate and pull my way out of traffic is going to end up getting me in trouble. Sorry officer.

The changes to the 3.5L EcoBoost and the 10-speed transmission are why I got the ’17. I waited until the 2nd version of the EcoBoost. I’m glad I did.

10-speed transmission
It’s smooth. When not in sport mode, I don’t notice it shifting. Haven’t towed with it yet so haven’t used the Tow/Haul mode. Hope it lasts.

Overall ride
This is the best riding vehicle I’ve ever owned. Now, I’ve owned mostly trucks (and maybe a Jeep in my life) and only a few cars, but it’s comfortable. Very comfortable. That’s part of why I got it. As I approach 50, I appreciate a smooth ride without a lot of road noise.

Interior & Amenities
See the comfortable statement above. The leather in the Lariats has come a long way. I was thinking I was going to buy a Platinum (hate the silver tailgate) or a King Ranch, but the interior of the Lariat was nice enough that I saved my money. I’ve never had black leather before, but the word that popped in my mind when I got in the truck on the lot was “elegant.” It’s nice. It’s definitely a Ford, so I’m sure there are much more elegant interiors out there, but this one met my needs and then some.

I am not a big fan of sunroofs. That being said, my wife talked my in to getting the big-*** double sunroof. Opening the cover to that thing makes the interior seem much bigger. Not sure how much I’m going to like it in August in Georgia, but so far it’s really nice.

I love the LED lights. I never knew how yellow my headlights, etc. were until I drove this thing home from work the first day after dark.

Sync 3
Easy to use. I still don’t know how to use all of it. I’ll figure out more of it, but it does what I need it to do…play music. Sirius, Pandora, Spotify, etc. If it can play those, I’ll be happy. The downside…it’s buggy. I’m a software guy, and there’s no way this software should have been released to the public as is. I plugged in a portable hard drive that I’ve drug around from truck to truck for years with about 10k songs completely froze the system such that I drove to work (an hour) with the screen completely frozen. See next session for more.

Apple CarPlay vs AppLink
This is where Ford had the chance to hit a home run, and didn’t. They got a hit. These things work, but neither of them give you the best of both worlds…they each leave something to be desired.

First Carplay. I want to like this. I do. Being able to control my phone through the truck screen is ideal. But, if I do that then I have to use Apple maps instead of the Ford maps. Why? I don’t’ want to use my data for mapping when I have a Sirius subscription for that. Get this fixed Ford (or Apple?).

Now for AppLink. This is something that should never have been released as is. First, I have to manipulate my phone, after connecting to the truck, in order to manipulate my phone using the truck screen. This is just silly. Get it fixed. Secondly, after getting Pandora, Spotify, etc. up and running, listening to music is great, until it’s not. After about 5-10 minutes, they disconnect and you end up listening to dead air. Then you have to disconnect, reconnect, remaniupate the phone screen so you can use the AppLInk. All while driving in Atlanta traffic? No thanks.
For both CarPlay and AppLink, you have to connect both through Bluetooth and via USB. What the heck? This is just crazy to me. The phone should connect and work even if it’s in my bag in the backseat.

TL;DR
Love it. It’s a Ford truck. I’m a Ford truck guy. I'm not the diehard “Chevy sucks” guy, but I do like and buy Ford. Chevrolet makes a fine product. I’ll keep changing my opinions as I learn more, things break in, etc., but I’m a happy camper all in all.

Mall of Georgia Ford
I hate dealing with these guys, but I’m usually able to get them right on price. I always learn something during the buying process. This time I learned to be specific. I negotiated a bed divider. I expected the OEM bed divider, but didn’t specify. I honestly didn’t know there were aftermarket bed dividers, but that was just my stupidity. Well, they came through on the bed divider and (first impression) is it’s a POS. I’ll give it a try, and will report back if my first impression is wrong. I don’t know whether to be impressed with their temerity, or pissed off that I didn’t get what I want. In the end, I learned a lesson and wont’ make that mistake again.

 

Thanks for the review, lots of good info in there.

I pulled the trigger on a 2016 in early December, because the deals they were offering were great. I don't regret it, but a small part of me wishes I would have waited for the 2017.

I think the extra power with the EcoBoost, and the new transmission would have been nice, but I'm familiar with both the current 3.5 EcoBoost, and the current transmission from previous vehicles, and sometimes it's just better the devil you know :-).

Good call on the lesson learned about being specific. I learned that one the hard way a long time, ago and have been careful ever since.

Hope you continue to enjoy the new truck!

 

Great review! Keep us posted on your thoughts and throw in some pics

 

Here's one moment in time during that glorious week when I had not 1 but 2 awesome pickup trucks and a snap of the last truck standing.

 

You've got a sharp new truck for sure. I'm
not a ecoboost guy but I think the gen2 and 10 spd is going to become "the one".

 

Thanks for sharing! Not many good write-ups yet about the 17 EB on this forum. I appreciate you taking the time to share.

 

Well said

 

Congratulations on the new truck. Thank for sharing your review. Lots of good info.

 

For CarPlay, it's only USB. And when CarPlay is turned on and running on the phone, the bluetooth connection is dropped.

I would think the choice to use the factory nav and CarPlay at the same time is a function of Ford. My wife's SUV (not a Ford) has CarPlay and you can choose between the built in nav or Apple Maps when running CarPlay.

 

Our trucks, previous and current, could almost pass for twins!