Reviewing Ford F-150 Model Generations and Refreshes Since 2015

Anyone trying to find a used Ford F-150 for sale will discover plenty of options at Online.cars. Ford has been making the F-150 since 1975, and the F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck series for 48 consecutive years. When you add that the average F-150 lifespan is more than 230,000 miles, there are many possibilities for people who want an affordable, high-quality truck.
The trick is figuring out the balance between price and performance. A 2014 Ford F-150 will cost a lot less than a 2024 F-150. However, plenty of changes have been made to the powertrain, suspension, onboard tech, and more. To help with your truck search, we decided to look at the evolution of the Ford F-150 since 2015. By comparing the model generations and facelifts during that period, you can see the highlights of each and determine whether they serve your needs.

2015: 13th Generation Debuts

On January 13, 2014, Ford publicly showcased the 13th-generation Ford F-150 for the first time at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) as a 2015 model year vehicle. Based on the Atlas concept truck seen at the previous NAIAS, this truck saw major changes from the 2014 F-150. To start, the new version was the first Ford production vehicle with an aluminum body. This reduced the truck’s curb weight by more than 700 lbs versus the old steel body and increased rust resistance while maintaining strength.

Under the hood, the engine lineup on the F-150 was almost completely redone. The previous base-level 3.7 V6 Ti-VCT was replaced by a 3.5L V6 Cyclone. It had a little less horsepower (282 vs 302) but still offered better acceleration and top speed because of the truck’s lower weight. There was also a brand-new 2.7L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, a reworked 3.5 EcoBoost V6, and the return of the 5.0L V8 Coyote flex-fuel.

Ford made huge upgrades to tech, convenience features, and driver assistance on the 13th-generation F-150. LED headlamps and tail lights were now available, and owners had the option to add a 360-degree camera, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and integrated loading ramps for the truck bed.

Finally, Ford reduced the number of trims to clear the clutter. This included discontinuing the STX, FX2, and FX4 (though STX and FX4 option packages were available) as well as the Tremor and Harley-Davidson special editions. The off-road Raptor trim was also temporarily sidelined as engineers worked on a redesign for the new platform.

2018: Midcycle Refresh

After a period of relative calm, Ford gave its signature truck a significant facelift. Piggybacking on a 2017 redesign of the 3.5L EcoBoost, every other F-150 powerplant also got an overhaul, and a diesel engine was available for the first time (albeit only for commercial vehicles). The new lineup was as follows:

• 3.3L Cyclone V6: 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque (up from 282 and 253 on the 3.5L Cyclone)
• 2.7L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6: 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque (up from 325 and 375)
• 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6: 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque (up from 365 and 420)
• 5.0L Coyote V8: 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque (up from 385 and 387)
• 3.0L PowerStroke Turbo-Diesel V6: 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque

Beyond this, Ford dumped the 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission on all engines except the 3.3L Cyclone in favor of the 10R80 SelectShift ten-speed automatic. The exterior front got a nip and tuck with new grilles, fascia, headlamp styles, and bumpers in an array of finishes. Tech-wise, Ford added a standard rearview camera to meet new federal requirements, plus a pre-collision assist system. The adaptive cruise control was tweaked to account for stop-and-go traffic. New SYNC 3 infotainment software allowed remote access, and Ford switched from Sony to Bang & Olufsen to provide its premium F-150 sound systems.

Although not technically part of the refresh, the Ford F-150 Raptor returned in 2017. Along with an off-road-oriented suspension, it sported a high-output version of the 3.5 EcoBoost engine with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, the most ever in an F-150. Ford also added this powertrain to the Limited beginning in 2019.

2021: 14th Generation Debuts

Another three years passed before the major update on the F-150. This one occurred in two stages. The 14th generation officially came out in the 2021 model year, and the most noteworthy aspect was the inaugural Ford F-150 hybrid truck. The PowerBoost powertrain added a 35 kW electric motor to the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which itself had been redesigned to deliver 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Together, the hybrid duo offered 430 hp, 570 lb-ft of torque, and an increase in EPA-estimated fuel mileage of up to 25%. It could be purchased on most trims, but only if the truck had the SuperCrew cab.

The extra power increased the towing capacity of the 14th-gen F-150 from 13,200 to 14,000 pounds. The 5.0L Coyote V8 engine was also finessed to add five hp and 10 lb-ft of torque, and Ford made the ten-speed auto transmission universal. Technology got another nice bump, too. The eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was previously the upgrade option, became the standard option. The upgrade screen was now 12 inches, and each ran new SYNC 4 software. The Ford F-150 Raptor also became more distinct with a modified frame, a five-link coilover rear suspension, larger Fox shocks, and optional 37-inch tires. For those who wanted off-road capabilities but were on a lower budget, Ford brought the Tremor back as a full-fledged trim.

Other big changes were in store one year later. The F-150 Lightning EV was introduced for those who wanted a fully electric half-ton pick. Conversely, Ford discontinued the PowerBoost diesel engine due to poor sales. The 2022 model year also witnessed the debut of Ford’s Pro Power Onboard generator system, which can provide up to 7.2 kW of power for tools, equipment, and appliances.

2024: Midcycle Refresh

Ford clearly thinks every three years is a good time to refurbish the F-150 because they did it again in 2024. The only significant powertrain change was that Ford dropped the 3.3L V6 engine from the lineup, making the 2.7L EcoBoost engine the new baseline. Plenty more happened on other fronts, though. The grille and headlamps were reconfigured, and all F-150 models now came with LED headlamps and a Class IV trailer hitch.

Ford also reduced the number of cab and bed combinations to simplify ordering. Most notably, the SuperCab could no longer be ordered with a long bed, and buyers could only get the regular cab on the XL trim. Speaking of trims, the long-standing Limited was swapped for the Platinum Plus as the high-end choice. One downside to all this is that towing capacity dipped slightly to 13,500 lbs, which is still the best in its class.

Inside, the 12-inch infotainment screen and a 12-inch dual-display digital gauge cluster were now installed across the board. Ford also standardized more driver assistance features, such as blind spot monitoring and rear parking sensors. Higher trims could now be purchased with a head-up display and an improved Wi-Fi hotspot that supported ten devices. Last but certainly not least, Ford started offering BlueCruise 1.2, the latest edition of its semi-autonomous system for hands-free driving on compatible roads.

Find Your Used F-150

As you can see, the F-150 has undergone many changes in 10 short years, meaning there are a plethora of picks on the used truck market. Beyond what we’ve discussed, other year-to-year changes were made, such as making certain driver assistance features standard and adding new paint colors. It’s all in the name of continuing to improve one of the most popular vehicles ever made.

Online.cars makes it easy to shop for a used Ford F-150. The convenient search features help you find the right truck within your budget, and we’ll buy your existing vehicle, too. Enjoy a lifetime warranty, a money-back guarantee, delivery to your home, and a nationwide vehicle service network. Our team is available 24/7 if you have any questions, so call us at 888-890-1116.