2001 Ford F150

Exterior
Ford blends traditional truck styling cues like a bold grille with rounded body panels in the F-150, which comes in five sizes. Both the regular-cab models and Super Cabs offer a choice of 6.5- or 8-foot cargo beds. The short bed is available with flared fenders that Ford calls Flareside on regular cabs and Super Cabs.

Interior
Regular-cab models and Super Cabs come with a three-place bench seat or two front buckets. Super Cabs add a three-place, folding rear seat that is split 60/40.

Under the Hood
The F-150's base engine is a 202-horsepower 4.2-liter V-6. Most buyers choose one of the V-8s, which are smoother, quieter and more potent. V-8 choices are a 220-hp 4.6-liter or a 260-hp 5.4-liter.

Four-wheel-drive models come with a standard floor-mounted transfer case lever that allows shifting in or out of 4WD High on the move. An electrically engaged transfer case operated by a dashboard switch is optional.

General Motors, Dodge and Toyota are frantically trying to catch the F-150, the perennial sales leader, but Ford finds new ways to keep its full-size pickup at the front of the herd. The F-150 at least matches its rivals in the work categories and exceeds them in the convenience and comfort areas with features like the adjustable pedals and four-door SuperCrew.

If you are shopping for a full-size pickup, the F-150 is a great starting point.