Australia does the F150 BETTER than the USA?! 2024 Ford F-150 detailed review (caravan towing test)

The Ford F-150 is brought here in left-hand drive, but remade even better than the US-spec versions right here in Australia.
That's because there's a factory-backed program between Ford Australia and remanufacturing experts at RMA Automotive to make the current-generation version of the F150 pickup truck even better to drive, and there's a whole heap of work that goes into it.
It's not just moving the steering wheel to the other side of the dash -- this remanufactured RHD F150 truck for Australia is different to the base F Series model in North America. Unlike the United States and Canada, our trucks get Ford Ranger Raptor steering gear, improved towing equipment (reworked towbar with 4.5 tonne capacity), reconfigured interior finishes and even different headlights.
With the most popular engine offered in Australia -- no, it's not a V8, but a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol engine - and a 10-speed automatic, it really does seem like this ticks a lot of boxes.
Yep, we do it better than the USA. But does that mean this big dual-cab 4x4 ute is actually worth considering? Well, with the RAM 1500, GMSV Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra all in the mix for 2024 and beyond, it seems like there's a big fight brewing in large pick-up truck land!
--
00:00 Intro
00:29 Is it the right price?
02:52 What are the best alternatives?
04:42 Is it the right size?
07:01 Interior
12:53 Under the bonnet
13:37 Driving
18:53 Towing
21:55 Efficiency
22:57 Is it safe?
24:09 Ownership
24:50 Verdict
--
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#ford #f150 #review

[@therightcar]

Hey everyone - in case you’re wondering about servicing costs, Ford Australia has confirmed the following: F-150 service costs will be $429 per service for the first four years or 60,000km, whichever comes first. Service intervals are every 12 months / 15,000km. 24:30

[@Mick_4591]

Warranty period?

[@351tgv]

as I said in live chat, I have zero interest in buying something like this however I can see why others would, I think ASV (RAM) are in trouble now that Ford are in this market segment also Chevrolet Silverado is junk, just look at how many buy them and get rid of them within months of purchase. The Toyota Tundra will be interesting especially as they are offering closed loop Hybrid option, Ford Australia should of offered the ProPower Hybrid option also for our market. USA/Canada experience shows they are very good in terms of recouping energy for the battery.

[@alphabravo3304]

Hi, I’m pretty sure Chevy, tundra, Ram and ford are all going through Walkinshaw/ ASV in Victoria, if that’s true, then it’s a captured market, zero competition and set high pricing.

[@nevillemander]

Walkinshaw did not get the deal, it went to RMA automotive@@alphabravo3304

[@joshobrien6188]

I'd love to own one great looking vehicle with plenty of room. Being 6'3" the extra room would be awesome and room for the kids. the towing ability is great I regularly tow a trailer, so the 4.5 t capacity is a bonus. Great review a lot more thorough than others who have reviewed it. Can't wait to see one at my local dealership.

[@GlowingTube]

Love this big brute! Would I ever by a mobile postcode like this? No, but it is cool.

[@rich7447]

US pickups are designed to run at highway speeds with a loaded trailer. Towing 4.5t at 75 mph/120 kph is normal here in the US. This is why we specify 10 to 15% of the trailer weight on the hitch for conventional towing and even more for bed mounted hitches.

[@351tgv]

Problem here is for Australian market state and territory road rules with regards to towing clearly started max speed is limited to 100km/h (or 62MPH in imperial) and in some cases as slow at 80km/h (49MPH). Most observe speed limitts here (and sadly there are stupid people who don't and speed while towing) so fuel economy for this vehicle will be in the 25L per 100KM range which in US Imperial is 9.4 USMPG (11.2 MPG Imperial) which is a lot less as I said above due to speed limits here which forces the engine while towing to work harder as it won't be able to achieve top transmission gear.

[@gregmaskell2372]

Great review and I’m guessing you didn’t get a full day on your own to look at everything but it’s very informative for the time frame It’s big and parking will be a bit of a problem but it will be safe to tow a big trailer or caravan I ordered mine last week

[@jockwar]

The ranger PX3 is small in the cabin I’m 6.2 I have the seat as far as I can get back & I just fit & the side of my knees are always hitting the plastics left & right so it’s about time we had them 😎

[@therightcar]

Haha big boy’s toy (literally!)

[@pablochacon40]

I have a 2015 f150 xlt with the 3.5 twin turbo and the truck drives just like it just came out of the ford factory. Love the truck

[@therightcar]

Good one!

[@grahamchappell4374]

@@therightcar In US Spec vehicles the 3.5L twin turbo out performs the 5.0L V8.

[@meba109]

Will be ordering one very soon :) :)

[@therightcar]

Good stuff! Which spec?

[@mvnorsel6354]

Wished you took it to ' Woolies ' for a shop, Matt😅.

[@chrisz8532]

I saw a brand new, unregistered Tremor version a few months ago (SA) and I had to do a double take, first one I’d seen. That thing looked awesome on the road. However, non diesel is probably a deal breaker for us and also a sad payload for the size of the vehicle by the sound of it. I’ve only seen secondhand ones selling in the Eastern States over $150,000.00.

[@therightcar]

Wow! Cool. Tremor is such a cool name too.

[@lilkaduk1]

One of those imported into Malaysia and they sell it at RM720k.

[@blighdavidson7861]

You didn't talk about the roof on the f150.cheers.

[@mighty_bunny]

I am not immune to big truck.

[@therightcar]

Nor am I!

[@simonhjc]

Great review. After owning many landcruisers 40,60,80,100,200,300 and the 70s… im frankly sick of toyota and their attitude. (Eg warranty and service dept), i want a change and the f150 may just be the change i want 🤔. Will still keep my 1979 fj45 with a genuine 113,000km to remind me what a true landcruiser once was.

[@maxmeister747]

Really wouldn't mind a turn key start. I don't believe there is a wrong way around for the ignition, in Europe they have on the same side as Australia. Also diesel is a requirement for some people when traveling in the outback.

[@therightcar]

Have you lived with a car with keyless entry and push-button start though?? It’s game-changing!

[@majeedtaouk3038]

We used to manufacture our own cars. Once upon a time

[@byronchavarria4954]

The F150 Should Have Park Assist In Australia 🇦🇺

[@aaronclarke919]

This is a good truck . Especially here in america. It’s the best gas powered half ton truck, but As a Texan, I own the f350 dually diesel and 4x4 . That’s the truck to get in my opinion

[@therightcar]

That’s awesome. Thanks for commenting from Texas!

[@Kevin-ee2tz]

Matt, your thoughts on the exterior side mirrors when towing, reversing?

[@therightcar]

Good enough, but I was surprised Ford doesn't offer a set of optional extendable towing mirrors.

[@Kevin-ee2tz]

@@therightcar Thanks. Yes, would have been nice to have an option.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Looks nice.

[@therightcar]

Big unit!

[@bretthoy6521]

XLT needs front parking sensors.

[@vladthe3rd414]

Love it

[@therightcar]

Cool!

[@patmason7276]

Australia must have changed their standards when Ford brought your vehicles over had to do alot of work to make them legal in the USA!!!

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Great review Matt Very thorough Halogen headlights on XLT is lame And no front parking sensors on XLT The caravan was from New Age Caravans Which is owned by Walkinshaw ! Strange / ironic etc that Ford chose this brand of caravan…

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Yep, it was a strange choice of van! Haha

[@joshobrien6188]

In this day and age halogen should be dead, Ford used halogen lights on lower spec new next gen rangers wtf

[@sodapuffs]

Get lariat then.

[@joshobrien6188]

Not everyone wants a lariat

[@mvnorsel6354]

I spoke to a RAM owner, when towing 25l/100km😅, expensive beast.

[@351tgv]

well yeah, its got a 5.7L V8 that is working hard, I don't see the issue, you tow you burn more fuel create more Co2.

[@rich7447]

@@351tgv The Ram with the 5.7 is not the Ram to tow with. For lighter loads the 6.4 works fine, but anything serious you want the 6.7.

[@351tgv]

Look at what ASV (company resopnsobile for RAM Trucks in Australia) sell in the AU market. In 1500 trim (save for TRX) the sole engine is the 5.6L 16-valve pushrod V8 mayed to the 8 speed torque converter automatic transmission.

[@rich7447]

@@351tgv Unfortunately you guys are getting screwed. The Ram HDs are much better vehicles. They are also running pushrod V8 and L6s.

[@gordonclark7632]

Each video I have watched concerning the F150, the reviewer has made much of the quality of the manufacture from left to right hand drive. My question then is, in your opinion, if you have tested the Ram and Silverado, which do you consider to be the best remanufacture? The only problem I see with these vehicles, is the road system we have with narrow roads, tiny parking bays in shopping centres (to fit more cars in) and the fuel use.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the question. I haven’t driven Silverado, but have had a few Ram models (got one this week actually…) and the attention to detail from Ford is better. It’s not like apples and oranges, but the investment and backing from Ford internationally is a massive hat-tip to the local operations.

[@alphabravo3304]

Chevy, Ram, Tundra and I think F truck are all converted by Walkinshaw in Victoria, there’s no comparison because it’s all done under the one roof.

[@nevillemander]

@@alphabravo3304 Walkinshaw didn't get the contract it went to RMA Automotive

[@alphabravo3304]

@@nevillemander thanks for that update. Sadly though they are just to far out of price range for most families and considering that’s what they are in the states, soccer mums cars, it’s a shame.

[@bobharris6157]

Such a big car with such a small payload. XLT 769kg Lariat 685kg. If you are going to tow 4500kg a GVM upgrade would be necessary.

[@Sabumnim666]

Yeah its on the low side but then again so is the Ram Chev and Landcruiser.

[@therightcar]

Would be, if you need it. Lots of these will be older couples towing a van.

[@Sabumnim666]

Yeah well I fit in that category and I have considered it but a wildtrak V6 diesel with a 3505 GVM and 7005 GCM is a better fir for us.@@therightcar

[@rich7447]

Half tons (150/1500) are a compromised by those who review trucks and consider 'car like ride" to be a plus. The F250 and above are far more capable.

[@christophereynon8772]

I resemble that Old Crusty element..lol. with a Tare of 2535kg (75kg heavier than a Ranger dual-cab chassis (questionable)) and a GVM of 3265kg (45kg more than a Ranger), the figures dont support the F150. Add the requisite bullbar, side rails, winch, suspension, Canopy, rock sliders, and ancillaries (lighting, comms, etc) with 136L petrol and 5 people @80kg, PLUS....up to 450kg of towball weight...you are over your GVM. Chris...

[@therightcar]

Thanks Chris! So, I’m guessing you’ve already ordered that N Series? 😉

[@Mick_4591]

100K plus for XLT and old school Halogen headlights.No front parking sensors and no Day time running lights. With the latter two i bet they would cost and arm and a leg for those

[@byronchavarria4954]

Yep $100K AUD Which That’s About Equivalent To $100K USD $100K CAD And $100K NZD

[@asajelfs8170]

Hopefully yhe cybertruck might come soon to.

[@therightcar]

I wouldn’t bet my house on it.

[@asajelfs8170]

@@therightcar why nor, we have the Ford Lightning already.

[@mnj640]

They can be the best car in the world but not for 150k

[@brianwalker1933]

I'm assuming that there isn't a manual version available, just a 10 speed automatic, as you didn't mention one. The payload, in both versions are inadequate for such a large and powerful vehicle. Australian ADR rules are ridiculous in this matter.

[@351tgv]

Their are no manual F150's anywhere world wide, there are the 6=speed torque converter ones in base models (which is being phased out as well as the petrol NA 3.3L V6) and the 10-speed torque converter.

[@therightcar]

Correct mate. No manual. Yep, ADRs are dumb.

[@gregjacques3159]

Why is it that in Australia the payload for the long wheel base Lariat = 710kg and the same spec truck payload is 2,445Lbs = 1109 kg in America?

[@Sabumnim666]

Its called ADR there is the answer where the A stands for Australian Design Rules.

[@maxmeister747]

​@@Sabumnim666makes the car completely useless though.

[@gregjacques3159]

Still doesn't explain the why

[@Sabumnim666]

OK I see why you may ask that but it all boils down to the laws in the country there is practically no difference. But the laws that be have decreed that the specs we get must adhere to our ADR and the same applies to the American market there is also the licensing differences. The F250 is down graded to Australian market figures so that we can drive these with a normal car licence as in America . If they kept the same towing figures that they have in the USA then you would need a light rigid licence to drive it on Australian roads. I hope that explains it better .@@gregjacques3159

[@Sabumnim666]

Please explain how you reach that conclusion@@maxmeister747

[@alanmorris4121]

I was set to buy an F150 until I realised that the indicator stalk is on the LHS. Got the Raptor instead.

[@therightcar]

Wow, it’s THAT big of a deal??

[@alanmorris4121]

@@therightcar Safety issue. I will never, ever, ever drive LH indicators again.

[@kmuinde]

When is Toyota tundra coming

[@therightcar]

It’s a while away yet. 300 examples for 2024!

[@StephenFogarty2023]

@@therightcar Are u sure Matt ? My understanding as follows Walkinshaw have started Pre Production The first 300 vehicles are to be specifically allocated by Toyota to approved applicants, for “ evaluation “ purposes… These vehicles will be made available to these people via a Lease arrangement, for up to 6 months ? The vehicle would go back to Toyota ? The people driving these Evaluation vehicles, need to give feedback etc back to Toyota What’s good What’s not good What to improve / change etc This info is then potentially made part of the final version / production vehicles. The first people would be getting Evaluation vehicles now, and this roll out of these 300 vehicles, will be completed in January 2024 ? If all goes well, and if Toyota definitely go ahead etc After a thorough review of customer feedback of the Evaluation vehicles… Probably not until after June 2024, would final customer versions of Tundra, start getting delivered to normal retail customers…

[@Mick_4591]

And the GMC Yukon has been announced for Australia early 2025

[@tempestv8]

Curiously, none of the reviewers who have released KZbin videos on the RHD F-150 have made mention of the all aluminium body panels. Would be much more expensive to repair aluminium panels. when dented or involved in a crash. Would like to know insurance costs for this vehicle in Australia.

[@Sabumnim666]

I recall seeing a video on that exact issue or question a few years ago I just can not recall the conclusion. I have this inclination that the results were pretty positive on the repair cost. the clip must be at least 5 years old from memory.

[@therightcar]

I’m sure you could go to a comparison site to find out deals on insuring this rig…. ?

[@351tgv]

While not a direct like for like comparison the vehicle I own (T33 Nisan x-Trail Ti AWD) has aluminium bonnet, door and front and rear quarter panels while the rear boot door is plastic skin, insurance is is roughly the same as my previous car (Escape St-Line) which had none of that. the ST-Line was around $1,150 per year and the X-Trail is also around $1,150 per year. Both with $600 excess, the ford was more expensive to insure due to parts coming from Europe while the Nissan obviously gets parts from Japan. What it comes down to with the F-150 is how much parts that RMA or Ford Australia will carry in inventory locally, as this is a factory backed vehicle it also will fall under the 10year supply rules that applies to all homologated vehicles for ADR as approved by the current Commonwealth Govt.

[@videos1332]

$923 a year from NRMA 150k agreed value, Sydney

[@351tgv]

@@videos1332 - what excess value? I find it very hard to believe that NRMA are offering such low premium for this vehicle.

[@petermapleback5034]

I paid my deposit 7 months ago, coffee Ford don't update me voluntarily I have to call and wait for a call back. How many vehicles have been released from the factory?

[@auspaul001]

processing 20 vehicles per day.

[@mrz1281]

i live in regional vic the home of silverados and rams, these massive trucks are everywhere and DO NOT fit on our roads or car parks at all.

[@therightcar]

It’s common in western Sydney too. These big things take up a lot of space.

[@chrisz8532]

Hey Karen, Do you have trucks on your regional roads in Victoria? Hopefully you can find a car park in Coles far far away from these “massive trucks”.

[@mrz1281]

@@therightcarour infrastructure doesn't accommodate them. and they don't fit in aussie built home garages hahah

[@mrz1281]

@@chrisz8532 omg were you trying to be funny? you should take up comedy. w8ker

[@gregorythompson5826]

Width and Length no different to any other Japanese truck (Hino, Coaster). Typical Australian xenophobia. You'll be fine Karen stop worrying. @@mrz1281

[@Adrian_Nel]

You put the tub dimensions in mm. Well done, but then you keep on banging on about the extra "foot" with the LWB. Not cool.

[@therightcar]

Talking two languages isn’t cool?

[@TheMowogman]

Ford just bumped the Price $10k so the value is not there now.

[@christianalvarez7799]

Unfortunately Lariat is far from the top of the range. Ford Australia is trying to fool us

[@351tgv]

however for our market it is the Ghia model.

[@therightcar]

Ha! It’s our top-spec. I don’t know if they could launch a $180,000 petrol ute.

[@videos1332]

Nah the Lariat as specced here has more included than the US lariat. For example the work surface, spray in bed, moonroof, power tailgate, bed tie town, lights, 360 cameras, max towing package etc. No fooling going on. The markup is around 10% once you do the maths. A bargain.

[@rich7447]

@@videos1332 All of those things are options on the US Lariat trim. For the most part the F150 has become a family vehicle in the US and those towing or hauling a lot of weight go for a Super Duty.

[@351tgv]

In the y over states sure but what about New York City you know downtown Manhattan ...

[@alexsmba]

lol you can’t take a vehicle that was entirely made in the U.S., replace a component or two, and say “Australia makes a better F150.” If that were the case I could just replace the exhaust system on my car and say that I’m a car manufacturer.

[@therightcar]

“A component or two”? Such a moronic statement. Did you watch the video or just jump to conclusions?

[@alexsmba]

You are very literal aren’t you? A little slow to grasp the point. It’s ok. The F150 was engineered and built in the US. The whole power train, chassis, body, interior. Everything. The Australian factory simply modifies it. But take it personally, get angry about it. Have a cry. 😂

[@lekhnathsapkota8848]

Wow, people can't even park their ute properly and we have seen plenty examples of horrible parkings, couple of these parking next to each other taking 2 parking space each would be a norm at malls or regional towns 😂😂😂

[@therightcar]

Haha yep the parking thing will be an issue for some.

[@tonyn1991]

Last week I went to Maccas. There was a Ram 2500 parked perfectly. I reversed my F350 in first go, equidistant between the lines. A few days later I was in a shopping centre car park, I was in my Subaru this time. It was a tight fit because the owner of a medium sized SUV couldn’t be bothered parking between the lines.

[@jackturtle131]

Why not ? first of all the price mate I know they will sell like hotcakes But they would sell heaps more if it was around 70/80 thousand AU dollars. They are in the USA from $45.500 drive away so the price difference of $40.000 is a bit much in my book

[@davidboyce1905]

Not when you consider the cost and time involved converting them to right hand drive. I would agree if they were right hand drive from factory.

[@rich7447]

Well $45,500 USD is $72,000 AUD. Add in conversion costs and shipping and the base cost is up there.

[@mullavan]

Another great review. Woke lefties turning blue with every big truck launch downunder. 😂😂😂

[@therightcar]

Thanks!

[@anakinskywalker4113]

It’s too big for Australian roads if you ask me. We are not America so these things should not be on our roads. Personal opinion. They are a really nice Ute just don’t think they are suited to our narrow roads.

[@hi9580]

Think outback, not shopping mall

[@351tgv]

Amazing how quick people forget just how big the Falcon wagons were back in the day. This might be taller but not wider or longer then the Falcon wagon.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

@@hi9580 fantastic for the outback just not sure about city streets.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

@@351tgv the falcon wagons were about 5.1m long the f150 is 5.9m so it is definitely bigger than a falcon wagon. It is an American pick up truck built on a ladder frame. They are fine in regional areas just not suited to the urban school run.

[@351tgv]

@@anakinskywalker4113 - I'm talking X series Falcon wagons from XA to XF era Falcon. the E series were shorter as were the A/B series. Same applies to the Falcon Ute and also the VE/VF era Commodore ute.

[@kaslkaos8447]

Re-position your collar microphone. Your inhale is way too loud and way, WAY too annoying. You also forgot to mention the assist handle when using the pull out step on the rear tail-gate and probably much, much more. Stopped watching after 7 minutes.

[@therightcar]

This was shot on location with people who mic’d me up. I didn’t like the way they did it, either. But go easy dude. People need to breathe!

[@kaslkaos8447]

Wow ! As excuses go, that's pissweak. Next time speak up and it helps to know the vehicle before you critique it.@@therightcar

[@alphabravo3304]

These reviewers across the board are really slack, stop endorsing these overpriced pull aparts and call out how Australians are being ripped off.

[@therightcar]

How are we being ripped off? Do you expect a $60k F150? You clearly have no idea about basic economics.

[@alphabravo3304]

@@therightcar lol, economics ? Ok ill play, an XLT in the USA is say round figures $48000 USD MSRP, thats full tilt in the dealership, round figures $78000 AUD, now ford is not going to charge itself full retail for its own product sending it to Australia, if they are actually landing them as a distributor and its not a Walkinshaw group buying and converting, so its probably half that, so who are the middle men? Import duty is between $5 and $10000, the vehicle itself all up landed to Australia its probably more like the $50 K wholesale. Add your dealership costs, the vehicle if sold direct would be an XLT for maximum $70 k AUD. However its not landed as factory is it, its landed left hand drive deliberate so a wholesale vehicle plus dealership costs and costs to rebuild and you’ve got what is a max $70 vehicle in an XLT for $120 grand. See the reality is full retail in the states for the XLT is actually $48800 MSRP straight from factory. As a reviewer have you asked for the break down of costs or just gone off script?

[@buncha5651]

Those giant USA vehicles are gross in every way. Price, Economy, Terrible seats, Reliability. 😊

[@therightcar]

Haha!

[@paulhunter9613]

Thanks for proving that you have no idea what you are talking about

[@Mick_4591]

And how do you reach that conclusion????

[@tonyn1991]

Well, they are certainly expensive. No argument there. But they can Ben depending on which one you get, very economical. I’ve driven my 6.7 litre turbo V8 when loaded to over 4 tonnes and had fuel economy of 8.6 lph. When loaded with trailer to 9.5 tonnes, just over 19 lph. And the seats are great. Every now and then I turn on the massaging function, and it feels better again. It’s only done 20,000kms, so it’s too early to call it, but so far it’s been great. In the US, I’ve seen examples getting over one million miles (1.6 million kms) on the original engine. So I don’t know where you get your information, but, price aside,it can’t be from personal experience of a late model one.