2007 Ford F-150 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2007 Ford F-150 overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2007 Ford F-150, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2007 Ford F-150.

In response to fresh competition from General Motors and Toyota, Ford bumps the 2007 F-150’s towing capacity from 9,900 pounds to 10,500 pounds, allowing it to remain best in its class, according to the automaker. Horsepower for the popular 4.6-liter V8 engine is up, too, rising from 231 ponies to 248.

Other changes amount to incremental improvements. The F-150’s seats are improved in terms of comfort and support, says Ford, and a tire pressure monitoring system is standard on all models. An auxiliary audio input jack is added to every F-150 except the base XL model, and a new touch-screen DVD navigation system is optional on upper trim levels. The XLT and Lariat trucks have revised standard and optional grille designs, while the FX4 and Lariat can now be equipped with the power folding mirrors from the F-150 King Ranch. Six new exterior paint colors are also available for 2007.

If that’s not enough, Ford is offering a new FX2 Sport model that’s got nothing to do with the off-road-ready FX4. The F-150 Harley-Davidson returns for 2007, in SuperCrew format rather than last year’s SuperCab model.

Seriously Ford? Eight trim levels for 2007? Sheesh. Well, the good news is that while choosing a new F-150 might be challenging, at least you’re likely to find one that is seemingly tailored just for you.

The least expensive F-150 is the XL. It comes with vinyl seats, gray bumpers, a black grille, a digital clock, a stereo, a tilt steering wheel, and not much else. An XL Décor package adds cloth seats, air conditioning, chrome bumpers, and carpeting. If you need an F-150 with more personality, the sporty STX adds body-color trim, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, white-lettered tires, an auxiliary audio input jack, and a CD player to the XL model.

The F-150 XLT is the most popular model. In addition to XL and STX equipment, the XLT has carpeting and floor mats; power windows, mirrors, and door locks with remote keyless entry; cruise control; a compass; an outside temperature display; variable wipers; automatic headlights; and dark tinted rear glass.

The new-for-2007 FX2 Sport is based on the XLT, and adds a billet-style grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a chrome exhaust tip, and a whole bunch of body-color trim. Inside, the FX2 Sport has captain’s chairs and a console-mounted gear selector. The F-150 FX4 is also based on the XLT, offered only with 4WD and an electronic transfer case. The FX4 includes a more powerful 5.4-liter V8 engine, an off-road suspension, skid plates, a limited-slip differential, and all-terrain tires. As with the FX2 Sport, fog lights and painted bumpers set the FX4 model further apart from the XLT, along with an available console shifter.

Lariat models are more luxurious and powerful than the XLT. Lariats have a 5.4-liter V8 engine, leather seats with power adjustability for the driver, automatic climate control, and a premium stereo with controls on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Homelink, power adjustable pedals, a trip computer, heated side mirrors, and a rear window defroster are also standard, along with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Lariat can also be outfitted with a center console floor shifter like the FX4.

The F-150 King Ranch represents the pinnacle of luxury for the F-150 lineup. Available only in SuperCrew configuration, special exterior badges and Arizona Beige color treatments identify it as the top model. Inside, premium Castano leather, heated front captain’s chairs, a standard flow-through center console setup, and special woodgrain trim on the dash connote luxury. Power folding side mirrors are also part of the package.

Returning for 2007 is the F-150 Harley-Davidson, offered exclusively in SuperCrew format this year. Painted Black or, new for 2007, Dark Amethyst, the Harley-Davidson includes black aniline leather seats and shiny black plastic interior trim. Polished split-spoke wheels, a billet-style grille and chrome trim help the Harley stand out, while its 300-horsepower V8, tuned exhaust system, sport suspension, and shiny 22-inch wheels give the truck what Ford calls a “menacing” presence.

Depending on the trim level, the 2007 F-150 can be equipped with numerous options. A touch-screen DVD navigation system is new for 2007. There’s also power sunroof and a rear seat DVD entertainment system, each available only on the SuperCrew model and not in combination with one another. Rear bumper sensors help when reversing or parking, and all models except the XL can be equipped with a premium Audiophile premium sound system. A power sliding rear window is optional on SuperCabs and SuperCrews in XLT, FX4 and Lariat trim, and models equipped with the 5.5-foot cargo bed can be had with a bed extender designed to be used with a lowered tailgate. There’s also a modular overhead rail system allowing owners to snap in and out various storage solutions, and the FX4 and Lariat models can be equipped with power folding side mirrors.

The 2007 F-150 can be equipped with one of three engines, depending on the truck selected. At the bottom end of the spectrum is a 4.2-liter V6 with 202 horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,750 rpm. The V6 is equipped with a five-speed manual; a four-speed automatic is optional. For 2007, the 4.6-liter V8 is rated to make more horsepower at 248, while torque remains the same measuring 293 ft.-lbs. at 3,500 rpm. Ford says that 90 percent of this engine’s torque is available at just 2,000 rpm, making it feel much stronger than might be expected. If the 4.6-liter V8 proves inadequate, Ford’s 5.4-liter V8 whips up 300 horsepower and 365 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,750 rpm.

The F-150’s maximum tow rating is up for 2007, from 9,900 pounds to 10,500 pounds, and its maximum payload rating is 3,050 pounds. Both V8s come with a four-speed automatic, and the F-150 is available with a two-speed 4WD system that features an electronic transfer case on certain models.

Built upon a fully boxed frame with hydroformed front rails, the 2007 F-150 is a stiff truck. Ford also uses a double-wishbone front suspension with aluminum lower control arms on the F-150, and a rear Hotchkiss-design suspension places the shock absorbers outside the frame rails for an improved ride, greater stability in turns, and less chatter over bumps.

Despite offering three different engines, fuel economy for the 2007 F-150 varies little. The most fuel-efficient model is the two-wheel-drive version with a 4.2-liter V6 and a manual transmission, which is rated to get 21 mpg on the highway. The least fuel-efficient model is the four-wheel-drive version with a 5.4-liter V8 and an automatic, which is expected to get 14 mpg in the city.

In NHTSA crash testing, the F-150 receives 5 stars for the driver and front seat passenger in the frontal impact test, and gets 4-star rollover resistance ratings. Side impact testing was not performed by the NHTSA on the 2007 F-150. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says the F-150 receives a Good rating for the offset frontal impact test. However, the IIHS also says rear crash protection rates Poor for models equipped with seatbelts integrated into the seats, and Marginal for models without seatbelts integrated into the seats. Like the NHTSA, the IIHS did not test the F-150 for side impact crashworthiness.

JDPower.com says the 2007 F-150 rates above average for reliability.

Half of the full-size pickup truck market got a redesign for 2007. The Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tundra are all new this year, which makes the Ford F-150 a bit stale by comparison. Ford, however, is not about to let any of these revitalized nameplates wrest its best-seller crown away. To battle its rivals, the F-150 is newly fortified with 600 extra pounds of towing capacity. The most popular engine choice gets more power for 2007, and with the addition of the FX2 Sport edition, Ford offers no less than eight variations of the F-150, making it easy to find a truck that suits your style. Add good crash-test and reliability scores to the mix, and the aging F-150 remains a compelling choice.