2010 Ford F-150 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Ford F-150 overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Ford F-150, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2010 Ford F-150.

One year after a complete redesign, the Ford F-150 is updated for 2010, and the big news is the introduction of the off-road-ready SVT Raptor model. Built by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, the SVT Raptor is visually distinguished from other F-150s by its unique front styling, wider body, and attention-grabbing graphics. The Raptor’s hood and front fenders are equipped with functional air extractors, and orange marker lamps are embedded into the truck’s bold face for a distinctive look at night. Inside, the Raptor’s cabin is tailored with special décor, two-tone leather seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a bright orange centering sight line stripe. This feature helps the driver keep the truck aimed straight ahead when making like a Baja racer.

Make like a Baja racer this F-150 can, because it’s not just a cosmetic package. To make the SVT Raptor glide over desert trails and make soft landings when launched airborne, Ford fits internal triple bypass FOX Racing Shox and has modified the front suspension to generate 11.2 inches of wheel travel in front and 12.1 inches of travel in back. The SVT Raptor’s 7-inch wider body accommodates the revised suspension as well as the 35-inch off-road tires mounted to 17-inch alloy wheels. Skid plates help protect the standard 5.4-liter V8’s vitals, and Ford offers an optional 6.2-liter V8 making 411 horsepower and 434 ft.-lbs. of torque. Other goodies on the SVT Raptor include Hill Descent Control, and special Off-Road Mode, an integrated trailer brake controller, and an auxiliary switchboard to make aftermarket customization of the truck easier.

Other changes to the F-150 lineup for 2010 include improved fuel economy for all models equipped with the 4.6-liter, 3-valve V8 engine and two-wheel drive: every single one is rated to get 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Ford also debuts its MyKey system on all F-150 models except the XL trim level. With MyKey, the F-150’s owner can program the truck to emit a persistent seatbelt reminder chime, to limit stereo volume, to cancel the ability to turn off the traction control system, and to set a top vehicle speed of 80 mph. In other words, MyKey is perfect for parents of teenage drivers. Finally, the F-150’s optional SYNC system is equipped with a new Traffic, Directions & Connections service that provides traffic reports, movie times, sports scores, and turn-by-turn GPS navigation.

At the bottom of the F-150 lineup is the XL model, equipped with a black grille, painted bumpers, 17-inch steel wheels, and vinyl seats. XL models also have air conditioning, a stereo, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent wipers, and a cargo box light. Buy the XL SuperCrew and you’ll also get power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, floor mats, and carpeting.

Affordable and sporty, the F-150 STX is the next level up from the XL, including body-color bumpers, a body-color surround for the grille, cloth seats, a CD player, an auxiliary audio input jack, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The F-150 XLT adds a shiny chrome grille and bumpers, along with a more powerful 4.6-liter, 3-valve V8, cruise control, power windows, an outside temperature display, a compass, automatic headlights, and rear privacy glass.

Designed for off-roading, the F-150 FX4 has a 5.4-liter V8, 4WD, an electronic locking rear differential, an off-road suspension, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels. The FX4’s body-color grille surround, body-color bumpers, and fog lights set it apart from other models, along with a class IV trailer hitch, a six-way power driver’s seat, satellite radio, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

More luxurious than the XLT, the F-150 Lariat includes fine mesh grille inserts and fog lights, along with leather, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors with embedded turn signal indicators. Ford’s SYNC wireless communications and entertainment system is also standard, as well as an iPod adaptor, a trip computer, power adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and illuminated sun visors.

Taking luxury themes a step further, the F-150 King Ranch has upgraded leather, heated and cooled front captain’s chairs, and 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The King Ranch is a little easier to maneuver thanks to rear bumper sensors and a rearview camera system, while running boards and a power sliding rear window help add to comfort and convenience levels. Other standards include a center console equipped with a shifter, a six-disc CD changer, and Homelink.

The F-150 Platinum is clearly the top-of-the-line F-150, decked out with a satin chrome grille with eggcrate inserts, satin chrome tailgate trim, chrome capped outside mirrors, a monotone paint job, and polished 20-inch alloy wheels. Lacrosse Ash wood, aluminum dash trim, and premium tuxedo-stitched leather line the Platinum’s cabin, which Ford claims is quieter on the highway than a Lexus LX. Platinum models also have a power tilt steering wheel, power-deploying running boards, and rain-sensing wipers.

Built by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, the SVT Raptor has revised front styling with functional air extractors and orange marker lamps embedded into the truck’s bold face. Inside, the Raptor’s cabin is tailored with unique trim, two-tone leather seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a bright orange centering sight line stripe. Ford also fits internal triple bypass FOX Racing Shox to the Raptor and has modified the front suspension to generate 11.2 inches of wheel travel in front and 12.1 inches of travel in back. The SVT Raptor’s 7-inch wider body accommodates the revised suspension as well as the 35-inch off-road tires mounted to 17-inch alloy wheels. Skid plates, Hill Descent Control, an Off-Road Mode, an integrated trailer brake controller, and an auxiliary switchboard to make aftermarket customization easier are also standard on the Raptor.

Depending on the trim level chosen, Ford offers numerous options for the F-150. Buyers choosing the F-150 for work commercial purposes can take advantage of innovative Ford Work Solutions options such as an in-dash computer with Internet access, a radio-frequency indentification tool inventory tracking system, and Crew Chief fleet telematics and vehicle diagnostics. The F-150 is also available with features more commonly found on luxury sedans, like a voice-activated navigation system and rear seat entertainment.

Ford offers four different V8 engines for the 2010 F-150. The 4.6-liter, two-valve V8 that comes standard on basic models makes 248 horsepower and 294 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm. According to the EPA, buyers can expect to get between 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway with this engine, depending on the model.

A 4.6-liter, three-valve V8 equipped with open valve fuel injection to produce more horsepower and fewer emissions is the most popular engine choice. This V8 delivers 292 horsepower and 320 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm, and for 2010 all F-150s with this engine and two-wheel drive are expected to get 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. With 4WD, the ratings range from 14 mpg in the city to 21 mpg on the highway.

Ford also offers a 5.4-liter, three-valve V8 in the F-150 that is designed to burn regular unleaded or a blend of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol (E85). Using gasoline, this V8 generates 310 horsepower and 365 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm, and on E85 it makes 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm. EPA fuel economy estimates for this engine, when operated on unleaded gas, range from 14 mpg in the city to 20 mpg on the highway.

Newly available for 2010, and only as an option on the SVT F-150 Raptor, is a 6.2-liter V8 engine good for 411 horsepower and 434 ft.-lbs. of torque. The EPA says this engine gets 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.

Ford hooks the standard V8 to a four-speed automatic; a six-speed automatic is standard with the other V8s. Manual or electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer cases are offered on 4WD models and, properly equipped, the 2009 F-150 can tow up to 11,300 pounds and carry a 3,030-pound payload.

Side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability and roll control, trailer sway control, and ABS come standard on the 2010 F-150. The SOS Post Crash Alert system that can help authorities find the F-150 in the event of an accident that deploys both front airbags is also part of the standard equipment list, and for 2010 the Ford MyKey system allows the truck’s owner to program a limited top speed for the F-150.

The 2010 Ford F-150’s crashworthiness is outstanding according to the NHTSA, which gives the truck its top 5-star rating in all crash-test measures. For rollover propensity, the NHTSA gives the F-150 a 4-star rating with two-wheel drive and a 3-star rating with four-wheel drive. Continuing the good news is the Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) thanks to Good ratings for frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection standards.

J.D. Power and Associates calls the 2009 F-150 the highest ranked large pickup for initial quality, in a tie with the Toyota Tundra. Despite this quality accolade, the market research firm says that longer-term reliability is expected to be slightly better than average.

The 2010 Ford F-150 strikes us as a truck designed and engineered by people who understand what truck buyers want in a full-size pickup. Whether you’re looking for a work truck to thrash on job sites, a “Texas Lincoln” to be front-rowed at Morton’s, or a Baja-ready racer to tackle trails at speed, Ford’s got an F-150 to suit your requirements. Add thoughtful features and technologies, such as Ford Work Solutions, SYNC, MyKey, a reversing camera useful for hooking up a trailer, and cargo bed assist steps, and the spacious, comfortable, safe, and rugged F-150 makes perfect sense for people shopping full-size trucks.