In Lariat trim, the Ford F150 rivals luxury cars in terms of design, materials and completeness, with beautiful, rich wood trim, both shiny and matte metallic finishes on major panels, and a lovely three-pod instrument panel behind the multi-function steering wheel.
Although we were able to sample some of the other models, our test truck was a 2004 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCab 4X2 Styleside with a 6.5-foot bed and the 5.4-liter 3-valve V-8 engine, a black truck with beige lower trim and a beige leather interior.

Our truck had every known amenity: keyless entry, a rear power point, autolamp, delayed accessory power, outside temperature and compass readouts, message center and trip computer, adjustable pedals, the deluxe heated and self-dimming mirror package, power locks, power windows, visor vanity mirrors, HomeLink, and a set of overhead storage bins. (There are five different snap-in sets of these bins, which ride on overhead rails, and the aftermarket is already making additional versions with overhead entertainment systems and other specialty items built in.)
We would say without a moment of hesitation that this was the classiest, quietest, most completely equipped pickup truck interior we have ever spent time in. The Ford Truck folks committed only one unpardonable by us: the clear plastic over the instrument pod is way, way too reflective and makes most of the instruments difficult to see in bright sunlight. Everything else inside functions very well and looks beautiful.

The new Ford F150 is built around an improved 4.6-liter V8 for the less-expensive models and, for the larger, heavier models, a brand-new 5.4-liter V8 engine with two intake valves and one exhaust valve per cylinder and a new intake port and combustion chamber design. Ford says that, between these two things, the 5.4-liter engine, which makes a nice, round 300 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds of torque, is also the fuel-stingiest engine the company has ever tested. It's similar in design to the previous 4.6-and 5.4-liter V8s in Ford trucks.
Our Ford F150 Lariat test vehicle performed much, much better in terms of acceleration than the old XLT 4X4 we drove previously, mainly because it weighs a whole lot less and the engine doesn't have to work so hard to get the truck off the mark at stoplights. The regular cab and SuperCab versions with the 5.4 engine move out quickly and quietly, and the new 4R75E high-capacity four-speed transmission performed well.

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The power rack-and-pinion steering in our test truck was exemplary; it simply steered the truck in a new direction with each movement of the wheel, without hesitation or delay, but it was not in any way darty or overly quick or nervous. The truck tracks like a laser beam, turns in quickly, and recovers very quickly even with no load in the bed. The brakes, too, start decelerating the truck just a little way into the pedal travel, and the more you push the pedal, the more acute the braking becomes; the absence of dead space in the pedal travel is a welcome relief from typical truck practice.
With its brand new front and rear suspension designs, the Ford F150 Lariat SuperCab rides more like a Lincoln LS sports sedan than a truck, with a minimum of body roll in the corners, and a nice, plush ride over cobbled pavement, rutted dirt roads, and freeway slabs.

For a while there, Dodge had the hot hand in terms of truck style and function. Then the title went to Chevrolet and GMC for chassis refinement. Then the new Ram one-upped them again. Now, the Ford F150 is the unquestioned truck leader, with a combination of style, interior decor, powertrain, and car-like ride and handling that the other trucks, including the new Nissan Titan and the Toyota Tundra, can't match.
These trucks reportedly cost $1,000 to $2,000 apiece more to build, but Ford plans to eat that in its aggressive pricing strategy to keep prices as close to the outgoing truck as possible. With 26 variations to choose from, there has to be a new Ford truck for everyone in this exciting new mix.