2023 Ford F-150: Australian pricing and specs
Ford Australia’s first full-size pick-up in 16 years to undercut latest-generation RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado rivals
Order books for the 2023 Ford F-150 pick-up range have officially opened today, with Ford Australia announcing pricing and specifications for its first F-Series model in 16 years.
Pricing for Australia’s locally-converted version of North America’s top-selling vehicle for the past 45 years will start at $106,950 plus on-road costs for the entry-level short-wheelbase 2023 Ford F-150 XLT SWB.
Opting for the long-wheelbase version adds another $995 to the equation ($107,945 plus ORCs), while the plusher Lariat SWB can be had from $139,950 – plus another $945 for the LWB ($140,945).
The competitive pricing means the 14th-generation Ford F-Series (released in the US in 2021) will be significantly cheaper than the facelifted MY23 Chevrolet Silverado (from $128,000) when the first examples arrive in the third quarter of the year.
However, Ford Australia’s new flagship ute can’t get close to the big-selling RAM 1500, which starts at $85,950 in fourth-generation DS-series form, although the latest fifth-generation DT-series RAM 1500 starts at $127,950.
Still, the F-150 bests both its rivals in terms of pulling power with a class-leading 678Nm of torque (versus the RAM’s 557Nm and the Chev’s 624Nm) provided not by a petrol V8 but a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6.
The force-fed petrol V6 backs up its immense grunt with a middling 298kW, all of which is harnessed by a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This powertrain is shared across all four F-150 variants and allows for a 4500kg maximum braked towing capacity, regardless of the body style.
For reference, the SWB variants ride on a 3683mm wheelbase and comes with a 1676mm tub, whereas the LWB measures 3987mm between the axles and comes with a 305mm longer tub (1981mm).
Standard equipment highlights on the XLT grade include 20-inch alloy wheels, a spray-in tub liner, fabric upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, 8.0-inch SYNC4 infotainment system with native satellite-navigation, a seven-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, power adjustable pedals, reversing camera and FordPass connectivity.
Headline safety gear and driver aids meanwhile comprise six airbags, rear parking sensors, Ford pro-trailer back-up assist, cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pre-collision assist, lane keeping system and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and trailer coverage.
Stepping up the fancier Lariat predictably adds a heap more gear in both respects – hence the $33,000 price premium – with just some of the upgrades including a powered twin-panel moonroof, powered tailgate, LED headlights, chrome appearance package, leather accented upholstery, 12-inch infotainment and digital cockpit displays, 18-speaker B&O sound system, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
Wireless phone charging, front parking sensors, pedal memory function, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, powered rear window, lane centring, speed sign recognition, evasive steering assist and intersection assist are also standard.
At this stage the only optional extra for the F-150 family will be prestige paint colours for an extra $700 – Agate Black, Iconic Silver, Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Grey and Rapid Red – with ‘Oxford White’ being the default finish.
Ford Australia president and CEO Andrew Birkic said the F-150’s local introduction will provide Aussie ute buyers with even more choice given it will be sold alongside the best-selling but smaller Ford Ranger.
“The F-150 is perfect for those who want to explore our amazing country in luxury and comfort,” he said.
“Thanks to its 4.5 tonne towing ability, the F-150 ensures Aussies can go anywhere, with almost anything, at any time.”
Like the ongoing Walkinshaw-Toyota Tundra project, the locally-delivered F-150s have been subjected to a rigorous local re-engineering program to ensure the full-size pick-up can handle Australia’s demanding conditions.
Ford is covering the re-engineered F-150 portfolio with the same blanket five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty it backs all of its models with, including the high-performance Ford Mustang and Ford Ranger Raptor.
The Ford F-150 and the F-100 that preceded it were sold on-and-off across several generations in Australia from the 1970s to the 1990s, before the factory-backed and Brazilian-converted Ford F-250 and F-350 were sold in Australia over 2001-2008.
How much does the 2023 Ford F-150 cost?
XLT SWB – $106,950
XLT LWB – $107,945
Lariat SWB – $139,950
Lariat LWB – $140,945
* Prices exclude on-road costs
