The 2023 Ford F-150 lineup is introducing quite a few changes for the new model year, including the debut of the all-new Rattler, Heritage Edition, and F-150 Raptor R, of course. Additionally, the F-150 Tremor is dropping its standard 400A equipment group and ditching its standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 for the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, thought the former engine is still available as an option. Now, the 2023 Ford F-150 Limited is dropping its standard two-wheel drive configuration and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, too.
Unlike the Tremor, the 2023 Ford F-150 Limited will now come in only one flavor, with four-wheel drive and the automaker’s 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 hybrid as the only available configuration. It’s unclear why Ford decided to make this particular move, but it’s very likely driven by consumer demand. Fewer and fewer high-trim customers are interested in 2WD pickups these days, while the PowerBoost has been gaining favor among F-150 customers for some time now.
Ford hasn’t released specs for its 2023 F-150 engine lineup just yet, but for 2022, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost produces 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, compared to the PowerBoost – a $1,900 option on the 2022 Limited – which generates 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. Aside from offering more in the power department, the hybrid also returns better fuel economy – 24 miles-per-gallon in the city, highway, and combined, versus 18/23/20 for the gas-only version in four-wheel drive configuration.
While we imagine that the PowerBoost has proven to be popular with Limited buyers who don’t mind ponying up the extra dough to spec their truck with it – the trim’s MSRP is pretty close to $80k, after all – the hybrid’s superior fuel economy might also have something to do with this move, as the automaker rolls out the presumably inefficient F-150 Raptor R to go along with the already inefficient F-150 Raptor. Regardless, we’ll have to wait for pricing to emerge to see if this is indeed a good deal for customers, or if a hefty price increase will also accompany the move, which is likely.
Source: Ford Truck Enthusiasts
