2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid Review (2024)

Ford’s F-150 pickup has been the best-selling vehicle in the US for almost half a century, and the upcoming all-electric Lightning addition to the lineup might just clear the way for truck-loving Americans to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) en masse. Until then, the first-ever 2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid ($60,545 as tested) is a worthy alternative that delivers plenty of power. And, aside from the fuel savings the hybrid drivetrain offers, it can provide electricity for tools and various appliances on the go via cargo bed outlets. It’s also the first full-size pickup that supports over-the-air software updates. So while we look forward to testing the Lightning, the F-150 Hybrid is a promising start.

F-150 Hybrid Power and Fuel Economy

The F-150 Hybrid’s 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 engine delivers 430 horsepower and 570lb-ft of torque. A 35kW (47 horsepower) electric motor in the 10-speed automatic transmission augments the traditional motor and gets power from a 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery underneath the truck. The engine and a regenerative braking mechanism recharge the battery.

All this translates to fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon (mpg) city/highway/combined with the 4x4 version. The rear-wheel drive model slightly outperforms this with 25mpg city/combined and 26mpg highway ratings. This compares with 20/26/22 city/highway/combined ratings for the next most fuel-efficient F-150 engine, which has a much less powerful 2.7-liter, six-cylinder that produces 300 horsepower and 400lb-ft of torque. The hybrid drivetrain model notably has a towing capacity of 12,700 pounds.

By way of comparison, the Dodge Ram 1500 is available with a "mild hybrid" 3.6-liter engine that swaps out a traditional alternator for a 48-volt motor generator. It is good for 305 horsepower, 269lb-ft of torque, 19/24mpg for city/highway driving, and a towing capacity of 7,410 pounds.

Costs and Features

We tested the XLT 4x4 Super Crew model, which starts at $43,805. Standard exterior features include 17-inch aluminum wheels with 265/70 R17 all-terrain tires, automatic headlamps with intermittent windshield-wiper activation, a black, two-bar front grille with a chrome surround, daytime running lights, front tow hooks, halogen fog and taillights, heated manual-folding side mirrors, and skid plates to protect the fuel tank, transfer case, and front differential.

(Photo: Doug Newcomb)

Inside the co*ckpit, you'll find 40/20/40 manually adjustable front seats, a 60/40 flip-up split-bench rear seat with an elongated seat cushion, color-coordinated carpet and floor mats, cloth upholstery, keyless ignition and entry, a collapsible console shifter, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel.

You also get tech features such as an 8-inch touch screen with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, an AM/FM HD radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth for calls and streaming. Auto high beams, cruise control, front-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, post-collision braking, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist are all standard safety features.

(Photo: Doug Newcomb)

Our test vehicle arrived with more than $17,000 worth of options. Aside from the hybrid engine ($4,495), our vehicle included a package ($5,730) with a 12-inch touch-screen, automatic climate control, LED bed lighting, LED side-mirror spotlights, remote start, and satellite radio. Other high-dollar options include the trailer tow ($1,090), FX4 offroad ($1,050), and Pro Power Onboard ($750) packages. After factoring in a $1,695 destination and delivery charge, plus various discounts, the total sticker added up to $60,545.

Exterior and Interior Design

Ford knows not to mess with success, and the 2022 F-150 doesn’t look appreciably different than the outgoing model. Subtle changes include a lower hood, modified front LED running lights, wheel arch flares, and restyled taillights. As is the norm for a pickup truck, Ford allows buyers to fully customize the number of doors, the length of the bed, whether it's driven by two wheels or four, and pick from numerous engine choices.

The cabin of the 2022 model is more refined to better compete with the increasingly plush interiors of rival pickups. Our test unit even included the F-150’s optional new Interior Work Surface; when you press a button, the shifter folds into the center console to create a space suitable for a laptop, clipboard, or other work-related items.

(Photo: Doug Newcomb)

Sync Sets the Bar Again

Ford’s Sync system set the standard for connectivity in the pre-smartphone days 15 years ago, and still has one of the best infotainment user interfaces. The 12-inch touch screen with the all-new Sync 4 system is intuitive, though it's a bit laggy despite having twice the computing power as previous-generation systems.

Unlike most automakers that have largely conceded connectivity to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Sync still accommodates Ford’s AppLink platform that integrates apps such as Tidal, Waze, and others. You can access and control compatible apps via the truck’s touch screen. Additionally, the Ford+Alexa app (available for Android and iOS) extends voice control to the outside of the cab to enable smart home skills.If that's not enough, the Sync 4 also includes wireless Android Auto and CarPlay.

The 2022 F-150’s over-the-air software update capabilities allow the company to refresh onboard tech and add features such as Ford’s Active Drive Assist, which enables hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in the US and Canada. Other connectivity options include SiriusXM’s subscription-based 360L satellite and streaming service, as well as the FordPass mobile app (also available on Android and iOS). The latter lets drivers remotely start, lock, and unlock their vehicle, plus change the truck’s Zone Lighting, Trailer Theft Alert, and Pro Power Onboard settings.

Pro Power Onboard is a top selling point: The electric battery can supply generator-like electricity at work locations, campsites, tailgate scenes, or even at home. The Pro Power Onboard option on our test unit provided 7.2kW of power through either in-cabin outlets, four bed-mounted 120V, 20-amp outlets, or a 240V, 30-amp outlet. The same feature is also available on the forthcoming Lightning pickup, as well as the smaller, cheaper Ford Maverick hybrid pickup.

No Shortage of Power

Although the 3.5-liter hybrid V6 is the most powerful engine available outside of the one in the F-150 Raptor and Tremor, it’s designed more for sipping gas than seat-pinning acceleration. It provides short bursts of electric-only operation at low speeds, and the switch from gas to electric power as well as from regenerative to friction braking is smooth and near seamless.

Ford tweaked the truck’s chassis and suspension for a quieter and more comfortable ride, although we noticed that it’s a bit bouncy on rough roads because of the leaf-spring rear axle (common to pickups). We also found some of the gear shifts a bit rough in stop-and-go traffic.

A Half-Step to an Electric Future

While all eyes are on the F-150 Lightning—and its electric-pickup competitors the Chevy Silverado EV, the Rivian R1T, and the Tesla Cybertruck—truck buyers not ready to make the EV leap should consider the F-150 hybrid or alternatives that can't run on battery power alone (such as the Toyota Tundra Hybrid and the Ram 1500 eTorque “mild hybrid"). While a hybrid pickup won’t completely ween you off of expensive fossil fuels, the F-150 hybrid does offer a roughly 20% improvement in fuel economy over it non-hybrid siblings, which adds up at the pump. The pickup truck also provides a large and comfortable interior that can double as a makeshift mobile office. And, even if it can’t quite keep the lights on at your house when the electricity goes out (like the Lightning can), it will still power tools and other devices at a job site or campground in a pinch.