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Why Are Ford F-150s So Expensive?

Since Ford F-150s are such common trucks, it may seem odd that they cost so much. 

So why are they so expensive?

And do they actually cost more than similar trucks?

Ford F-150s are expensive because they are sturdy, well-designed, and made of high-quality material. Their superior safety features also contribute to their price. However, Ford F-150s do not cost more than similar trucks on the market, meaning their price tags are about standard. 

In this article, I will talk about how much you can expect to spend on an F-150 and why Ford prices them the way it does. 

I will also discuss whether F-150s hold their value, the most and least expensive trims, and how the F-150’s price tag has changed over the years. 

How Much Are Ford F-150s?

A blue Ford F-150 parked on a road during sunrise.

For the 2022 Ford F-150, you can expect to pay anywhere between $30,000 and $79,000. 

Does the Ford F-150 Cost More Than Similar Trucks?

Here, I will list some trucks that are akin to the Ford F-150 and their 2022 prices, so you can see how the F-150 stacks up. 

New car prices for trucks similar to the F-150: 

  • 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 – $36,000 to $126,000
  • 2022 Toyota Tundra – $36,000 to $78,000
  • 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 – $35,000 to $71,000
  • 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 – $36,000 to $86,000
  • 2022 Nissan Frontier – $29,000 to $45,000

As you can see from these prices, the Ford F-150 does not actually cost more than comparable trucks. 

What Makes the 2022 Ford F-150 Expensive?

Although the 2022 F-150 isn’t too expensive when compared to similar trucks, there are some reasons that the price can be high, especially for luxury trims. 

Aluminum Body 

It may seem a bit counterintuitive, but trucks made from aluminum are more expensive than their steel-bodied counterparts. 

And the F-150 has a lot of aluminum when compared to other trucks. 

However, although aluminum is more expensive to purchase, it requires less repair over time, which will save money. 

Thus, even though you will pay more upfront, you likely won’t have to spend nearly as much on repairs compared to steel-framed trucks. 

Safety Features 

Although all modern trucks have high-tech safety features, the Ford F-150 stands out. 

Specifically, the 2022 F-150 CrewCab received top marks in safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

The IIHS gave the 2022 F-150 CrewCab “Good” safety ratings (the highest rating) in the following categories: 

  • Small overlap front on the driver and passenger side 
  • Moderate overlap front 
  • Side 
  • Roof 
  • Head restraints and seats 
  • Front crash prevention: vehicle to vehicle 
  • Front crash prevention: vehicle to pedestrian 

The 2022 Ford F-150 extended cab also received similar marks. 

The IIHS named both of these F-150 models as their top large pickup safety picks for 2022. 

And, of course, this superior safety craftsmanship raises the price. 

Infotainment System

The Ford F-150 has an above-average infotainment system when compared to similar trucks. 

For example, the new F-150s have a 12-inch touchscreen that is similar to an iPad. 

And yes, the Dodge Ram also has a touchscreen, but the Ford version is a lot sleeker and more modern looking. 

The digital dashboard in the F-150 looks better than its competitors as well. 

Possibly, the digital cluster has this unbeatable flair because Ford hired a designer from the video game industry to give its trucks an extra pinch of style. 

Aside from the electronic aspects of the vehicle, Ford added extra features that make it easier to work in the F-150. 

One interesting addition is the foldable work surface that comes out of the center console to allow you to write or use a computer without any hassle. 

But of course, all these unique dimensions do raise the price of the new F-150s. 

Does the F-150’s Popularity Affect the Price?

A red Ford F-150 is on display at a dealership.

The F-150 is the best-selling car in the United States, leading many people to wonder if this popularity makes it more expensive. 

Well, the answer is yes and no. 

The F-150 and other F-series Fords have maintained their popularity largely because they are affordable. 

Thus, Ford actually has quite an incentive to keep the price low, at least in the base model. 

But, because the F-150 is so popular, there are lots of different trim options, some of which can get quite expensive. 

So, the popularity doesn’t affect the base price as much as it does the wide range of prices you can find in F-150 variations. 

Do F-150s Hold Their Value?

F-150s hold their value pretty well compared to other trucks. 

In fact, after five years of ownership, an F-150 will still be worth about 62% of its initial value. 

However, F-250s actually hold their value better and are typically worth about 64% of their value after five years. 

For comparison, the average vehicle only retains about 59% of its value after this time. 

Both F-150s and F-250s hold their value better than many other cars because they are popular, powerful, and reliable. 

Do F-150s Burn a Lot of Gas?

A white Ford F-150 is parked in the middle of the road.

When it comes to a vehicle’s price, you also have to factor in the long-term cost of gas. 

So, it’s important to know, do F-150s burn gas faster than similar trucks?

Well, when it comes to miles per gallon (mpg), the Ford F-150 ranks about average compared to its competitors. 

In general, the 2022 Ford F-150 gets around 25 mpg (40 kpg) for both city and highway driving. 

For comparison, here’s the mpg for similar pickup trucks: 

  • 2022 Toyota Tundra: 18 mpg (29 kpg) city / 24 mpg (39 kpg) highway 
  • 2022 Ram 1500: 23 mpg (37 kpg) city / 33 mpg (53 kpg) highway 
  • 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 23 mpg (37 kpg) city / 31 mpg (50 kpg) highway 
  • 2022 GMC Sierra 1500: 23 mpg (37 kpg) city / 30 mpg (48 kpg) highway 
  • 2022 Nissan Titan: 16 mpg (26 kpg) city / 21 mpg (34 kpg) highway 

What Is the Most Expensive 2022 F-150 Trim?

The 2022 F-150 Limited is the most expensive F-150 trim. 

2022 F-150 Limiteds start at about $75,000. 

Why Is the F-150 Limited So Expensive?

One of the reasons the Limited is so expensive is because of its expensive luxury seats. 

The seats in an F-150 Limited fold all the way back so that you can lay down entirely flat. 

They also have heating, cooling, and massaging features. 

Plus, Limiteds come with 18 speakers, including ones in the front headrests. 

Another amazing feature of the Limited is its ability to supply you with household levels of power so that you can plug a wide range of equipment directly into the truck. 

What Is the Cheapest 2022 F-150 Trim?

A white Ford F-150 is on display at a dealership.

The cheapest 2022 F-150 is the XL with a short box, V6 engine, and a regular cab. 

You can get this truck for around $31,000. 

How Much Has the F-150 Increased in Price Over the Years?

Adjusting for inflation, the F-150 has increased in price quite a bit over time. 

Below is a list of F-150 base model prices adjusted to 2022 dollars: 

  • 1980 – $20,484
  • 1991 – $26,032
  • 2004 – $28,075 
  • 2009 – $30,382 
  • 2022 – $31,520 

Conclusion 

Overall, F-150s are not more expensive than similar trucks. 

However, their superior body, safety features, and infotainment systems do bump up the price.

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