Driver's seat

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

From the driver's seat, everything falls within hand's reach, and the power controls of the seat helps find a good driving position. The seat cushion is a little hard to adjust. I particularly liked the good lateral visibility, thanks to the lower cutouts in the side windows, which allow us a better look in and under the massive outside mirrors, a safety plus. However, Ford should have used a non-reflective or darker-tint plastic for the dashboard, because it reflects in the windshield and hampers visibility. As for the seats, we got mixed opinions according to the size of who occupied them. Some found the sculpture of the buckets to be too deep. The instrumentation is easy to consult, but I had trouble finding the odometer. In the rain, the windshield wipers do a very good job. The ventilation system, easy to adjust, is pretty quiet. Two ventilation outlets are located in the rear so passengers back there can benefit from a good airflow. The sound system is of average quality.

On the road

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

The King Ranch distinguishes itself from the competition by its soft ride and by its lack of the jumpiness and harshness that is typical of 4x4s. It doesn't feel floaty, and the rear doesn't skid in tight curves. The steering is precise despite being a recirculating-ball setup, and allows for corrections when any start of a slide occurs. When the truck is loaded, it's very stable on the highway. When empty, it remains comfortable and predictable. However, its performance is pretty ordinary; the transmission shifts smoothly, but too slowly, and doesn't serve the engine well. On the other hand, the four-wheel drive engages electronically and without hesitation. Unloaded, we obtained rather uninspiring performance from the King Ranch, less than a two-door FX4 model we tested previously. In general, we're satisfied with its 100 to 0 km/h stopping distances, averaging 42.7 meters.

As for fuel consumption, we obtained an average of 18.4 L/100 km.

Destined to a targeted audience

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

The King Ranch is aimed at a specific clientele, farm owners who need a pickup for quick trips in the field, but for those who also desire a more upscale and luxurious vehicle. It keeps the qualities of the F-150, as well as their smooth ride.

Price
F-150 King Ranch base price: $49,199
As-tested price: $53,744

Performance figures
0-100 km/h: 13.95 seconds (2WD), 12.74 seconds (4WD)
80-120 km/h: 10.73 seconds (2WD), 10.85 seconds (9.63 in 3rd gear - 4WD)
100-0 km/h braking: 42.7 meters (2WD), 42.7 meters (4WD)
Combined fuel consumption: 18.15 L/100 km (regular unleaded)

Strong points
Handling while unloaded
Braking
Comfort
Passenger space

Weak points
Centre console too big
Performance (passing power) is sufficient at best

(Thanks to : Céline Bernier, Les Écuries Vallée des Bois)