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Ford F-150 Review: Difference between revisions
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==Interior and Comforts== | ==Interior and Comforts== | ||
The | The [[Ford]] F-150 features six distinctly different interiors. The basic XL is surprisingly nice. At the other end of the spectrum is the King Ranch, which has a western feel that's very inviting. | ||
The seats have been improved for 2007 models and Ford says they provide more support and comfort. The front bench is still split three ways: The center section flips down to reveal a console with storage and cup holders. The console is flat, so you can put a clipboard on top of it and it won't immediately slide off. | |||
The SuperCrew features a roomy back seat where adults should find comfortable and convenient accommodations. The big difference in the back seats between SuperCrew and SuperCab models is rear legroom: 39.0 inches for SuperCrew, 32.7 inches for SuperCab. The rear seat bottom flips up for carrying cargo behind the front seats. | |||
The | |||
The | The FX4's optional captain's chairs are comfortable, with decent support for the hips and back. They also look great, trimmed in black leather with light gray stitching. Adjusting the power seats may be a little awkward for drivers with big arms, however, because the clearance between the door armrest and the seat is a little tight. Rake adjustment on the power driver's seat is manual, and raking it forward can be a bit awkward. The center console between the captain's chairs is deep, holds a lot of stuff, and features a pair of big, solid cup holders. The floor shifter for the automatic transmission works very well. | ||
The | The Lariat has one of the classiest, quietest, most completely equipped pickup truck interiors around. In Lariat trim, an F-150 rivals luxury cars in terms of design, materials and completeness, with beautiful, rich wood trim, both shiny and matte metallic finishes on major panels, and a lovely three-pod instrument panel behind the multi-function steering wheel. | ||
At every level, attention to detail is obvious. Giant mirrors afford an excellent view rearward. There's a hook for your dry cleaning. Optional rear park-assist helps greatly when parallel parking one of these big rigs. Its alarm beeps ever more rapidly as you back toward something and it even turns down the radio to make sure you hear its warning. A set of overhead storage bins is available that snap into rails; Ford offers five different sets of these bins, and the aftermarket offers overhead entertainment systems and other specialty items for this rail system. All of these details make this truck more pleasant to own and operate. Everything else inside functions very well and looks good. | |||
==Exterior== | ==Exterior== | ||
Revision as of 18:23, 20 October 2006
The Ford F-series has been one of Ford’s most popular car models for many years. Fully redesigned in 2004, the current rendition of the F-150 continues to improve on Ford’s long experience with full-sized trucks. Available in a multitude of trims and styles to accommodate many different purposes, the F-150 appeals to many different buyers. It can carry both people and work loads with a large towing capacity of over 10,500 pounds or 3,050 pounds in the bed. However, mechanically it is smooth, quiet, and performs excellently both off or on the road.
See also the main fact sheets for the Ford F-150.
High Points
- Quiet and refined
- Responsive steering and good cornering
- Pleasing interior
- Attractive new styling
Low Points
- Feels sluggish even with larger V8
- Not much interior storage space.
- No side curtain or side-impact airbags.
Performance and Handling
On the road the Toyota Camry Solara’s ride is pleasant because it is sprung softly. The suspension filters bumps and noise, yet it doesn't isolate the driver from valuable road feel. Still, the Solara is no sports car, either. It corners fairly flat, but the tires start squealing when it's driven hard. For most people, this is not an issue.
The Toyota Camry Solara’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has 16 valves and double overhead camshafts; it develops 154 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 160 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm.
The 3.3-liter V6 option produces 210 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 220 pound-feet at 3600 rpm. The most important of these numbers is the lower engine speed where peak torque is developed; the higher torque at lower rpm means the 3.3-liter engine will be a more flexible engine that's more responsive in any given situation.
Both engines are equipped with Toyota's VVT-i system (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) for optimum power and efficiency and lower emissions. All are cast from lightweight aluminum, and all achieve an ultra-low ULEV II emissions rating.
Gas Mileage
As seen on Autos.com, in the mid-size car MPG rankings, the 2007 Toyota Camry Solara is in 5th place with 24/33 MPG.
Safety
The Toyota Camry Solara comes standard with the following features:
- Driver and front passenger Advance Airbag Systems
- Front seat-mounted side airbags
- Rear-seat Child Restraint System (CRS) lower anchors and top tether brackets (LATCH)
- Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Engine immobilizer
- Anti-lock breaking system (ABS)
- Front and rear side curtain airbags (Excluding the convertible models)
Reliability and Maintenance
Because the Camry Solara is based off of the Camry sedan platform, it also carries on the same long reputation of reliability to its owners. Above and beyond regular scheduled maintenance, the Camry Solara needs little more to keep it running trouble free for many years.
Interior and Comforts
The Ford F-150 features six distinctly different interiors. The basic XL is surprisingly nice. At the other end of the spectrum is the King Ranch, which has a western feel that's very inviting. The seats have been improved for 2007 models and Ford says they provide more support and comfort. The front bench is still split three ways: The center section flips down to reveal a console with storage and cup holders. The console is flat, so you can put a clipboard on top of it and it won't immediately slide off.
The SuperCrew features a roomy back seat where adults should find comfortable and convenient accommodations. The big difference in the back seats between SuperCrew and SuperCab models is rear legroom: 39.0 inches for SuperCrew, 32.7 inches for SuperCab. The rear seat bottom flips up for carrying cargo behind the front seats.
The FX4's optional captain's chairs are comfortable, with decent support for the hips and back. They also look great, trimmed in black leather with light gray stitching. Adjusting the power seats may be a little awkward for drivers with big arms, however, because the clearance between the door armrest and the seat is a little tight. Rake adjustment on the power driver's seat is manual, and raking it forward can be a bit awkward. The center console between the captain's chairs is deep, holds a lot of stuff, and features a pair of big, solid cup holders. The floor shifter for the automatic transmission works very well.
The Lariat has one of the classiest, quietest, most completely equipped pickup truck interiors around. In Lariat trim, an F-150 rivals luxury cars in terms of design, materials and completeness, with beautiful, rich wood trim, both shiny and matte metallic finishes on major panels, and a lovely three-pod instrument panel behind the multi-function steering wheel.
At every level, attention to detail is obvious. Giant mirrors afford an excellent view rearward. There's a hook for your dry cleaning. Optional rear park-assist helps greatly when parallel parking one of these big rigs. Its alarm beeps ever more rapidly as you back toward something and it even turns down the radio to make sure you hear its warning. A set of overhead storage bins is available that snap into rails; Ford offers five different sets of these bins, and the aftermarket offers overhead entertainment systems and other specialty items for this rail system. All of these details make this truck more pleasant to own and operate. Everything else inside functions very well and looks good.
Exterior
The F-150 shares styling cues with Ford's handsome Super Duty pickups, including the sharp downward drop in the forward part of the door windows, allowing a clear view of the massive outside mirrors. A high beltline gives the truck visual strength and makes occupants feel more secure.
The nose is square in concept, with a large, bold, big-rig grille opening. Yet the front fascia wraps around to the fenders for a precise, sophisticated appearance. The bodyside and cargo box sheet metal is chiseled, though it looks slab-sided at the same time, a theme that carries through to the tailgate. F-150 is both upscale and utilitarian, a look that's very appealing.
The different trim levels are quite distinctive. Just one example: XLT and Lariat have a honeycomb grille (black on XLT, Arizona Beige on Lariat), while XL, STX, FX4, and King Ranch wear bar-style grilles.
Practical considerations are a big part of the design, and some of this can be easily seen. Every bed, no matter which length or style, is more than 22 inches deep, for a generous margin when hauling larger cargoes. All models, including the regular cab, have four opening doors on the body with storage room and/or seats behind the front seat. The SuperCab (extended cab) doors are larger than the vestigial doors on the regular cab, while, as mentioned, the SuperCrew has four full-size doors.
Styles and Options
The Toyota Camry Solara is available as a coupe or convertible. There are 3 trims available: SE, Sport, and SLE.
SE
The SE is your base model coming standard with:
- Power automatic door locks and windows
- Remote keyless entry system
- Cruise control
- Steering wheel audio controls
- AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability
- 16-in. aluminum alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires
- Silver metallic-style interior trim
- Multi-function trip computer
SPORT
The Sport offers sportier looks and performance including:
- 17-in. aluminum alloy wheels with P215/55R17 tires
- Front and rear underbody spoilers and side rocker panel moldings
- Sport-tuned suspension
- Rear sport spoiler
- Stainless steel exhaust tip
- Black graphite-style interior trim
- Unique sport gauge cluster
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle
- Chrome-accented parking brake button and air vents
- Aluminum sport pedal covers
SLE
The most expensive SLE offers a more luxurious interior with:
- Wood-grain-style interior trim
- Power-adjustable driver seat
- Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade
- JBL premium AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability
- Heated outside mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming feature
- Front-console illumination panel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
- Hands-free phone-calling capability via Bluetooth
- Anti-theft system
Main Competitors
External Links
WikiCars Contributor Favorites
Toyota Manufacturer Sites
- Toyota Camry Solara - Official US Site
Community Sites
- Solaraguy.org - a site dedicated to the Camry Solara
- Toyota Nation Solara Forum
