2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

This is Ford's full-size pickup, the truck that anchors the lineup and competes with the Silverado and Ram 1500. The F-150 pulls heavy trailers and loads without breaking a sweat, and the 4x4 models handle snow and dirt roads with confidence. It rides smoothly for a truck, with a quiet cabin and plenty of legroom for tall drivers in both rows. The bed is big enough for a queen mattress, and the full back seat makes it a comfortable place to stretch out on long trips. Stepping up to the Lariat gets you the 5.4L V8 with 300 horsepower and four-wheel drive, plus leather upholstery and power-adjustable pedals that the XLT doesn't have. The 5.4L V8 pulls hard from a stop and the four-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but expect 14 mpg combined around town. The Lariat's available power moonroof and six-disc CD changer make long highway trips more enjoyable.