2009 Ford F-150 XLT

The F-150 is Ford's full-size pickup, the truck that anchors the brand's lineup and goes up against the Silverado and Ram 1500. It drives with a solid, planted feel, and the steering is direct enough that you forget you're in something this big. The ride is smooth for a truck, especially on the highway, though you'll feel bumps more when the bed is empty. The cabin is roomy with comfortable seats, and the rear seats fold up to open a flat load floor for gear. The XLT is the volume leader, giving you more standard equipment than the base XL without jumping to the Lariat's leather and premium stereo. Its 4.6L V8 makes 292 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque, routed through a four-speed automatic to two-wheel drive, which returns 16 mpg combined. This trim unlocks options like the FX4's off-road package, so you can add capability without stepping up to a pricier model.