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This hardworking pickup is still the bestselling vehicle in North America. Here’s how to choose a great pre-owned F-150 in Canada.
Which Ford F-150 is perfect for you? With a wide range of available trims, configurations and powertrains—including the incredible Raptor and the new fully electric Lightning, introduced in 2022—the F-150 lineup has something for virtually any shopper, from mild to wild.
The F-150 is perennially popular. If Ford stopped selling everything it makes besides the F-150, it would still be a Fortune 500 company. With a strong connection to buyers and how they use their pickup trucks, Ford has made updates and enhancements over numerous F-150 generations, culminating in a model that easily takes a position on my list of the 10 best used cars in Canada.
Yes, it’s a great choice new or used. The Ford F-150 offers strong value among pre-owned trucks because of its excellent durability, fuel-efficient engine lineup, and an array of tech and connectivity features that help owners to stay productive and in touch on the move. The use of lightweight aluminum bodies (as of model year 2015) and a range of EcoBoost engines (which launched in 2011) help keep fuel costs highly respectable, too.
The Lariat trim grade represents somewhat of a sweet spot in the F-150 lineup. It boasts many nice-to-haves, like heated and cooled leather seats. It’s also priced more reasonably than some of the more luxury-oriented versions like the Limited, King Ranch or Platinum, each of which represents a luxury trim grade designed to give drivers a taste of top-of-the-line motoring.
For model year 2018, Ford added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology and a pre-collision assist feature with pedestrian detection, along with a technology package for models with the 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine.
The latest F-150 generation arrived for model year 2021, along with a new 12-inch centre screen and a newly available Powerboost hybrid turbo V6 engine. Opt for a 2022 or newer model for the smoothest ride, as new technology features including a continuously controlled damping suspension system were added that year.
Larger touchscreen interfaces, wider availability of safety equipment, and Max Recline seats help give owners a taste of the motoring high life. And the foot-tall vertical touchscreen even has a built-in sketch-pad app for taking notes or keeping the kids entertained.
This 14th-generation truck has an impressive trophy rack—it’s been named North American Truck of the Year, the Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year, and a Top Rated Pick from Edmunds.com, plus a Best Buy Award from Kelley Blue Book.
An impressive trophy rack includes recent recognition from J.D. Power and Associates as the Best Large Light Duty Pickup of 2020. In 2021, the 2022 Ford F-150 was called the North American Truck of the Year by an independent jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from Canada and the United States. The awards continue to roll in for 2023, with Edmunds.com calling the F-150 its Top Rated Truck for the third year in a row, and calling the electric F-150 Lightning its Top Rated Electric Truck and Top Rated Best of the Best for 2023 as well. (Read our F-150 Lightning review.)
If it’s in your budget, shopping for a 2017 or newer F-150 is likely your best bet. An extensive update for that model year brought higher towing capacity, wider deployment of safety and connectivity tech across the lineup, and an extensively reworked powertrain lineup that included the second-generation 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine and a new 10-speed automatic transmission rolled out as standard across most of the model range. These improvements helped the F-150 deliver stronger performance and refinement, while using less fuel.
Other engine options include a 3.3-litre V6, a 5-litre V8 (dubbed Coyote) and a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6, ideal for shoppers looking for a balanced mix of efficiency and low-rev torque response.
From model year 2018 and on, fuel-saving auto start-stop was added to all engines, the 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 was updated for additional efficiency by way of a new fuel injection system, and a major exterior refresh was applied, too.
The PowerStroke turbo-diesel V6 was introduced for this model year as well, though this short-lived engine option was discontinued in 2021 to make room for the new PowerBoost V6 engine, a hybrid option that appeared that year. A used F-150 with the PowerBoost engine won’t be cheap, though its fuel-saving hybrid tech also enables this engine to function as a built-in generator to power your job site, campsite, or power tools and toys.
Regardless of the age or mileage of the used F-150 you’re considering, its current condition will depend on how it’s been used and maintained during its life with previous owners.
Add confidence to your purchase by opting for a model sold as part of a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program at a Ford dealership. CPO requires used F-150s to meet a higher standard of quality and condition than units sold privately. Used models sold as part of a CPO program often include additional perks like extended warranty coverage and roadside assistance.
If you’re buying privately, having the F-150 checked over by a Ford technician in a dealer setting is ideal for maximum peace of mind. Contact your local dealer and ask to schedule a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). This usually costs less than $250 and is your single best defense against an F-150 that’s concealing pricey problems.
Especially on turbocharged models (that’s F-150s with the EcoBoost engine), you’ll want to ensure that previous owners maintained the vehicle religiously, paying special attention to coolant and oil change servicing, as well as the age and condition of the spark plugs. If in doubt, or if the vehicle’s service history is unclear, a fresh coolant, engine oil, transmission fluid and spark plug swap can go a long way to kicking your ownership experience off right.
Ditto a fresh battery. Many owners have reported factory-equipped batteries that begin to weaken and die after just a few years of use, which can cause problems with vehicle electronics, including the infotainment, security, central locking and safety systems. Have the battery in the used F-150 you’re considering inspected by a professional before your purchase, and replace it if it doesn’t pass the test with flying colours. This can dramatically reduce headaches.
Confirm proper operation of all door locks and latches, working each door from both inside and outside. Confirm all locks work properly, from internal switches and both remote keyfobs. Try all power windows, confirming they work quickly and as expected from all switches.
Remove all mats and other items from the F-150’s floor and inspect the carpeting carefully for signs of moisture or standing water. Press your hand or a cloth into all carpeted surfaces, especially towards the outer corners of the vehicle’s cabin. If you detect any unwanted moisture, a water leak is likely—and typically caused by the rear window or sunroof. Moving to another unit is likely best, as water leaks are never fun to fix and can cause damage while reducing resale value.
Find an empty space where you can drive around in a figure-8 pattern at a low speed, with heavy steering inputs. In the process, quiet the F-150’s cabin and listen closely to the rear of the vehicle. If you hear any unwanted popping or binding sounds, or you feel any scrubbing or dragging from the rear tires, there may be a damage or wear-related problem with the rear axle or the lubricating fluid within. Have a dealership investigate before you buy. Triple-check the backup camera for proper and prompt operation, too.
Pay attention when you shift gears. Harshness, clumsiness or unwanted noises or sensations as the transmission shifts gears is often a sign that a software update is needed, though these can be signs of more serious trouble, too. If in doubt, have it checked out.
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And how to buy (and get a good deal on) a car in Canada.
If you’re looking for a used pickup, it’s hard to go wrong with the F-150. This segment is hyper-competitive, but at this moment in time, I think the F-150 deserves to wear the crown over similar offerings from GMC and Ram. With the addition of the 10-speed transmission and second-generation EcoBoost engine (starting with model year 2017), Ford isn’t making it easy for the competition to close the gap.
Auto insurance quotes are based on several factors, including your age, location and more. Here’s the estimated monthly cost to insure a 2020 Ford F-150 Lariat 4×4 SuperCrew for these driver profiles:
Quotes provided by Ratehub*. (Ratehub and MoneySense are both owned by Ratehub Inc.) Policies include $1 million liability coverage, $1,000 collision deductible and $1,000 comprehensive deductible, with discounts for bundling and UBI.
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