Road Test: Ford 2022 F-150 SuperCrew Platinum 4X4 PowerBoost Hybrid

Another Addition to Ford’s Electrified Future

The Future Is Here

Ford must have asked themselves how to make the F-150 full-size pickup even better.

How about giving it a 3.3-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine to go along with the:

• non-hybrid 3.3-liter EcoBoost V6;
• 2.7L EcoBoost V6;
• 5.0-liter V8;
• 3.0L Power Stroke Diesel;
• the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and
• the Lightning EV.

Yes, there are seven propulsion choices for the 2022 F-150, but since there has never been a hybrid F-150, consumers now have even more options for this best-selling truck.

Hybrid Performance

The 2022 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid drivetrain comprises an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the 10-speed transmission, with a disconnect clutch so it can run in pure EV mode. The electric motor provides 35 kilowatts of power, good for 44 horsepower. When combined with the naturally aspirated 3.3 liter V6, total output is 430 horsepower and 570 pound feet of torque.

That wonderful torque becomes very obvious as the 5,540-pound F-150 SuperCrew 4X4 PowerBoost Hybrid did 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The payload of 1,800 pounds and a tow rating of up to 12,400 pounds benefit greatly from the hybrid torque. If hauling and towing are your thing, the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid is the way to go.

Hybrid Efficiency

Clean Fleet Report drove the F-150 PowerBoost 4X4, which is an option over the standard rear-wheel drive. Keeping the transmission in two-wheel mode improves fuel economy, but four-wheel drive Low and High are options based on the road conditions to maximize torque to all four wheels for increased traction. The transmission shifted quickly and generally smooth.

The EPA rates the F-150 PowerBoost at 24 miles per gallon for city, highway and combined. In 321 miles of mostly highway driving through Southern California, using the Eco drive mode and setting the adaptive cruise control, we averaged 24.2 mpg, which included 65 all-electric miles. This means the driving range, with the 30.6-gallon fuel tank full, can be 700+ miles. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.

The Eco Driving Behavior dash read-out measures how easy or hard the accelerator is being treated. I may have won an award as my Acceleration, Deceleration and Speed all received a 99% rating. The credit, though, goes to the F-150 PowerBoost as it is smooth, easy to drive and, when idling, completely quiet as long as the battery has a bit of charge.

Blue Cruise

Our F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid was equipped with the optional Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving system. This technology, demonstrated here, offers hands-free driving when used in-conjunction with adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go, lane centering and speed sign recognition. Designed for long distance driving and not for in-town, country roads or mountain curves, the Blue Cruise system uses a series of facial recognition cameras to tell if the driver is facing forward. Once engaged, if the driver turns their head away for several seconds a “Watch The Road!” warning will come on.

Our experience on the open highway, on a sunny day with the lane lines clearly marked, it worked as designed. However, Blue Cruise is constantly trying to find the lane center, which makes it wander at times and even have an abrupt correction if the lines are faded, or in a construction zone where the lines have been temporally remarked. It never felt dangerous, but knowing when these situations are approaching we placed our hands on the steering wheel.

Blue Cruise has a complimentary trial period, and then will require a subscription of $600 for three years, plus the cost of the Blue Cruise hardware when ordering your F-150 PowerBoost.

Hitting the Open Road

It is not unusual for a pickup to have rough ride, feeling every bump and rut in the road, especially with an empty bed. This was not the case with the F-150 PowerBoost 4X4. The independent double-wishbone with heavy-duty gas-pressurized shocks in front and the conventional leaf spring, solid axle and the same heavy-duty gas-pressurized shocks in the rear kept the tires firmly planted and without bouncing. The result is the truck drives like a SUV, which for long road trips is a good thing.

While this is nice for the open road, it is the towing that benefits from the hybrid torque and the confident ride and handling. Depending on which F-150 PowerBoost is ordered, the tow rating ranges from an impressive 11,000 to 12,400 pounds. We didn’t get the opportunity to tow during our week in the F-150 PowerBoost, but are confident pulling a trailer will be easy. To aid in towing, trailer backup assist, trailer reverse guidance, reverse brake assist, a smart hitch and onboard scales are available as options or part of a package.

Stopping was strong with power anti-lock front and rear discs that are part of the regenerative braking system. Regenerative braking, when applying the brakes or coasting, converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. This combination of powerful brakes and the motor slowing the F-150 PowerBoost produced confident and straight stops.

Pro Power Onboard

Where the F-150 PowerBoost shines is its ability as a mobile generator power source. Whether a work site, camping or in an emergency when the power goes out, the Pro Power Onboard feature will keep tools and appliances humming and lights shining bright.

The 7.2-kW (7,200 watts) system is an option exclusive to the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, with a less powerful 2.4-kW system and 2,400 watts of power standard. The number of outlets are dependent on which system is being used, with the 7.2-kW having four 120-volt outlets and one 240-volt outlet in the bed.

With a full tank (30.6 gallons) of 87 octane fuel, and the hybrid engine automatically turns on and off as needed to charge the battery. The system can run up-to 32 hours under maximum load, longer when the demand is lower.

Our friends over at Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk are experts on the Pro Power Onboard system, and have produced this video on one of the many ways it can be used.

Behind the Wheel

The spacious interior of the F-150 PowerBoost Platinum is impressive with all the features expected on a premium pickup. The leather, power, heated and ventilated front seats fully recline, have memory and what Ford calls Active Motion, but more commonly known as massage. The bottom of the heated rear seat folds-up 60/40 revealing a dry storage space.

The foot pedals power adjust and have memory, so multiple, different size drivers can easily find a comfortable and safe driving position. The power telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel also has memory, and the gear shift lever power-retracts into the console allowing for a flat surface that is useable as a workspace.

Cabin features on the Platinum model include wood trim and bright door scuff plates, an interior work surface, wireless charging pad, tray-style rubber floor coverings, and a twin-panel moonroof. All that comfort is supported by the great-sounding Bang & Olufsen Sound System, with 18 speakers and a subwoofer for the HD AM/FM with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connections are through Bluetooth, wireless phone charging, USB ports and multiple power outlets.

There are three bed lengths of 5.5-feet, 6.5-feet and 8.0-feet, and three cabin sizes of Regular, Supercab, and SupercCrew, with the last size being what Clean Fleet Report tested. We were impressed with the civilized road manners as we cruised the highway, and at slower in-town driving speeds where the hybrid engine was silent when running in electric mode. This made for a unique truck experience only found on the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T electric pickups.

Safety

The F-150 PowerBoost has standard or optional features of a tilt and telescoping steering column, electric parking brake, remote keyless entry and start, security keypad on the driver-side door, a tire pressure monitoring system, a theft deterrent system and a power locking tailgate.

Safety systems include dynamic-bending LED headlamps, 360-degree cameras; front, side, driver knee, and overhead curtain airbags; and Ford Co-Pilot360. This advanced driver assist system (ADAS) includes pre-collision assist with emergency braking and is required to engage the Blue Cruise system.

This model 2022 F-150 has not been safety-rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it earned a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Pricing and Warranties

The 2022 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid only comes with the five-passenger SuperCab, and is available in the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited models. Prices are before any options but include the mandatory $1,795 destination and delivery fee.

XL

4×2        $45,210

4×4        $49,735             

XLT

4×2        $50,405

4×4        $54,910

Lariat

4×2         $55,910

4×4        $60,345

King Ranch

4×2        $63,965

4×4        $68,410

Platinum

4×2        $66,745

4×4        $71,185

Limited

4×2        $80,670

4×4        $84,775

The 2022 Ford F-150 PowerBoost comes with these warranties.

Hybrid Components – Eight years/100,000 miles

Bumper-to-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles

Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles

Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles

Corrosion – Five years/Unlimited miles

Observations: Ford 2022 F-150 SuperCrew Platinum 4X4 PowerBoost Hybrid

In mid-March 2018, Ford announced they would be introducing 24 battery electric hybrids over the next few years, including trucks, crossovers and SUVs. The full-size SUV 2020 Explorer hybrid and 2022 Maverick came along first, and then in 2021 the full-size F-150 PowerBoost hybrid pickup.

For 2022, the F-150 PowerBoost has a few updates, such as onboard scales, a Smart Hitch and new appearance packages, but what hasn’t changed is the fuel efficiency, the massive torque that is perfect for towing, and the deal-maker of the Pro Power Onboard electric generator. The F-150 PowerBoost will make people forget about a diesel engine to power their pickup.

The performance and drivability rank up there with the F-150’s competitors, as do the interior features and driving comfort. If a full-size pickup, that can power your job site, campground or complete house in an emergency is intriguing, the Ford 2022 F-150 SuperCrew Platinum 4X4 PowerBoost Hybrid should be on your shopping list.

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Ford.

Our other F-150 Encounters:

Road Test: Ford F-150 Lightning EV

Flash Drive: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

Road Test: 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid

News: 2018 Ford F-150 Gets a Diesel

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.