2025 F-150 King Ranch PowerBoost Hybrid Review

This week, we are looking at a very popular version of the most popular vehicle in America, the Ford F-150.  This is America’s #1 selling pickup for 48 straight years, and even more impressive, this is the 40^th year in a row that Ford trucks have outsold every other vehicle offered in the United States.

The truck itself was just beautiful.  It is the King Ranch version in Rapid Red Metallic, and it had the beautiful King Ranch leather seats that have become the benchmark of the luxury truck series.  It is a 4x4, with the lower accent paint and 22” wheels. This is the full 4-door model, called the SuperCrew and it carries all the redesign elements of the 2024 models.

If you are not from Texas, you may not be familiar with the King Ranch.  The King Ranch is a legendary ranch in south Texas, established in 1853 that spans over 825,000 acres, making it one of the largest ranches in the United States. It’s deeply tied to cattle ranching, horse breeding, and the cowboy legacy of the American West. Ford and King Ranch teamed up in 2001, debuting the King Ranch Edition of the Ford F-Series. This trim level was created to blend rugged capability with Western luxury — think of it as the cowboy’s Cadillac, although I suspect Ford would prefer it not to be referred to that way.

I am also thrilled that my tester has the PowerBoost, Ford’s very popular full hybrid system.  It’s been several years since I first reviewed this popular power train but have recommended it many times to listeners of the Car Pro Show.  In fact, I have publicly said that if I were personally in the market for a truck, it would likely be the PowerBoost.

Performance

The engine starts with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (twin-turbocharged gas engine) and adds a 35 kW (47 horsepower) electric motor, powered by a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery.  This system can run solely on electric power at low speeds and under light throttle, and in normal driving, the gas engine and electric motor work together, delivering seamless power.  The electric motor fills in torque gaps, which improves acceleration and towing smoothness.  Under heavy acceleration or when towing, both power sources combine to deliver a maximum output of 430-horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any F-150 engine in 2025. At the same time, the pickup uses regenerative braking to charge the battery and it captures energy when you slow down or coast, improving overall efficiency.  It can also cruise for short distances or idle completely gas-free.

The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and this truck has the 4X4 system.

With the PowerBoost, you also get the Pro Power Onboard, a breakthrough system that basically turns your truck into a mobile generator. The available generator power levels are a 2.0 kW for basic tools, lights, TVs, tailgating gear.  You can upgrade to a 2.4 kW for more demanding tools, jobsite gear, and appliances. 

You can also get a 7.2 kW, which is what my tester has, and it has (4) 120-volt plugs, and (1) 240-volt plug that will accommodate welders, compressors, RVs, and even small homes.  During the great Texas ice storm of 2021, many dealers loaned PowerBoost F-150s to customers to allow them to get some power to their homes.  The system is controlled from the 12" SYNC 4 screen or FordPass app. Outlets are located in the bed, weather-sealed and protected. The truck idles to keep power flowing, using the hybrid engine as needed.

Exterior  

Outwardly, it’s a beauty.  It has a bold grill, LED headlights, a bulging hood, sharp, crisp lines, and a lower two-tone gray with the Rapid Red on top. 

The 22” painted and chrome wheels look great wrapped in 275/50R Michelin tires, and of course the King Ranch logo covers the center of the wheels.  Other King Ranch badging can be found on both front fenders as well as the tailgate.

Interior    

As you open the door, you forget this is a pickup.  Darker and lighter Java leather hues make the big front seats look more like living room recliners. 

They are heated, cooled, have power bolstering and both front seats are 10-way power.  Hit the start button and the digital driver display shows you a video of the truck before it settles in to give you a ton of info that is configured from the power adjusting steering wheel.  Look through the windshield and there is a massive head-up display.

In the center of the dash, everything operates from a massive 12” touch screen.  It operates the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, audio, navigation settings, and a button for features.  Under features, you operate the generator, the deployable running boards, and one of my favorites, the onboard scales.  The scales measure and display the approximate weight of the payload in the truck. Load information is displayed in the center touch screen, on your mobile phone through the FordPass app, or in graphics within the truck’s smart taillamps.  As you load the truck bed, four vertical lights built into the taillamps move from bottom to top as you near capacity.  Once fully loaded, the top bar flashes.  How cool is that?

The Sync 4 system screen also handles the 360-degree rear camera, the 14-speaker B & O sound system, a Wi-Fi Hotspot, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  There is a dedicated page for the Pro Power Onboard generator system, and you can add your favorite apps.  This truck had the YouTube app, so I watched an old video of myself.

Another feature of this truck I love is the folding gear shifter in the center console.  With the push of a button, the shifter folds down flat. 

When you open the massive center storage area from the backside, you unfold a table that sits between the two front seats, perfect for a laptop and/or printer, or a really comfortable place to eat your lunch on the go. 

Near the gear shifter is a couple of large cupholders and a wireless phone charger.  Just above that, climate controls and actual knobs for the radio.

Moving into the massive back seat there is a ton of room for 3 adults, even large ones, and they can enjoy air vents, a couple of USB-C ports, a power outlet, and the back seats are heated, but not air conditioned. 

The rear seats fold up from the bottom and have storage underneath.  One side has a lockable storage area for valuables.  The back seat also folds down from the top to form a completely flat sub-floor that is huge.

Pro AccessTailgate

I have to spend a moment on the tailgate.  This is the Pro Access tailgate which features a swing-out door that opens up to 100 degrees, allowing you to get up to 19 inches closer to the truck bed. 

It will also function as a regular fold down tailgate, and when activated includes an integrated work surface equipped with practical features such as rulers, a mobile device holder, and cup holders.  Best of all, you can raise or lower the tailgate with the key fob or from inside the cab.  There is a fold-out step under the rear bumper.  Either way you use the tailgate, the power plugs for the Pro Power Onboard is to the left and easy to access.

Standard Features

Standard features on the King Ranch include a power panoramic moonroof with power sliding cover, power deployable running boards, power sliding rear window, power adjustable gas and brake pedals, remote start, reverse sensing with brake assist, the towing package, anti-theft system, and power tilting mirrors.

BlueCruise

You also get a free year of Ford’s enhanced BlueCruise 1.3 semi-self-driving system.  This Level 2 driver-assist system that allows for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways called Blue Zones (over 130,000 miles across North America). It uses a mix of cameras, radar, and GPS, along with an infrared driver-facing camera to make sure you’re paying attention while the system handles steering, braking, and acceleration.

FordPass

You also get free FordPass which is Ford’s all-in-one mobile app and connected services platform that helps you interact with your vehicle remotely, manage ownership tasks, and access features like roadside assistance or service scheduling.  From your phone it will  start/stop your engine, lock/unlock doors, check fuel or battery level, locate your vehicle, check oil life, tire pressure, and other diagnostics, you get alerts if something needs attention, and you can schedule service appointments at your dealership.  You also get points for maintenance, buying a new Ford, or accessories, and you can redeem points toward service, parts, or even new vehicle purchases.  This is something every Ford owner needs to use.

Options 

Options total $4,925 and the Rapid Red paint ($495), the PowerBoost hybrid engine ($1,900), the 22” wheels ($1,325), the rear center step ($425), wheel well liners ($190), and a bedliner ($595).

Verdict

MSRP on this beauty is $79,825, which at one time would have shocked me, but now that seems like a heck-of-a-deal.  Fuel economy is rated at 22 city, 24 highway, and 23 overall. 

Towing capacity of this truck is 10,800 pounds, if you get the max towing package it bumps you to 11,200 pounds.  If you need more, the regular 3.5 EcoBoost will get you to 13,500.

This truck rides and handles more like a Lincoln than a pickup, the cab is incredibly quiet, the adaptive steering is sharp, and the truck has a very tight turning radius.  Overall, it is a very enjoyable vehicle with a massive amount of room in the cab.  It is easy to forget you are driving a pickup.