Transportation
Car Review: 2015 Ford F-150 4X4 Supercab
By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist
DETROIT (NNPA) – It is the best-selling pickup truck, make that vehicle in America. So whenever Ford redesigns the F-150, it is news.
The spotlight on the remodel of the truck this time was even more intense. Ford changed the F-150s sheet metal from steel to aluminum to secure huge weight savings, up to 700 pounds, depending on the model, and get a sizable increase in fuel economy. But it wasn’t a matter of just changing body material; the presses, dies, paint shop, tooling all had to be changed to handle the aluminum. And this aluminum is not the sort of stuff you get out of a box of aluminum foil.
In addition to the two assembly plants that make the F-150, Ford invested heavily in an advertising marketing campaign to say that the new 2015 Ford F-150 was made from military grade aluminum alloy. Unless you really know your metal, there was no way to tell that the body panels of our test vehicle were made of aluminum.
There are four engine choices: a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 365 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque, a 283 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that makes 255 pound-feet of torque, a 5.0-liter V8 rated at 385 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque and a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque.
The 2.7-liter V6 was the engine that our test vehicle had and it was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. On, paper Ford said the truck could tote 2,160 pounds and tow 8,400 pounds. On pavement, this engine was very impressive. Its low-end torque belied the fact that the engine was less than three liters in size. Our test vehicle reacted to driver input promptly, acceleration was good and handling wasn’t bad, either.
To be specific, we had the 2015 Ford F-150 4X4 Supercab XLT. There are four other trim levels: the XL, the Lariat, the Platinum and the King Ranch. We never checked out the second row seats but they did look spacious. Our XLT came after the XL, thus it was close to a base model.
We had cloth seats, no navigation screen and still we thought our Ford F-150 was a capable pickup truck. It had automatic start and stop, remote start and a backup camera that made backing up a non-pressured affair. Our test truck was equipped with the XLT Chrome Appearance Package: It had all terrain step bars (read running board), and 18-inch chrome wheels for $1,695. Of course, there was a spray in bed liner, LED lighting as well as LED side mirror spotlights. We never felt like we were in a bare bones truck.
Our 2015 Ford F-150 pickup was a nice. Add the base price, the options, and the freight charge, subtract the discounts and the total came to $43,085. We did not think that price for this quality of truck was bad. And for the week, we drove almost 150 miles, used eight gallons of gasoline and got about 19 mpg. We didn’t think that was bad, either.
Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.
###
car reviews
Black-Owned Banks: FDIC Data Reveals Shocking Truth #shorts
FDIC data reveals the truth about Black-owned banks: they’re vital for minority lending, but their numbers are declining. Discover the impact in this must-watch #shorts.
The 6-hour stat is a myth, but where deposits go is real. As of March 31, 2026, there were 24 Black-owned banks, down from 48 in 2001. MDIs lend more mortgages to minority borrowers in lower-income areas. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA
#BlackOwnedBanks #FDIC #FinancialInclusion #CommunityLending
car reviews
2026 Defender 130X: Is The $110k SUV Worth It? #shorts
Is the $110k Defender 130X worth it? Consider entry and exit challenges for passengers before you buy this luxury SUV. #AutoNetwork
Before you buy this $110k vehicle, test the entry and exit. With multiple handles, the high seating position can still be a challenge for some family members. Check with your passengers first! #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/8HFPFmqpCdg
#Defender130X #CarReview #SUV #OffRoad #LuxuryCars
car reviews
Mastering the Used Car Market ep11
Buying a used car can be a smart wealth-building move for Black buyers. Learn the ins and outs of the used car market in this episode.
Buying a used car isn’t settling for less. For a prepared Black buyer, it’s one of the smartest wealth-building moves you can make.
In Episode 11 of The Color of Our Money Is Green, host Roosevelt Gist and co-host Roosevelt break down the used car market from start to finish. Kelley Blue Book says many new cars lose 20 percent or more of their value in the first year. The first owner absorbs that loss. A prepared used car buyer keeps it.
You’ll learn the four places to buy a used car: franchised dealers, independent lots, certified pre-owned programs, and private sellers. We explain what the FTC Buyer’s Guide in the window really means, and why it can override your sales contract.
Then we walk through the five-step research plan to finish before you ever contact a seller. Set fair market value, pull a vehicle history report, check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, compare ownership costs, and get pre-approved by a Black-owned bank or credit union. That last step matters even more on used cars. Experian found used car loans averaged 11.19 percent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 6.35 percent for new.
Finally, we cover the independent inspection, the 30-minute test drive, and a word-for-word negotiation script that uses your inspection report to bring the price down.
Our Green Book Moment spotlights Banister Ford of Marlow Heights, a Black-owned dealership in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Get the book, “The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost,” at stan.store/RGist.
This episode is for education only, not legal or financial advice. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Your money is green. Know what it costs.
_______________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost
🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.
car reviews
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
Is the $110K Defender 130 X the ultimate family SUV? Roosevelt dives into its comfort, capability, and whether it’s truly worth the price.
Is the 2026 Defender 130 X worth $110,110 for your family?
Roosevelt examines the comfort, capability, and everyday compromises that matter before you buy this luxury SUV.
Finished in Gondwana Stone with an Ebony Windsor leather interior, this Defender brings a distinctive look and a substantial price. Its 3.0-liter six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
My driving impressions include good acceleration, a comfortable and supportive driver’s seat, and good ride quality. However, I also noticed wind noise around the windshield pillar and outside mirror. A highway test drive deserves a place on your shopping checklist.
Inside, we examine the optional second-row captain’s chairs, passenger access, third-row seating, and usable cargo space. The third row does not fold into a flat floor, so bring your stroller, luggage or measurements when evaluating whether this Defender fits your needs.
Getting in and out also deserves attention. The vehicle sits high, and its grab handles may not solve the entry challenge for every passenger. I explain why your regular passengers should try it before you commit.
We also look at the ClearSight digital rearview mirror, 13.1-inch touchscreen, and parking-camera system. Extended viewing of the digital mirror made me feel dizzy; your experience may differ.
Air suspension, terrain settings, and the listed towing package add capability, but how much will you actually use? With supplied fuel ratings of 16 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined mpg, ownership costs belong in the decision.
Watch for practical checks you can use at the dealership, then tell me: would this Defender fit your daily life?
Subscribe to AutoNetwork for vehicle reviews that help you make informed buying decisions. Like, share, and follow for more advice from Roosevelt before your next purchase.
______________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
_______________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost
🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.
car reviews
Car Takeoff Hesitation? Daylight Test Drive Guide #shorts
Car takeoff hesitation? A daylight test drive can reveal visibility issues and charging pad interferences. Watch the full guide to get your car running smoothly!
Trouble with takeoff hesitation? Perform a daylight test drive and observe visibility from your usual driving position. Make sure no cards or keys are left on the charging pads. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/jxHcleGKCuE
#CarTips #Driving #TestDrive #CarMaintenance
car reviews
The Black Bank That Survived the 1893 Panic #shorts
Despite the 1893 Panic, True Reformers, a Black-owned bank, was the only institution in Richmond to remain open, cashing every check.
During the financial panic of 1893, True Reformers, a Black-owned bank, was the sole institution in Richmond to remain operational, honoring every single check. #AutoNetwork
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA
#TrueReformers #BlackHistory #FinancialHistory #1893Panic
Black-Owned Banks: FDIC Data Reveals Shocking Truth #shorts
2026 Defender 130X: Is The $110k SUV Worth It? #shorts
Mastering the Used Car Market ep11
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
“Money, Power, and Respect,” (SEIU) President April Verrett
Car Takeoff Hesitation? Daylight Test Drive Guide #shorts
Your Vote Matters…Protect Your Freedoms!
The Black Bank That Survived the 1893 Panic #shorts
Why A Black Bank Started From A House #shorts
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Latest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
The Youngest American Killed in the Vietnam War
OPINION: Nolan Wells’ Death One of Several Signifying Racial Terror Lives on in U.S. South
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
OP-ED: If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent
OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
Henry O. Flipper: A Trailblazer at West Point and Beyond
NFL: NFC Preview | The Rams will NOT make the Super Bowl
Asm. Smallwood-Cuevas’s Bill Repealing ‘Racist’ CalWORKs ‘Man-in-the-House’ Rule Clears Legislature
Black-Owned Banks: FDIC Data Reveals Shocking Truth #shorts
2026 Defender 130X: Is The $110k SUV Worth It? #shorts
Mastering the Used Car Market ep11
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
“Money, Power, and Respect,” (SEIU) President April Verrett
Car Takeoff Hesitation? Daylight Test Drive Guide #shorts
Your Vote Matters…Protect Your Freedoms!
The Black Bank That Survived the 1893 Panic #shorts
Why A Black Bank Started From A House #shorts
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
-
Black Press5 days agoA $2.1 Trillion Wellness Industry Never Built a Daily Practice for Black Children. So This Atlanta Family Did.
-
Black Press7 days agoZakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies
-
Black History7 days agoListening as a Lifeline: A Doula’s Witness to Black Maternal Health
-
BlackPressUSA3 days agoLatinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
-
Black Press5 days agoCOMMENTARY: But God!
-
Black Press7 days ago‘We Don’t Talk Trash — We Pick Up Trash!’
