The current Ford F-150 is gearing up for its first mid-cycle refresh as these spy photos show. Ford is preparing the truck for the 2018 model year and is expected to debut the truck in the coming days at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. The test mules clearly show Ford is reworking the grille and rear end, along with developing a new diesel engine. Yep, the F-150 is finally going compression-ignition! Add to that the recent official news that Ford would introduce a hybrid F-150 version before 2020.
The F-150 is Ford’s biggest seller and highest profit-maker, so it’s completely understandable why Ford pays it so much attention. The current F-150 debuted for the 2015 model year, so it’s not really old. In fact, it still remains the newest full-size, half-ton pickup in the segment – beating the Chevy Silverado by a year and the Ram 1500 by six.
Ford has not released any official information regarding the 2018 F-150, but these spy photos speak for themselves. That, and the conformation of a hybrid drivetrain, means big changes are coming to the pickup.
Let’s dive into what information we’ve got so far.
Exterior
Note: Current Ford F-150 shown here.
Someone inside Ford’s camouflage department needs to get their eyes checked. This F-150 clearly has its fresh goodies open for the world to see. A new grille with a twin horizontal bar reminiscent of the new 2017 Super Duty makes for a bold new face. The headlights appear unchanged, as so the hood, bumper, and fenders. Ford will undoubtedly offer more grilles that accompany the vast array of trim levels, but expect this design to be the main theme with the other grilles being some variation.
This F-150 clearly has its fresh goodies open for the world to see. A new grille with a twin horizontal bar reminiscent of the new 2017 Super Duty makes for a bold new face.
Ford has something up its sleeve with design changes at the F-150’s rear. The camo actually does its job at covering what are likely a new taillight design and a revised tailgate. The tailgate’s handle also appears new. The bumper, however, seems to be a carry-over piece.
The remainder of the F-150 appears to be unchanged, which is expected with a mild mid-cycle refresh such as this. The official details and photographs will emerge from the Detroit Auto Show January 9 and 10, so stay tuned to TopSpeed for that.
Interior
Note: Current Ford F-150 pictured here.
Any changes to the interior are likely to be less dramatic than those outside. Perhaps a revised driver information center menu layout or new color combination will arise, but the overall interior is expected to remain intact. A Ford representative who I spoke with at the 2016 Texas Truck Rodeo said the Super Duty and F-150 will now be very closely related, with the Super Duty getting the same changes as the F-150, but at roughly a year behind.
That only makes me believe more strongly the F-150’s interior will remain unchanged, seeing as the Super Duty is brand new for 2017 and would need no changes for 2018. Ford is likely saving these deep chances for the next-generation F-Series,which is rumored to debut for 2020 model year.
Drivetrain
Note: Ford F-150 engine shown here.
No official words beyond the eventual hybridization of the F-150 have been spoke, so we’ve left to our own speculation and the rumor mill for this section. The biggest news, beyond battery packs and electric motors, is a diesel engine. The evidence is pretty clear thanks to spy shots showing a test-mule with a green-colored, diesel-labeled fuel filler and a dash-mounted placard saying “Diesel Fuel Only!” That’s pretty clear.
The only loophole would be Ford canceling this diesel experiment before it gets off the ground. While unlikely, it could happen. Ford is surely eyeing the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel as the benchmark, along with its impressive EPA estimated fuel economy of 29 mpg highway.
The F-150’s other powertrains are likely to carry over, especially the new-for-2017 second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. That engine and its 10-speed automatic transmission will continue to be the F-150’s premier gasoline powertrain. Ford might slot the turbodiesel above the EcoBoost in terms of pricing and prestige.
The other engines could see small improvements. The base 3.5-liter V-6 could see improvements in computer tuning for economy and power. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 could very likely get similar improvements found on the 2017 3.5-liter EcoBoost.
Rumors have also been heard about a heavily revised 5.0-liter V-8. No matter what happens, expect all but the base V-6 to come mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission.
Prices
Ford will undoubtedly raise the F-150’s price incrementally higher. This trend, seen everywhere in the automotive industry, is pushing new vehicle prices higher and higher, while ultra-long financing terms allow just about anybody to sign up for an exorbitant amount of “low, easy payments!” Expect a small jump in price – maybe $300 or so across each trim level. Pretty soon customers will be paying $40,000 for a basic, regular cab, V-6, RWD work truck.
Competition
Chevrolet Silverado 
The Silverado has generally been biting the F-150’s heels since time begain and modern days are no different. The current Silverado has been around since 2014 and underwent a modest exterior refresh for the 2016 model year. General Motors is surely underway preparing the next generation Silverado and its GMC twin, the Sierra.
Currently the Silverado has three engine options, three cab configurations, and a slew of options and accessories. The cabs include Regular, Extended, and Crew, with matching bed lengths. The engines include the standard 4.3-liter V-6, the mid-range 5.3-liter V-8, and the range-topping 6.2-liter V-8. All three use GM’s EcoTec3 technology, which includes variable valve timing, direct injection, and cylinder deactivation. A six-speed auto is standard with the V-6 and smaller V-8, while an eight-speed comes with the big 6.2-liter.
Pricing for the Silverado starts around $28,780 and can grow into the low $60,000 range for the range-topping High Country trim level.
Read more about the Chevrolet Silverado here.
Ram 1500
The current Ram has been around since the 2009 model year, but a mid-cycle refresh for the 2013 model year. Like both the Ford and Chevy, the Ram can be had in all three cab configurations and corresponding bed lengths. The Ram is perhaps best known for its big-rig styling and massive grille.
The Ram comes with three engine options. They include the base 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, and the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6. All three are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. RWD comes standard, but 4WD can be had with each engine option.
Pricing starts at $26,145 for the base Tradesman trim. Opting for the range-topping Limited in 4WD with the EcoDiesel and all the option boxes check strains the bank account with a $61,000 price tag.
Find out more about the Ram 1500 here.
Conclusion
Note: Current Ford F-150 shown here.
Ford’s changes and updates for the 2018 F-150 will help keep it rocking into the history books as the longest-running, best-selling pickup of all time. Ford has all but claimed that victory for the 40th consecutive year, so we’re not expecting that to change anytime soon.
The drivetrain changes will help the F-150 cope with tightening EPA regulations and consumer expectations on fuel economy, while the new exterior will denote which consumers sprung for the latest model. It will indeed be interesting to see Ford adopt turbodiesel and hybrid powertrain systems and it will be more interesting to see how consumers respond to each. Undoubted the “die-hard truck folks” will want the turbodiesel, while the modern urban driver will love the hybrid model. Whatever happens, the F-150 will most certainly continue to be a great source of entertainment.
Keep an eye here at TopSpeed for the full 2017 Detroit Auto Show debut of Ford’s latest F-150.