2026 FORD F-150 HYBRID

F-150 LEADS THE WAY AS FORD’S F-SERIES CONTINUES TO DOMINATE AUTOMOTIVE SALES

When it comes to automotive royalty, there is no question what vehicle is the king of the road. For going on a half-century, the Ford F-Series has been the nation’s best-selling pickup truck and for well over four decades it has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. overall.

The reign began when the Ford F-Series beat out the Chevrolet C/ K for the No. 1 spot in U.S. sales in 1977 and has continued ever since. 

Even with a 12 percent drop in overall sales the first six months this year, the F-Series held off off a challenge from the Chevrolet Silverado to maintain the crown.

Combining sales numbers for the Silverado with its GMC twin Sierra has given the GM duo the sales lead for the last six years, but the Ford F-Series which includes the heavy duty F-250, F-350, and F-4540 models, remains the No. 1 nameplate. Chevrolet and GMC are separate truck lines.

Though Ford does not break out sales numbers for it, the standard bearer for the Ford F-Series portfolio is the F-150, which is in its 14th generation since its introduction as a 1975 model. This review is based on the gas-electric hybrid version of that vehicle, which debuted as a 2021 model.

The 2026 Ford F-150 is offered in eight trims (including the Tremor and Raptor) but only five are offered with the hybrid setup, which Ford dubs PowerBoost. My test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Platinum version of the  2026 Ford F-150 HEV.

The power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine paired with an electric motor for a combined 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of  torque. That’s nearly the horsepower and more torque than the performance-based F-150 Raptor with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 (450 and 510, respectively). The standard transmission is a 10-speed automatic.

The advantage for the hybrid set up over the all-electric F-150 Lightning is that the hybrid is consistently recharging itself through regenerative braking as you slow down.

You can get a little all-electric drive out of the electric motor at very low speed, and there is silence when you first press the starter button before the V-6 engine kicks in.

The hybrid setup does save you a little in the way of gas mileage though not what you might expect out of a typical hybrid vehicle. The government pegs the 2026 Ford F-150 HEV at 22 miles-per-gallon city, 24 highway, and 23 combined in all-wheel-drive configuration. Models with 2-wheel drive are tagged at 24 mpg combined.

Those numbers are not all that far off those for the 2026 Ford F-150 with a turbocharged V6 and 4-wheel drive. It earns a rating of 20 mpg combined city/highway with a range of 756 miles combed compared to the hybrid’s 704-mile range.

The Supercrew cabin of the F-150 Hybrid is spacious and comfortable, and running boards and grab handles ease the way when climbing in and out. Heated and ventilated front seats are power adjustable and second-row seats are heated. All seats feature leather surfaces, and both the steering column and the pedals are power adjustable..

A 360-degree camera provides pease of mind when maneuvering through tight spaces. Other standard features include dual zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, power sliding rear window, and LED lights. The FordPass Connect infotainment system includes a 5G hotspot.

The 2026 Ford F-150 4X4 Hybrid Platinum also includes safety systems like lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning.with rear cross-traffic alert.

Starting MSRP  for the Ford F-150 4X4 Hybrid Platinum edition is /$72,400 but options can quickly run up the total. The final tab for my test vehicle was $89,725 including a hefty destination and delivery charge of $2,595.

What I liked about the 2026 Ford F-150 4X4 Hybrid: The F-150 portfolio is all about choices. They run the gamut from engines to cabins to bed sizes and more. The Hybrid (HEV) model is the most fuel efficient of the powertrains, but gas mileage isn’t overwhelming in all-wheel drive configuration. The spacious cabin is packed with easy to operate tech features, and large knobs for audio and climate control supplement touchscreen functions. My test vehicle came with optional power running boards, but standard non-power steps are fine. One or the other is a must. Auto Hold prevents creeping at intersections and can be activated or turned off via touchscreen settings. A button on the key fob opens and closes the power tailgate.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Ford F-150 4X4 Hybrid: The overall size (231.7 inches long, 79.9 wide) can be an issue when searching for strip mall parking spaces. Options drive up the final price to high levels.

Would I buy the 2026 Ford F-150 4X4 Hybrid? I have no need for a pickup so personally no. But your final choice when truck shopping is likely to come down to one of the three leaders in the segment and the F-150 heads the class.