Ford F-150 Rattler—Entry-Level Off-Road Vehicle

Much like cereals, chocolate bars, pizza chains, insurance companies and social media platforms, there are some things in this world we kind of just don’t need any more options with. But, that doesn’t stop people from constantly trying to introduce new products into already saturated markets. In the car world, the most competitive segment of the marketplace has been and continues to be the half-ton pickup truck market. It feels like every week we have a new variant or trim showing up, and this week is no different. With that we’d like to introduce the new 2023 Ford F-150 Rattler.

So what makes the Rattler different than all the others? Basically, the idea is Ford wanted to have a cheap entry-level half-ton that had some off-road capabilities. Ford started with its basic entry-level XL trim and then added what is essentially a modified version of its FX4 Off-Road Package that has been of great use over the years. The package includes all sorts of off-roading features like an electronic rear-locking differential, specifically tuned off-road shocks, hill descent control, skid plates and nifty all-terrain tires.

Although power is not yet detailed from Ford, we can make some reasonable assumptions here. The regular F-150 XL tricked out with the FX4 trim is outfitted with the might mouse 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged and intercooler all-aluminum direct-injected V6 EcoBoost engine that bangs out a solid 325-horsepower at 5,750 and equally impressive 375 pound-feet of torque at a very low 3,000 rpm. That power is then routed through a slick-shifting 10-speed automatic SelectShift transmission and then on to all-four wheels, as there is no two-wheel drive option with the Ford F-150 Rattler trim. Presumably this is because if you’re choosing the Rattler package, it is because you want it for off-roading, so there really would be no need to not have four-wheel drive. The Rattler does add a very sweet sounding dual exhaust system that definitely ups the off-road sport vibe of this truck.

That power helps the Rattler hustle from 0-60 mph in a scant 5.7 seconds and through the quarter mile in an impressive 14.3 seconds at 95 mph. Braking back down from 70-0 mph in 174 feet. And even with a curb weight of 4,874 pounds, the Rattler is able to tow 10,100 pounds and carry a payload of 2,480 pounds, yet can still produce an impressive 20/26/23 city/highway/combined MPG.

Inside the Ford F-150 Rattler comes replete with a myriad of badges to point out the fact that you opted for a slightly different trim. The onyx seats have bronze stitching that is supposed to induce thoughts of off-road Baja thoughts. In terms of exterior color, you get a choice of several different attractive colors: Rapid Red TriCoat, Agate Black, Oxford White, Antimatter Blue, Stone Gray, Carbonized Grey, Iconic Silver, or something called Avalanche.

Though there is no official pricing out on the Ford F-150 Rattler yet, but we expect this truck to come in right around the thirty thousand dollar mark, which would make it quite a screaming deal considering you get a sweet 2.7-liter turbocharged motor, four-wheel drive and a litany of off-road features. So while, we don’t think we really needed yet another option in the half-ton pickup truck market, what Ford has decided to bring to us with the new F-150 Rattler actually makes a lot of sense. We get a fully capable off-road truck without all the bells and whistles, but still get a competent truck that is comfortable enough to live with day to day. So just like finding out there is a new pizza place opening up around the corner, though we didn’t need it, we’re still willing to try it out, and who knows, it might be the best one yet.