 This new truck is fantastic. I traded an ’09 XLT I purchased as a second vehicle four years ago to serve as a tow vehicle for a travel trailer. I rethought my situation and sold a two year old car to then make the truck the primary vehicle. I wanted a bit more upscale but lived with the XLT. Recently I purchase a 2015 F150 Lariat 4x2 with every feature minus adaptive cruise, dynamic park assist and 4x4- pretty much loaded. I am a very critical shopper and compared the competition and read the reports with the understanding that my conclusion trumps reviews or opinions. I read the recall info on all makes and the safety tests. Consumers have to be careful as there is bias in everything it seems LIKE in the safety tests I found that from the source, IIHS.org, that all pickups over the past years and present do not have all the tests performed yet they claim 4-star overall etc. except the Ford. Check the source and NOT all the safe car websites that misrepresent the facts. A quick summary of my grades on pickups that led me to the Ford:  The Silverado was a nice truck but it did not appeal to design-wise. The large cut out wheel wells were overdone and showed underpinnings, etc. The Square front reminded me of a 70s vehicle. The RAM 1500 was, by reviews, a strong contender until I drove it and was strongly influenced to not selecting the eco diesel by the dealer. The reason? When he found that my towing requirements were 7000# with a tongue weight of 1000# plus scooter and camping equipment in the bed. The killer was the low max payload of 1400#. The Toyota was the last option and it was nice but sparse in feature set related to functionality.  While looking it really brought the issue to the front- aside from any upscale features the truck has to do its job without being overtaxed or at its max or have a high MPG penalty. That factor alone eliminated the RAM and Tundra requiring their highest numerical ratios and biggest engines to meet the need. Then I visited the Ford dealer. The statistics told me that the supercrew had the payload capacity and tow ability but each truck I looked at was different. Finally I found a Lariat with a 3.5 ecoboost. Interestingly the 2.7 with HD payload and max tow would have met my requirements but at the max as the other brands. The 3.5 gave me some breathing room. I drove the vehicle and found it to be light footed and quiet. My 2009 was NOTHING like this. The steering was tight and required less turning. The ride, which I read “how horrible” was very comparable to the others. BTW the RAM was heavy (by 1000#) and it was felt driving it. The F-150 does have a rear end jitter over bumps BUT compared to the ’09 it is vastly improved. That, in my opinion goes with having the better ability of performing as a truck- payload and tow ratings. I came away very impressed and knew it was the one. That said, I am critical. I took delivery in the evening and found a mark like a cut in the edge of the dash on my way home. I also found an odd hard place in the center of the rear seat bottom as something had happened to the leather above a seat heater. I took it back to the dealer who is presently taking care of it. I know that each of us must shop and come to our own conclusion. I would highly suggest an F-150 as it is, in my opinion, the most capable truck with car-like features and the best mpg for the power to do what a truck is designed to do. THAT SAID, if you only plan to haul mulch or have a jet ski or small trailer item, compare the F150 Lariat 2.7 eco and Dodge Laramie eco-diesel as both seem to make good moderate-ability choices though the gas F150 does not require DEF and gets about the same mileage.