Ford F150 vs Ford Transit

What's the difference?

The Ford F-150 Platinum – the new top-shelf variant in the company’s F Series truck range – has arrived in Australia as part of the a refreshed line-up.

This full-sized dual-cab ute has a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, myriad drive modes and 4500kg towing capacity and, as such, is regarded as a rival for the likes of the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

But with a price-tag tickling $164,000 before on-road costs and at a smidge under six metres long, is this big rig simply too big and too expensive?

We’re testing the short wheelbase (SWB) version this time, so let’s get into it.

Meet Ford’s electric pioneer for Australia - the E-Transit.

It may not be as exciting as a Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron, but this electric version of the Blue Oval’s large van will help create a new market for zero-emissions commercial vehicles. 

This is seen as a major opportunity by Ford to provide an electric alternative to typically diesel-powered vans, which will no doubt prove popular with fleet operators looking to cut fuel costs and corporate emissions. While unlikely to suit all van buyers, thanks to its limited range and recharging restrictions, for those companies with shorter delivery routes it will certainly have appeal.

Ford’s research (performed by YouGov) suggests up to 58 per cent of business “can see EVs becoming part of their vehicle fleet in the future".

But it’s just Ford’s first step into the larger world of electric vehicles. We’ve already had confirmation the smaller E-Transit Custom is headed our way and there are good odds the Mustang Mach-E will eventually find its way to Australian showrooms, so there’s plenty of exciting models in store for Ford.

In the meantime, though, the E-Transit isn’t due in Australia until sometime in the first half of 2023, but CarsGuide was able to take one for a test drive near Ford’s Detroit headquarters recently to get a taste of what’s to come.