Pickup trucks were pretty simple way back when. They were designed for work, and nobody gave a hoot about the comfort of the workers. Forget the rough ride, never mind the roll-up windows — anything was better than having to lug a dozen hay bales to the barn by hand.

But by the 1980s automakers noticed that a growing number of customers were embracing the Marlboro Man image. They wanted to use their pickups for day-to-day transportation, with the cargo bed occasionally put to use for some weekend-wienie chore. Thus began a race to see which truck, the Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram, could offer the most pampering and creature comforts.

F-150: A Solid Effort

State Route 142 wiggles for about six miles between Franconia and Bethlehem in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are blind corners, somewhat neglected and often rough pavement and occasional surprises like a black bear crossing the road with her cubs. Driving the new F-150 up that road also brings surprises.

The first is how incredibly solid the truck feels, partly because Ford used more high-strength steel in it. There is none of the shimmy-shaking that troubles some pickups, including the last-generation F-150. Another is that the steering is so good. Tight, precise and nicely weighted, it inspires confidence that the driver will be able to guide the big truck through the trickiest of turns. Heading through those curves there’s none of that keeling-over body lean that you often feel with tall trucks. The downside is a ride that can be slightly stiff. But Ford reworked the springs in the rear suspension and the ride falls just short of rough. The final surprise is that the F-150 is so quiet.

While those are all good things, Ford makes it clear that it wants the F-150 to be a respected member of the working class. “The reputation of the truck rests on the work truck,” said Matt O’Leary, the F-150’s chief engineer. “People buy a truck based on either capability they are going to use or capability they might use.” Life is also good for the people up front. The surroundings are handsome. The seats are wide and offer plenty of thigh support for tall drivers. There’s nothing mysterious about the controls. Reaching into the bed is easier on some models because of clever fold-down steps on the side and rear. The steps by the tailgate even have a help-me-up grab handle.

All F-150s come with important safety features, including antilock brakes, electronic stability control and trailer sway control. Ford says that if the trailer begins to sway enough to move the truck, the pickup’s electronic stability control will steady the truck and, ideally, halt the trailer’s erratic movements. In case of a side-impact crash there are seat-mounted air bags up front for torso protection and “air curtains” for head protection of occupants in both the front and rear.

The F-150 did so well in front, side and rear crash tests that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it the group’s highest rating, Top Safety Pick. Acceleration was adequate with three people on board and no cargo in the bed. But it was clear that towing a heavy load would make the trip more leisurely. For the truck I tested, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates fuel economy at 15 miles a gallon in town and 20 mpg on the highway.

Next year, Ford is expected to add one of its new EcoBoost engines. Mr. O’Leary says that turbocharged V-6 will perform like a V-8 while using fuel like a V-6.

The 5.4-liter V-8 is the choice for maximum towing, and Ford says the F-150 can pull as much as 11,300 pounds, the most in the class and 300 pounds more than the previous model. There is no standard way to calculate towing capacity, but taking each automaker at its word, Ford beats the competition by at least 500 pounds (and perhaps by as much as 2,200 pounds).

Of course, not every F-150 can tow that much. Most are rated between 8,000 and 9,500 pounds. The model I tested was rated at 8,100 pounds. While Ford has emphasized the work-truck aspect of the new F-150, it has hardly ignored the driver and passengers. The truck is not just more capable but more pleasant.

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