Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 (Platinum & Lariat variants) is fitted as standard with a camera/radar fusion collision avoidance system that is able to detect and react to potential collisions with pedestrians (adults or children), cyclists, and motorcyclists.

In car-to-car autonomous emergency braking tests, the Ford F-150 showed the highest level of performance of all models tested. It was able to avoid rear-end collisions with stationary vehicles when approaching from behind. It was also able to avoid rear-end collisions when approaching braking or slower moving cars in front.

The F-150 is also equipped with an Evasive Steering Assistance system which enhances driver steering inputs during an attempt to avoid a collision.

When interacting with pedestrians, the F-150 successfully avoided collisions in all test scenarios where an adult pedestrian crossed or walked along the path of the test vehicle, including while the vehicle was turning.

Mild limitations in its ability to prevent collisions with child or smaller-statured pedestrians were noted when the pedestrian dummy was walking out from behind an obstruction - such as a parked car.

Reverse AEB - which assists in common driveway and carpark environments where a pedestrian is walking behind the vehicle - was not assessed as performance was not predicted by the manufacturer.

Excellent results were observed for car-to-cyclist auto braking performance, with the Ford F-150 avoiding collisions in all bar one test scenario. This performance limitation was noted where the test vehicle was travelling at 10km/h and the cyclist crossing in front at a pace of 20km/h.

The ability of the Ford F-150 to detect and avoid or reduce the severity of a collision with a motorcyclist was also above that observed with other models tested. Positive results were seen for avoidance when driving towards a stationary or moderately braking motorcyclist, and when turning right in front of an oncoming motorcyclist.

The lane support system is able to recognise motorcyclists in an adjacent lane and override most lane changes to avoid side-swipe or head-on impacts. Detection and redirection in unintended lane departures against unmarked road edges is one area of suggested improvement.

The speed assistance system successfully aids its driver to travel within applicable speed limits by providing accurate speed limit information through its traffic sign recognition function.

To assist in reducing fatigue or distraction-related crashes, the Ford F-150 monitors the steering torque applied by the driver to determine driver attentiveness. Where no steering inputs are detected, the F-150 escalates visual, audible and haptic (brake pulse) warnings to bring the driver’s attention back to the road. The system can then activate the hazard lights and reduce the speed of the vehicle to minimise risk to other road users if driver attentiveness is not regained. None of the other models tested were observed to offer this more advanced warning sequence and capability.

Overall, the Platinum and Lariat variants of the MY24 Ford F-150 achieved a PLATINUM collision avoidance safety grading. This performance is the highest seen to date.