carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $37,408–$47,507 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.7/10, the 2020 Ford F-150 S earns a Recommended rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Technology at 7.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.3/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.3/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a truck you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.1/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $37,408–$47,507, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Ford F-150 S sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2020 Ford F-150 S as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Ford F-150 S ranks #97 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 81% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,408 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Ford F-150 S scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.7 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $43,783 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $42,509 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $41,234 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $39,959 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $38,683 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $37,408 | |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $36,133 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $34,857 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $33,582 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $32,306 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $31,031 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.