Latest News
Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2021 Ford F-150 Review
We've taken a deep look at what Ford has put into its 2021 Ford F-150 and we're here to say that they've done it again.
2021 Ford F-150 – media.ford.com | Shop 2021 Ford F-150 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 Ford F-150
In a word, everything. You would be forgiven for not knowing that when looking at the 2021 Ford F-150 though, as it still shares much of the same exterior design it has since 2009. Under the skin there’s a bunch of new technology. The first hybrid F-150 is here and it doubles as a power generator. A full EV is coming too. The 14th generation of the F-150 also gets the most luxurious interior the truck has ever had.
The Breakdown
This F-150 is the best yet
The 12-inch touchscreen is exceptional
Towing capacity and torque are outstanding
Ford has added versatility into the lineup
Old-school styling is a bit drab
Not enough interior storage
Complimentary maintenance would be great
Add adaptive cruise as standard on more trims
2021 Ford F-150 Specs
-
- 295 horsepower from base engine
- 265 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- Towing capacity up to 14,000 lbs
- Payload rated up to 3,250 lbs
- 12-inch infotainment screen
2021 Ford F-150 Powertrain
Each year thousands of F-150s are sold as fleet vehicles with the base engine, but for 2021, even those will be fairly potently rated at 295 horsepower. That’s reason enough to be impressed, but every single other drivetrain of the 6 total available will provide more than enough power for them to easily accomplish whatever task is at hand. The 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 is outstanding even though it’s considered only one step up from the base engine.
Every trim will come with a 10-speed automatic gearbox, but the hybrid F-150 gets its own version of said transmission. These trucks have been well known to be comfortable and reliable and we get more of the same in 2021. Driving behavior of the F-150 is not particularly noteworthy, but compared to its truck rivals it’s nowhere near the bottom. Steering feedback is clear and communicative. Braking feel is solid and repeatable with a predictable behavior that you come to rely on without worry. The new seats are perhaps the best bolstered we’ve ever had in an F-150 and they make harder turns just that much more comfortable and confidence-inspiring.
2021 Ford F-150 Fuel Economy & MPG
MPGs aren’t a major focus for the 2021 Ford F-150 but with a maximum in-town rating of 25 and a maximum highway rating of 26, it’s going to keep up with competitors just fine. This year the hybrid F-150 starts to change the conversation though with a potential range of some 700 miles. That 10-speed automatic really does some heavy lifting.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Trucks have slowly but surely become more and more luxurious as companies have realized that they could turn these former beasts of burden into full-time family haulers. To bridge that gap, the 2021 Ford F-150 is more opulent than ever before. The front seats are built to emulate an office with a stowaway shifter that provides a flat spot for drivers to take notes or do paperwork. The front seats also lay completely flat, raising the seat bolster up to provide a napping space when you get to the job site a bit early.
In the back, we get much the same as we have in previous generations of the F-150. Nothing is particularly breakthrough or breathtaking back here. The space is good and an available panoramic roof is an option we’re sure rear-seat passengers will love. There’s great connectivity with a household outlet and numerous USB charging points. There’s also an old-school cigarette-style charge point so you can fit something else should you need to.
Entertainment & Technology
Perhaps the biggest jump for the 2021 Ford F-150 in terms of technology is the new available 12-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. It’s big, it’s bright, and it’s very well laid out. It’s some 33% larger than its GM rivals. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers can opt for Sirius XM, a WiFi-Hotspot, and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Outside the F-150 gets a boatload of cool tech including an optional power station in the truck bed as well as power running boards that extend as you approach instead of waiting for you to activate them with the key. You can even equip the F-150 with an onboard generator that will power heavy power tools while you’re on the job site. If you get the hybrid F-150, this generator can support 240v at the bed located power station.
Safety Features
As of this writing, the IIHS and the NHTSA have yet to release their complete ratings on the 2021 Ford F-150. Nevertheless, the truck has many available safety features like automated braking and pedestrian detection but few are standard and buyers will have to opt for most such as adaptive cruise and lane departure warning.
2021 Ford F-150 Trims & Pricing
XL – $28,940
The XL trim comes standard with the 3.3L V6 engine, 17-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, rear view camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and an 8-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system.
XLT – $35,050
2021 Ford F-150 XLT gets the standard features from the XL trim and adds Lane-Keeping, Reverse Sensing System, Ford Co-Pilot360, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, heated and power adjust side mirrors, chrome bumpers, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Lariat – $44,695
Lariat models has everything from the previous trims and comes standard with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine, 18-inch aluminum wheels, adds Trailer Tow Coverage, BoxLink hook points, tailgate LED, power folding side mirrors, dual-zone electronic climate control, a 12-inch digital driver display, ambient lighting, leather trimmed seating, and a larger 12-inch infotainment system.
King Ranch – $56,330
The King Ranch takes everything from the Lariat and adds a standard 5.0L V8 engine, adaptive cruise control, adaptive steering, rain-sensing wipers, built-in navigation, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, step bars, wireless charging pad, interior wood accents, Bang &Olufsen sound system, and King Ranch ornaments around the vehicle.
Platinum – $59,110
2021 Ford F-150 Platinum models take everything from the King Ranch (except the ornaments) and ups them with standard 20-inch aluminum wheels, power deployable running boards, leather seating with Active Motion comfort, and more chrome accenting with less King Ranch gimmicks.
Limited – $70,825
The Limited trim sits at the top with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine standard as well as everything from previous trims and adds 22-inch aluminum wheels, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance, Forward Sensing System, Active Park Assist 2.0, Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, power tailgate, tailgate step with tailgate work surface, twin-panel moonroof, 360-degree camera package, and a Bang & Olufsen Unleashed sound system.
Warranties
The Ford F-150 is completely middle of the pack when it comes to warranty coverage. It carries the same 36-month, 30,000-mile limited warranty as almost every other vehicle on the market. The drivetrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. No maintenance is complimentary from Ford. While the F-150 is known to be one of the most reliable it would be nice to see Ford back that up here.
What we think
2021 Ford F-150 – media.ford.com | Shop 2021 Ford F-150 on Carsforsale.com
There’s no getting around that the truck that America loves is only better in 2021. Realistically there’s nothing about this truck that falls flat. Even the future for the F-150 looks bright as the EV variant and the opposite end of the coin, the Raptor R is coming soon.
