There are few trucks on the market as recognizable as the F-150. For years, this lineup has continuously raised the bar as Ford pushes the limits of what a pickup truck is capable of. With the 2021 Ford F-150, the changes that have been made both under the hood and inside the cabin are nothing short of revolutionary. The F-150 is part of the F-series of trucks that Ford has been actively producing since the 1940s. There’s no undermining the cultural impact that Ford’s F-series had on the automotive market as millions of loyal Ford fans drive these trucks every year.
What had initially begun as a truck built with versatility in mind quickly became something much greater. With decades of experience and multiple enhancements made to the F-150 since its inception, there’s no denying the F-150 has seen its fair share of upgrades over the years. The F-150 has seen numerous changes made within the last five or so years, but none of that compares to the new and improved 2021 F-150. Starting at an estimated MSRP of $30,635, this new truck begins the dawn of an entirely new generation for this beloved pickup truck.
The changes that have been made both in and around the vehicle are surely going to please even the long-term fans of the F-150. In addition to the wide range of trims available for the F-150, customers can also choose between a variety of cab sizes and a trio of bed sizes. Each of the seven trims offers customers an unforgettable experience with a host of the latest features and performance. The seven trims available for the F-150 start with the XL, followed by the STX, XLT, Lariat Sport, and King Ranch. The Platinum and Limited trims serve as the two top-tier trims in the lineup.
Starting at
Keeping up with the theme of innovation and choice, Ford offers an impressive selection of six engines for the F-150. All of the engines within the lineup are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission that provides a smooth drive. With so many engine choices, you can find an option for every driver from a regular everyday commuter to a high output towing machine.
This arrangement starts with the 3.3L V6 that serves as the standard. With this engine equipped, the F-150 produces 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque and, if properly equipped, can tow upwards of 8,200 lbs. The next engine in the lineup is the first of the two EcoBoost engines. This one is a 2.7L V6 that produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. While this is an incremental increase to horsepower, the 50.9% increase to torque output makes up for it. Furthermore, this increase in torque output also allows a properly equipped F-150 to tow upwards of 10,000 lbs.
The singular V8 engine within the lineup is the next available engine. This 5.0L V8 creates an impressive 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity is increased to a whopping 13,000 lbs, which should be plenty, especially for heavier tasks. To put this into perspective, this V8 shows a 37.9% and 54.7% increase in horsepower and torque output when compared to the base V6 engine.
The next three engines for the F-150 display a wide range of capabilities, specifically regarding the torque output. A turbocharged 3.0L V6 diesel is the next available engine that can produce 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine displays an impressive amount of torque output, it’s outpaced by the twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 with its 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Couple this engine with a properly equipped F-150, and it’ll have the ability to tow an incredible 14,000 lbs along with a maximum payload of 3,250 lbs. With a towing capacity this generous, the F-150 is ready for any task that is thrown at it, whether it’s for commercial or hobbyist.
The last engine that’s available for the 2021 F-150 is not only twin-turbocharged, but it is a full hybrid as well. This is a 3.5L V6 PowerBoost turbo that produces a stunning 430 hp and even more impressive 570 lb-ft of torque with the help of its integrated electric motor. Torque output of this caliber is not common for a hybrid powertrain, but it’s here on the 2021 F-150.
When purchasing a 2021 Ford F-150, customers will have the choice between three distinct bed sizes. For those looking for a smaller bed, opting for a 5.5 feet long bed is the way to go for 52.8 cu.ft. of cargo room. The next available bed-size is 6.5 feet, which should give drivers a noticeable increase over the 5.5 feet, especially when transporting longer cargo. This 6.5-foot bed will increase the cargo volume capacity from 52.8 cu.ft. up to 62.3 cu.ft.
However, those looking for the utmost cargo space should opt for the massive 8.0-foot long bed. When the F-150 is paired with this bed, the cargo volume capacity is increased to an impressive 77.4 cu.ft. This 8-foot long bed offers approximately 46.59% more cargo volume than the standard 5.5-foot long bed.
While cargo space is a necessity for a useful pickup truck, Ford has thought of new ways to get more usage out of the F-150’s bed. Ford understands that its customers rely on their trucks daily as it’s the foundation of workers and enthusiasts all over the world. By opting for Ford’s Pro Power Onboard, the bed of the F-150 will include a power generator that can generate an incredible 7.2kW of power with a properly equipped model. This amount of power makes the 2021 F-150 perfect for worksite tasks as it can power multiple tools at once. Drivers of the F-150 who bring their trucks to the worksite are most likely used to lugging along a generator, but with Ford’s Pro Power Onboard, this is no longer an issue. Ford is showing that they know what people need and are ready to provide the technology to make your life easier.
The number of passengers the F-150 can hold depends entirely on the cab-size that the driver has chosen. With the Regular Cab, the F-150 can seat up to three passengers while the SuperCab and SuperCrew cab can fit either five or six passengers depending on the seating arrangement. Regardless of the cab-size you choose to go with, the driver and passengers will have ample headroom and legroom.
The front-row of seats will always have 40.8 inches of headroom, and the rear-row will have up to 40.4 inches of headroom where applicable. Legroom for the front-row is 43.9 inches across all cabs, while the rear legroom is 33.5 inches for the super cab and 43.6 inches for the SuperCrew cab.
Another addition that has been made to the 2021 F-150 is the inclusion of a large surface specifically designed for work. Those who bring their trucks to worksites have expressed their dismay for not having a proper area to work with a laptop, or eat their lunch, for example. This new surface available for the 2021 F-150 is undoubtedly going to enhance the lives of many workers. Couple this with full-reclining seats, and the F-150 becomes the perfect relaxation spot.
Drivers are sure to admire the materials their F-150’s interior is built with and become enamored with the new Sync 4 infotainment center that comes standard. Sync 4 is a monumental upgrade over the Sync 3 infotainment centers seen in prior F-150 models. This new infotainment center can be fitted with an available 12-inch screen, which gives drivers a display that is larger than most flagship tablets on the market.
Not only is the screen bigger and better, but the software is also easier to use and more robust than ever. Sync 4 utilizes background updates, which means the F-150 will receive the latest security patches without the driver ever having to look for an update. Sync 4 also utilizes voice commands that recognize the driver’s voice, and it’s always staying current with live weather and traffic updates.
Furthermore, Sync 4 includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, much like Sync 3, albeit Sync 4 allows for a wireless connection from the driver’s smartphone to enable these features. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, drivers will have full access to their smartphone’s major functions and make hands-free phone calls, amongst other things.