2021 Ford F-150 Road Test and Review

2021 Ford F-150 Profile ・ Photo by Nicole Wakelin

The 2021 Ford F-150 is newly redesigned this year with an abundance of new features, an updated design inside and out, and higher towing and payload numbers than the outgoing model. Whether you’re looking at a truck to get work done on the job site or simply for getting work down around the yard, the F-150 is up for the challenge.

While trucks are about getting stuff done, they also carry people, which means there needs to be a balance between capability and comfort. A wide range of available trims ensures you can get an F-150 with a more modest interior or one that looks like it belongs in a luxury car. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 to see if it’s the right pickup truck to get you through your workday and weekend adventures.

Six Trim Levels, Multiple Configurations

The 2021 Ford F-150 is available in a range of six trim levels with a choice of three cabs and three bed lengths, making for a wide variety of possible configurations. Cab choices include regular, SuperCab, or SuperCrew, while bed options include 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8.0 feet to accommodate varying cargo needs.

The base XL model starts at $28,940 with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, 8-inch touchscreen, and automatic emergency braking. The XLT at $35,050 adds chrome accents and blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts with trailer tow coverage. The Lariat adds a 12-inch touchscreen and leather-trimmed seats at $45,195. The King Ranch adds luxury interior upgrades and a 5.0-liter V8 engine for $56,330, with the Platinum taking the luxury further with wood interior accents and a B&O premium audio system for $59,110. Finally, the Limited comes in at $70,825 with a power tailgate and Ford Co-Pilot360 Active.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Six Powertrain Options, Including a Hybrid

There is a choice of six powertrains for the 2021 Ford F-150, starting with a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque followed by a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Next is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, followed by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel with 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. A twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 offers 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, while a hybrid version of that powertrain comes in with 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. All are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

We spent time with several powertrains, including the new hybrid. On rural Michigan roads, it was easy to forget this wasn’t a traditional gas powertrain, aside from the moments of quiet when it was running purely in electric mode.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Best-in-Class Towing and Payload Ratings

A large part of what makes the F-150 appealing is its ability to tow and haul with a range of configurations to suit most every need. Choose among a 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, or 8-foot bed, which can carry 52.8 cubic feet, 62.3 cubic feet, or 77.4 cubic feet, respectively. Maximum payload varies depending on exactly how you configure your F-150, including making a choice between rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and a variety of cabs, with a maximum payload rating of 3,325 pounds. This is more than any other light-duty full-size pickup.

When it comes to towing, the F-150 once again outdoes the competition with a best-in-class maximum tow rating of up to 14,000 when properly equipped. Gone are the days when the only option for those with significant towing needs was moving up to a heavy-duty truck. The 2021 Ford F-150 lets you confidently tow and haul more than ever.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Impressive Off-Road Capability

While towing and hauling are key factors in deciding which truck to buy, there’s also the matter of where you’ll be driving that truck. Especially when there are worksites with mud and dirt or outdoor adventures that roam far from the pavement, the capability to handle that terrain is important. There’s also the matter of weather with those who live where it snows needing a truck that isn’t going to get stuck when the white stuff gets deep.

The 2021 Ford F-150 is offered with a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive with the option for an electronic locking rear differential. We drove the F-150 off-road through mud and dirt and tackled steep hills, and it was a confidence-inspiring drive. Utilizing hill-descent control made the steepest terrain a breeze and even deep mud was not a challenge. The four-wheel drive system in the F-150 made off-roading fun.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Confident Handling With or Without Cargo

How a truck handles very much depends on what you’re doing, and a solid truck needs to handle well whether it’s on the highway without a trailer, weighed down with a trailer and a payload, or managing more rugged road conditions. The F-150 was designed to handle all those situations with ease. It has a surprisingly smooth ride with no cargo, which makes some trucks feel bouncy and uneven. The F-150 maintains its composure so passengers don’t feely unduly jostled.

Add a payload or hook up a trailer and you feel the weight, but not in a way that’s unsettling. There’s no sense of the trailer pushing the truck or trying to take control with awkward swaying. The F-150 proves a confident, well-mannered ride whether you’re simply ferrying passengers or managing a heavy load. It offers a balance between capability and comfort.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Functional, Thoughtfully Designed Interior

There was a time when truck interiors were focused on being tough, durable, and utilitarian, but didn’t put much effort into being comfortable, welcoming spaces for passengers. While you can still get the Ford F-150 with a more basic interior, there some of its many trim levels let you make it as comfortable and well-equipped as a luxury car.

Seating is supportive and plush up front with plenty of room and an expansive rear seat in SuperCrew models. Storage is improved with a standard dual glovebox and dirt-resistant front seats in the base XL. Getting work done is easier thanks to a stowable console shifter that folds into the center console at the press of a button allowing a built-in flat work surface to fold out in its place. Choose the top trims and you get rich leathers and real wood for a truly upscale experience.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Infotainment features a new 12-inch horizontal touchscreen.

Infotainment in the Ford F-150 gets a major upgrade with an available horizontally mounted 12-inch touchscreen. It’s standard on all but the XL and XLT trim levels, which have an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync4, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. The larger screen can be split to display two functions simultaneously or just one. This lets you have the features you use most often readily accessible, while occasionally putting other functions — like navigation when you’re on city streets — across the whole screen. Keeping the system current is easy with over-the-air updates.

The large touchscreen makes it easier to see at a glance and reduces distraction, so your attention stays focused on the road. It also includes truck-specific information including zone lighting, Pro Power Onboard details, and even your owner’s manual, complete with streaming how-to videos, so you always have the information you need at the ready.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Strong Suite of Safety Features

A wide range of standard and available safety features makes the F-150 safer for passengers and easier to use when towing. Every F-150 includes Ford Co-Pilot360 with auto hold, on/off headlamps, a forward-collision warning with dynamic brake support, hill start assist, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist. This provides a line of sight to make connecting the trailer less of a challenge.

Available safety features include active drive assist, blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic alert and trailer coverage, distance alert, evasive steering assist, forward and reverse sensing systems, adaptive cruise control, intersection assist, a lane-keeping system, post-collision braking, pro trailer backup assist, trailer reverse guidance, and reverse brake assist. The F-150 has a combination of key standard safety features and available features that not only make you safer but make getting work done easier.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

Trucks are big sellers, which makes this a competitive segment. Following recent redesigns of its top competitors, Ford needed to bring its truck in line with that competition or risk becoming an also-ran. It succeeded in doing exactly that with this all-new generation of its best-selling truck. It’s not just one area that saw improvements, but the whole package.

The design is updated and more modern, with significant interior improvements that make it more attractive, more work-friendly, and more comfortable. A wide range of powertrains — including a hybrid — ensure there’s a version of the F-150 suited to every buyer, and a fully featured infotainment system makes sure buyers stay connected. Finally, there are safety features that set your mind at ease and make towing easier, so living with the F-150 is a stress-free experience. The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 gives truck buyers a great combination of capability and convenience.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin