Ford Bronco 4×4 will hit the market in the summer of 2021.
Thoroughly redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 offers new hybrid powertrain.
Ford Maverick small pickup will debut sometime in 2021 as 2022 model.
The Ford Motor Company has been pretty busy over the past couple of years. It recently launched its first fully electric crossover, it debuted a new family of rugged off-road utility vehicles, and has redesigned its full-size, light-duty pickup line.
It’s also getting ready for the future through an association with U.S. electric vehicle startup Rivian, who has developed a skateboard platform that should underpin future Ford EVs. The Dearborn-based automaker is working on its autonomous vehicle technology as well, which should eventually be available in its production models. Here’s what to expect from Ford in 2021.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is now on sale which, as its legendary nameplate suggests, is a performance-minded vehicle, but conceived as a five-door compact crossover. It’s available in four trim levels, including Select, California Route 1, Premium and GT, the latter being a late arrival in the lineup. The standard range setup matches a 68-kWh battery pack with a 266-horsepower electric motor, feeding either a rear-wheel or all-wheel drivetrain. The extended range setup features an 88-kWh battery and 290-hp or 346-hp motors, while the range-topping GT boasts 480 hp and up to 634 pound-feet of torque.
The good old Ford Mustang coupe and convertible soldiers on in 2021 without any major changes. However, the Shelby GT350 and GT350R variants have been shelved in favour of the Mustang Mach 1 coupe. Base trims get a turbocharged 2.3L inline-four good for 310 horsepower, while GT variants are still blessed with a 5.0L V8 that develops 460 hp, or 480 in the Mach 1 edition. The fire-breathing Shelby GT500 is equipped with a supercharged 5.2L V8 that cranks out 760 horsepower.
After receiving mild tweaks and a 13-horsepower bump to 660, the Ford GT supercar rolls into the 2021 model year with a Heritage Edition package, while the GT Studio Edition offers colour and trim customization. Production of the GT is scheduled to wrap up in 2022.
The Ford Fusion is being retired after the 2020 model year, which means the Mustang and the GT are the only remaining passenger cars in Ford’s U.S. and Canadian lineups. However, the Fusion nameplate could soon return to North America, as spy shots of a high-riding, wagon-esque crossover (think Subaru Outback) have started circulating on the web.
The 2021 Ford F-150 has been thoroughly reworked, to the point where it can be called a new generation of the pickup. The 3.3L V6 (290 hp), twin-turbo 2.7L V6 (325 hp), 5.0L V8 (400 hp), twin-turbo 3.5L V6 (400 hp) and turbo-diesel 3.0L V6 (250 hp) are all carried over, while a new 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid V6 joins the powertrain list. It produces a combined 430 hp and 570 pound-feet of torque and delivers class-leading fuel economy among gasoline engines. The F-150 also features new styling, a new interior, SYNC 4 with new 8- and 12-inch touchscreens, an available fully digital driver instrument panel and an optional Interior Work Surface that turns the center console into a flat surface. A semi-autonomous system called Active Drive Assist will arrive sometime in the 2021 calendar year, as will a new Tremor off-road package.
Meanwhile, the Ford Super Duty enters the 2021 model year with small changes after refreshed for 2020. It gets some paint colour changes, optional Adaptive Steering as part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, and the Lariat Sport Appearance Package has been renamed Lariat Black Appearance Package. However, the windshield wiper de-icer has been deleted. The Super Duty offers a 6.2L V8 (385 hp) as standard, while a 7.3L V8 (430 hp) and a turbo-diesel 6.7L V8 (475 hp, 1,050 lb.-ft.) are available. The Ford F-Series line consisting of the F-150 and the Super Duty has been the best-selling vehicle in North America for several years now.
The Ford Ranger receives new packages for 2021. The Tremor off-road package builds on the FX4 ensemble, but with a lifted suspension, uprated components, all-terrain tires, Miko suede seat inserts and black interior trim. Meanwhile, the STX Special Edition and Black packages both bring a unique appearance to the midsize pickup truck. New paint colours round up the changes as well. The Ranger is available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations with one powertrain choice, a turbocharged 2.3L inline-four developing 270 horsepower. There are rumours suggesting a Ranger Raptor could be revealed sometime soon for the North American market.
An all-new, compact-sized pickup truck will soon debut, and will be called the Ford Maverick. Sharing its architecture with the Bronco Sport, the Maverick’s bed will be integrated in the four-door body and will likely use the turbo 1.5L inline-three and/or the turbo 2.0L four as a source of motivation. The Maverick should be introduced sometime in 2021 as a 2022 model.
The Ford Bronco is one of the most anticipated new models to hit the market, although its arrival has been delayed to the summer of 2021, due to parts shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Available in two-door and four-door body styles, with removable windows and rood panels, the Bronco is a pure 4×4 SUV that brings a classic nameplate back in the market. There are seven trim levels to choose from, including base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak and First Edition, while buyers can opt for the standard turbo 2.3L four with 270 horsepower, or move up to the twin-turbo 2.7L V6 with 310 hp. Even a seven-speed manual gearbox is available for hardcore enthusiasts, along with a 10-speed automatic.
Not to be outdone, the Ford Bronco Sport is also new, but arrives as a compact crossover that isn’t as wild and capable as the midsize Bronco. Still, this smaller model offers off-road cred with a standard 4×4 drivetrain, while powertrain choices include a turbocharged 1.5L inline-three (181 hp) and a turbo 2.0L four (250 hp). The Bronco Sport is available in five trim levels: base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands and First Edition.
The Ford EcoSport is the brand’s subcompact entry in a hot contested market, and the most newsworthy 2021 model-year changes bring paint colour changes, new alloy wheel designs and an appearance package for SE trim level. The lineup consists of S, SE, SES and Titanium variants, while powertrain choices include a turbocharged 1.0L inline-three with 123 horsepower and a front-wheel drivetrain, as well as a 2.0L inline-four with 166 hp matched with AWD.
The ever-popular Ford Escape was thoroughly redesigned for the 2020 model year, but gets several feature and option package changes for 2021, along with paint colour changes. The Escape plug-in hybrid will finally hit the market after a delayed arrival, with a front-wheel drivetrain only, its powertrain consisting of a 2.5L inline-four and an electric motor for a combined output of 209 horsepower. A turbo 1.5L inline-three (181 hp), a turbo 2.0L four (250 hp) and a non-pluggable hybrid system with the 2.5L engine that delivers 200 hp are available as well.
The midsize, two-row Ford Edge gets some interior changes for the 2021 model year, as well as feature and option package reshuffling. The new SYNC 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen is the big news here, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L and more USB ports. A new Edge ST-Line trim serves up the appearance of the Edge ST, but without the go-fast powertrain and hardware. The Edge is still motivated by a turbocharged 2.0L four with 250 horsepower, while the sporty Edge ST boasts a twin-turbo 2.7L V6 that’s good for 335 hp. The Edge might not live past the 2023 model year.
Fresh off a 2020 redesign, the midsize three-row Ford Explorer will get a new King Ranch edition, in addition to an outdoorsy variant that may be called the Explorer Timberline. As before, the crossover can be equipped with either a turbo 2.3L four (300 hp), a hybrid 3.3L V6 (318 combined hp) and a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 (365 hp), while the hot-rod Explorer ST gets a 400-horsepower version of the 3.5L engine. Various feature and option package changes mark the 2021 model year as well.
The full-size Ford Expedition SUV gets equipment and option package changes for 2021, after the return of a King Ranch edition and FordPass Connect infotainment for 2020. However, the base trim in the United States is now called the STX XL with a new five-passenger seating layout, while all other variants keep their three-row furnishings. Still offered in regular-wheelbase and extended-wheelbase Expedition MAX configurations, the SUV features a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 developing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque—although the Platinum editions get upgraded to 400 hp.
The Ford Transit Connect gets paint colour changes for the 2021 model year, and that’s about it. The compact van is available in cargo and passenger variants, the latter offering room for up to seven passengers. Both are equipped with either a 2.0L inline-four producing 162 horsepower or a 2.5L four generating 169 hp.
Finally, the full-size Ford Transit van receives new RV and parcel delivery packages, tailored for commercial use, and a new Adventure Prep package rounding up popular camper van features such as the twin-turbo 3.5L V6, adaptive cruise control, park sonar, blind spot monitoring and more. The interior has been reshaped for easier access from the front-seat area to the cargo area as well. The Transit continues to be offered in a plethora of configurations, with RWD or AWD and single or dual rear wheels. A 275-horsepower 3.5L V6 is standard, while the aforementioned EcoBoost V6 delivers 310 horses. A fully electric Ford E-Transit will hit the North American market in 2022.
