The All-New 2021 Ford F-150: It Will Never Relinquish Its Crown

A new Hybrid PowerBoost version promises power and efficiency.
There will be an optional built-in Pro Power generator.
The new Ford F-150 is loaded with features for both work and play.

Pride, passion, and a desire to remain the best of the best in the full-size pickup segment are what drive Ford to push the boundaries, to innovate and most of all, please their enormous fanbase. The all-new 14^th generation 2021 Ford F-150 addresses whatever shortcomings the previous truck had plus delivers more utility, more capability, and more features that are guaranteed to keep truck buyers coming back for more F-150.

The F-150 is the single most defining and important vehicle from Ford. It is Ford. As the best-selling truck for 43 years (54 years in Canada!) and the best-selling vehicle for 38 years, in the US, it acts as the brand’s poster-boy and flagship vehicle. Truck teams from all manufacturers are uniquely passionate about their product but none seem more invested in their customers and their country than the F-150 bunch. The fact that Ford assembles more trucks in the US than both Ram and GM combined is an easy truth to pass around.

Most of the highlights that make the 2021 Ford F-150 an even more appealing truck come as a result of Ford immersing themselves into their customers’ lives to get the best possible sense of how they live their truck – from pleasure to work. This how Ford’s come to put together the most powerful, most productive, and most connected F-150 ever.

Power For All Needs

Options for a wide-ranging customer base with an ever wider-ranging list of needs means that Ford will offer six engines for the 2021 model. All will feature the 10-speed automatic transmission, even the base 3.3-litre V6. The volume-leading 2.7-litre Ecoboost is back, as are the 5.0-litre V8 (with cylinder deactivation) and 3.0-litre Powerstroke diesel V6.

The 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 also returns however it will be fitted, as an option, with hybrid technology. Called PowerBoost, the hybrid powertrain will feature a 35-kilowatt (47-horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission. The motor will be fed by a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery mounted between the frame rails. Ford says that this powertrain will deliver the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. It will be obtainable with RWD and 4WD models. What’s more, it will tow at least 12,000 lbs and manage an EPA-estimated range of 1,100 km, or 700 miles. Actual fuel consumption numbers are not yet available.

Needs For Power Vary

One of the coolest features with the new 2021 Ford F-150 is the available Pro Power Onboard integrated generator. Ford employees learned that many customers find themselves hauling a generator for work or the cottage, and it takes up valuable bed space. The Pro Power Onboard generator is built into the bed’s wall and can provide a 2.0-kilowatt output on petrol engines (not available with the 3.3-litre and PowerStroke). PowerBoost Hybrid models are fitted as standard with 2.4 kilowatts of output. Optionally, 7.2 kilowatts of output can be selected, which is enough to power 28 average refrigerators.

The power can be accessed via outlets in the cabin and up to two cargo bed-mounted 120-volt 20-amp outlets. The 7.2-kilowatt version will feature a 240-volt 30-amp outlet along with four 120-volt 20-amp outlets. One of the best aspects is that the system will be able to charge tool batteries while on the road between jobs.

The Indoor Work Site

Despite the pandemic, the full-size truck segment has demonstrated to be extremely resilient. Americans and Canadians need their trucks. It is for these buyers and owners that Ford reimagined what was possible to do within the cab.

One available feature in the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models is the Max Recline Seats that can recline back nearly 180 degrees for a quick nap after lunch or after filling out paperwork or completing an invoice on a laptop. To help out with this as well, Ford has created the new optional Interior Work Surface. Although owners love actual shifters (over a selector wheel as found in the Ram 1500), Ford has designed one that folds into the center console at the touch of a button, and by flipping over the armrest, it creates a fully flat work surface.

The new truck will be optionally be offered with a rear flat-folding lockable bin. It is located below the rear bench. When in use, it can hold numerous items, and organizing them will be possible thanks to the divider. When not in use, it disappears seamlessly into the floor.

More Conveniences, Luxuries, And More Technology

Even though many use their F-150 as a “tool” for work, Ford has built-in more comfort, used higher quality materials, and included more storage.

The completely new dashboard features an 8-inch touchscreen as standard which is replaced by a larger 12-inch screen in the XLT with the right options (standard on all other trims). The screen is positioned horizontally, or in a landscape layout, as requested by customers, and includes some physical buttons. Next to the screen is a new standard dual glovebox, for more storage options. A new 12-inch digital instrument panel will be available. Its full colour display varies with drive modes and can display numerous bits of data.

The 2021 Ford F-150 will not only be the most connected F-150 ever, but one of the most connected vehicles on the market when it arrives. Every new F-150 trucks will get standard over-the-air updates which can include all-new functions, additional features, and support preventative maintenance limiting downtime. SYNC 4 will also be standard and has twice as much computing power as SYNC 3.

It’s been “tuned” to better understand natural language for easier use of voice control, and not only does it feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility but it does so wirelessly. Also included will be Ford Pass (at no charge) which is an app that can control the trucks’ exterior lighting, remote start, lock-unlock, climate, and more. As well, the Pro Power generator can be managed from the app.

Built Ford Tough

The fully boxed frame structure on which the truck is built continues to serve as the foundation. To support the new 2021 F-150’s true capabilities, Ford is still making use of high strength military-grade aluminium. The whole new front end can be fitted with a combination of no less than 11 different grilles, three different headlights with C-Clamp design, and far more aero improvements than meets the eye. It features active grille shutters and an active air dam (like the Porsche 911 Turbo S) which lowers at speed or rises when not needed.

Behind the new fascia are up to 13 wheel designs (from 17-inch steel units to 22-inch alloys) which have been pushed out a total of ¾ of an inch to create a more powerful stance. Whatever the physical changes, the 2021 F-150 is immediately recognizable. Ford’s once more thought of its customers and has designed larger door handle indents for gloves and will offer near full-length manual or power-retractable running boards to ease access to the bed from the side.

The new tailgate will be fitted with new cleats to facilitate tying down objects when it is lowered. Clamp pocket will also be built in to hold materials in place and Ford will offer an optional flat Tailgate Work Surface with an integrated ruler, phone, and pen holder.

All The Driving Assists

If you tow regularly with your Ford F-150, Dynamic Hitch Support is standard and is displayed on the screen. Options will include Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist as part of the Tow Technology package with its multiple camera views and Trailer Brake Controller.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 2.0 will be standard on all trims and includes Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (with Pedestrian Detection), Rear View Camera which features Dynamic Hitch Support. Optional safety features include Active Drive Assist which will be available next year as an update, Evasive Steering Assist and much, much more. Active Park Assist 2.0 will now help the driver get in, and out of a parking spot. The list goes on and on.

There’s no doubt that the 2021 Ford F-150 will pick up where the 2020 leaves off and take off to new heights. We think it will hold on to its best-seller crown for many, many more years to come.

Pricing for the new 2021 Ford F-150 is not yet available and should be shared closer to launch this fall. The F-150 is assembled at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.