Few automotive happenings are extra business-critical than the launch of a redesigned Ford F-150. The Mustang Mach-E and Bronco could draw the eyes of lovers, and are key components of Ford’s future, however few autos have extra significance to the U.S. auto business than pickup vehicles, and Ford’s F-Sequence is the reigning gross sales champion on this extremely common and worthwhile phase.
Whereas this isn’t a full-blown, head-to-toe redesign, the 2021 F-150 acquired a complete powertrain overhaul, a brand new inside and a few new “hey, neat” kind options that simply may sway a purchaser who in any other case believes nearly any truck will do, as long as the value and capabilities test all the correct bins. You may get extra in-depth particulars on the Ford F-150 in our launch day protection, however we’ll hit the highlights right here in your comfort.
Whereas the 2021 F-150 was restyled, its appears to be like aren’t a major departure from the earlier mannequin’s. Modifications are extra noticeable inside, the place a brand new steering wheel and a cleaner middle stack spotlight a bunch of different small tweaks. The plain improve right here is Ford’s fourth-generation Sync infotainment system, which acquired some severe {hardware} upgrades to enhance its efficiency over Sync 3. Chief amongst these is a mammoth accessible 12-inch touchscreen, although our time with it prevented an in-depth evaluation (effectively, other than reporting that it is a lengthy attain from the driving force seat to the display screen’s proper aspect)
Ford additionally threw in some cool new exterior treats, akin to a redesigned tailgate that now boasts an accessible flat work floor with built-in clamp pockets and bottle openers. There’s additionally accessible outdoors zone lighting (permitting you to light up solely the areas by which you’re working – or taking part in) together with an in-bed energy system that blows away anything you’ve seen from a manufacturing unit pickup.
The 2021 Ford F-150 is obtainable with six powertrains, however not the identical six that had been accessible on the 2020 mannequin. Headlining these adjustments is the brand new F-150’s social gathering piece: the PowerBoost hybrid. Based mostly on the three.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and a brand new modular hybrid 10-speed automated transmission, that is the range-topping powertrain for the 2021 mannequin, producing 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque.
Stepping down from that, the 5.0L “Coyote” V8 and three.5L EcoBoost return, every producing 400 hp. The V8 produces 410 lb-ft of torque, whereas the EcoBoost V6 makes 500 lb-ft. This turbocharged V6 beforehand got here in 375- and 450-horsepower variants, with the latter reserved for the Raptor and high-end Restricted fashions. The existence of a brand new Raptor has been confirmed, however given the approaching arrival of the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX, we suspect Ford will take a brand new method to its range-topping efficiency truck.
Beneath this, the three.0-liter Energy Stroke diesel returns, making 250 hp and 440 lb-ft. The two.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 is the following step down, and it produces the identical 325 hp and 400 lb-ft it did within the outgoing truck. The naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6 additionally returns as the bottom engine with 290 hp and 265 lb-ft — yet one more carry-over determine.
The brand new F-150 has a most towing capability of 14,000 kilos, a rise of 800 over final yr’s truck, besting the Silverado 1500 at 13,300 kilos and the Ram 1500 at 12,750. As for payload, probably the most the brand new F-150 can carry is 3,325 kilos, 55 greater than beforehand. The Ram 1500 has the following greatest ranking at 2,300, and the Silverado 1500 is shut behind with 2,280 kilos. As all the time, although, payload is extremely depending on engine, cab and mattress size.
Particularly, we’ll word that the PowerBoost is rated to haul as a lot as 2,120 kilos within the mattress and tow as a lot as 12,700 kilos. Each of these figures greatest the Energy Stroke diesel’s in equal SuperCrew configurations. And in case you’re questioning in regards to the hybrid’s weight (a key consider towing capability and payload), it is solely about 250 kilos greater than the equal diesel and 350 greater than a 3.5 EcoBoost. Not unhealthy.
Whereas we’re specializing in the F-150’s capabilities, we have to contact on one of many F-150’s extra thrilling new options. Professional Energy On Board takes powering on-site equipment to the following stage, changing the F-150’s mattress right into a cellular energy station with a built-in generator.
This technique just isn’t distinctive to the hybrid, however its utility is maximized with the electrified powertrain. Whereas gasoline engine fashions geared up with it max out at simply 2.0 kilowatts, the hybrid will increase to 2.4kW with an optionally available improve to 7.2 kW. Should you select that improve, you get 30-amp, 240-volt service within the mattress through a NEMA L14-30R hookup together with 4 20-amp, 120V shops. The two.0 and a couple of.4 kW variants merely get 20-amp 120V shops, however that is nonetheless greater than the competitors provides.
Moreover the large accessible touchscreen, inside updates embody optionally available “Max Recline” entrance seats on the Platinum, King Ranch and Restricted fashions. These seats fold nearly utterly flat, permitting for co-driver energy naps and even rest-stop sleep breaks. A brand new desk choice, dubbed “Inside Work Floor,” deploys over the middle console. The gear selector stows away, folding ahead right into a recess, permitting the desk to be folded down and making a workspace that may accommodate a binder or notepad, or perhaps a small laptop computer.
There’s additionally a full-width rear under-seat storage answer that each locks and folds flat to make method for bigger cargo. The door-to-door footprint makes it perfect for storing longer objects, Ford says, akin to out of doors gear and even some firearms.
Our time with the 2021 F-150 was transient, so we weren’t in a position to pattern all of those new devices. We centered on getting as a lot time behind the wheel of the assorted powertrain choices as we probably might, beginning with that monster new PowerBoost hybrid.
We received’t mince phrases: The 2021 F-150 PowerBoost is probably the most spectacular on a regular basis pickup we have sampled, maybe ever (placing excessive Raptors and Energy Wagons apart). Regardless of making use of what’s now pretty confirmed and traditional hybrid expertise, the PowerBoost doesn’t make its hybridness apparent. There’s no awkward braking transition between regenerative and hydraulic operation; no fussy CVT or planetary gearbox producing undesirable vibration or pegging the revs within the stratosphere below onerous acceleration. It simply drives like a truck – a highly effective truck.
If something, it’s quite a bit like piloting a half-ton pickup with a heavy-duty diesel powertrain, solely with none of the nuisances related to trendy diesel possession. And also you get 24 mpg in every single place, as in each within the metropolis and on the freeway. That’s the identical mixed determine because the outgoing 3.0-liter Energy Stroke diesel, which produces simply 250 horsepower. Certain, that light-duty diesel will internet you higher freeway gas economic system, however except you unique drive on I-45, the hybrid will match it within the long-term. Gasoline can also be less expensive than pump diesel in most states, so it will be cheaper to fill.
By comparability, the 5.0-liter V8 seems like a canine. It’s far much less responsive, to the purpose that it’s noticeable in around-town driving. Mash the accelerator and the Coyote will get up, nevertheless it takes much more acutely aware prodding to get the 5.0 to behave something just like the hybrid, which requires no thought in any respect.
We additionally sampled the extra volume-oriented six-cylinders, and whereas nothing in regards to the the three.3-liter nor the two.7-liter turbo V6 is new, we’ve got to acknowledge the latter’s wonderful all-around efficiency. It provides loads of grunt and feels nice, particularly in a short-wheelbase truck. We obtained to mess around with one configured precisely that spec with 1,400 kilos of payload strapped to the mattress, and located it to be supremely confidence-inspiring even by way of a comparatively tight slalom on Ford’s skidpad. Should you’re not ready to spring for one of many F-150’s flagship powertrains, that 2.7L EcoBoost is the one to get.
For all the 2021 F-150’s many updates, there’s actually just one story right here: PowerBoost. It will set you again as a lot as $4,500, making it the second-most costly of the F-150 SuperCrew’s accessible engines and trailing the Energy Stroke by $500. We didn’t embody a full pricing breakdown right here as a result of Ford’s supplied window stickers had been incomplete. Even between that and its slight hit to complete functionality, it is a stunningly spectacular powertrain. Ford’s hybrid system doesn’t simply make the F-150 a greater truck, it makes it a greater workplace, a greater campsite, and a greater workspace. And, in your writer’s private opinion, it makes its driver a greater citizen, and that’s only a good little bonus in what’s already a sea of upsides.
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