The Ford F-150 is one of the biggest names in the world of full-size light-duty pickup trucks, and for good reason. There are numerous customization options between the three-bed lengths, three cabins, and five trim models. Factor in choices for the engine and drivetrain, and you have seemingly limitless configurations.
The 2021 Ford F-150 full-size pickup upgrades the venerable light-duty truck well into the connected-car era. In some cases, beyond.
Far removed from granddad’s farm truck, the new F-150 brims with tech-heavy features such as over-the-air updates, an 8.0-inch or larger touchscreen on every truck, more computing power, and an integrated smartphone app that’ll display nearly all the truck’s cameras on a device planted firmly in your hand.
The 2021 F-150 also sets the table for the truck maker’s electrified future. The new truck is available with a full hybrid powertrain—the first offered by Ford in a pickup—ahead of a fully electric version due soon.
True to its farm roots, the 2021 F-150 boasts work-friendly upgrades such as an in-vehicle generator with multiple power plugs in the bed, a workbench tailgate, fold-flat center console, and airplane-style fold-flat front seats in case the job lasts longer (but you can’t).
The 2021 Ford F-150 goes on sale in fall 2020. Ford’s not talking 2021 ford f150 price, but will offer it in XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch, and Limited trims with myriad options available for all, including powertrains, bed lengths, cab configurations, and convenience features.
Features
The 2021 F-150’s makeover is from the inside out, mostly.
2021 F 150 Interiors
- The interior sports new touchscreens in the center of the truck and hard knobs and buttons for vehicle functions and climate controls.
- The interior of the trucks still covers the considerable ground between work-spec XL with its vinyl seats and hard-wearing plastics to cowboy-Cadillac Limited with its leather upholstery and a pole position at the valet lot.
- All trucks share a functional layout with big controls and gauges, especially trucks equipped with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
- Broader themes from prior F-150s carry over into the new truck like you knew they would. Blocky controls. Big space. Lots of storage cubbies.
2021 F 150 exterior
Outside, the 2021 F-150 is a dead-ringer for the truck it replaces.
- The looks subtly change from trim level to trim level, including up to 11 different grilles, but the basics are all there: hood, cab, box in the back with acres of vertical space.
- The new F-150 is adorned with all the hallmarks from the last truck, which include a kinked window line, C-shaped headlights and taillights, large wheel arches, and squared-off shoulders.
- The new look is more hewn compared to the old truck but also clearly related. Evolution not revolution, and all that.
Safety
The 2021 F-150 whistles a familiar tune for comfort. Three bed configurations, three cab sizes, six trims, choose your fighter. A two-door regular cab is available and work-ready. It’s paired to a 6-foot-6 or 8-foot bed and measures up to 227.7 inches from nose to tail.
A four-door extended cab is slightly more useful for work, thanks to more in-cabin storage behind the first row. Second-row riders won’t get much leg room—just 33.5 inches—so it’s a better occasional seat rather than a family vehicle substitute. The extended-cab versions pair to a 6-foot-6 bed or 8-foot bed and are as long as 250.3 inches.
The full-size four-door, which Ford calls “SuperCrew,” is the most popular and probably the truck you’re looking for. It’s a family vehicle for many truck owners and offers 43.6 inches of rear seat leg room. It pairs with a 5-foot-6 bed or 6-foot-6 bed and measures up to 243.5 inches long. (In case you need to check the specs of your garage.)
Lights around the truck and in the bed help, same goes for a kick-motion power running board near the bed that makes reaching into the truck easier.
Every F-150 is equipped with automatic emergency braking and automatic headlights, while XLT and higher trucks add a raft of safety features that include blind-spot monitors, active lane control, reverse automatic emergency braking, and driver alert.
What’s more, F-150 and higher trucks can be equipped with a driver-facing camera that enables hands-free driving on specific highways and interstates. It’s a first for any full-size truck, although Ford hasn’t said yet how much it will cost. There is no actual document made stating how much the F-150 costs.
