All-new 2021 F-150 Limited in Smoked Quartz Tinted Clearcoat. Credit: Ford.
It's a reveal that certainly has our Facebook fans excited and for the record, we are too. We're of course talking about the newly unveiled all-new 2021 Ford F-150. It's in a word, impressive. It's a sharp redesign that offers some cool new features inside and out, and just the redesign the F-150 needed to maintain its edge in the red-hot pickup segment. Although the F-150 remains the stand-out leader in its segment, other brands like Ram Truck, Chevy and GMC have updated their pickups recently with new looks and new features. The Ram 1500 has been particularly successful since it was redesigned in 2019.
Ford calls it the new F-150 the toughest, most productive F-150 ever and says it targets the most towing, payload, torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. However, we're still waiting on those official numbers as they aren't yet listed here on the spec sheet.
What we do know is there are quite a few notable highlights. They include a new available hybrid EcoBoost powertrain, an available integrated power generator, an available interior work space and a gear shifter you can stow away underneath it. The new F-150 will also offer new connected vehicle technologies including over-the-air software updates as well as hands-free highway driving (in the third quarter of 2021.)
Looks
The F-150 sits on a fully boxed high-strength steel frame. Ford says designers redesigned every panel of its military-grade, aluminum alloy body.
You'll find an updated headlamp design in the front along with a new power dome hood and wrap-around bumpers. Ford says higher front fenders, a tucked-in midsection and larger-diameter tires pulled out three-quarters of an inch are designed to create a stronger, more powerful stance on and off the road There are no shortage of grille options - with 11 available across the lineup, all differentiated in their design, plus new tailgate appliques.
Functional exterior upgrades include available LED headlamps and taillamps, and available full-length extended power running boards with kick switch that provide better truck-side cargo box accessibility.
Ford says new active grille shutters, a new automatically deploying active air dam, and new cab and tailgate geometry work together to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption.
Interior
Ford says the redesigned cabin emphasizes style, comfort, utility and technology. Class-exclusive Max Recline Seats available on King Ranch Platinum and Limited models provide ultimate comfort during downtime. Max Recline Seats fold flat to nearly 180 degrees, with the bottom cushion rising to meet the back cushion and the upper back support rotating forward up to 10 degrees for maximum comfort.
One of the new F-150's coolest features is a new optional Interior Work Surface. It's a work-space area that drivers can use when they're parked. It's big enough for a 15-inch laptop or enjoying a meal. It is available in both bench and captain's chair seating configurations on XL to Limited. When you want to use it while in Park, you can stow the console gear shifter with the push of a button.
Utility
Other work-friendly improvements include more soil-resistant two-tone seats for XL, a new standard dual glovebox and more interior storage.
Available lockable, fold-flat rear storage adds a vault to the F-150 that extends the width of the rear seats. It's as easy as lifting the bottom cushion of the rear seat, dropping valuables in and locking them away for safekeeping. It even has a divider to keep gear organized.
Technology
Two touch screens are available on the new 2021 F-150 lineup. An all-new 12-inch center screen that comes standard on XLT high series and above. The split-screen allows drivers to control multiple functions simultaneously, including navigation, music or truck features. An 8-inch touch screen is standard on XL and XLT standard and mid-series trucks and offers better rearview camera vision. Both screens feature access to the new digital owner's manual.
Above the steering wheel, the available new 12-inch digital gauge cluster features a large information-on-demand area, along with truck-specific graphics and animations that respond to the all-new F-150's selectable drive modes and can display off-roading data and turn-by-turn navigation.
All-new SYNC 4 is standard with more natural voice control available as well as real-time mapping and customizable information on demand. With twice the computing power of the previous-generation system, new SYNC 4 can wirelessly connect smartphones without the USB cord for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility as well as SYNC AppLink apps like Waze and Ford+Alexa.
Customers can access more than 10,000 hours of on-demand content, live channels, ad-free music, sports, entertainment, news and personalized recommendations with available SiriusXM with 360L satellite and streaming service.
Sound
A new eight-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen is available starting on F-150 XLT, while the optional 18-speaker B&O Unleashed system with speakers in the headliner and front headrests is available on F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum, and standard on Limited.
Tailgate
The tailgate receives some functional updates as well. Every all-new F-150 comes standard with new cleats mounted to the sides of the tailgate. They act as tie-down locations for extra-long items in the bed. New clamp pockets are also built into the tailgate of every truck, so customers can hold materials down for precision work. An available flat Tailgate Work Surface also includes integrated rulers, a mobile device holder, cup holder and pencil holder.
Customers can keep going into the night with exclusive available Zone Lighting. This allows occupants to turn on and off individual sections of exterior lights through the SYNC 4 screen or remotely with the FordPass app on their phone, so they never have to work, camp or do anything in the dark.
New Hybrid Powertrain
The new F-150 will be the only pickup in its segment to offer a full hybrid. The all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost full-hybrid V6 powertrain is available on every trim level from F-150 XL to Limited adds instant electric torque to Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. While official numbers aren't in yet, Ford is targeting an EPA-estimated range of approximately 700 miles on a single tank of gas and at least 12,000 pounds of available maximum towing.
The engine is mated to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with a 35-kilowatt (47-horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission, as well as software calibrated specially for truck use, including drive modes like tow/haul mode to help customers better manage towing heavy trailers. The electric motor applies regenerative braking energy capture to help recharge the 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist
The all-new F-150 offers available Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Trailer Reverse Guidance, made popular on Super Duty, uses the truck's high-resolution cameras to provide multiple views along with helpful graphics that tell drivers which way to turn the steering wheel while backing up.
Pro Power Onboard
Need portable power? The new F-150 can help you there too with the available Pro Power Onboard feature. It's available with a 2.0-kilowatt output on optional gas engines, while PowerBoost-equipped F-150 comes standard with 2.4 kilowatts of output or an optional 7.2 kilowatts of output. Power is accessible through in-cabin outlets and up to four cargo bed-mounted 120-volt 20-amp outlets, with a 240-volt 30-amp outlet on the 7.2-kilowatt version. The system even provides power on the move to charge tool batteries in between jobs.
Driver-assist technologies
All-new F-150 offers Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0. More features are now standard on XL, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid a possible collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlamps and auto on/off headlamps.
Other new available features include Intersection Assist, which detects oncoming traffic while the driver is attempting a left turn. If there is risk of a collision with an oncoming vehicle, F-150 will apply the brakes to mitigate or avoid it. F-150 is the only light-duty full-size pickup with available Active Park Assist 2.0, which handles all steering, shifting, braking and accelerator controls during a parallel or perpendicular parking maneuver while the driver holds down a button.
Active Driver Assist Available Next Year
In the third quarter of 2021, the F-150 will offer Active Drive Assist, which allows for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 states and Canada. The Active Drive Assist prep kit contains the hardware required for this feature, while the software to enable functionality, expected in the third quarter of the 2021 calendar year, will be delivered by over-the-air update or dealer visit. Separate payment will be required to activate full functionality at that time. controls during a parallel or perpendicular parking maneuver while the driver holds down a button.
Availability
Every F-150 is assembled at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. The all-new F-150 will be available this fall.
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