2021 Ford F-150: Class-Leading Towing and a Powerful Hybrid

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American Best-Seller
The Ford Motor Company moves a lot of F-Series pickup trucks. In 2019 the automaker sold almost 900,000 units, making it the 38th consecutive year that this popular pickup has been America’s best-selling vehicle. (The F-Series has an even longer reign as the best-selling pickup truck in America.) Hoping to satisfy its dedicated band of loyalists while advancing the truck’s design and features, Ford takes the wraps off the all-new 2021 F-150. With fresh styling, an updated interior, a new hybrid powertrain, a range of innovative and versatile new features and a class-leading 14,000-pound towing capacity, the 2021 Ford F-150 will likely continue the F-Series juggernaut.

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Building What Customers Want — And More
“We see it as our duty to deliver not just what our customers want and need, but what they might have never thought possible,” said Craig Schmatz, Ford F-150 chief engineer. “The F-150 will be tougher than ever, and with fully connected over-the-air updates, it opens up a much wider range of potential enhancements — from predictive maintenance to feature upgrades,”Schmatz enthused.

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New Look
Ford gives the F-150 bolder, more rugged styling for the 2021 model year with an updated LED headlight design and new signature LED running lights, a new power dome hood and wraparound bumpers. More than these obvious changes, Ford says every exterior panel has been redesigned for the new model year. Under that fresh exterior still lives the fully boxed high-strength steel frame that continues to support the industry-first high-strength aluminum alloy body.

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Improved Aero
The 2021 Ford F-150 gets new active grille shutters as well as an air dam that automatically deploys to provide optimum aerodynamics. With additional changes to the cab and tailgate, this new F-150 is the most aerodynamic ever — not a term typically associated with a full-size pickup. The updates should improve handling and increase fuel efficiency as well.

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Trim Levels
The 2021 Ford F-150 will be available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Buyers choose from rear- or 4-wheel drive, multiple engine options, as well as regular cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew bodystyles with multiple bed lengths. The new F-150 now has 11 (eleven!) distinct grille options to differentiate trim levels and give each its own style.

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Interior Updates
Inside, the 2021 Ford F-150 gets new functionality as well as updated infotainment and storage options. Most noticeable is a new 12-inch touchscreen display that can be split to provide access to multiple functions at once, including navigation, communication, entertainment and truck features. This big screen is standard on high-series XLT trims and above; XL and XLT standard trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. A customizable 12-inch digital instrument cluster is also available.

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Latest Infotainment
All 2021 Ford F-150s come with the latest version of SYNC 4, Ford’s advanced infotainment and communication system. Introduced more than 10 years ago, SYNC has become much more advanced with twice the computing power of the previous system. In addition to hands-free voice control, SYNC 4 provides wireless operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford will also offer Sirius XM with 360L satellite and streaming services. Multiple sound systems will be available, including an optional 18-speaker B&O Unleashed premium audio system. The Dearborn-based truckmaker will also offer over-the-air software updates in the 2021 Ford F-150, reducing the need to visit a service center.

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Work Surface
Many of Ford’s truck customers spend considerable time in their rigs, so the company will be offering a number of innovative features to make that time more enjoyable and productive, such as a new interior work surface. The driver can fold the gearshift into the center console with the push of a button, and then unfold a hard surface that covers the center console, making it an ideal space for a laptop or even a meal.

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Max Recline
After that in-rig meal it might be time for a nap, and the 2021 Ford F-150 has this covered as well. Max Recline Seats are an available option on the King Ranch, Platinum and Limited variants, which means the front seats will recline to almost 180 degrees, creating a comfortable way to catch a few moments of shuteye.

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Lockable Storage
Ford offers lockable storage under the rear seat on its Super Duty trucks, and now this feature will be available on the 2021 Ford F-150. A storage area under the rear seat bottoms spans the width of the cabin, containing space for all kinds of valuables. Once the seat bottom is lowered the hidden storage area can be locked. If a flat floor is needed rather than hidden storage, the box can be easily folded flat.

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Powertrains
Engine choices for the 2021 Ford F-150 carry forward from the current model and include a 3.3-liter 290-horsepower V6, a 2.7-liter 325-horsepower EcoBoost V6, a 3.5-liter 400-horsepower EcoBoost V6, a 5.0-liter 430-horsepower V8 and a 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 diesel that produces an impressive 440 lb-ft of torque. All engines get teamed with Ford’s smooth and efficient 10-speed automatic transmission. The powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost is towing leader of the full-size pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR category, with a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds.

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Hybrid
A 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 is the new powertrain option for the 2021 Ford F-150 — the first hybrid for America’s best-selling vehicle. Teaming the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with a 35-kw electric motor integrated into the 10-speed transmission delivers 430 horsepower and a massive 570 lb-ft of torque — the most ever in a production F-150 and enough to tow up to 12,700 pounds. Ford expects this hybrid powertrain will have a range up to 700 miles on a single tank of fuel. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries are located beneath the truck, so no compromises need to be made regarding cargo volume or passenger room. Ford will offer the PowerBoost hybrid system on all trim levels of the 2021 F-150.

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Trailering
Towing is one of the primary reasons for buying a pickup truck, and Ford’s trailering features can make this daunting task much easier. Pro Trailer Backup Assist — introduced with the current F-150 — helps the driver reverse a trailer by steering via a dial on the dashboard. For 2021 Ford adds Trailer Reverse Guidance, which uses multiple vehicle cameras as well as overlay graphics to help the driver better maneuver when parking a trailer.

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Tailgate Features
Until a few years ago a tailgate was simply a tailgate — now every truck manufacturer is making the bed door much more usable. Ford already offers an innovative tailgate step — one of our favorite truck features — and for 2021 the tailgate takes on more tasks. All 2021 F-150 tailgates will come with cleats on the sides to help tie down cargo that extends beyond the bed. In addition, the tailgate gets integrated pockets designed for attaching C-clamps, which turns the tailgate into a workbench. In this same vein, buyers can opt for the Tailgate Work Surface option, which includes integrated rulers, cupholders and a pencil holder into the dropped gate.

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Onboard Generator
Adding a whole new level of utility, the 2021 Ford F-150 can be equipped with an integrated generator to provide power at the jobsite, campground or anywhere else this truck can go. Three different Pro Power Onboard systems are offered: a 2.0 kW model is available with gas-powered engines, or a 2.4 kW unit is standard with the new PowerBoost hybrid truck. Also available on PowerBoost F-150s is a 7.2 kW generator that provides four 120V outlets and one 240V outlet in the bed of the truck.

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Safety Systems
Ford will be equipping all 2021 F-150 trim levels with Co-Pilot360. As the brand’s suite of driver-assist features, Co-Pilot360 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a rearview camera and automatic high-beam headlights. Also available is intersection assist — a new feature added for the 2021 model year. This system will detect oncoming traffic when trying to make a left turn and will automatically apply brakes to avoid a collision.

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Active Drive Assist
In a move towards autonomous driving, Ford will introduce Active Driver Assist on the 2021 F-150. The system provides hands-free driving on divided highways — more than 100,000 miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada have been pre-mapped. While this technology allows drivers to relax behind the wheel, a driver-facing camera ensures folks are still paying attention to the road. The hardware for this feature will be available when the truck arrives; however, the software to enable functionality will arrive in the third quarter of 2021 and will require additional payment. (No prices were discussed during our press briefing.)

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Coming This Fall
The revamped 2021 Ford F-150 will be built at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, as well as at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. The new F-150 is expected to arrive in showrooms in fall 2020. Pricing will be available closer to the on-sale date.

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2021 Ford F-150
The 2021 F-150 with the PowerBoost hybrid powertrain will tow up to 12,700 pounds.

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2021 Ford F-150
The Pro Power onoard generator adds a new level of versatility to this work truck.

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2021 Ford F-150
The the fully boxed high-strength steel frame continues to provide the F-150 with plenty of capability.

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2021 Ford F-150
Pro Trailer Backup Assist on the 2021 Ford F-150 removes the stress of backing up a trailer.

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2021 Ford F-150
On the 2021 Ford F-150, the tailgate becomes a proper workbench, especially with the onboard generator.

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2021 Ford F-150
All 2021 Ford F-150 tailgates will come with cleats on the sides to help tie down cargo that extends beyond the bed.

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2021 Ford F-150
The shift lever of the 2021 Ford F-150 can be folded flat to make space for a flat work surface.

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2021 Ford F-150
The 2021 Ford F-150 ‘s cabin can be configured to allow a flat work surface which adds a level of productivity, and is available with bench or bucket seat configurations.

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2021 Ford F-150
Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up a trailer with the 2021 Ford F-150 as easy as turning a knob.

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2021 Ford F-150
The lockable storage box on the 2021 Ford F-150 can be folded to provide a flat cargo floor in the rear-seat area.

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2021 Ford F-150
The 2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch features “Norias” brown leather wrapped around the front instrument panel, which ends with an imprinted metalized American flag.

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