2021 Ford F-150 Preview

The Hybrid Ford F-150

At last, the full-size pickup truck segment has a hybrid engine for you to enjoy. With the Ford F-150, you can plop in a 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 motor, which takes some of its power from an electric source. What's perhaps most interesting is that this hybrid powerplant checks in as the strongest option within the entire 6-engine lineup, registering at 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque.

As you might expect from a hybrid, the full range is going to be impressive when traveling on a single tank of gas. According to EPA estimates, the hybrid F-150 will be able to go approximately 750 miles on a single fill-up.

For those content with a gas-powered F-150, you have the usual smorgasbord of options. The sole V8 registers at 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, thanks largely to its 5.0L frame.

The remaining options are a quartet of V6 selections…

• 3.3L Ti-VCT V6: 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque
• 2.7L EcoBoost® V6: 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque
• 3.5L EcoBoost® V6: 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque
• 3.0L Power Stroke® V6: 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque

As for the transmission, a 10-speed automatic is par for the course, no matter the engine you have fitted under the hood.

Putting That Power Into Action: Towing & Payload

So, what do all these high-end, heavy-duty engines in the 2021 Ford F-150 get you? It turns out, quite a lot. Stronger than ever, the Ford F-150 is a useful partner for around-the-house work, construction jobs, and really anything else:

• 2021 Ford F-150 maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds
• 2021 Ford F-150 maximum payload of 3,325 pounds

Travel Off-Road on a Whim

Traversing the local wilderness or giving it a go on one of the nearby off-roading trails is tempting when you're behind the wheel of the 2021 Ford F-150. This truck is capable of exploration in really any trim, yet certain variations of the model will deliver specific gear for all-terrain adventures.

The package you'll want to splurge on when emphasizing off-roading is the FX4 Off-Road Package. With it, your F-150 will see the introduction of the following features:

• Electronic-locking rear differential
• Hill Descent Control™
• Off-road-tuned front shock absorbers
• Skid plates

Many of these features, such as the rear differential and Hill Descent Control™, are designed to add traction as you slip and slide your way through mud, gravel, rock, or any other unstable terrain. The skid plates are a sort of armor, helping to cover and keep vital underpinnings in your truck safe. The off-road-tuned front shock absorbers ensure that traveling over large bumps at high speeds won't send you flying through the roof.

You can also add in the optional 360-degree camera with split-view-a handy inclusion that increases your visibility when trying to move through tight trails.

Safer & Smarter Than Ever

The Ford F-150 is a proper truck, with the size and strength to accomplish difficult tasks. So, Ford wanted to help make your daily travels in this sturdy truck a little easier by offering an abundance of safety and driver-assistance technologies.

It all centers around Ford Co-Pilot360™, a suite that can alert you to vehicles driving in your blind spot, automatically brake before an accident occurs, help you stay in your proper lane, and much more.

It does all this using some of the following features:

• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Trailer Coverage
• Lane-Keeping System
• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

In addition, parking a truck like the Ford F-150 is a task that deserves a little assistance-or, rather, a lot of assistance in the case of the available Active Park Assist 2.0 system.

With this parking technology, you merely line the truck up with the parking space, (be it perpendicular or parallel), shift into neutral, and then hold the Active Park Assist button-the F-150 takes it from there!

A Premium & Practical Interior

Previous Ford F-150 models have always given you a leisurely and practical spot to lounge in as you travel from worksite to worksite. For 2021, both the interior niceties and available space have increased.

For instance, if you have camping or work supplies you want to store inside the truck, you can make use of the lockable under-seat storage compartment. Because the compartment is integrated into the floor, passengers won't notice a difference if you've got supplies in it.

For the sake of comfort, the truck also touts Max Recline Seats. If it's been a long day, and you just need a quick breather, you can fold the seats almost entirely flat and give your body a rest.

Technology Abounds

Some nifty technology went into developing the hybrid motor for the Ford F-150, and you'll also find technology in the cabin in the form of infotainment features.

The optional touchscreen up front is the largest to be placed in an F-150, measuring 12 inches and touting the user-friendly SYNC® 4 infotainment interface. Plus, as always, your Ford can be had with a range of useful systems that help make driving and navigating foreign streets easier, including:

• Voice-activated navigation
• Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
• Rear View Camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist