2021 Ford F-150

Is the Ford F-150 a Good Truck?

Yes, the Ford F-150 is an excellent full-size pickup truck. It has a diverse lineup of potent powertrains, including V6, V8, and diesel engine options, as well as a brand-new hybrid. The F-150 has poised handling and a smooth ride, and none of its classmates can tow or haul as much. Inside, you'll find a well-crafted cabin, spacious seats, and easy-to-use tech features. This Ford even earns a great predicted reliability rating.

2021 Ford F-150 Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 17 feet, 5 inches to 20 feet, 10 inches
• Height: 6 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet, 6 inches
• Curb weight: 4,021 to 5,540 pounds

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Should I Buy the Ford F-150?

Every truck shopper should consider the F-150. It's one of the best and most well-rounded trucks in the class. What's more, it has a competitive price tag, making it a strong value.

Find a 2021 Ford F-150 for sale near you »

2020 vs. 2021 Ford F-150: What's the Difference?

The 2021 Ford F-150 is completely redesigned, and there are plenty of changes. For starters, there's a new addition to the powertrain lineup: a full hybrid that puts out 430 horsepower. There are many more standard features, including an all-new SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen. The F-150 also sees an 800-pound increase in max towing capacity compared to the 2020 model (it now sits at 14,000 pounds, up from 13,200).

Compare the 2020 and 2021 F-150 »

Here are the key changes for the Ford F-150 over the last few years:

• 2017: 10-speed automatic transmission, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and off-road-oriented Raptor trim became available
• 2018: performance tweaks, including horsepower boosts to some engines and an increase in maximum towing capacity (13,200 pounds, up from 12,200)
• 2019: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection added to standard features list, Raptor trim received new shocks, and Limited trim gained a 450-horsepower engine
• 2020: 10-speed automatic transmission mated to all engines, and expanded engine availability in lower trims
• 2021: fully redesigned with revamped powertrain lineup, more standard features, and improved capability

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 F-150, 2019 F-150, and 2020 F-150 reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Much Does the Ford F-150 Cost?

The F-150 carries a base price of $28,940, which is one of the lower starting prices in the class. SuperCab models start at $33,025, and SuperCrew models start at $36,650. The popular F-150 Lariat starts at $44,695, and the range-topping F-150 Limited sports a starting MSRP of $70,825, which is much more expensive than almost anything that rivals offer.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

Ford F-150 Versus the Competition

Ford F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado seems like a much better full-size pickup truck when it's not stacked up against the F-150. It has capable powertrains (including a turbo-four, which the Ford doesn't offer), great towing and hauling capabilities, and a spacious interior. However, the same is true of the F-150. The Ford may not offer a turbo-four option, but it can tow and haul more than the Chevy. It also has a nicer interior and a higher predicted reliability rating, and it gets better gas mileage.

Compare the F-150 and Silverado 1500 »

Ford F-150 vs. Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is the F-150's toughest competition for the top spot in the class rankings every year. It can't match the F-150 for towing and hauling, but the Ram is still powerful and capable. It's also the only truck in the class to surpass the F-150 in two notable areas: interior and ride quality. The Ram is the class leader with regard to both, and in higher trim levels it feels like you're driving a luxury vehicle.

Compare the F-150 and Ram 1500 »

Compare the F-150, Silverado, and Ram »

F-150 Performance: Unmatched Capability

F-150 Engine

You have a whopping six options when picking a powertrain for the F-150: a 290-horsepower V6 (the base engine), a 325-horsepower twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, a 400-horsepower EcoBoost V6, a 400-horsepower V8, a 250-horsepower turbodiesel, and the all-new F-150 hybrid, which features the larger EcoBoost V6 and an electric motor and has a total output of 430 horsepower.

The base V6 is fine, but the smaller EcoBoost V6 is a better choice if you mostly use the F-150 for commuting to and from work every day. If you plan to use it for heavier-duty towing, you should instead consider the diesel or V8 engines.

Regardless of what you want from your F-150, the two most impressive powertrains are the larger EcoBoost V6 and the hybrid. The have the best acceleration, jetting off eagerly from a stop, and they always feel like there's power in reserve on the highway.

F-150 Gas Mileage

The F-150 gets 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with its base engine and rear-wheel drive. Those are good ratings for the full-size pickup truck class. With the smaller EcoBoost V6, ratings jump slightly to 20/26 mpg city/highway.

If you're considering the V8, you'll still get better fuel economy ratings than many V8-powered rivals: 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Finally, the all-new hybrid powertrain makes its debut with some impressive mpg ratings. With it equipped, the F-150 gets 24 mpg in the city and on the highway.

F-150 Ride and Handling

Though it's a large vehicle, the F-150 is fairly easy to drive. It provides a smooth ride, with the suspension absorbing road imperfections without issue. This Ford also feels composed on winding roads, with good steering feel and not much body lean.

F-150 Off-Road Performance

Every F-150 model offers four-wheel drive and, thus, has decent off-road capability right off the bat. There are several off-road packages and trims available as well. You can learn more in the “Which F-150 Model Is Best for Off-Roading?” section below.

F-150 Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, no rival can match the F-150 when it comes to towing and hauling. It can tow up to 14,000 pounds and haul up to 3,325 pounds.

Read more about performance »

F-150 Interior: Quiet, Roomy, and Comfortable

F-150 Cargo Space

The F-150 is available with 8-foot, 6.5-foot, and 5.5-foot beds, though not every bed is offered with every cab style. There are plenty of nifty bed features available, including Ford's BoxLink – adjustable tie-down cleats that you can also use as bottle openers – an in-bed power outlet, a fold-out step built into the tailgate, a power tailgate, and stowable loading ramps.

How Many People Does the F-150 Seat?

Regular Cab F-150 models seat up to three people, and SuperCab and SuperCrew models seat up to six. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and drivers have plenty of visibility. In higher trims, you can opt for Ford's max recline seats, which fold nearly flat and make it much easier to nap in the truck. SuperCrew models have the most spacious back-seat setup, and adults can ride comfortably in the rear seats of SuperCab models as well.

F-150 and Child Car Seats

In SuperCab and SuperCrew body styles, there are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat.

F-150 Interior Quality

Though it doesn’t quite match the standards set by the Ram 1500, the F-150's interior is as good as or better than any other full-size truck's. The design is attractive, the materials quality is generally impressive, and it remains quiet even at highway speeds.

F-150 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

You'll have few complaints, if any, about the SYNC 4 infotainment system. It has an intuitive interface with easily navigable menu layouts. The display has crisp graphics and large buttons, making it simple to use while on the move. There are logically arranged physical controls as well.

• Standard infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay
• Available infotainment features: a 12-inch touch screen, navigation, an eight- or 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wireless device charging
• Other available features: a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, remote start, and power windows and door locks

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Read more about interior »

F-150 Reliability

Is the Ford F-150 Reliable?

The 2021 Ford F-150 has a stellar predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five.

Ford F-150 Warranty

Ford backs the F-150 with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The diesel engine comes with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Read more about reliability »

F-150 Safety

F-150 Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 F-150 the highest rating of Good in the roof strength test, the only crashworthiness test conducted at the time of writing. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not crash tested the 2021 F-150.

F-150 Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Forward automatic emergency braking

Available advanced safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keep assist
• Evasive steering assist
• Intersection assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Cross traffic alert
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Reverse automatic emergency braking
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Active Drive Assist (a semiautonomous driving feature)

Read more about safety »

Where Is the 2021 Ford F-150 Built?

Ford builds the 2021 F-150 in Missouri and Michigan.

Which Ford F-150 Model Is Right for Me?

The 2021 Ford F-150 comes in seven trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Tremor. Ford hasn’t yet announced plans for the Raptor. The XLT is the lowest trim you really want to consider, as it comes with a few more features than the base trim, and it offers a lot of technology the XL doesn't. The Lariat is a great choice if you can afford to spend a little more, as it comes with many more comfort and convenience features than the lower trims.

Ford F-150 Powertrain Options:

• Base engine: 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque; starts at $28,940 (standard in XL, XLT)
• Available powertrains:
  • twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque; starts at $30,135 (standard in Lariat; available in XL, XLT)
  • 5.0-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque; starts at $30,935 (standard in King Ranch, Platinum; available in XL, XLT, Lariat)
  • turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine with 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque; starts at $42,440 (available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum)
  • twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque; starts at $35,620 (standard in Limited; available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum)
  • twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and an electric motor with a combined 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque; starts at $42,120 (available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited)
• Drivetrain: standard rear-wheel drive; available four-wheel drive
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Ford F-150 Appearance Packages:

• XL Chrome Appearance package (prices start at $775): 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, chrome front and rear bumpers, and fog lamps
• XLT Chrome Appearance package (prices start at $1,695): 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels, a chrome two-bar grille, a chrome exhaust tip, chrome exterior door and tailgate handles, chrome tow hooks, chrome step bars, and body-color bezel on side doors
• XLT Sport Appearance package (prices start at $1,995): 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, all-season tires, a black two-bar grille, a chrome exhaust tip, body-color door and tailgate handles, body-color front and rear bumpers, and body-color bezel on side doors
• Lariat Chrome Appearance package (prices start at $1,695): 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels, all-season tires, a chrome two-bar grille, a chrome exhaust tip, chrome exterior door and tailgate handles, chrome tow hooks, chrome step bars, and chrome skull caps on exterior mirrors
• Lariat Sport Appearance package (prices start at $1,995): 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, all-season tires, a black two-bar grille, a chrome exhaust tip, accent color step bars, and body-color front and rear bumpers
• STX Appearance package (prices start at $1,780; available in XL): 18-inch aluminum wheels, all-season tires, body-color front and rear bumpers, an electronic rear-window defroster, fog lamps, and a painted black honeycomb grille
• King Ranch Chrome Appearance package (prices start at $1,995): adds 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels, all-season tires, chrome bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome tow hooks, and chrome skull caps on exterior mirrors

Ford F-150 Work Packages/Options:

• Snow Plow Prep package (prices start at $50; available in XL, XLT, and Lariat models with 4WD and the V8 engine): adds a "Snow Plow" Mode Button that disables some features to maintain required electrical charge margins during plow operation and activates relay to snow plow controls
• Tow Technology package (prices start at $880; available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum): trailer backup assist, a surround-view parking camera system, trailer reverse guidance, a trailer brake controller, and a smart trailer tow connector
• Trailer Tow package (prices start at $975; available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum): a class IV trailer hitch receiver, a pro trailer backup assist, and a trailer brake controller
• Max Trailer Tow package (prices start at $1,235; available in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum): an electronic-locking rear axle, a class IV trailer hitch receiver, a pro trailer backup assist, a smart trailer tow connector, a trailer brake controller, and an upgraded rear bumper
• Heavy Duty Payload package (prices start at $1,500; available in XL, XLT; requires Max Trailer Tow package and V8 engine): a locking rear axle, a 9.75-inch gearset, a 36-gallon fuel tank, 18-inch silver painted aluminum heavy-duty wheels, all-terrain tires, and upgraded springs.

Ford F-150 Trims:

Ford F-150 XL

The F-150 XL carries a base price of $28,940. The XL comes standard with a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. Standard features include cloth upholstery and the SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and forward automatic emergency braking. Some of these features are part of Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of technology.

The Regular Cab/6.5-foot bed combo is the standard configuration for the XL trim. You can opt for the 8-foot bed, which costs an extra $300.

SuperCab models start at $33,025 when paired with the middle bed length. You can get the long bed for an extra $1,305. SuperCrew models start at $36,650 and come standard with the 5.5-foot bed. The 6.5-foot bed is a $1,305 upgrade.

Ford F-150 XLT

The F-150 XLT starts at $35,050. In addition to the base trim's features, the XLT comes with power windows and door locks, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and cross traffic alert.

The XLT has the same standard and available bed/cab combos as the XL and for the same price increases. This is the highest trim level available with the Regular Cab.

Ford F-150 Lariat

The F-150 Lariat sports a starting price of $44,695. Standard features in the Lariat include leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, remote start, a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12-inch touch screen, and BoxLink adjustable tie-down cleats.

The Lariat is the lowest trim to come standard with the SuperCab. The middle bed length is also standard. You can get the long bed for $1,290. SuperCrew Lariat models start at $48,045 with the short bed and $48,300 with the middle bed length.

Ford F-150 King Ranch

The F-150 King Ranch starts at $56,330. King Ranch trims and higher only come in the SuperCrew cab style. The shortest bed length comes standard, and the 6.5-foot bed is a $300 upgrade.

On top of the lower trims' features, the King Ranch comes with an in-bed power outlet, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, intersection assist, navigation, an eight-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD Radio, and wireless device charging.

Ford F-150 Platinum

The F-150 Platinum starts at $59,110; add $300 for the middle bed length instead of the short bed. The Platinum comes standard with massaging front seats, traffic sign recognition, and power-deployable running boards.

Ford F-150 Limited

The range-topping F-150 Limited has a starting MSRP of $70,825, and it only comes in the SuperCrew/short bed configuration. The Limited comes with a power tailgate with a deployable step, trailer reverse guidance, trailer backup assist, a moonroof, a surround-view parking camera system, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Ford F-150 Tremor

The F-150 Tremor is an all-new model in this Ford's lineup, and it will be available in summer 2021. Pricing is not yet available. Tremor models will feature the SuperCrew cab, 5.5-foot bed, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive.

The Tremor is built to be a superb off-roader, and it comes standard with rugged features such as an upgraded suspension, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a front bash plate, a locking differential, hill descent control, and more.

More features will be available, such as one-pedal drive (makes rock crawling easier), trail control (like cruise control for off-roading), and trail turn assist (reduces the turning radius for low-speed maneuvers).

Which F-150 Cab Style Is Right for Me?

The Regular Cab, which seats up to three people, may suit buyers just looking for a work truck, but most people will want to look to the SuperCab or SuperCrew body style. Both have rear seats and can accommodate up to six people. If you're mostly hauling kids in the back, the SuperCab should suit you, but if you regularly have adults in the rear seats, you'll probably want the SuperCrew and its vastly superior legroom.

Though the number of passengers you're regularly ferrying will be far and away the most important factor in choosing a cab style, you'll also want to consider which beds and trims are available with each cab.

The Regular Cab style is only offered in the lowest two trims (XL and XLT), and it comes with either the 6.5- or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab is available in the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims and is available with the two longest beds. Every trim offers the SuperCrew cab with the shortest bed length, and this is the only cab style available with the 5.5-foot bed. The SuperCrew is also available with the 6.5-foot bed, and every trim but the Limited offers that combo.

Which F-150 Bed Length Is Right for Me?

You have three choices when it comes to bed length: 8 foot, 6.5 foot, and 5.5 foot. Not every bed is offered with every cab; the SuperCrew cab style is the only one to offer the shortest bed length, and it isn't available with the 8-foot bed. The middle bed length is offered with all three cab styles.

Unless you need the absolute best payload capacity, you're better off with 6.5-foot bed. It gives you the flexibility to choose whichever cab is best for you, and it's part of the configuration that unlocks the F-150's maximum towing capacity. Still, if you're picking a SuperCrew model, it might be worth opting for the 5.5-foot bed, which shaves down the truck's length and makes it a little easier to maneuver.

Which F-150 Model Is Best for Towing and Hauling?

The F-150 can tow more than all of its classmates, with a maximum capacity of 14,000 pounds when properly equipped. It also has incredible payload capacity: 3,325 pounds. For the most capable version of this Ford, you'll want a SuperCab or SuperCrew model, and you’ll want to opt for either the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 or the V8 engine. Most F-150s with those combinations will give you 13,000-plus pounds of towing capability and 2,900-plus pounds of hauling capacity.

If towing is your primary aim, you can achieve the maximum 14,000-pound rating with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine in both SuperCab and SuperCrew models. The V8 engine allows nearly the same capability (13,000 pounds). The hybrid (12,700 pounds) and diesel (12,100 pounds) powertrains also offer plenty of capability.

If you want the best payload capacity, the best engine choice is the V8 (up to 3,325 pounds), with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 a close second (up to 3,250 pounds). The other powertrains lag well behind those two with the diesel rated at 1,840 pounds and the hybrid at 2,120. And generally speaking, rear-wheel-drive models can haul more than their four-wheel-drive counterparts when outfitted with the same engine, cab, and bed.

Regular Cab models have a payload capacity that ranges from 1,705 to 3,325 pounds. The latter number is achieved with the 8-foot bed, V8 engine, and RWD. When it comes to tow rating, Regular Cab models top out at 13,100 pounds when equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, 8-foot bed, and 4WD.

In SuperCab models, max payload ranges from 1,745 pounds (5.5-foot bed, 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, and 4WD) to 3,010 pounds (6.5-foot bed, V8, and RWD). Max towing capacity – 14,000 pounds – is achieved with the 6.5-foot bed, RWD, and the larger twin-turbo V6.

SuperCrew models can haul 1,760 to 2,900 pounds. As with the SuperCab, SuperCrew models haul the most when configured with the 6.5-foot bed, V8, and RWD. SuperCrew models can also tow up to 14,000 pounds when outfitted with the larger EcoBoost V6, regardless of bed length.

Which F-150 Model Is Best for Off-Roading?

Any F-150 model with four-wheel drive is pretty capable off road. Every trim offers 4WD, and select trims let you add the FX4 package ($1,005), which includes features like a locking rear differential, hill descent control, more rugged shock absorbers, skid plates, and a rock crawl mode.

The all-new F-150 Tremor is a great option for off-roading, as it's more capable than regular F-150 models, even those equipped with the FX4 package. Tremor models come with four-wheel drive, an upgraded suspension, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a front bash plate, a locking differential, hill descent control, and more. You can add even more upgrades: One-pedal drive makes rock crawling easier, and trail turn assist reduces the turning radius for low-speed maneuvers. The Tremor is also slightly wider than the standard F-150 for added stability.

The Raptor has traditionally been the best F-150 when it comes to off-roading. However, Ford has not yet released details on this trim for 2021.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

See 2021 Ford F-150 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2021 Ford F-150 is fully redesigned and remains one of the best pickups out there. With unmatched towing and hauling abilities, a lineup of powerful engines, a well-built interior, and easy-to-use technology, there are simply no holes in the F-150's game. That's why it takes one of the top spots in our full-size pickup truck rankings, and that's why every truck shopper should give it a look.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The Ford F-150 … gives buyers the opportunity to find a combination that suits their needs and their budget. Lately, the Ram 1500's eTorque mild hybrid system, near-luxury interiors, and huge infotainment screen have wowed the public. The Chevrolet 1500's impressive variety of models and engines and its outstanding 5-Year Cost to Own data make that truck easy to recommend. Yet the F-150 is still the best equipped for work and leisure, and no other truck matches the Ford when it comes to work solutions tech and convenience and safety features." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The new F-150 is a major refinement over the previous model. You can tell Ford put a ton of work into this new pickup truck, and it might be the most complete product the automaker currently offers. And while it may lag a bit in ride comfort compared to the Ram, it matches or beats that truck in nearly every other regard … Our test truck gave us just one of the myriad flavors of F-150, and showed that Ford should have no trouble maintaining its pickup truck sales lead." -- Road and Track
• "But what really struck me is the maturity of the whole design. Ram is making its pickups over-the-top nice in an effort to atone for years of trucks with crappy interiors. GM, meanwhile, is trying to masquerade what cutting edge tech it has in what looks like the same truck you've been buying for years, pushrod V-8s and all. Ford, meanwhile, feels like the manufacturer with nothing to prove. It just keeps listening to its customers, coming up with more useful and creative features, and packing them into a truck that just works." -- Automobile Magazine