2021: The Year You Build the Ford F-150 of Your Dreams

For years, automotive manufacturers have combined a healthy dose of consumers’ preferences, a heap of current industry trends, all the technological advances they can find, and a large serving of innovation, and put them together to attempt to tap into what drivers truly want. For the most part, this plan has been successful, and the evolution of the modern vehicle owes much to the public’s desire for “more,” from safety and driver assistance features and powerful engines that consume less fuel to convenience concepts, like independent climate control and cup holders. And when you step into a Ford dealership to explore the 2021 Ford F-150, the first “more” you’ll notice is the number of choices you have.

It seems that truck manufacturers have been paying attention to consumers’ preferences now more than ever, and from that, they have learned a very important lesson: there is no such thing as “one truck fits all.” So, with that in mind, while standard trims will be offered, as in the past, the released details of the 2021 Ford F-150 indicate that there will be plenty of available options across the lineup to help each driver create the truck they need. And today, we at Kings Ford are going to tell you all about these options. Let’s jump in.

The Lineup As We Know It

The 2021 F-150 is all-new, and Ford is proclaiming the 2021 model to be the “toughest, most productive F-150,” with plans targeting class-leading numbers in towing, payload, and overall horsepower. Those are big words, though, especially in the full-size pickup segment. What does Ford have up their sleeve when it comes to the F-150, then?

When Ford says “complete redesign,” they aren’t trying to spin a few updates into a “brand new” package. Every panel of the exterior has gotten a facelift. Starting with a fully boxed high-strength steel frame, the body of the new F-150 is constructed from high-strength military-grade aluminum alloy. The bumpers, the headlamps, the hood, the fenders, and even the tire stance all have been updated for better performance and a bolder appearance. Though seven trims are in the works, drivers will have 11 grille options, demonstrating how personalized the 2021 F-150 experience can be.

The trim levels start with the XL. While base trims are generally more workman-like and spartan than the highest trim levels, Ford created a base level that gets right to the point of productivity. To demonstrate this work-focused approach, touch screens, rearview cameras, more soil-resistant upholstery, new side-mounted tailgate cleats, and clamp pockets are built standard into all 2021 F-150s.

The STX trim is sporty and tough, with a blackout interior, sport-cloth seats, and the capability to take on a variety of rough terrain. The XLT trim starts the transition into luxury, with a larger 12-inch touchscreen that can be operated as a split-screen to handle more functions at once. It also offers a 40/20/40 bench seat and a fold-down console that allows drivers to customize their space to the day’s duties. The Lariat trim is a Ford classic, and the 2021 details emphasize just that, with leather trim and steering wheel and captain’s chairs adding time-tested comfort to the cabin.

The King Ranch trim lives up to its name, with touches of luxury, such as wood trim, heated and ventilated leather seats, and the classic King Ranch logo displayed throughout the cabin. Platinum trim drivers will be thrilled to start and end the day in multi-contour ergonomically styled bucket seats, surrounded by a truly luxe brushed aluminum, gunmetal, and leather interior. At the top of the line is the F-150 Limited. With soft-touch leather and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system integrated into the front headrest, the top trim promises to turn the F-150 into the penthouse office drivers have dreamed of- with all the functionality a tough truck promises.

All F-150s will include a touchscreen at least 8 inches in size, featuring connectivity to the new infotainment technology Ford will offer in 2021. This system combines voice recognition and cloud-based connectivity to help drivers stay in control of not just the drive, but of anything that might be on their minds during transit. The new Over-the-Air Updates technology provides safety and vehicle status updates in real-time, preventing a little something from becoming a major repair bill.

The available Navigation feature will tune in to your voice commands to help you find what you’re looking for. Need a specific tool for the job site? Your infotainment system can provide a comprehensive search for that item along with directions and traffic updates to guide you until that tool is in hand. And since no one has time to fuss, the F-150s digital owner’s manual can be accessed through the touch screen- along with how-to videos and in-depth guides to various features. These features are practically endless, but let’s get into what truck drivers are really interested in: Performance.

The 2021 Ford F-150 “More Power” Promise

Typically, the idea of “power” leads a driver’s mind towards the engine and what lies beneath the hood. The 2021 F-150 offers plenty in that regard… and then some. While the 2021 F-150 will likely include several engine options, only one is receiving pre-production hype, and rightly so. An all-new 3.5L PowerBoost full hybrid V6 powertrain has been revealed as the mighty engine to look forward to in 2021. This engine will be available on every trim, and the specs are receiving plenty of attention. Combining an EPA-estimated range of 700 miles per tank of gas, and the ability to tow up to 12,000 pounds, this system has it all.

The 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission includes an integrated 35-kilowatt/47-horsepower electric motor with truck-specific software with towing and hauling modes to help with the power needed to facilitate big moves. Regenerative braking energy assists in recharging the 1.5 kilowatts/hour lithium-ion battery that is neatly packaged under the truck, making the “battery bump” essentially invisible to passengers and cargo. While previous full hybrid systems couldn’t handle a full-sized truck’s extreme lifestyle, given the sensitivity to temperatures and heavy loads, the PowerBoost V6 system is designed to cope with all of the F-150s regular job duties.

Another power feature will debut on the 2021 Ford F-150: Pro Power Onboard. This feature allows drivers to export power from the engine to the worksite, functioning as a mobile generator to provide up to 7.2kW of power where it’s needed with a multi-adaptor power pack. The available zone lighting feature allows drivers to turn on specific sections of the F-150s exterior lighting to spotlight any after-dark jobs. From helping you set up camp to finishing the last dig of the day, targeted lighting that doesn’t drain the battery doubles productivity with one tap of the screen.

Awe-Inspiring Options

Not the least of the many choices drivers will have when building their ideal 2021 Ford F-150 are the many brand-new bells and whistles, so to speak. Everyone wants the latest and greatest, and the ala carte options for the 2021 F-150 are plentiful.

A tailgate work surface option adds rulers and organizers to the truck’s bed, holding onto important items like phones, small items like pencils, and the crucial things, like a cup holder for that morning joe. The interior work surface feature is another pledge to improved productivity. Available on both bench seat and captain’s chair configurations for all trims, this surface allows drivers to stow the console shifter with a push of a button, revealing a surface large enough for a 15-inch laptop, lunch, or the plans for the job site.

Among the ten new driver-assist and safety features available in 2021, the F-150 is the only pickup that will offer active drive assist. Known better by the familiar phrase “hands-free driving,” active drive assist has over 100,000 miles of divided highways across the US and Canada programmed into its database. Aided by a driver-facing camera to ensure drivers are paying attention to the road, this feature will take care of the basic functions of driving. The 2021 F-150 is truly a step into the future.

The Most Powerful and Productive F-150 to Date

All in all, the 2021 Ford F-150 is set to take the full-size pickup segment by storm. Ford has its eyes on several “Best in Class” awards and based on the choices offered to drivers, it seems likely that the consumers will agree. Will this be the most powerful, most productive F-150 to date? Though every driver will have a different way of defining “the most,” with the high number of choices, options, and customizations available to 2021 F-150 drivers, it seems that each driver will have the opportunity to create their own dream truck, with the “most” of everything they need.