Credit: nomadsoul1 Via Freepik
The Ford F-150 is a certifiable juggernaut in North America. For over 30 years, it has been the top-selling vehicle of any kind in the US and this is part of Ford’s 4.19 million vehicles sold to dealerships in 2020. And in Canada, Ford’s flagship model has been the top-selling truck for over 50 years. It’s hard to think of any other product, in any industry, that can claim that kind of cross-generational dominance.
Some of its popularity is undoubtedly owing to name recognition. Over the last three decades, the name F-150 has become synonymous with pickup trucks. But partial credit goes to Ford’s tireless endeavours to tweak and improve their ultra-popular pickup.
Year over year, Ford makes small yet significant changes to the recipe, adding features, beefing up specs and – recently – adding a whole new engine option to the lineup. It’s no surprise, therefore, that when you drive the new Ford F-150 this year, you’ll experiencing some big, brave new ideas from Ford.
By tweaking the F-150 while keeping most things the same, Ford has produced the ideal pickup truck. Here’s why.
With Best-in-Class Payload Capacity, the F-150 a Workhorse
Why tinker with a great thing? Like past iterations, the 2021 Ford F-150 has a best-in-class payload. Its maximum payload capacity of 3,325 pounds is roughly 1,000 pounds greater than its leading competitors.
Of course, payloads vary according to which powertrain you choose, but even the 3.3-litre and 2.7-litre EcoBoost feature max payloads of around 2,000 pounds. Add to that a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds (for the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6), and you have a certifiable workhorse.
New Driver Assist Features Make the 2021 F-150 Safer
Part of the appeal of the F-150 is that, in addition to being a great work car, it can also be a fantastic family vehicle. Sensing this appeal, Ford has added a few driver-assist features that boost safety and improve driveability. Here are just a few of the features available in the 2021 F-150:
- ProTrailer Backup Assist
- Blind Spot Information System
- Automatic high beams
- Hill Descent Control
- Lane-Keep Assist
- and Pre-Collision Assist with Emergency Braking
Past safety ratings for the F-150 have been stellar. Although safety testing for the 2021 isn’t complete, there are early indications that it will continue its perfect score. s
Pro Power Onboard Turns Your Truck into a Mobile Generator
During the recent power outages in Texas, F-150 owners made use of a pioneering new feature on the truck to gain access to life-saving electricity. The Pro Power Onboard feature allows you to turn your F-150 into a mobile generator.
As Texans showed, the feature is useful in an emergency power scenario. But it also makes the 2021 F-150 a great choice for avid campers who want quick and easy access to a power supply wherever they pitch their tent.
These are just a few of the exciting new features and details in the 2021 F-150 – there are several others. Together, they make a compelling case for the 2021 Ford F-150 being the ideal pickup truck right now.
