[Auto] 2021 Ford F-150 Review: The Truck Goes Techno

[Sxynix]

The world loves to paint pickup shoppers as old-fashioned grandpas with beer bellies and deep skepticism of modern technology – Abraham Simpson pining for the glory days in real life, essentially. But Ford seems to think that the stereotype just isn’t true, that thoughtfully integrated technology can make a truck owner’s life much happier. And after spending time in the redesigned (and award-winning) 2021 Ford F-150, we agree.

A modernized infotainment package, revised styling, new powertrains, and additional productivity features plant the new F-150 firmly in the modern era, with driver aids that wouldn’t feel out of place in a luxury car coming along for the ride. Even volume models like this F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 seen here get in on the action. There are a few problems, mostly related to Ford’s inane pricing and options strategy and its newfound desire to cheapen all of its vehicles’ interiors, but overall, the F-150 holds up as one of the best trucks ever.

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If the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 looks familiar, that’s because it shares most of its dimensions – and indeed its basic structure – with the sales champ that preceded it. However, none of its exterior panels are interchangeable, giving the F-150 a whole new personality that’s less aggressive and much more modern.

Up front, the LED headlights and foglights of our XLT tester get a C-clamp–inspired light signature that’s visually bisected by the front fascia trim. The new truck retains a distinctive stepped beltline, doing wonders for forward visibility and establishing a link to F-150s of old. Otherwise, the body sides are smoother and less cluttered (save the bulky faux vent on the front fender).

On our XLT tester, a Sport Appearance Package bundles an attractive dark-finish grille with black accents and body-color bumpers and door handles. This pack includes 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, but our truck came with 20s painted the same dark gray as the grille. Draped over Iconic Silver bodywork with black “sport cloth” upholstery, this truck is Terminator-chic – cold, metallic, technological, and imposing.

The interior’s styling gets a more comprehensive update than the exterior, thanks in part to a rounder center stack and gauge binnacle – the old F-150 was much more angular inside. The door panels are new as well, with the window switches moved from their old perches atop the windowsill to a more natural lower location. The F-150’s paddle-style interior door handles remain, though the cutouts are larger, to allow gloved hands to fit the space more easily says Ford.

The fresh design is done in class-average materials. Mid-level models get flimsy-feeling plastic throughout, cheapening the interior a bit too much. That concern also applies to the power-stowing center console shift selector – it folds flat when parked to create room for the unique Interior Work Surface console desk, but it lets out concerningly plasticky grumbles when moving up or down. Working in the XLT Sport’s favor are sophisticated door panel inserts that mimic the historical road map of Detroit, Michigan, Ford’s ancestral home. An American flag motif also appears on either end of every F-150’s dashboard when the door is open.

Comfort and space are a non-issue in the 2021 F-150. Since it shares most of its interior dimensions with its predecessor, that means it boasts 43.9 inches of front legroom (beating the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra) and 43.6 inches of rear legroom (beating the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tundra), as well as competitive headroom and best-in-class shoulder room front and rear. That said, nearly every crew-cab pickup in this segment offers space for four fully grown adults with room to spare.

Front-seat occupants will appreciate the supportive power bucket seats that come with the XLT Sport package, as well as cavernous front armrest storage, large cupholders, and a small cubby in front of the shifter for odd items (on some trims, this space is a wireless charging pad). A heated steering wheel and front seats were a godsend on a 38-degree morning – this is a truck for the Midwest, make no mistake. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of space, decent seat comfort, a fold-down center armrest, and huge door pockets, but unlike the Ram 1500, the rear seat doesn’t recline or adjust, and it’s not heated on this model. Pity.