2021 F-150 Delivers More Performance, Tech & Comfort!
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Don’t miss our full reviews of the 2021 F-150 King Ranch V8 and F-150 XLT PowerBoost (First Hybrid F1-150!)
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2021 F-150 XLT PowerBoost (Hybrid 3.5L EcoBoost)
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Overall, we loved our time with the XLT PowerBoost (full review HERE). One of the F-150’s best-selling trims, the XLT is comfortable, ergonomic and generally well-appointed despite its basic interior. In short, it’s the best XLT interior ever, but this comes at a cost. SuperCrew 4×4 XLTs start in the low $40K range, but our Rapid Red press loaner added nearly $20 GRAND in options, which puts you in Lariat territory.
We also flipped over the new PowerBoost drivetrain option. With 430hp and 570 lb.-ft. of torque, it’s the quickest F-150, well, ever. MotorTrend says it’ll hit 60mph in 5.2 seconds. It also pulls like a diesel and handles well for a truck in corners. Fuel economy also impressed — we managed 18+ mpg despite hundreds of miles of extremely harsh driving, on and off-road. It’s our pick for the best F-150 engine of the year.
2021 F-150 King Ranch (5.0L Coyote V8)
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The new V8-powered King Ranch (full review HERE) is also a winner. Our loaner was priced in the mid $70K range, which is high. But it was decked out with almost every option, making it more of a country-styled Limited. Much like the XLT above, the King Ranch interior has never been more luxurious. Better leather. Cleaner designs. (And over 70 King Ranch logos.) We loved the heated, cooled, and massaging seats as well as the B&O UNLEASHED sound system.
Ford also revised the venerable 5.0L Coyote V8 engine for 2021, bumping power to 400hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Another new feature is cylinder deactivation, which turns the V8 into a four-cylinder when cruising on the highway. The goal is to improve fuel economy, but similar technology has caused problems at other OEMs. Still, the Coyote sounds incredible, especially with an aftermarket exhaust.
Is it The Best engine for a 5,000-lb 4×4? No, both 3.5L options are faster thanks to the added torque. But Coyote-powered F-150s are still reasonably quick (especially compared to earlier V8s) and you could always slap something like a Rousch supercharger on it to get back your bragging rights over EcoBoost buyers.