We’re spending the week with the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid, officially known as PowerBoost.
Our model is a well-optioned King Ranch trim coated in Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat over Java-colored Kingsville leather and equipped with the 601A equipment group ($4,560), plus many standalone options to boot:
- Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat ($395)
- Ford 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine ($2,500)
- King Ranch Chrome Appearance Package ($1,995)
- Tow Technology Package ($880)
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package ($995)
- Twin-panel moonroof ($1,495)
- 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard system ($955)
- Interior Work Surface ($165)
- Partitioned lockable storage ($215)
- Max Recline driver/passenger seats ($340)
- Wheel well liners ($180)
- Spray-in bedliner ($595)
The MSRP for a base 2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch is $59,755. Our F-150 Hybrid has $15,270 in options, which combined with the $1,695 delivery fee brings the total MSRP to $76,720.
The standard 3.5L PowerBoost engine, rated at 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, is mated to a hybrid electric 10-speed automatic transmission. Our truck also boasts four-wheel drive.
We’re spending a week with this very well-equipped truck, so if you would like to know more about it, ask your questions in the comments section, and we’ll reply as soon as we can, as part of our interactive review.
Ready… set… go!
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Comments
How’s the rust on the undercarriage? When you park it overnight- will codes pop up, truck not start or both.
I have not had any issues starting the F-150.
I’d like to know real-world MPG, per driving conditions: Hills, highways, city, stop-n-go 35-mph country roads…
Please, and thank you.
I’ve been driving the F-150 around the NYC-area suburbs and put about 150 miles on it so far. It’s registering 22 miles per gallon at the moment, but keep in mind it was pretty cold here until several days ago.
WOW 76K, who can afford these things. Let’s have a test on a truck us average Joe’s can afford !!
Several people have said they feel a shudder when shifting and or going from electric to gas and gas to electric. Your thoughts?
I wouldn’t call it a shudder, but the shift at low speeds from electric to gas is definitely jarring. It seems like it happens when the truck comes out of EV power while the 10 speed is shifting from 1st to 3rd gear. The good news is that I quickly got used to it. Also, transitions at higher speeds are seamless.
1) Can you examine the rear end components for rust?
2) How smooth is the transmission?
1. We’ll have some more additional pics on this particular F-150 uploaded soon, but I didn’t think it had an abnormal amount of rust on it. It’s most likely spent its time in the Northeast and it already had 5,000 miles on it by the time I was handed the keys.
2. The transmission is a but abrupt at low speed when moving from pure electric to gas. Other than that, it’s pretty smooth.
I think this truck will be a big hit for Ford. Of course a lower price would be nice and increase sales so everybody wins!
Can the Pro Power system supply 120 Volt while the truck is being driven on the road?
There is a 120V outlet in the back of the center console that can supply power, but that’s the only power source of that sort that can do it while the truck is in motion. To access the full capability of the Pro Power Onboard system, the truck has to be in park.
I buy a new 150 every 2 years. My newest will be equipped much like your test mule.
1) Can you feel the difference between the 430HP vs the 375HP or does the extra weight of the hybrid outweigh the additional power.
2) How many over-the-road miles/gasoline dollars will it take to recover the additional cost of the hybrid?
1. I’m not sure where you’re getting that 375 horsepower figure, but I can definitely endorse the PowerBoost. Acceleration is effortless, especially once it’s at speed.
2. That depends on a lot of factors, including how many miles are driven per year and the cost of gasoline. Keep in mind there are a lot of extra benefits for the hybrid that go beyond the cost of fuel savings, like the Pro Power Onboard system and the instant electric torque.
On a cold start, does the engine start or is it electric only until the battery depletes or the load demands more power? Does it have a start stop feature and if the battery need charging, does it start stop at idle?
On a cold start the truck seems to determine whether or not the gas engine needs to power on. In cold weather, the gas engine will pretty much always come on until it gets warmed up, then it will shut off if it’s not needed. In warmer weather the truck will start off in electric mode.
There really is no start/stop system in the hybrid – that’s what the battery is there to do. And as far as I know, it really won’t be depleted to the point where it wouldn’t be able to function when the truck is stopped. If anything, the gas motor would just run long enough to charge the battery at a stoplight or two until it could operate regularly, if needed.
My questions are more about the hybrid recharge part.
I have the exact same truck, just different color.
Do you have any info from Ford how much break peddle does it take before you are actually using the truck breaks. I know the light use is actually using the generator to creating drag for a slow down to charge the battery.
Is it better to lightly ride your breaks going down a hill for battery charge or let the transmission do the slow down? Both will add charge to the battery but don’t know which one would be more efficient.
They put a cargo camera mount focused on the bed of the truck so you can monitor any cargo you have, yet you can’t use it while moving forward at speed.
I am very impressed with my truck, I’m coming from a 2018 King Ranch 3.5 ecoboost and it was a great truck, this one is in a whole different lane up form it though. Increase in smoothness and very quite. The additional power is very noticeable.
You actually don’t need to even “ride” the brakes when going downhill, the truck does regen braking whenever it can. I would highly recommend turning on the EV Coach function in the driver’s instrument cluster, as it explains what exactly the truck is doing with its power management at all times – including the regen braking.
You right, I have use it some and watch the meter move as you coast and apply breaking.
I have owned other hybrids years ago and the breaks never wear out because stopping would first use the regen breaking, you had to use harder breaking before it would be brake pads and rotor breaking.
Never ride the brakes on long down hill roads. You’ll glaze the pads and warp the rotors if they get too hot. If you need to brake down hill for a long period you pump the brakes, that is for about 4 or 5 seconds you brake hard then let off so the brakes can cool somewhat. This was one of the first things you learned in Drivers Ed class when all vehicles had shoe brakes. Of been on down hills where for five miles the brake lights are on the vehicle in front of me
It’s great that the vehicle knows when to use regen braking and can make for safer operation.
Well, you can use light breaking with a hybrid because your not using the break pads. It’s using the generator to achieve regen braking helping to charge the battery at a faster rate over just coasting. This also slows the vehicle down like when it uses break pads.
I have watched my EV coach some to see when it stops increasing the amount of current while light breaking, was trying to tell when it actually starts using the break pads.
I want to know more details about the F150’s ability to power my house in case of black out.
I’d like to know the real efficiency of the truck in different driving conditions. Like in city, highway, towing if you did it etc.
Thank you
I’ve been getting 22 mpg in mostly stop-and-go suburban traffic with an empty bed and just my 150 pound self in the truck. I do not plan on towing anything with it.
What kind of gas millage are you getting so far? I’m going to order a Powerboost in July when my lease is up. I have a 2018 KR and I took a 2021 Platinum with the Powerboost for a drive, I was really impressed how much more quiet it was over mine. My only worry is going from a 36 gall tank to a 30 while towing my Travel Trailer.
Compare it a standard 3.5 Ecoboost in situations where the hybrid can do its thing. Both towing and not towing. How does the AC system work? Is there a standard alternator?
My 2021 Lariat Powerboost has a slight noise at low speed which continues sometimes when I’ve stopped. Can only hear it with the windows down. Kind-of a humming motor running noise coming from front of truck. Is this common with the Powerboost.
From your description, it seems that sound you’re hearing is most likely the ambient noise Ford baked into the truck to warn pedestrians and people of its presence in low speed situations.
My 2019 King Ranch is said to have 375HP. Am I incorrect?
You are correct sir! I thought you were referring to the 2021 model.
What is the payload for this vehicle? The payload printed on the yellow sticker on the driver’s side center post.
Payload is 1,830 pounds on this F-150.
Are you sure about that?? I have the exact same truck and my payload sticker states 1275.
On previous EcoBoost engines you couldn’t install a plow. Has that changed with the hybrid? I see you have the tow pkg, hopi g for the plow pkg as well.
The Plow Package still requires the 5.0L V8 and four-wheel drive for the new model. No word on whether that will change in the future.
I have a Powerboost Platinum on order and really look forward to tracking this.
I have to laugh at these people worried about rust on their rear differential assembly. I put cast iron pipes in 50 years ago that were rusted today I put them in and they’re still in service. Surface rust underneath the truck for the most part means nothing.. The truck itself is aluminum It can corrode but it will not rust.. years ago coatings cadium zinc what have you or normal but do the environmental regulations these are somewhat cut back.. So if you get under there with a spray can of undercoating when you get the truck and spray it to make it black if that makes you happy You should be good..
Can the AC run with the gas engine off?
How about on Max cool?
I spend a lot of time running the AC in Park.
I’m deciding on a new truck. I will be a truck owner for the first time.
The Ford F-150 hybrid platinum caught my attention.
Right now I drive a 2018 Lexus RX 450h and I love it BUT I need more cargo room for bigger things and kinda not happy about the mileage I’m getting.
My question is….. gas mileage
How good is the gas/hybrid mileage on the Ford f-150, how long can I go on a full tank of gas …can I go 4 to 5 days on a full tank before I have to fill up again or can I go 9 to 10 days till I have to fill up again? And how LONG can I go on a full tank?
like I live in california and I rather drive to Vegas then fly and driving takes 4 and a half hour to get there and it’s 278 miles there and back. On a full tank of gas/hybrid on my lexus RX 450h I get about a half a tank to a little less than half a tank usage when I get to Vegas, so of course when I leave Vegas I have to fill up again. My mom had a lexus ES 300h and that got GREAT gas/hybrid mileage, she’d fill up and by the time we get to Vegas she had used a little less than a quarter of a tank.
So again how far can I go on a full tank of gas/hybrid and how often do I have to fill up?
This should have all the info you need: https://fordauthority.com/2020/12/2021-ford-f-150-powerboost-fuel-economy-figures-confirmed-for-u-s/
Have you pulled a trailer with any kind of load on it yet?
Also, have you taken it off road, and use the 4×4 system?
I’ve noticed the screen is a very bright almost white background. Is there an option to give the screen a night view where it’s mostly a dark or black background? Or does it auto dim at night?
It has a night screen that automatically changes, you can also increase or decrease the brightness.
Can you figure out how to set a Tesla-like dog mode?
With the Powerboost engine and the Tow Technology package, what is the conventional towing capability of the F150 you are reviewing (7000 lbs or more)? Would having the Trailer Tow package rather than the Tow Technology package increase the towing capability?
Conventional towing is rated at 11,000 pounds.
The Tow Technology Package includes everything featured in the Trailer Tow Package plus more, so it would not increase towing capacity.
How is the hybrid for pulling a 7500 pound trailer 250 miles?
I am interested in a new hybrid F150XLT 4X4 for towing a camping trailer around 6k lbs. Can I plug the trailer into the truck at camp sites to run items including A/C?
What is the range for electric driving, time or miles?
I got 41 miles per gallon at 65mph on level and down slopped freeway.
When I reached my destination (about 20 mile drive), My fuel range went from 577 to 603 left to go. I average 35 mpg in town.
I am getting good at electric only acceleration and it feels like after 2 weeks the motor is getting stronger. It does even better with AC and daytime running lights off.