Car Buyer Labs

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A blue 2022 Ford F-150 STX is shown parked at a campsite towing a silver camper.

Up Close and Personal With America’s Best-Selling Truck

Are you part of the Ford legacy? If not, it might be time to venture over to your local Ford F-150 dealership to discover everything America’s best-selling truck has to offer. For the last four decades, the F-150 has been America’s top choice for getting the job done and embodies the legacy that Henry Ford established in the early 1900s with his vision to put the world on wheels. It embodies the “Built Ford Tough” motto and has proven time and time again that it can handle every task at hand, whether that means towing heavy equipment from one job site to another, navigating your daily commute, picking up the kids from school, or heading down the trail for a weekend adventure in the woods. This versatility is what makes the F-150 an American icon and a true road warrior.

The Heartbeat of the F-150: A Reflection of Spectacular Innovation

The Ford TT’s debut in 1917 marked a significant shift for the automaker and the culmination of Henry Ford’s diligence to design a capable and practical workhorse for Americans. That moment laid the foundation for the F-150 and put Ford on a trajectory of constant innovation to meet the evolving demands of its customers. Over the last century, Ford’s truck lineup has continuously improved with cutting-edge technology and widespread advancements that make models like the F-150 smarter, more capable, and more powerful than ever before.

We see this innovation in the 2021 F-150’s EcoBoost powertrain lineup. Ford introduced the EcoBoost V6 engine in 2011 to widespread acclaim because, for the first time, an engine delivered efficiency without sacrificing power. Over the last decade, this balance has only improved with the latest 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering 400 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque, and a best-in-class tow rating of 14,000 pounds on the 2021 F-150. Opting for the high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost takes this power to the next level, Raptor style, to deliver 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.

Ford’s remarkable 3.5-liter EcoBoost isn’t your only option for power; in fact, there are six other choices, all of which are truly spectacular and reflect Ford’s ability to give drivers a wide range of power to meet their performance needs. The all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 is a great example of this and delivers 430 horsepower, 570 lb-ft of torque, and a towing maximum of 12,700 pounds. Ford’s tried and true 3.0-liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel continues to shine with its 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, making it more than capable of hauling up to 12,100 pounds.

For jaw-dropping power, look no further than Ford’s legendary 5.0-liter V8. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the V8 delivers 400 horsepower, 410 lb-ft of torque, and a best-in-class payload of 3,325 pounds. If you don’t need this level of power, you’ll be surprised to find the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 might be the smallest in the lineup, but it’s more than capable. Constructed with high-strength compacted graphite iron, the lightweight engine delivers 325 horses and 400 lb-ft of torque for impressive acceleration, responsiveness, and handling.

A man is shown working in the cab of a 2021 Ford F-150.

The Functionality of the F-150: Features That Help You Work Smarter

One of the perks of shopping for an F-150 is knowing that you’re getting a truck that’s not only “Built Ford Tough” but one that helps you work smarter, not harder. There’s no greater example of this than the functional features you’ll find on the 2021 F-150. These features range from integrated power outlets and a multifunction tailgate to trailering tools that make towing heavy loads hassle-free.

Pro Power Onboard

Pro Power Onboard is a great example of the F-150’s functionality and versatility because it turns the truck into a power source with integrated outlets in the cab and box. Ford gives you a choice between three outputs – 2.0 kW, 2.4 kW, and 7.2 kW – that can jumpstart any job, party, or campout by powering everything from small tools to portable camping stoves and more. Realistically speaking, Ford promises the feature delivers enough energy to power the tools needed at an entire job site or 28 traditional refrigerators. This makes the F-150 the only truck in the segment with this level of usable power.

Onboard Scales

The F-150 is designed to work hard and give you the confidence you need to complete the job at hand. This is the inspiration behind first-in-class features like Onboard Scales. Instead of guesstimating your load, the tool automatically calculates the weight of your load and puts the information in a convenient LED display in the taillamps, in the FordPass app, and on the SYNC 4 touchscreen display inside the cabin. This minimizes the risk of overburdening the truck and risking the safety of yourself and your cargo.

Trailering Technology

While exclusive features like Onboard Scales give you the confidence you need when hauling items in the bed, the F-150’s innovative trailering technology serves the same purpose when towing a heavy load. The Smart Trailer Tow Connector tells you everything you need to know about your trailer, like if the brake lamps or turn signals need to be replaced. Smart Hitch helps you expertly line up the truck with the trailer to make hooking up easier than ever.

The F-150’s Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist are two exclusive features that set the F-150 apart from its competitors. Trailer Reverse Guidance relies on the F-150’s cameras to give you multiple views around the truck and trailer with guidelines that make it easier to navigate the rig in reverse. Pro Trailer Backup Assist minimizes the hassle of backing up a trailer by letting you turn a dial on the dashboard to seamlessly navigate the trailer in reverse regardless of your skill level.

SYNC 4

The F-150’s 12-inch center touchscreen display is home to Ford’s revolutionary SYNC 4 infotainment system. The system provides over-the-air updates that ensure the F-150 is operating on the latest software, eliminating the need to visit the dealership for vital updates. The SYNC 4 system also puts everything you need within eyesight and at your fingertips, from smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to turn-by-turn navigation, the digital F-150’s owner’s manual, and a host of apps that keep you connected and informed when you’re behind the wheel.

A black 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat is shown parked on dirt after leaving a Ford F-150 dealership.

The Best-Kept Secret of America’s Best-Selling Truck

With the Ford F-150 holding its title as the best-selling truck in America for over four decades, many wonder what the secret is to the truck’s success. If you’ve ever owned an F-150, you know the answer. It’s not only a capable workhorse, but it’s one of the most advanced trucks on the road, thanks to Ford’s commitment to innovation. The F-150 is a true reflection of Ford’s ability to constantly evolve to meet the demands of its drivers.

The 2021 F-150 continues this evolution as the most powerful, most productive, most versatile, and most capable F-150 ever built. From its impressive multi-engine lineup to renowned technology like SYNC 4 and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, the newest iteration in the F-150 lineup is designed to work with you and for you, ultimately revolutionizing how we live, work, and play. It’s the truck that continues Henry Ford’s legacy of putting America and the rest of the world on capable, long-lasting wheels.