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I’ve written a lot about the upcoming PowerBoost hybrid powertrain coming to the 2021 Ford F-150. That’s because it’s a big deal. And sure there’s always the V8 grumblers who are so narrow minded in believing that pickup trucks can only be V8s or diesels. These folks haven’t even accepted the wonders and efficiencies of Ford’s EcoBoost technology.
For everyone else, the PowerBoost technology on the 2021 F-150 is truly exciting and a game changer for Ford. It's a big risk, but could pay huge dividends for Ford as they enter a pivotal 2021.
We now know, as confirmed by Ford, the fuel economy rating for all of the trucks across the 14th-generation F-150 line, including the PowerBoost hybrids.
With six engine options, F-150 offers customers the choice to create their own optimal balance of power, capability, fuel economy and affordability. In addition to the 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 full hybrid, available engines include the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6, 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 5.0-liter V8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V6.
I wrote a while ago about how the 3.0-liter Power Stroke was not selling well for the 2019 or 2020 models and how it might not make it to the 14th-generation family. That was incorrect speculation as Ford confirms the return of the smaller diesel engine, which in fact gets the best fuel economy amongst all the trucks on the highway. Let’s look at the fuel economy for each 2021 Ford F-150.
Fuel Economy For 2021 Ford F-150
Ford brags that the 2021 F-150 has the best combined fuel economy for gas-powered light-duty full-size pickups.
A few weeks ago we speculated that the hybrid’s fuel economy would hit 24 mpg and now Ford confirms that, in fact, it can get 25/26 mpg in the 4x2 iteration. The 4x4 will have 24 mpg combined.
Look at the chart below for the entire EPA confirmed fuel economy ratings for all six engines in the 2021 F-150 lineup.
What is the tow rating for the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid?
The excellent fuel economy rating is not the only perk of the PowerBoost engine. The 4x4-equipped PowerBoost F-150 can tow up to 12,700 pounds and haul more than 2,000 pounds confidently with 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque.
Add in the new technology of Ford’s Pro Power Onboard generator, which has exportable power capabilities ranging from 2.4 kilowatts to 7.2 kilowatts, and you have an F-150 with unprecedented productivity, according to Ford.
“Our team spent months living with and observing truck customers at their homes, on job sites and on the weekends,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford chief product platform and operations officer. “Using electrification, we realized we could now give customers something they had long wanted but didn’t think was possible – tremendous power, great fuel economy and all-new capabilities to make their F-150 even more productive.”
Pro Power Onboard is standard on PowerBoost-equipped F-150 with 2.4 kilowatts of exportable power on tap at outlets in the cabin and cargo box. The optional 7.2-kilowatt output provides up to 18 times more exportable power than the nearest competitor – enough to power everything from a tailgate event to a construction site.
When does the 2021 Ford F-150 arrive at dealerships?
The answer is, now. Early shipments have already started arriving at dealerships this week, with more shipments expected throughout the coming weeks.
“Customer sold orders are up over 210 percent from a year ago November, and dealer orders for stock are more than double the current production schedule,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing and sales. “It’s apparent that this F-150 is something that our customers both want and need.”
Dealers are enthusiastic about deliveries, as well.
“I’ve been selling Fords for 28 years, and I’ve never seen my staff this excited about a vehicle launch,” said Tim Hovik, owner of San Tan Ford in Phoenix. “The F-150 is the gold standard of trucks.”
With the announcement yesterday of the off-road Tremor package, Ford continues to drive excitement for the 14th generation F-150, which just won an accolade from Kelley Blue Book and, as I reported, is on pace to finish the year as the best-selling vehicle in America.
The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America for 44 straight years.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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