Now that the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid has been out for a while, critics can see how well it performs after accruing significant amounts of miles on the road. This will help us determine if the Ford F-150 PowerBoost is a good option for long trips and family vacations.
Is the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid good for families?
Yes, the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid is a great family option. It has enough space for everyone, including the dog, and it has a great fuel economy. The Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
But after spending a significant amount of time behind the wheel, there are a few pros and cons to consider. The team at Cars.com has spent seven months behind the wheel of an F-150 Hybrid, and they’ve racked up 7,000 miles across the country so far to provide an accurate review of what living with this truck is like.
Potential F-150 Hybrid drawbacks
According to the Cars.com team, the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid has a bit of a bumpy ride. On family road trips with the F-150 Limited and 22-inch wheels turned out to be rough. While riding over bumps, jolts were felt in the cabin, ruining any chance for kids and toddlers to nap. But the F-150 PowerBoost received midyear updates, including an adaptive suspension that most likely improves its ride quality.
They’re keeping an eye out for potential transmission issues while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear and idling roughness. The power-folding shifty seems to be unsteady, but the dealership inspected the truck and noted that everything is fine.
The hands-on lane-centering steering seemed to have trouble recognizing when drivers had their hands on the wheel. This spurred warnings to keep their hands on the wheel when they already were. It was a potential cause for frustration during long trips.
What families like about the Ford F-150 PowerBoost
The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid proves itself as an excellent option for towing. While towing a 25-foot Airstream, it never lacked power or felt unsteady. Plus, the tech features such as Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Blind Spot System with Trailer Coverage make things much easier.
With the F-150 Hybrid, you get a 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s paired with a 47-hp electric motor and 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery to crank out 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 12,700 lbs and carry a payload capacity of 2,120 lbs.
Also, the F-150 Hybrid is pretty comfortable. It has massive seats in the front and rear. The Max Recline seats can almost provide a flat surface for napping, plus the climate control system is powerful and effective.
Use the Pro Power Onboard Generator to power your campsite. I used it to power a medium-sized camper. The lights, oven, AC, and more all had plenty of juice. The power outlets in the bed are very convenient.
An 8.0-inch infotainment system comes standard, but you can upgrade to the 12.0-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. You can opt for the wireless charger, Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. Plenty of USB ports are available too.
Key standard safety features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. You can add lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid is proving to be a pretty good option for families and daily driving. It may be a little bumpier than rivals, but it makes towing and adventuring much more manageable with plenty of space to keep all passengers happy.
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