Finally! Ford announces the power, payload, and towing ratings for its new 2021 Ford F-150 truck lineup. Some of these numbers are surprising, but all of them are indeed best-in-class – at least for now.
2021 Ford F-150
Here are the highlights before we dig into all six powertrain options and F-150 Hybrid specifications.
- Maximum half-ton horsepower: 430 HP
- Maximum half-ton torque: 570 Lb-ft
- Maximum half-ton payload: 3,325 Lbs
- Maximum half-ton towing: 14,000 Lbs
- Maximum Hybrid half-ton towing: 12,700 lbs
Ford increased the F-150 maximum payload from 3,270 -> 3,325 lbs (a 55 lbs increase). If you are looking for maximum payload like this, you need to look at a two-door regular cab F-150 with a 5.0-liter V8, 2WD, and a 141.5-inch wheelbase (8-ft bed).
The maximum towing goes up from 13,200 -> 14,000 lbs (a significant 800 lbs increase). The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 held the crown for best-in-class towing at 13,400 lbs, until this new rating for the 2021 F-150. If you are looking for this F-150, it’s an extended Super Cab truck with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, 2WD, 3.55 or 3.73 rear axle ratio, and a longer 164.1-inch wheelbase (6.5-ft bed).
Take a look at the new F-150 pricing and many options.
2021 Power Specs
| Power | Torque | Change | |
| 3.3L V6 | 290 hp @ 6,500 | 265 lb-ft @ 4,000 | none |
| 2.7L TT V6 | 325 hp @ 5,000 | 400 lb-ft @ 3,000 | none |
| 5.0L V8 | 400 hp @ 6,000 | 410 lb-ft @ 4,250 | +5hp, +10tq |
| 3.5L TT V6 | 400 hp @ 6,000 | 500 lb-ft @ 3,100 | +25hp, +30tq |
| 3.0L TD V6 | 250 hp @ 3,250 | 440 lb-ft @ 1,750 | none |
| 3.5L TT V6 Hyb | 430 hp @ 6,000 | 570 lb-ft @ 3,000 | new |
There is more to these increases that just peak numbers. The engines that are now making more horsepower are allowed to rev higher (up to 6,000 rpm for maximum power). Maximum torque arrives a little sooner in the rev ranges than for 2020 F-150 trucks. This is exactly what truck drivers want – more low-end torque.
Competition?
Here are the top output numbers for competitive full-size trucks.
- GM 1500: 420 hp / 460 lb-ft of torque
- Ram 1500: 395 hp / 410 lb-ft of torque (*EcoDiesel w/ 480 lb-ft)
- Toyota Tundra: 381 hp / 401 lb-ft of torque
- Nissan Titan: 400 hp / 413 lb-ft of torque
F-150 Hybrid
The new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 electric hybrid is now the most powerful half-ton truck powerplant (not counting the upcoming 2021 Ram TRX). Both, the new F-150 Hybrid and the TRX are expected to reach customers in 2020. It’s a production-ready race.
The F-150 Hybrid is rated to tow a maximum 12,700 lbs and haul a maximum 2,120 lbs for a crew cab 2WD configuration.
Here is how each 2021 F-150 power option is rated for towing and payload.
| Payload | Towing | |
| 3.3L V6 | 1,985 lbs | 8,200 lbs |
| 2.7L TT V6 | 2,480 lbs | 10,100 lbs |
| 5.0L V8 | 3,325 lbs | 13,000 lbs |
| 3.5L TT V6 | 3,250 lbs | 14,000 lbs |
| 3.0L TD V6 | 1,840 lbs | 12,100 lbs |
| 3.5L TT V6 Hybrid | 2,120 lbs | 12,700 lbs |
