2021 Ford F150 Powerboost Review
2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost
Specs: 3.5 Liter Twin Turbo V6 with Hybrid Assist
430 HP / 570 ft-lbs of TQ
0-60: 5.3 Seconds
Base Price with Powerboost: $52,050
—
Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
One would assume Ford would play itself safe when developing a new generation of the venerable F150. It would be easy for them just to trudge along and make minimal changes…you know…so you don’t rock the proverbial boat. But nope.
Every generation F150 seems to make gigantic technological leaps that drags the entire industry kicking and screaming into the future. The last generation was all about lightweight body panels, turbo charging and implementing enough user friendly tech to make the F150 a viable family car alternative. And it worked! The 13th (!) generation F150 sold over 5 million units in the span of 6 years!
This 14th generation takes the ‘tech forward’ thinking of the latter generation and pulls out all the stops! This generation’s goal is to grab the automotive industry by the collar and drag them to the electrified future.
“This PowerBoost F150 is a stepping stone to what we all know is going to happen…a fully electric F150. It’s coming and this is the beginning. ”
But let’s talk the ‘now’. This PowerBoost power plant is not just a mere sidestep until a fully EV drivetrain gets matured…it’s a fully fledged…powerhouse. Literally.
Starting with the ubiquitous 3.5 liter twin turbo V6 then adding a 35 kw DC motor with a 1.5 kWr battery pack (whew). Gives the Powerboost 430 HP and a stout 570 TQ. With all of the torque available immediately…it launches the Powerboost to 60 in only 5.3 seconds! Which is pretty much on par with it’s screamy, jumpy cousin…the Raptor! But it is not all about powah…the Powerboost is smooth, creamy and a delight to drive around town.
Driving in EV mode is unique if not eerie experience. It is due to the fact something this massive should create vortex of noise around it and in EV mode…it doesn’t. It just silently cruises along and it’s brilliant. Then when the roads open up…plant your foot to the floor and hold on. The power delivery is unending…from a stop, to a roll…to highway passing. It’s un-freakin-relenting!
BUT, the most brilliant part of the PowerBoost…is the fact it’s mobile powerstation. That DC motor, battery and coupled with the gas engine…creates rolling power generator. With enough juice to power a worksite or enough household accessories if a storm hits. The PowerBoost is the ultimate practical safety net! As long as you have gas…you have power. During the winter storm that hit Texas, Ford loaned it’s fleet of Powerboost F150s to help with the power outages and it was a life saver! So, the PowerBoost equipped F150 is your ultimate safety net if all goes to shit. Click below to learn more and what it can power and let’s go ahead and break it down!
The Great
The Powerboost is not just a boring hybrid system. It’s a rolling powerstation that can power your house if fecal matter hits the fan. It’s a sledgehammer of torque and horsepower that will make the guy in the Raptor look over twice. It’s a silent EV cruiser that takes the weight of the world off of your shoulders.
The Good
Ford’s new SYNC4 infotainment is beautifully rendered, easy to use and huge. Pair that actually physical redundant controls, makes it one of the easiest new vehicles to master.
The Bad
The new F150 interior is not ‘bad’ per se but neither is it class leading. It’s mediocre…it’s middle of the pack. It’s not as good as the Ram nor is it as bad as the GM twins. It’s just there.
The gauge cluster is a bit of a confusing mess to look at and learn. The font for the Tach and the Speedo is just cartoony looking and doesn’t fit with this truck at all.
The looks of this new F150 is just forgettable. The new headlight treatments look just off, the rear end looks like a Titan and overall it’s honestly a misstep compared to the 2016 bodystyle.
The Ugly
The 10 Speed Automatic is clunky, jerky and lacks all smoothness in low speeds.
Switching from EV to Gas and vice versa causes the F150 to buck each and everytime.
The ride quality on our Lariat was jittery, busy and just unrefined compared to the likes of the Ram and even the GM twins.
Overall:
The Powerboost is a revolutionary leap in truckdom. But take that away and you have:
- A jerky Transmission
- Clunky drivetrain switching (EV to Gas)
- Mediocre Interior
- Cartoony Gauges
- The last generation F150 somehow looks more modern.
