The 2021 Ford F-150 is getting tons of great reviews from critics. It’s been praised for its great looks, multiple trim levels, and ability to haul more than most of its rivals. The Ford F-150 has also gotten criticism for its expensive price tag.

The starting price isn’t bad for a truck, but it doesn’t offer much for that price. Higher trim levels quickly become far too expensive, and critics aren’t certain that the price is worth what consumers are paying. Cars.com has all the details regarding each trim, and how much you’ll pay if you want a decent truck.

The pickings are slim

The Ford F-150 might be the best selling truck in the world, but it’s beginning to lose its edge. The price is creeping up, but the lowest trim level doesn’t offer much in return. There are six trims and an astonishing 42 configurations, but you need to check carefully to see what you’re actually getting.

The XL trim has a starting price of $28,940. That’s not bad for a truck. If you check the full specs, you’re not actually getting much for that price, however.

This only seats three people. That’s fine for anyone who is single or a couple that doesn’t have a kid, but for everyone else, it’s a bit unrealistic. 

If you decide to upgrade to a bigger cab that can sit up to five to six people, the price jumps $4,000. That’s literally about $1,000 for each extra person. It doesn’t include some of the other upgrades available, such as the 5.0-liter V8 engine that gets better horsepower. The price only rises as you add more extras.

Things get expensive so fast it’ll give you whiplash

Ford is offering a lot of different configurations, but the extra packages is where the price starts to rise drastically. The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 which includes intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop and go, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, and connected built-in navigation adds $750 to the price.

The tow technology package includes pro trailer backup assist, a 360-degree camera, and an integrated trailer brake controller. While all those are great if you need to haul a trailer, it costs an extra $880.

The FX4 Off-Road Package costs $1,005. This adds a 4×4 FX4 off-road bodyside decal, a tray style floor liner, hill descent control, and off-road-tuned front shock absorbers. Off-roaders would definitely benefit from this, but that’s still a lot of money for most consumers.

Is the 2021 Ford F-150 worth the price?

There’s no doubt that the Ford F-150 has a lot to offer drivers. The mere fact that there are 42 separate configurations that allow you to buy exactly what you need is really cool. Very few automakers give drivers so much liberty to pick exactly what they want. Still, is the price really worth it?

That’s the question that consumers need to ask themselves. The F-150 has the worst resale value of any pickup on the road. That means once you buy it, you can’t expect to resell it for the same amount of money you put into it later on down the line.

The truth is, there are other trucks besides the Ford F-150, and some of them are much better for the price you pay. The 2021 Ram 1500 is the perfect example of this. It has a lot to offer and is more fun to drive than the F-150. While there is no doubt that $28,940 isn’t that much for a pickup truck, all of the pricey options seem like a way for Ford to advertise a lower starting price.