Auto manufacturers have been competing for the past several years to add hybrid and electric vehicles to their product lines. Pickup trucks are the latest market to get behind hybrid technology, with the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid being the newest addition to the growing field.

The Ford F-150 Hybrid offers brand reliability along with increased fuel economy, advanced technology, design changes, and improved features.

The anticipated success of the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid is expected to rival the F-150 diesel, which has become a standard in the light-duty pickup truck industry.

Performance capabilities

The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid has truck enthusiasts excited to see what’s under the hood.

Ford combined the power of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gas engine with the electric hybrid PowerBoost powertrain. The 10-speed automatic transmission is integrated into the hybrid system to create 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. It is the most powerful setup among F-150 trucks.

MotorTrend reported that the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid “performs better than most other models in the F-150 lineup, while edging out all the gasoline-fueled variants of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 pickups.” Impressed with the new Ford truck, they stated, “The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid also is more efficient than any Toyota Tundra or Nissan Titan you can buy.”

Competition for the F-150 diesel pickup truck

The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the F-150 Hybrid is 24/24/24 mpg city/highway/combined. The rating makes it a true competitor of the Ford 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 diesel engine, which gets 21/28/24 mpg.

The 440 lb-ft of torque that the diesel model puts out doesn’t compare to the 570 lb-ft from the hybrid version. The 430 hp of the hybrid also puts the 250 hp from the diesel to shame.

Drivers at PickupTrucks.com tested the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid and were pleasantly surprised to find “the truck’s desire to keep itself in electric mode.” Impressed by “stunning acceleration,” they also appreciated the “quiet and serene voyage” at lower speeds.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid offers superior performance capabilities that also rivals the Ford 5.0-liter V8, which offers 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque.

How much can the Ford F-150 Hybrid tow?

The F-150 Hybrid has a maximum towing capacity limit of 12,700 pounds with the 4×4 Max Trailer Towing Package. Without this package, the truck can still handle 11,000 pounds.

In Tow/Haul Mode, the F-150 handles downhill slopes with ease, with automatic downshifts and engine braking. The truck accelerates effortlessly from a standing start, with increased power going up steep grades.

The Hybrid model is noticeably more responsive than the diesel variant, and the extra torque increases performance.

A cost comparison between the hybrid and diesel models

The entry-level Ford F-150 XL has a starting price of $30,635, being the first time Ford has listed its base model pickup above $30,000. The top-of-the-line Limited trim has an MSRP of $75,520, a more than $3,000 increase compared to last year’s model.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid has a starting price of $35,130. The powertrain is available on all trims with a $4,495 add-on cost for the hybrid variant. 

The 2021 Ford F-150 base model XL, equipped with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, has a $3,800 surcharge, making the starting price $34,435. The 5.0-liter V8 costs an additional $3,000, with a starting price of $33,635. The 2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke V6 diesel has an MSRP of $43,020. 

The lower price of the Ford F-150 Hybrid compared to the Power Stroke V6, combined with enhanced performance capabilities and increased fuel savings may just give the diesel F-150 a run for its money.