The American automotive industry is dominated by full-size pickup trucks. This category is a hot one with the Ford F-150 and Ram pickups leading the sales.The air is thin at top. Truck coverage often overlooks the fierce competition between automakers to attract discerning customers by offering packaged bundles with standard and optional features. These packaged bundles are heavily dependent on in-car tech now more than ever.Ford must be the best seller and add value without alienating its most demanding customers. This effort is evident in the 2021 F-150, as I was reminded by a recent test drive. It also hints at the future all-electric Lightning pickup truck.The 2021 44 SuperCrew Lariat was equipped with a 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 PowerBoost engine. I drove it 20 miles from its original location in suburban Detroit.Custom packaging is a skill that car companies need to master in order to get pickup trucks' details correct. This is one reason why options packages can be so confusing. The F-150 that I tested was no exception. There are six powertrain options for the F-150, including three different bed lengths and three cab options. The F-150 also has eight trim levels.Ford and other automakers have benefited from this strategy that emphasizes options. These companies are increasing their tech and software offerings, which can lead to confusion among loyal customers.ScreensaversThe F-150 stands out from the rest of its lineup because it offers a lot of functional tech that is important to its core customers. The dashboard is centered around the 12-inch display, which houses the standard Sync4 infotainment systems.Sync4 was first introduced on the Mustang Mach-E as well as the Ford Bronco. Since its introduction in 2007, Sync has steadily improved to provide a more user-friendly experience. Sync4 doubles the computational power and introduces over-the-air updates to software.The INRIX data source is traffic, construction (always during a Michigan summer), weather, and availability of parking spaces from data in over 20,000 cities and 150 other countries.The system used natural language processing to provide more precise responses to voice-based queries as well as incoming SMS messages. A caveat: The machine learning algorithm was hard to evaluate because my test vehicle was used by multiple drivers over the past weeks.Apple CarPlay is my preferred option for infotainment. It connects wirelessly to the F-150 and reduces distraction driving. It was obvious that Apple and Google would be the dominant middleware infotainment systems in the market.Sync supports Waze and Ford+Alexa as well.Tech for drivingFord's camera technology makes it easier to drive a large truck. A split screen makes it easy for timid drivers to navigate tight spaces.Five cameras onboard act as guides to assist with parking and steering. The 360-degree view above from the top features vivid graphics that help to locate bearings in places where mirrors are not sufficient.A 12-inch digital cluster is hidden behind the steering wheel. I have a part of me that misses old-fashioned gauges from a classic pickup. But that is not Ford's goal. Ford is striving for future-forward vibes, encapsulated by Mustang Mach-Es Apple-design-inspired aesthetic.Ford's in-car design is a way to prove that it's a tech company first and an automaker second. As products age, these earnest aesthetic cues might seem a little too obvious.Blue Cruise will be introduced by Ford, the advanced driver assistance system it used to call Active Drive Assist later this year. This will be done via an automatic software upgrade. The hardware was still included on the vehicle I drove in June.According to Ford, the system can be used for hands-free driving in areas that stretch over 100,000 miles. It will be available as a standard feature on F-150 Limited vehicles with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Active2.0 Prep Package. The system will be available as an option on Lariat and King Ranch models, as well as Platinum models. As an answer to GMs Super Cruise, the system uses a driver-facing camera that tracks eye gaze and head position.These are the most important doodadsThe old-fashioned knobs and switches are hidden under the screen, which is a foot long. This shows Ford that its customers still prefer a manual cue. The shift lever folds flat to form a 15-inch desk, which I used to do some laptop work in my car.The cabin is equipped with numerous charging stations. The interior of the F-150 is large, but every inch is well thought out. For roadside napping or extra cargo space, the seats can be folded 180 degrees.Even though the vehicle was fully loaded, the dark grey leather seats felt more practical than luxurious. Crosstown rival Ram is more successful in interior design aesthetics and driving pleasure than Ford. Both the exterior and interior design are simple and emphasize functionality. Two kayaks were carried in the back. I found hooks that would connect to my bungee cords inside the truck bed.There are a number of outlets that can supply 240 volts. Two more outlets are located in the cabin. A handy ruler is included in the truck bed's tailgate. It can be used for both imperial and metric calculations. The standard hybrid model has a 2.4 kilowatt generator, while the optional 7.2kW generator can run for 32 hours on a full gas tank.Although I did not test the F-150's towing capability, these numbers are vital for truckers. The payload is 2,120 pounds, and the towing capacity is 12,700 pounds. These numbers can vary depending on how long your bed is and what drivetrain you have. The model also has a backup towing assistance function that aligns the trailer connection. The price of the model I drove was $68,095, which is a substantial increase from the base price of $50,980. Ford offers a Limited trim, which is a higher-end F-150, starting at $73,000.Form in functionFord's hybrid powertrain will give it a boost before going all-electric. It can compete with Ram or Chevrolet, who already sell hybrid versions. Customers who aren't ready to buy the full Lightning Electric Vehicle (EV) will be able to choose from the hybrid option. This is a sensible compromise that has already attracted 120,000 pre-orders. My average mileage was 24 MPG, which is a significant improvement on all-gasoline and the best in its class for non diesel. The Lightning is still not enough to give Ford a stellar emissions score card.Ford must please its existing customers in order to attract new EV customers. There are two types of pickup truck customers. Those who depend on functionality for their day or weekend work and those who want the ability in the event of a crisis. I found the truck to appeal to both.Buyers who use the F-150 for towing, home improvement and outdoor hobbies have always found it to be a good choice. Pickup trucks are also a great option for laborers who need a sturdy, functional vehicle. Ford's new model is a big deal. It creates excitement and raises the stakes for customers who are interested in making tweaks.The buyer who is looking for security was the one that came to my mind when I had the F-150 loaned in June. That's why I saved the section about how it drives. My test drive occurred during a severe summer storm in Michigan, which shut down major roads and left cars stranded for days.I was able to zoom around the city before the storm. I adjusted to the loose steering, wide turns, and the rhythmic stillness that occurs when the hybrid engine regenerates.After the storm passed, I slowed down and shifted to a steady, sure pace. My hands were at 10, and 2. I was able to maneuver passenger cars and less capable crossover SUVs along the Lodge Freeway in just two feet of water. The F-150 was unaffected by the mud. I experienced no skidding or stalling. This contrasts with a friend who had to walk home after her Uber driver became stuck. The F-150 is like a test case for survivalists in an environment disaster. The backup generator provides additional security.Full-size trucks are able to give drivers the feeling of invincibility. This is why F-150 owners love them and Ford's tough slogan. It's not easy to maintain a truck that is simple, yet delivers power, substance, and peace of mind.
