2021 F150, what's the best all-round package?

torch

torch

Tech Guy
Staff member
Hey guys...

Toying again with the idea of getting into an F150. It would be my first truck. I kinda knew this already, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options, packages, etc.

What's the best all-around package? drivetrain? bang-for-buck?

It wouldn't be used for work
It would need four doors
I like gadgets but don't like to overpay for them

let me know what you think!
 
An XLT with Nav and console will give you all you need.
comes with enough stuff along with sync 4 and apple car play.
It will be cloth seats, but quite nice.
For what your using it for, I would get eco boost engine.
huge power and torq. you won't need.
these have good power and work well, normal use decent fuel milage for truck.

you go up from there and the sky is the limit after that.
you can get to 100 k in a hurry with high end units.
 
What Trevor and Hugh are describing sounds like a 302A package.
It’s the top XLT package.
I agree with their assessment and that’s what I have.
Cloth seats but heated and power seat and back for both driver and front passenger, remote start on the key fob, power sliding rear window and leather steering wheel all part of the package.

Request Sport package to get the console and console shifter and deletion of chrome and add dark charcoal wheels that match front grille.

If you are handy with smartphone, no need for Nav. anymore as you can use whatever you would use on your phone displayed on your onboard screen.
Just need to be plugged in but use touch screen on vehicle after that to control the screen.
Screen of the truck becomes extension of phone screen, including pinch to zoom.

Or get Nav for extra $800.

I agree Ecoboost are the two engines of choice.
2.7 pulls harder than 5.0 from a stand still.
Very good torque.
Something like 9000 lbs towing.
In Super crew can only be paired with 5.5 ft box.
If want 6.5 box, have to go up to 5.0 or 3.5 ecoboost.

3.5 ecoboost is tow king with around 11000 lbs towing and diesel like torque.
Nearly 500 ft-lb at low rpm.
Less troublesome than 5.0, believe or not.
These all come with 10 speed suto standard.

If you tow a lot, get Max trailer tow package which includes brake controller and heavy duty rear bumper-hitch setup, extra over regular tow package.

Or alternately, the FX4 package to get heavy duty front shocks as well as rears and have brake controller added separately.
This is what I did.
Only difference is regular rear bumper instead of heavy duty.
Regular trailer tow package is included in 302A package.

Some popular add ons are Bliss, inflatable rear seat belts if you have children or rear seat passengers, panoramic roof and tow mirrors.
Note: Bliss not available on tow mirrors.
It’s one or the other.

Only thing missing might be heated steering wheel if really important to you.
To get that you need to go all the way up to Lariat 502A package and that would set you back another $5000 to $8000 more depending on totality of equipment added.
 
Meh, best or worst is pretty subjective depending on your wants and needs. I prefer the V8 over the EB, prefer leather over cloth, prefer buying over leasing, prefer factory upgrades to aftermarket, heated seats are a must have, but I don't need a lot of gadgets, but they're available if you choose to use them just because they were part of the package etc etc etc.

Sometimes I think you'll pay more to option out a certain model than you would if you just went to the next model up and had everything included. Much like Marc's comprehensive summary, you need to list out what you want and whats available and strike a balance with what your budget allows. The Build & Price feature on ford.ca is pretty handy for researching the different combinations, and what is available with what package.

Years ago, I got into the habit of sitting down with my sales guy and ordering exactly what I wanted, as opposed to trying to find something on the lot that "almost" has everything I want. Price wise, its all the same, you just have to wait a while to take delivery, these days might be a touch longer, but still worth it in my opinion.

People can give their opinions on whats good or bad, but individual mileage will definitely vary.
 
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Rare you can find exactly what you want on lot and likely
even harder now with supply shortages. Normally it takes
6-8 weeks when you order, now more like 10-12
aalthough they are slowly catching up.

Nice to buy in spring so it can be cool and shiny for one summer
before winter abuse and first ding or two.
 
New for 2021 standard on the 302A package is the fancy key with push button start.

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Everything bellow gets the flip key and, what I find odd is the ignition switch has moved to the dashboard from the steering column.

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It’s an awkward angle to put the key in and blind behind steering wheel.
IMO wad easier to put key in steering column switch.
 
A few pics of sport models with console and floor shifter.
These dark charcoal wheels are 20 inch and are a $1000 option over 18’s which is are standard.
The 18’s are sane dark colour but have wider spokes with thin machined surtound edges.
Sorry I don’t have a pic.

The white is a new colour called Space white.
A very light grey hew to it like greyish eggshell.
I’m usually not a fan of white but this is quite cool.
I think I could do it.

These are both Lariats so they have leather intetiors.

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Here’s an XTR with all the chrome.
You can’t get floor shifter in an XTR.
Only column shifter.
No black interior in XTR either.
Just two tone grey.
Kinda medium dark and somewhat lighter.

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XTR interior.

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Here is an XLT 302A Sport interior with console and floor shifter.
This is a black or dark charcoal interior.
Don’t let sunlight fool you.

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I like the Lariat, but your getting onto some serious money at that point.
Trucks are not cheap anymore, likely a low end F-150
is in the 45-50,000 range and goes up quick with add ons.

My last F-250 LXT with a few add on's is in 65K territory.
don't take much to get into 80-90 k and they have several
100k trucks now.
 
I always found that Employee Pricing in July or August had what I thought were the best incentives for the F150.

Unfortunately no incentives for the Raptor, still waiting to see how it prices out, but certainly won't be any less than last year, R will be even more.

I have difficulties spending more on a pickup truck than I did for my first house. :unsure:

Then again, my first house didn't have a 700 hp supercharged 5.2L.
 
Ok, 2021 F150’s starting to roll in more regularly now.

Looks like BLISS is standard now on most units as part of Ford Co-Pilot Assist.
Also includes collision warning with AEB, rearview camera, etc.
Also adaptive cruise and lane keeping assist now also more common on low end units.

But you’re still paying for it all.
Base prices have all gone up noticeably.

That hike in base prices may prompt some to seek out leftover 2020’s if you can still find something that suits your wants and or needs.

One thing I have noticed is new regular rearview mirrors don’t have as good view as old ones.
Tow mirrors are unchanged.

Here is pic of old mirror above and new one bellow.
The difference is that 45 degree angle cut out at the bottom.
It doesn’t look like much bit it affects the rear view.

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So here is a pretty much apples to apples comparison I can show from two similar units we have on the lot.
Both are 5.0 engines and both are 6.5 foot boxes and trailer tow package, and both have consoles with shifter.
Both have drop-in box liners.

First unit, a 2020 Lariat 502A package.
It actually has heated steering wheel and heated rear seats that the following one won’t.
Colour is Blue Jeans.

As you can see the price is $68700 for a 502A with nearly $12000 in rebates and, lower interest rate at 2.49 as opposed to 2.99 for the 2021’s.

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If you like black interior, which most people do, notice the 2020 interior is all black.

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BTW, these rough country all weather floor mats are included in the above price.

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This is a comparative 2021, but 501A Lariat package.
So no heated steering wheel nor heated rear seats.
Colour is Velocity blue.
Both have the suite of safety features such as BLISS, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, collision warning and so on.
Both have the push start.

From what I can see, the only options the 2021 has that the 2920 doesn’t is the new for 2021 power tailgate, a $1000 option, and the trailer brake controller is already in.

The brake contrôler can be added in the 2020 for about $500 from the dealer at time of purchase and be fully covered by the vehicle warranty.

As you can see here the vehicle is $70000 plus and only a $7600 rebate plus that higher interest rate I mentioned above.

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If you like black interior, notice how the 2021 has rust or burgundy accents on the console, dash, door uppers and piping and stitching of seats.
It’s different from what we’re used to.

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No rubber mats included in the price of this one.

So, there are probably still a few deals to be had on leftover 2020’s.
It’s up to the client to decide if it’s right for them.
 
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