Bronco
Ford got tired of watching Jeep print money with its Wrangler, and so the Bronco name is renewed on this hard off-roader based on the chassis of the Ford Ranger. Looking to one-up Wrangler, the Bronco offers factory 35-inch tires and a turbocharged 2.7 V6. Like the Wrangler, it is available as a four-door or two door; both models can go roofless. The Bronco, however, does not have a folding windshield. Another departure: the side mirrors are perched on the fenders, leaving them in place when the doors are removed. Since the doors are mostly removed on the road, this is probably a good thing, but when traversing tight trails the mirrors stick out and perform no real function.
A 2.3 turbocharged 4-cylinder (300 horsepower) is the standard engine, and offers a 7-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. The 2.7 turbo (330 horsepower) comes only with the 10-speed. Part-time four-wheel drive is standard on all models; full-time all-wheel drive is optional. Both have a low-speed gear in the transfer case.
Advantages over the Wrangler: an available 360-Degree Camera, head airbag curtains, Automatic Emergency Braking, Post Collision Braking and Lane Deaprture Warning. 35-inch versus 33-inch tires, 6 bolt lug pattern versus five and a three-inch wider track will also grab buyers' attention. Finally, the Bronco offers up to 11.8 inches of ground clearance, an inch more than the Wrangler Rubicon. Jeep will make up many of these deficits, including ground clearance and 35-inchers, with its new Xtreme Recon Package coming out for 2022.
Bronco Sport
The new Bronco also gets a little brother, the Bronco Sport. As the Bronco is based on the Ranger, the Bronco Sport is based on the Escape.
Available only in all-wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic, the Bronco Sport comes standard with a turbo 3-cylinder and offers a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder on Badlands and First Edition models.
EcoSport
A new SE Appearance Package is offered, with 17-inch silver aluminum wheels, power driver's seat, an orange instrument panel, leather-wrapped steering wheel and unique black with orange trimmed seats.
Power driver's seat is no longer standard on SE; now it is part of the SE Convenience Package or Appearance Package.
Edge
The infotainment system gets a huge update, literally, a 12-inch screen is now front and center and voice control has been improved; now called SYNC 4A, it is one number and one letter better than last year's SYNC 3. SiriusXM satellite radio is upgraded to the new SiriusXM 360L, with more channels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto become wireless as part of the bargain.
A new trim, ST-Line, promises an all show and no go dynamic, aping the look of the high-performance ST model without any of the scary go-fast parts. This model appeared mid-2020 and is back for 2021. This is a trend that should go away. What's next? A "GT-Line" copy of the Ford GT, with the 1.0 3-cylinder from the FWD EcoSport? A "Lamborghini-Line" Jetta, with the body of a Huracán welded over a Jetta S? Proper credit where the shame belongs: "SRT-Design" Chryslers and Dodges over a decade ago. Sorry for the rant, but I want the exact opposite, I want a 1987 Plymouth Reliant K station wagon with a hellcat all-wheel drive powertrain from a wrecked Jeep Trackhawk or a base EcoSport with a Raptor powertrain; the new 5.2 supercharged V8, not the wimpy twin turbo V6.
Speaking of the ST (not the fake), it gets a new 7-speed automatic transmission. Usually upgrades don't have fewer gears (last year was an 8-speed) so expect this transmission to offer something more in regard to performance. It does include an active warm-up feature, which should mean smoother shifts more quickly in cold weather.
Power driver's seat is no longer standard on SE.
A spare tire is no longer standard.
The 180-degree front view camera no longer has a built-in washer and the windshield wiper de-icer is no longer offered. Rain-sensitive wipers are no longer standard on all models, only ST and Titanium.
The rear of all Edges get a new name-plate. SE and SEL lose their dual-tip exhausts. Most wheel designs are updated.
A few new accessories are available to let the Edge better keep up with its new brother and sister the Bronco and Bronco Sport. SkyBox, LoadWarrior and FrontLoader offer unique, rugged ways to carry extra belongings.
Escape
Last year, its first, the new Escape Hybrid was available as an SE Sport or Titanium. This year it is available in SE, SEL, and standard on Titanium. The confusing "SE Sport" nomenclature is no longer standard, but part of an appearance package available on Hybrid and non-hybrid.
Paddle shifters have been discontinued. A tire inflator and sealant kit is now standard on all models; the compact spare tire is now an option, not standard. Hands-free liftgate is no longer included with a power liftgate, but is standard on Titanium Hybrid and optional on the SEL with any engine.
Power driver's seat, rear seat folding center armrest, keyless entry keypad, power liftgate, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, rear seat climate vents and dual zone automatic climate control (standard on Hybrid) are no longer standard on SE, but part of the Convenience Package and/or Cold Weather Package. A heated steering wheel is now available on SE, part of the Cold Weather Package. Memory driver's seat and mirrors are no longer standard on SEL, but part of the Technology Package; wireless device charging is now offered on SEL as part of the same package.
The 110-volt household AC outlet is discontinued.
Expedition
A new STX model is based on the previously fleet-only XL trim; it is only available as a five-passenger in the short wheelbase.
A ten-way power driver's seat has been replaced with an eight-way.
Optional hands-free "Intelligent Access" now has sensors on the rear doors in addition to the front and tailgate.
Explorer
A new base model eliminates heated front seats, heated mirrors, and other standard features in order to offer a lower entry price for the three-row Ford. XLT offers a new Sport Appearance Package with 20-inch gray alloy wheels, grille, lower body cladding and liftgate insert. It also comes with chrome exhaust tips, "Explorer" floor mats, diamond instrument panel finish, and contrasting seat stitching.
21-inch wheels are now standard on Platinum. Interior materials are improved on Platinum, ST, and Limited.
Paddle shifters are no longer standard; they're included with the towing package.
F-150
All-new F-150 SuperCrew Limited courtesy Ford Media Center
The F-150 undergoes an engineering and light cosmetic refresh for 2021. Here's the changes from most important to least.
A completely re-engineered frame is not just tweaked; it even results in changes to the wheelbase of about half an inch.
A new hybrid 3.5 PowerBoost twin turbocharged V6 is both the most powerful and the most efficient engine in the lineup. It is rated at 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. And it tows, too: up to 12,700 pounds. The PowerBoost drivetrain comes in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and any trim from XL to Limited, but only as a Crew Cab. Fuel mileage with four-wheel drive is 24 city and 24 highway.
There are several other changes in powertrains: a 5 horsepower and 10 pound-foot improvement to the power and torque of the optional 5.0 V8, the optional non-hybrid 3.5 EcoBoost the retirement of the 6-speed automatic, fully replaced with the 10-speed.
A V8 is smooth and looks good under the hood, otherwise its lower power numbers than the 3.5 twin turbo and the new hybrid would make it completely unnecessary. At 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet this double overhead cam cousin to the Mustang GT engine is a choice some (semi-) traditionalists will still make.
To improve safety in severe collisions, driver and front passengers now get standard knee airbags to help brace the occupants and protect their legs from injury.
2021 Ford F-150 Power Center courtesy Ford Media Center
Trucks have offered household outlets in their beds for years, but Pro Power takes it to the next level: 240 volts. Typical conventional power outlets in vehicles can power devices up to 400 watts, but Pro Power can produce 800 to 4800 watts, 120-volts and on PowerBoost 240. It's designed to run professional power tools, but can be used for anything that draws large amounts of electricity, even an electric range.
2021 Ford F-150 SYNC 4 courtesy Ford Media Center
An optional 12-inch display is the centerpiece of the SYNC 4 infotainment center, which also boasts double the computing power of SYNC 3.
Optional Max Recline front seats can lay back almost 180° for nap time at the construction site.
Maximum payload is higher: 3325 vs. 3270 pounds. So is maximum towing: 14,000 vs. 13,200.
Only 50 years after the twist-top bottle cap was invented and the new F-150's tailgate includes a bottle opener.
F-150 Raptor
There is no Raptor, presently. That's because Ford, staring maniacally at the Ram TRX, is busy lubing the F-150's engine compartment so it can wedge the supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500 into the bay. The 3.5 twin-turbo V6 may return as the base engine.
F-Super Duty
No changes.
Mustang
2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with its predecessors Courtesy Ford Media
Mach 1 is back. A name from the past, the Mach 1 slips into the empty space left by the BULLITT, from which it inherits an engine (5.0 DOHC 480 horsepower). A rear subframe is taken from the discontinued Shelby GT350 , and the Mach 1 also gets the Tremec 6-speed and a transmission oil cooler from the GT350, but with the rev-matching capability present in the Mustang GT 6-speed. The Mach 1 gets its own unique grille, front splitter and hood and provides more downforce than a Mustang GT with the Performance Pack Level 1. An oil cooler for the rear differential is also added. An optional Handling Package includes even more downforce and wider wheels. Mach 1 is standard with MagneRide electronically adjusting shock absorbers. An engraved badge displays the unique chassis number for each car.
Ford Co-Pilot360™ is now standard and includes automatic high beams, Blind Spot Information System, Driver Alert, Rear Cross Path Warning, Lane-Keeping Assist, Pre-Collision Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Rain-Sensing Wipers. A rear seatbelt reminder is new standard equipment.
Garage door opener is no longer standard on Premium EcoBoost. Glove box light is discontinued.
Ranger
2021 Ford Ranger Tremor courtesy Ford Media Center
A new Tremor off-road variant is offered, maybe as a place-keeper, since rumors of disguised mules of an upcoming baby Raptor still float around. The Tremor, available only in SuperCrew body, starts with the FX4 Off-Road equipment, with 32-inch all-terrain tires, remote reservoir shocks and a dash-mounted set of six auxiliary switches routed through a power bank to run accessories like off-road lights or winches. The Tremor has an additional 0.8 inches of ground clearance. Additional Tremor graphics are also available.
A wiper de-icer is no longer available. Pickup box delete is also no longer offered.
Dual zone automatic air conditioning is now optional on XL.
New gray, blue and orange exterior paints are offered.
Shelby GT
The GT350, with its normally aspirated 5.2-liter flat-plane V8 is discontinued, leaving on the 760-horsepower supercharged GT500 version.
The adjustable strut mounts on the GT500 are no longer standard, but part of the Carbon Fiber Track Pack and a new Handling Package; adjustable strut mounts are typically used in setting up for track days.
Three new colors; four colors retired.
Transit
The big news for the full-size Transit van comes next year, when an all-electric version will attempt to head off competitors by Rivian. The electric motor will produce 266 horsepower directed to the rear wheels and provide a range of only 126 miles, which will probably work for many fleet customers. Larger batteries will be coming later.
The very short-lived 2.0 EcoBlu turbo-diesel option is discontinued.
An electric parking brake is now standard, except with dual rear wheels.
The front overhead shelf is no longer standard, but is still an option on medium and high-roof models.
You can optionally delete the defeat switch for the auto/start top feature. Okay, let's work this through: automatic start/stop is standard. whenever the engine is warmed up it turns itself off whenever the van stops for more than a split second. There is a button you can press to turn thi feature off, which means the engine will continue to run at stop lights and in traffic. The button resets after you turn off the van with the ignition switch. Now, you can optionally, leave off the button that turns off the feature that turns off the engine automatically. Got it? Good, then tell the rest of us.
Transit Connect
2021 Ford Transit Connect in Solar Orange courtesy Ford Media Center
The Lane Keeping system is now included when ordering the optional Adaptive Cruise Control. There are two new colors for the passenger version: Sedona Orange and Solar Silver.