Ford Continues its Tradition of Marrying Technology With Style
The Best Ford Vehicles for 2021
The Blue Oval enters the 2021 model year as an automaker that focuses almost exclusively on crossovers and trucks.
Ford has, in recent years, whittled its offerings down to its most popular models, which meant killing off cars like the Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion to make way for vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E and for the return of the Bronco.
And, for the record, what a return that is (more on the new 2021 Bronco below).
While we may lament the loss of cars from yesterday, there’s no denying that the lack of sedans and coupes in Ford’s lineup is a direct result of a long-term trend in consumer preferences.
In the market for a new vehicle for 2021? Have a look at our overview of the 2021 Ford lineup.
See also: best trucks for 2021, the best three-row SUVs for 2021, and the best sports cars for 2021.
1. 2021 Ford Bronco
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The Ford Bronco returns in style, and offers legitimate off-road chops. Pros: Handsome vintage style, powerful engines, true off-road abilities Cons: Can be expensive, may be too rugged for some |
Ford revived the legendary Bronco for the 2021 model year, this time as both a two- or four-door SUV and as a smaller crossover, known as the Bronco Sport. The new vehicle can be outfitted with two different engines, two different transmissions, and can carry a host of off-road goodies.
The Bronco is offered with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque as standard kit. A twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 is available, which makes 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a seven-speed manual, which includes a super low-range crawler gear for heavy off-roading. A ten-speed automatic can be optioned in.
2. 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The Bronco Sport is smaller than the normal model, but is surprisingly capable off-road. Pros: Clean styling, massive options list, real off-road ability Cons: Lacks manual option, price climbs quickly with options |
When Ford announced that it was bringing the Bronco back for the 2021 model year, it also announced the Bronco Sport, which is a smaller, friendlier vehicle. Even so, it’s got legitimate off-road capability that make it stand out from the crowds of mall-crawling crossovers on the market today.
The Bronco Sport line is powered by two engines for the 2021 model year. The base mill is a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with auto start-stop technology. It produces 181 horsepower. The optional engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with auto start-stop tech. It makes 245 horsepower. Both engine are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, though the optional mill comes with an oil cooler and a manual shift mode for the transmission.
3. 2021 Ford GT
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The GT is the pinnacle of Ford performance. Pros: Striking design, outrageous performance, handles like a dream Cons: Prohibitively expensive, almost impossible to find |
The Ford GT has grown into its own animal, after having been revived in the early 2000s as a tribute to the Le Mans-winning cars from the 1960s. The 2021 car gets new special editions and updates to its powertrain that make it even faster than before.
The GT is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. It’s a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder unit that produces a massive 660 horsepower. Power hits the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
4. 2021 Ford Mustang
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The icon returns for 2021 with a new Mach 1 model. Pros: Roomy interior, good value, solid performance Cons: Cheap interior materials, base four-cylinder isn’t rowdy enough |
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic vehicles of any type. After decades and decades on the market, the car has emerged as a clear winner of the muscle race between Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge, though Dodge’s Hellcat vehicles are wildly popular in their own right.
The 2021 Mustang is offered with a variety of powertrains. The base model comes with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that produces a surprising 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang GT comes with a 5.-liter V8 that produces 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang Mach 1 gets a bump to 480 horsepower, and the Mustang Shelby GT500 is offered with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque.
5. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The all-new Mustang Mach-E is a big step forward for Ford into the electrified future. Pros: Super high-tech, solid range, great feature offerings Cons: Is it really a Mustang? |
Purists are up in arms, but everyone else is excited. The Mustang Mach-E is the first all-electric vehicle from Ford, and it’s got performance, looks, and tech to pull in the buyers. The Mach-E is offered in several configurations, all of which come only with electric power.
A series of drivetrain options are available for the Mach-E, depending on the trim and configuration ordered. The vehicle can be purchased in either standard or extended range, and with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Standard range models can travel between 210 and 230 miles on a single charge, while extended range models can travel up to 300 miles in between charging sessions.
5. 2021 Ford Ecosport
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The tiny crossover enters 2021 nearly unchanged. Pros: Affordable price, decent feature offerings Cons: Aging design, soft handling |
The Ford Ecosport was already an aging fixture on the European auto market when it landed in the U.S. in 2018. Since then Ford has given the Ecosport minor updates, and that trend has continued into 2021.
Two engines are on deck for the 2021 Ecosport. The base unit is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 123 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded mill is a 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 166 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque.
5. 2021 Ford Edge
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The Ford Edge is a great choice for buyers not needing a third row. Pros: Sharp style, roomy interior, powerful V6 Cons: Pricey, dated interior |
The Ford Edge is likely nearing the end of its lifespan in the Blue Oval vehicle lineup, but it’s still a solid two-row crossover for buyers that don’t need the extra room. The spicy Edge ST features a rowdy V6, and most models can be equipped with the latest in driver assistance features.
The Edge’s base powertrain is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The Edge ST gets a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive can be optioned in.
5. 2021 Ford Escape
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The recently redesigned Escape is handsome and roomy. Pros: Attractive styling, great safety tech, spacious interior Cons: Can be expensive, not as refined as competitors |
The Escape got a thorough redesign for the 2020 model year, which brought a completely new look, a load of new tech, and an overhauled interior that has more room than before. Changes for 2021 are subtle by comparison, and amount to a few new colors, new wheel designs, and new infotainment software.
The Edge Plug-in Hybrid will be delayed slightly to accommodate for battery fixes after European models were plagued by fires. We expect the remainder of 2020’s powertrains to continue on into 2021. They include a 180-hp 1.5-liter inline-three, a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, and a 2.5-liter line-four hybrid that makes 198 system horsepower.
5. 2021 Ford Expedition
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The family-sized Ford Expedition rumbles into 2021 as a worthy premium SUV. Pros: Roomy cabin, strong V6, great capability Cons: Cheap interior trimmings, drives as big as it looks |
The Ford Expedition is the largest SUV from The Blue Oval and remains the solid, capable family hauler it’s always been. Changes for the 2020 model year are light, amounting to a few new features and wheel designs.
A twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 provides power for the Expedition line, sending 375 horsepower to the rear or all four wheels through a ten-speed automatic transmission. The range-topping Platinum trim level gets a power bump to 400hp.
5. 2021 Ford Explorer
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The recently updated Explorer is both visually appealing and useful. Pros: Smooth ride, plenty of cargo space, plush front seats Cons: Tiny third row, can be expensive |
The SUV that really started the craze back in the 1990s got a major overhaul for the 2020 model year. Because of that, changes for 2021 are modest.
Three engines are on deck for the 2021 Explorer. The base mill is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four that makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. There’s a hybrid, which uses a 3.3-liter V6 and electric motors to produce 318 combined system horsepower. The top two trims, ST and Platinum, both get a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. In the ST trim, the engine makes 400 horsepower and in the Platinum model it produces 365 horsepower. A ten-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive can be optioned in.
5. 2021 Ford F-150
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The new F-150 offers ultimate capability in a widely customizable package. Pros: Wide variety of choice, innovative hybrid model Cons: Gets pricey fast, basic models are very basic |
As one of the best-selling vehicles in the world, the Ford F-150 is an important model, both for the automaker and for the country. The 2021 truck has been completely refreshed, and will get a new hybrid model that offers incredible towing capabilities and great fuel economy.
Several engines are available for the 2021 F-150. The first is a 3.3-liter V6 that produces 290 horsepower. Next up is a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that produces 325 horsepower. Then, there’s a 5.0-liter V8 that is rated at 400 horsepower. Two different 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engines are available: One making 400 horsepower and a high-output version that makes 430 horsepower. A 3.0-liter diesel V6 is also available, which is rated at 250 hp. All models get a ten-speed automatic gearbox, and four-wheel drive is available.
5. 2021 Ford F-Series Super Duty
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The hardcore Super Duty trucks can be outfitted as full-on luxury cruisers. Pros: Solid functionality, comfortable interior Cons: Gets pricey fast, do we really need a luxury truck? |
Changes to the 2021 Super Duty are minimal, but it will remain at the top of the heap of heavy duty pickups. It’s got a wide variety of engine choices, and can be outfitted as everything from a stripped-down work truck to a massive luxury barge.
Three engines are available for the 2021 model year. The first is a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded V8 is a 7.3-liter unit that produces 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option is a 6.7-liter V8 that makes 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
5. 2021 Ford Ranger
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The Ranger’s got a smooth ride and a strong powertrain. Pros: Strong engine, nice list of standard safety gear Cons: Aging interior design, missing the exciting options that international markets get |
Though it’s a relatively new (re)addition to the Ford lineup, the Ranger has been on the international market for years. It’s starting to show its age against domestic competition from Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota, and the new Nissan Frontier should be right around the corner.
The 2021 Ranger is powered by a single four-cylinder engine. It’s a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four with auto start-stop tech. It produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
