Commuter Review: 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat Hybrid

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Regardless of whether you driving back to Burlington from an Algonquin Provincial Park break, are heading back to Calgary after exploring Kananaskis in the Rockies, or you’re on your way back to Montreal after backpacking some of the 82-kilometres of trails in Mont Tremblant National Park, things never seem to change — the traffic is gnarled and rather than clipping along at the posted speed limit you are creeping along at an agonizingly slow pace cursing the now-busy getaway traffic.

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Heading into 2021, the best-selling truck in Canada earned a total remake. While the rework was not as radical as it has been in the past, the revamped exterior and interior style along with a new hybrid powertrain and some nifty options do make the fourteenth-generation F-150 a better truck.

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The PowerBoost hybrid system blends a 3.5-litre turbo-V6 with a 47-horsepower electric motor that’s incorporated into the 10-speed automatic transmission. The result is a brawny 430 hp and 570 pound-feet of torque. The electric side gets its juice from a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that sits under the truck so it does not impact the interior space in the SuperCrew cab or the utility of the 5.5-foot box.

What’s impressive is in spite of the plentiful power, a payload of 830-kilograms and a tow capacity of 4,990-kg, the PowerBoost setup still managed to return a test average fuel economy of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres. Part of the efficiency comes from the fact the hybrid system uses electric power when the loads are light.

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The system worked to cut the consumption rate when inching along Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto. Not only is the road rough and a fair test of the F-150’s suspension, the traffic crawls along at a mind-numbingly slow pace. The good news is for the majority of the time heading towards the DVP, the PowerBoost was using electrons alone. Yes, this section of road is the focus of one of the largest mass-transit expansions in North America, but that does not ease the pain. Note to self: Avoid at all costs!

The hybrid system drives all four wheels through a two-speed transfer case. The system has two-wheel-drive high, four-high, four-auto and four-low. Generally, two-high is the best setting in fair weather; four-auto for slippery going. However, when venturing onto a building site grab four-low and it plods along unphased. The FX4 Off-Road package is a must here, as it includes an electronic-locking rear differential, beefier shocks and skid plates. Bouncing through the ruts left by the diggers and dozers you do feel the underside grounding out on the high points!

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The days of the old economy-class interior went away a long time ago. However, the F-150 Lariat’s rework underscores just how far things have come in that time. The 12-inch reconfigurable instrumentation is pretty cool and certainly functional — the look changes according to the drive mode selected. It’s supported by a large 12-inch infotainment screen that works with Sync4, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a serious Bang & Olufsen sound system. The blend gives it an undeniably luxurious spin.

This notion is supported by the seat comfort and the manner in which just about any driver of any size can set the right position. Credit the multi-way power driver’s seat and power adjustable pedals. Move rearward and its more of the same — enough width for three adults with massive amounts of head- and legroom. Left the rear seat and you’ll find a handy covered storage box.

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An oddity is the fact the shifter lever folds down into a cubby hole in the centre-console — just don’t leave anything in the cubby. When the shifter is lowered it allows the lid of the centre console storage bin to fold forward to form a makeshift work station. Cute, but a bit of a gimmick, as the driver has to twist awkwardly to reach the computer sitting on the makeshift desk.

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The latest F-150 arrives with are a couple of neat features — they add to the utility and ease a time-honoured chore.

The Pro Power Onboard option ($1,000) supplies 7.2-kilowatts of power through four 120-volt outlets and a 240-volt socket. It has more than enough juice for the workman on the go and camper alike. While I did not have a TiG welder or angle grinder handy, I did put the system to the test in an attempt to replicate glamping in Algonquin Park. The system powered an electric cooler, an espresso machine, a blender for the cooler side of life and a curling iron for my flowing locks. While there are plenty of charge-points throughout the cabin, plugging in a power bar saw it charge six smartphones at once.

There are multiple drive modes, including a rock-crawl mode with the FX4 package. For the most part, Normal is the best; Sport puts some zest into the drive and more weight in the steering. Detour off Highway 60 and follow Muskoka Road 23 and the sportier drive is ideal for the dash towards North Portage, through South Portage and then back to Hwy 60. Here the suspension soaks up the rough bits and the steering is, for a truck, rewardingly crisp.

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The second add-on is the Pro Trailer Backup Assist. It can be likened to trailering for dummies, well, at least it was in my case. Enter some basic information and turn a dash-mounted knob in the direction you want the trailer to go and the system does the rest. It parked a pup trailer without incident — normally I would have had to uncouple it and manhandle it to accomplish the same feat!

The latest F-150, especially in Lariat form, is a posh, comfortable pickup truck that’s not afraid to get its wheels dirty when it’s time to work. Adding the thrift of the hybrid powertrain and an onboard power supply turns it into a mobile workshop.