Have you driven a Ford lately? WardsAuto sure has. The automotive industry researcher’s been awarding quite a few of their 2021 10 Best honors to Ford Motor Company vehicles this year. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E garnered 10 Best wins for its electric powertrain, interior, and user experience, while the 2021 Ford F-150 received a 10 Best each for its Ford 3.5L PowerBoost V6 hybrid powertrain and interior. Now, the F-150 matches the Mach-E with its own 2021 Wards 10 Best UX Award.
“The all-new Ford F-150 is sensational for a lot of reasons,” said WardsAuto judge Tom Murphy. “With three available onboard generators, Ford’s latest infotainment platform, the slick fold-flat gear shifter and a 12-inch fully digital gauge cluster, plus the tailgate features, it has an excellent user experience that can be tailored for the work site or a night on the town.”
Using a 2021 Ford F-150 Limited to evaluate the truck’s user experience, WardsAuto judges were immediately blown away by what can happen with a push of the key fob. Namely, the power running boards pop down, the power mirrors unfold, and the puddle lights show whatever may be lurking in the shadows.
The judges continued to be impressed by the 2021 Ford F-150 once inside. Already thrilled by the cabin’s “level of refinement like that seen in high-end passenger cars,” per judge Drew Winter’s assessment for the 10 Best Interior honor, WardsAuto says the experience getting in the driver’s seat is a lot like piloting a jet fighter or enjoying a favorite film on a home theater system. The instrument gauge cluster alone contained plenty of Blue Oval magic, ranging from an F-150 animation at startup, to the screen fading to black when the engine is shut down.
In the physical realm, WardsAuto loved the retractable shifter, which folds flat as part of the Interior Work Surface system, as well as the switchgear for the radio and HVAC. Additionally, SYNC 4 also impressed the judges, especially with its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and its excellent ability to recognize voice commands. And the judges certainly couldn’t get enough of the 2021 Ford F-150 Limited’s collection of USB ports and charging outlets either.
