“The F350 diesel is a good, powerful truck for pulling heavy trailers. It has good (fast) pick up speed. It is well built and the interior is comfortable and roomy for large adults.”
2021 Ford F-250: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Ford F-250 is a light trim-equipment update, not a redesign. The main change is standard adaptive steering on Limited; otherwise, the truck mostly carries over from 2020.
About the 2021 Ford F-250
4th generation Super Duty (2017-2022); 2021 is the second year after the major 2020 update and the last full model year before the all-new 2023 redesign.
Ford positions the F-250 Super Duty as a heavy-duty pickup for real work and serious towing, but with a wide enough spread of trims to cover both fleet use and personal hauling. The core pitch is Built Ford Tough durability, big payload and trailer ratings, strong gas and diesel V8 choices, and trailer-focused tech. Against rivals, the F-250 stands out for how broadly it spans the market, from basic job truck to full luxury tow rig.
The lineup ranges from the work-focused XL, with vinyl flooring and a simple bench-seat cabin, to the XLT, which adds an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and trailer-focused safety features. Lariat brings more comfort, while King Ranch and Platinum add distinct luxury cabins. Limited sits at the top with a standard 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8, adaptive cruise control, navigation, and a twin-panel moonroof.
What changed, by category
Tech
Limited gains adaptive steering as standard equipment.
Safety
Lane-departure warning changes from standard equipment to an option on XLT.
2021 Ford F-250 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter / V8, 7.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter / V8, 7.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter / V8, 7.3 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter / V8, 7.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter / V8, 7.3 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.7 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 10-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/SelectShift & TorqShift-G | Automatic, 10-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/SelectShift & TorqShift-G | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Flexible Fuel / Diesel / Gas | Flexible Fuel / Diesel / Gas | Flexible Fuel / Gas / Diesel | Diesel | Flexible Fuel / Diesel / Gas | Flexible Fuel / Gas / Diesel |
| Horsepower | 385–475 hp | 385–475 hp | 385–475 hp | 475 hp | 385–475 hp | 385–475 hp |
| Torque | 430–1050 lb-ft | 430–1050 lb-ft | 430–1050 lb-ft | 1050 lb-ft | 430–1050 lb-ft | 430–1050 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 15000 lb | 15000 lb | 15000 lb | 20000 lb | 15000 lb | 15000 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 33.5–43.6 in | 33.5–43.6 in | 33.5–43.6 in | 43.6 in | 43.6 in | 43.6 in |
| Seats | 3–6 | 3–6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 2–4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Side Steps | ||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||||
| Side Steps | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||||
| Memory Pedals | ||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Power Locks | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ford F-250 a redesign?
No, the 2021 Ford F-250 is not a redesign. It remains part of the fourth Super Duty generation and largely carries over the major updates introduced for 2020.
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Ford F-250?
The biggest change is that adaptive steering becomes standard on the Limited trim. Most of the truck's styling, engines, structure, and cabin technology carry over.
Did the 2021 Ford F-250 get a new engine?
No, the 2021 Ford F-250 did not get a major new engine. Its engine lineup carries over from the substantial 2020 update, which introduced the 7.3-liter gas V8 and upgraded the 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8.
Did the 2021 Ford F-250 receive new safety features?
No major safety suite was added across the 2021 F-250 lineup. One trim-level change is that lane-departure warning shifts from standard equipment to an option on XLT.
Is the 2021 Ford F-250 a major upgrade over the 2020 model?
No, the 2021 Ford F-250 is not a major upgrade over the 2020 model. The trucks are broadly similar, with the clearest 2021 differences being standard adaptive steering on Limited and optional rather than standard lane-departure warning on XLT.
2021 Ford F-250 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Ford F-250.
4.3
2021 Ford F-250
(144 reviews)
“It is a really great vehicle. If you will be pulling a heavy (9000#) trailer consider the F350 or a diesel engine.”
“avoid gadgets, the more options the more to go wrong... reliability is everything”