How Does a 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Compare to a 1965 Ford F100?
We are reaching a true paradigm shift regarding the way we think about and what we expect from our vehicles. The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid is one of the most advanced pickup trucks ever made. I think this kind of technology being dumped into an F-150 is making us realize how far we have actually come. In case we needed any more clarity, some dudes decided to answer the question, “How does a 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid compare to 1965 Ford F100?”
The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid shows us Just how far we’ve come
To be clear, when I say, “some dudes,” decided to compare the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid to a 1965 Ford 100; what I meant was the dudes over at TFL Truck. The Drive reports that TFL Truck has team members who own each of these trucks and graciously allowed their personal pickups to be used for the test. The new dog is a 2021 Ford F-150 XL with none of the bells and whistles except power windows and the hybrid powerplant.
The old dog is a 1965 Ford 100 pickup truck. I doubt I need to explain how these two are different, but a 300 cubic-inch inline-six cylinder powers the F-100 with manual locking hubs and no clear coat left.
As The Drive notes, these two aren’t very similar and really aren’t even as similar as they could be. Obviously, the 1965 Ford F100 – while far cooler and more desired (by me) – is simply not going to hang with the new hybrid F-150. The point of the test isn’t even really to compare the two as much as it is to trace the F-150 lineage and see how far it’s come.
The 2021 Ford-150 hybrid engine Vs the 1965 Ford F100 engine
These two powerplants couldn’t be much more different. Age before beauty, as the old southern ladies say.
The 1965 Ford F100 has that old inline-six-cylinder. I am not using old to disparage the golden oldie; it’s just actually old. In fact, these engines are famously known for their reliability and immense torque. The Drive reports that this old 300ci straight-six probably makes around 150 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, compared to the PowerBoost hybrid’s 430-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which feels minuscule.
The F100’s rusty heart sends all of its love via four-speed manual transmission and to all four wheels when called upon by locking the front two hubs manually. The 2021 F-150 has 10 gears to choose from and can send that power to all four wheels with the flick of a switch.
The payoff for all of the power figures is the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid in this configuration can tow up to 8,300 lbs, while the 1965 Ford F100 can handle around 5,000 lbs. In fairness, this isn’t a fully stock F100. It got a fresh pair of F-250 axels at some point, which definitely adds to its towing strength.
How else do these pickup trucks differ?
Well, the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid is made from aluminum. This is lighter, safer, and less cool. The 1965 Ford F100 is made of 100 percent steel, baby. Remember steel? It’s heavy and doesn’t really crumple when it gets hit. It is far less efficient in nearly every way, but it is cool.
Between the steel and the old cast-iron engine, the Ford F100 would be lucky to get 13-15 mpg if it’s going downhill with the wind. The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid, on the other hand, is getting 25 mpg and making nearly three times the power. But it still isn’t cooler.
Lastly, the brand-new Ford F-150 hybrid in this configuration costs around $50,000. It is fairly understandable. It has more gadgets and power than most of us know what to do with. That is a serious price tag. Luckily, a 1965 F100 in a similar shape can be found for under $10,000 all day long. I don’t know about you, but there is a pretty clear winner here, to me.
