This week we share our first impressions of the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid. We talk about all the new features that the F-150 has to offer, including the built-in generator, hybrid powertrain performance, and the sizable touch screen. Consumer Reports recently released a new auto designation called Green Choice, which spotlights the more environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. We explain the purpose of the Green Choice designation, and which criteria vehicles need to meet to earn the distinction. Other topics include why headlight or taillight warnings are virtually nonexistent, if renting a car only when needed makes more financial sense than owning, and why you should pay attention to your license plate when using a hitch-mounted bike rack.
———————————–
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!
Video version:
Audio version:
Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify:
SHOW NOTES
———————————–
00:00 – Introduction
01:24 – CR’s Green Choice Designation
06:04 – 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid First Impressions
18:18 – Question #1: Why automakers don’t put a headlight or taillight failure warning light in cars?
20:19 – Question #2: Is renting a car when you need one makes more financial sense than owning one?
23:05 – Question #3: Would seat covers on heated seats have any negative impact?
25:20 – Question #4: Can you get pulled over by the police for obstructing your car’s license plate with a hitch-mounted bike rack?
———————————-
How Your Car Can Make the Air Cleaner
7 Reasons the New Ford F-150 Is the Most Advanced Version Ever
Preview: All-New 2021 Ford F-150 Is a High-Tech Workhorse
How to Avoid Sneaky Car-Rental Fees
How to Stay Safe From Coronavirus in an Uber, a Lyft, or a Rental Car
How Bike Racks Affect a Car’s Fuel Economy
Guide to Car Safety
Coronavirus Resource Hub
———————————–
Check out for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Follow Us on Social:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
Google+:
The three stooges..lol
I LOVE Talking Cars and look forward to your videos every Friday. Great work! Also, I think “Josue” might be hō-swā.
Is it just me or do Jennifer’s eyes in the intro look like she’s been doing “Spice” from the Dune novels? 😉
If there’s only one bike, it will sometimes fit in the trunk of a sedan with the back seats down. I’m 6’2″ (188cm) and ride an XL bike frame. It fits in the trunk of my Mazda 3 with the front wheel off. I’m not a fan of bike racks. Two bikes is an no go with this solution.
I drive a first generation EV, and rent when I need to go beyond its range. I’ve had to do it less than five times in the last three years. Definitely saving me money this way. Enough to have the extra funds to upgrade my computer, wardrobe, and diet. Never going back to a gasoline-only vehicle (maybe a plug-in… maybe).
The 7.2 kW inverter generator, with pure sine wave power coming out really is game changing.
If the car running in a closed garage can kill you it doesn’t deserve a leaf. Maybe a dead leaf, that’s it. 🍂.
I mean look, that’s a lot of episodes, Jake.
15:35. Hello!!!! That’s one reason we like the push button shifters that you all naively complain about. It frees up space. Not to mention aids in automatic driving. Wg cars that can automatically shift from reverse to park to allow the vehicle to move on its own out of or into a parking space
Yah what’s funny is my 19 Kia Forte has a warning when my day time running light is off! So I think it depends on brands
Checking if your lights are working is easy: I often pull up to a business that has large windows right there in which you can see your headlights. With just a little trouble check taillights the same way.
The Alfa Romeo Milano used to have a control panel that included a notification that you had a burnt lightbulb. The only problem, well, it was an Alfa Romeo so the control panel would sometimes light up light a Xmas tree.
Windows (front ) will go one touch up and down, they just need to be reset. Someone has cancelled the feature on that truck, intentionally or not.
You are specifically giving impressions on the hybrid, but said very little about the hybrid part of the hybrid: What’s the difference in MPG? Did it affect payload? Did it affect towing? Jon mentioned offhandedly that it won’t amortize for 10+ years – can you elaborate? Do you think it will improve reliability as it has in many other hybrids? Did it affect the 4WD system as it does in some other hybrids?
You’re more reliable than the Better Business Bureau any day of the week.
There is nothing “green” about humongous pick up trucks.
“The hybrid scores 24 mpg on the EPA’s combined cycle, 4 mpg more than a regular EcoBoost 3.5 F-150 manages.”
That’s 1970s fuel efficiency for cars. Big whoop!
You made a good point a tilted screen is a good point.
I’m no mathematician, but how can something be partial zero? Subaru?
Where I live here in Canada, people often get ticketed for obscured license plates. But the police themselves, also obscure their plates with bike racks, so 🤷🏻♂️😂
verrry confused.
one says clunky at times. she says verrry smooth.
ok.
and you know, you CAN get it for WAY LESS THAN 70,000. so to nitpick it for the smaller things and then say NOT at 70K, well…then perhaps you shouldn’t have added all the extras that brought it up too 70K