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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $43,729–$58,765 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Ford F-150 SL is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.4/10, while Reliability at 7.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.1/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.4/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining trucks to actually drive. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $43,729–$58,765, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Ford F-150 SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Ford F-150 SL will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Ford F-150 SL ranks #127 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 76% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $43,729 starting price is about 24% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Ford F-150 SL scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.6 — and starts roughly $4,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $49,494 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $48,054 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $46,612 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $45,171 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $43,729 | |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $42,287 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $40,846 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $39,404 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $37,962 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $36,520 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $35,079 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Ford F-150 SL's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #127 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 76% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Ford F-150 SL starts at $43,729 and ranges up to $58,765 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.