Ford Brings Wireless CarPlay to the 2021 F-150 Pickup

Ford's F-series pickup is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and last night the carmaker unveiled the redesigned 2021 F-150, which includes Ford's new SYNC 4 infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.

2021 f150
Ford announced SYNC 4 last October, with the first announced vehicle to include it being the upcoming electric Mustang Mach-E. With the F-150, Ford will be kicking off inclusion of the new system in its more mainstream vehicle lineup.

The 2021 F-150 comes with SYNC 4 and wireless ‌CarPlay‌ standard, but there are two different sizes of infotainment screens available: an 8-inch screen that's standard on the lower XL and XLT trims and a larger 12-inch screen that's available as a package option on the XLT trim and standard on Lariat and higher trims.

2021 f150 interior
Wireless ‌CarPlay‌ has been relatively slow to trickle out and has largely been limited to premium brands like BMW, Porsche, and Audi, although we're on the cusp of seeing much broader rollouts with Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler all announcing support for the feature in select 2021 models launching later this year.

In addition to wireless ‌CarPlay‌ and Android Auto with SYNC 4, the F-150 includes a number of other technology enhancements such as standard over-the-air updates that can improve performance, add new features, and reduce needed maintenance and repairs over time.

The F-150 also includes many of the driver-assist technologies that have become common in recent years, and in the third quarter of 2021 will receive a software update to support Active Drive Assist, which will allow for hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of divided highways throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The 2021 F-150 will start rolling out to dealers this fall.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

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Top Rated Comments

mattspace Avatar
60 months ago
"PCs are going to be like trucks. They’re still going to be around, they’re still going to have a lot of value, but they’re going to be used by one out of X people."
Fast forward to...

Ford's F-series pickup is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nerdAFK Avatar
60 months ago
One word: CYBERTRUCK




Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brien Avatar
60 months ago

Fast forward to...
Yeah, I don't get it. Trucks and SUV/CUV sales account for something like 70% of ALL car sales in the US. "Car sales" is a misnomer at this point.

I like small cars and hot hatches, I may be SOL.

PS: Don't like trucks but good to see Ford do something interesting. 700 miles per tank (on the hybrid) would've been crazy talk even 5 years ago.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
60 months ago
Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mnsportsgeek Avatar
60 months ago

Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless
Every car with CarPlay has Bluetooth in addition to CarPlay. You can still take calls and play music over Bluetooth in a CarPlay enabled car.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Airforcekid Avatar
60 months ago

Very soon. The already sold out Mustang Mach E is based on Rivian technology. I can't wait until the second year to buy one. Most of Ford's model line will be hybrid or electric in the next three or so years.
Everytime I read see the Mustang Mach E I die a little inside as someone whose deep into the Mustang community (Owning over 40 since getting my license 15 years ago) I dont know a single person even considering it even the Ecoboost had a small following at first and I saw some physical fights the first time someone showed up to a meet with one. Id be all over a 5.0 hybrid but an SUV will be a hard sell in the long run since a lot of hardcore followers wont buy out of principal.


I ordered some Chinese dongle for wireless CarPlay... hoping it works... if it ever gets here
Does it plug into USB?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)