There was already a truck war raging in the US before the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled last year.

The Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado, and the RAM 1500 were going head-to-head, with Toyota’s Tundra and Nissan’s Titan also in the picture. The Silverado and RAM 1500 were relatively new, and the 14th generation F-150 was on the way.

The all-new 2021 F-150 arrived last week. The iconic pickup continues its legacy of being America’s best-selling vehicle for 43 consecutive years. Last year, nearly 900,000 examples rolled off dealer lots.

Tesla Cybertruck

Foto: The Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

The Cybertruck won't launch until late next year, at the earliest. It could signal a brave new all-electric future for pickups. And it could in fact beat the all-electric version of the new F-150 to market by a year.

But for now, the F-150 is headed to market, while wannabe Cybertruck buyers have to content themselves with a $100 deposit to secure a truck.

Here's how the two trucks stack up, on paper:


Let's start with the insanely futuristic, all-electric Cybertruck. It's largely stainless steel ,and it signals a significant departure for Tesla as far as the company's design approach is concerned.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

Tesla revealed the Cybertruck in late 2019 — and the debut was incredibly controversial. With Tesla's Full Self-Driving capability installed, the Cybertruck would price from between $47,000 to $77,000.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

The Cybertruck has three configurations: a single-motor rear-wheel-drive, and dual motor all-wheel-drive, and a tri-motor AWD.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

Tesla said the single-motor has over 250 miles of range and a 0-60 mph time of less than 6.5 seconds. The dual-motor serves up over 300 miles and a sub-4.5-second 0-60. The tri-motor has more than 500 miles of range and a sub-2.9-second 0-60.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

The Cybertruck doesn't have a bed or box — it has a "vault," protected by a retractable cover. There's 3,500 lbs. of carrying capacity and 100 square feet of space. Being all-electric, the truck should also be able to power a lot of gear.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

Tesla says that the top-spec Cybertruck can tow 14,000 lbs.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

The Cybertruck can also be configured for outdoor lifestyles.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

The typically minimalist Tesla interior seats six. Like all Teslas the center of the action is a large dashboard touchscreen — 17 inches for the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck should also join Tesla's fleet in enjoying frequent over-the-air software updates.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

Full-self-driving capability isn't yet available on any Tesla vehicle. But the hardware comes standard, and when the Cybertruck launches, it should have Tesla's Autopilot semi-self-driving tech.

Foto: Tesla Cybertruck. Source: Tesla

Some folks have already proposed that the Cybertruck could be used a law-enforcement vehicle.

Foto: New York Police Department Cybertruck. Source: LeaseFetcher

On to the all-new 2021 Ford F-150. This iconic pickup has been the best-selling vehicle the US for 43 straight years. The 14th-generation of the truck builds on the aluminum-body innovation that arrived with the 13th generation.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

Last week, Ford unveiled the New F-150 via YouTube, amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

The F-150 has both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations.There's a total of six engine choices: a base V6, two turbocharged EcoBoost V6 motors, a V6 turbo diesel, a V8, and a new V6 hybrid.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

The PowerBoost hybrid should be the most powerful F-150 in the lineup, serving up 700 miles of range on a tank of gas.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

Ford really pulled out all the stops with the "working end" of the F-150: the liftgate. There are three boxes available: 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8 feet.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

Ford said "Pro Power Onboard," an integrated generator, "means customers can leave the generator at home and free up cargo space; there's enough energy to power 28 average refrigerators, charge a bed full of electric dirt bikes or run an entire job site worth of tools."

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

Towing capacity for F-150s is critical. The new pickup can tow 12,000 lbs., if properly configured.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

That supports work as well as play. Ford owners can use their F-150 at both the job site and the campsite.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

The F-150 will also have available hands-free highway semi self-driving tech, through Ford's Co-Pilot360 system. Ford hasn't yet disclosed performance specs, but the hybrid could yield a sub-five-second 0-60 mph time.

Foto: The 2021 Ford F-150 Source: Ford

Ford has a long history of supplying law-enforcement with vehicles. So look for the 14th generation to join its 13th-gen counterparts.

Foto: Source: Ford