For the latest Ford Super Duty pricing and information:

https://www.kbb.com/ford/super_duty/


To keep their popular heavy-duty truck selling like weighty, rugged hotcakes Ford updated the exterior, lightly tweaked the interior, overhauled the powertrain lineup, and ratcheted up the Super Duty’s capabilities.



Even amidst all the Limited fanciness, there’s a fair bit of hard plastic. Or at least more than you’d find in most other $88k vehicles. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that commenters do not want to hear me complain about a lack of sophistication in trucks. In that spirit, fellas, let’s ditch these seats for some milk crates. What your truck has seats in it? Well la-dee-dah.

The Crew Cab provides excellent passenger space, a large interior load floor, easy flip up rear seats, and a flip out storage box under the rear seats.
You can lock the seats in place making that box a secure storage hold.

While talking about the cabin let’s explore the many permutations of SuperDuty. Built atop a fully boxed steel frame there are regular, super, and crew cabs constructed of aluminum and available in increasingly capable F-250, F-350, and F-450 variants. The bed is also aluminum and comes in 6 and ¾ foot and 8-foot lengths. Naturally you can also select single or dual rear wheels. Where bed functionality is concerned there’s less innovation than we’ve seen among other manufacturers or even the F-150. There’s no multi-function tailgate, no bed rail cargo storage, no power closing tailgate.

Enough of that, let’s talk engines. The standard 6.2-liter V8 makes solid numbers (6.2L V8 385hp, 430 lb-ft) but for combusting gasoline we’re drawn to the abundant, linear power (7.3L V8 430hp, 475 lb-ft) of the optional 7.3L V8. Then again, we know the heavy-duty world is dominated by diesels, as found in our tester.



The diesel offers excellent drivability. Floor it and you might experience a brief pause but after that the diesel hauls…both literally and metaphorically.

Key to the diesel’s propulsive sophistication is the Super Duty’s 10-speed automatic transmission, which also teams with the 7.3-liter gas engine. Choose the base 6.2-liter and you’ll have 6 transmission ratios to work with. But back on task, the 10-speed transmission keeps the diesel in its happy rev range, delivering John Legend smooth shifts.



(6.7L V8 Diesel 475hp, 1,050 lb-ft) 475 horsepower is strong and, oh boy, that says 1,050 lb-ft doesn’t it?!?! Wow. That kind of torque allows for all sorts of best in class bragging rights…at least when this video was made. You know how truck makers are about topping each other. But as of right now as I’m saying these words the Super Duty boasts best-in-class towing and payload claims.
Max towing
Conventional: 24,200 lbs.
Gooseneck: 37,000 lbs.
Max payload: 7,850 lbs.
In our experience the Super Duty feels planted and confident while towing, and though you’re welcome to control the transmission, it does a fine job managing itself. On a related note, for downhill grades the diesel engine offers an exhaust braking feature. Just push this button on the dash, take your foot off the brake, and the big ‘ol Ford will use engine-braking to maintain its pace. Otherwise, when simply rolling down the road how does the Super Duty feel? Ride quality when unleaden is fine for the category though there is a fair bit of bounce on imperfect roadways.

For ultimate over the road comfort the RAM HD with its coil spring suspension has an edge.
What’s surprising to me is how manageable the Super Duty feels. Yeah, it’s big but visibility out is good plus this one has the adaptive steering option. Using an electric motor to supplement the hydraulic recirculating ball steering the system changes the steering ratio based on vehicle speed, making the SuperDuty unexpectedly agile when parking.

Ok, so no surprises but this truck drives like a truck. But for its intended role, the Super Duty works well, aided by some helpful technology. For example, Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes guiding a trailer rearward as simple as turning a knob, whether you’re towing a standard trailer, a fifth wheel, or a gooseneck.

Note, my favorite smart key access is reserved for the King Ranch and higher. Meaning you’ll have to spend at least $60-grand if you’d rather not reach into your pocket to unlock your truck. Of course, I don’t care. When I want to lock my truck, I just release a wolverine in the cab. What, your truck has door locks? Well, la-dee-dah.

If $60-grand seems like a lot, strap in. A loaded F-450 dually crew cab tops $92,000. Then again, that is a lot of truck and a lot of capability.

Painting with a broad brush, truck buyers are a loyal breed. The Ford Super Duty stands out as a well-rounded, heavy duty offering.
OC Standup: It integrates smart technology, is highly configurable, and it tows huge loads. If you need a serious truck, the Super Duty is seriously capable.