2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The Ford F-250 reminds us a lot of the Constructicons, a group of Transformers - yes, we're talking about the fictional world of toys, films, and video games, but allow us to explain. In Transformers, the Decepticons were the main bad guys. In some stories, they formed a group called the Destructicons, which, as their name implies, were known for destroying things. At other times, they formed a group called the Constructicons that would build things for their evil purposes. The 2021 Ford F-250 feels like that - a builder of great but evil things, especially with the off-road Tremor package that adds a lifted front-end, uniquely-tuned suspension, 35-inch Goodyear maximum traction tires, 18-inch black wheels, Trail Control, and selectable drive modes with a rock-crawl mode. We stacked it up with insanely expensive lumber for a weekend project (not evil) with our only complaint being that the bed on this particular truck wouldn't fit a sheet of plywood laying down. If you're getting a heavy-duty truck, make it work for you with an eight-foot bed.

The Ford Super Duty goes up against other accomplished heavy-duty pickups, mostly from Chevy and Ram - the three dominate the market - but also from the big Nissan Titan XD, which sits in between half- and three-quarter-ton capacities. This one also features the bonkers 7.3-liter "Godzilla" V8 making 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, along with a 12,000-pound Warn winch. We didn't do anything evil with it, but we certainly could have.

There's a massive difference between the entry-level XL workhorse and the top-end Limited trim, but all models share some design elements. Ford's current headlight and taillight design are fairly well-known by now. The "Super Duty" model designation is stamped in the black plastic that surrounds the grille. Base models are equipped with 17-inch painted steel wheels, and a grille and bumpers finished in black paint. High-end models come with added chrome, a satin-finish grille, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. You'll need to go up to at least the Lariat for standard fog lamps and up to the King Ranch for LED box lighting. The Platinum and Limited boast quad-beam LED headlights, LED fog lamps, and LED taillights. A power moonroof is available on upper trims in Crew Cab configuration.

The 2021 F-250 is available in a wide variety of configurations. Two cargo box options are also available: a longer eight-foot bed and the standard six and three-quarters box. At 231.8 inches overall length, the Regular Cab is the shortest. The longest model is the long-wheelbase Crew Cab at 266.2 inches. The Regular Cab has a 141.6-inch wheelbase, while the SuperCab comes in 148- and 164.2-inch formats. The SWB Crew Cab wheelbase is 159.8 inches, while the LWB has a 176-inch wheelbase. All models are 105.9 inches wide with the mirrors included, while the overall height is between 78.9 and 81.5 inches, depending on the derivative. Ground clearance ranges between 8.5 and 8.7 inches.

The lightest model is the Regular Cab 4x2 equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 engine. It weighs 5,677 pounds. The heftiest model is the long-wheelbase 4x4 Crew Cab with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel, weighing in at 7,538 lbs.

The maximum approach/breakover/departure angles are 17.9/24.4/21.6 degrees respectively, but once again, these individual numbers are trim-specific.

Even from base XL specification, Ford gives you a wide variety of colors to choose from, allowing you to add a bit of panache to your workhorse. On the XL Regular Cab workhorse, the no-cost options include Race Red, Stone Gray, Agate Black, Iconic Silver, Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Gray, and Oxford White. Velocity Blue is also on offer here but you'll have to specify this in conjunction with the $1,825 STX Appearance Package.

The XLT trim adds Lithium Gray and Rapid Red, with the red going for $395. At this level, Velocity Blue doesn't require any added cost/package. Moving up to the Lariat adds a $595 Star White option; from this trim, a two-tone paint job becomes available with Stone Gray or Carbonized Gray as the secondary color options. The King Ranch can also be had with the two-tone scheme, but only with Stone Gray. Two-tone paints can only be coupled with certain colors from the main color palette, however.

The high-end Platinum and Limited trims have a slightly more restricted choice of colors. For example, Oxford White and Race Red aren't offered at this level. Like the King Ranch, the Limited is the only other trim that loses access to Velocity Blue.

There are three engine options available for the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, and your selection depends on the application. The standard 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 is a reliable workhorse power plant, while the optional 7.3-liter 430-hp V8 offers impressive straight-line performance.

The ultimate powertrain option is the 6.7-liter turbodiesel that packs an epic 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. All models come with rear-wheel drive as standard, but a part-time four-wheel-drive system is available.

The maximum fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity for the F-250 is 22,800 lbs, a figure that applies to the 4x2 Regular Cab when equipped with the diesel engine. Conventional towing peaks at 20,000 lbs, once again applicable to certain variants with the diesel engine. If you go for the 7.3-liter gas engine, the conventional towing capacity drops to a maximum of 15,000 lbs.

The three available engines cater to a broad audience. As standard, the F-250 Super Duty is equipped with Ford's well-known 6.2-liter flex-fuel gas V8 that produces 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, mated to a heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission. This smaller powertrain is perfect for normal duty, but for hard work, load-carrying, and towing, we recommend the more powerful 7.3-liter V8 with 430 hp and 475 lb-ft on tap.

The ultimate engine option is the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel generating 475 hp. While that figure is impressive, it's the 1,050 lb-ft of torque that matters. All of that torque is generated at just 1,600 rpm, just a few hundred revolutions above idle. The 7.3-liter V8 and Power Stroke diesel use Ford's ten-speed automatic transmission, though the diesel hardly requires as many gears to get the most out of it. It makes light work of basically any duty with that much torque.

When mated to the V8, it also does a remarkable job. It allows for quick and easy access to the V8's power when you want it, and it will also quickly run up the gearbox for efficiency. At below 2,000 rpm, it idles along effortlessly, but when you press the accelerator harder, the V8 roars to life and scares little children at the side of the road.

The F-250 has a somewhat old-school setup at the rear. It consists of a solid rear axle and leaf springs. While this gives it good articulation and the strength needed to carry large loads, this kind of setup isn't known for being comfortable. Like most heavy-duty trucks, if you're not carrying anything heavy, it will feel bouncy on normal roads. And we do mean heavy. We had about 300 pounds of wood in the back, plus a few hundred pounds of metal shed, and the Ford's suspension didn't even notice.

Obviously this thing is monstrous and you'll have to repark it a few times to get it straight in your driveway, and if that driveway is normally two cars wide, you'll really have to pin it to the side to let anyone else pull up. It's not a peach in a parking lot either; get used to seven-point turns when exiting a space.

The steering effort is heavy with this big truck. That makes those multiple-point turns a little worse but it seems to sit dead straight on the expressway. Placing the tires right where you want them takes a little practice, but this pickup is far more precise than the Ford trucks of yore. And we've owned some. We were surprised at how little noise was made on the highway, even with those 35-inch mud tires. We'll thank the generous amount of insulation for that.

Power with the 7.3 V8 that we had on test was never a problem. The F-250 gets off the line surprisingly fast, though you'll want to put it in four-wheel drive if you're trying to beat someone to the next stoplight. You can really feel the car's weight when you get on the brakes though; like parking, it takes some practice. The truck sounds fantastic, though we're not sure we like the name Godzilla for the engine, considering the fact that in the car world that means one thing: the Nissan GT-R. Unfortunately, the name is apt. The ten-speed transmission was flawless in our week in the vehicle.

The EPA doesn't supply official ratings for large trucks like the F-250. For the record, we averaged 11 mpg during a week spent with a 7.3-liter F-250. On the highway, the consumption increased to 14.6 mpg. For figures relating to the diesel, we trawled a few online forums. Owners claim consumption figures of up to 17 mpg, with 14 mpg being the more common figure. With that in mind, it should be able to get an exceptional 672 miles between refills from the 48-gallon tank. However, only Crew Cabs with the longer wheelbase get this 48-gallon tank. Smaller models are equipped with either a 29-gallon or 34-gallon tank.

The F-250's interior is more about functionality than anything else. All occupants get a decent amount of space, especially in the Crew Cab. On base XL models, you get the necessities like manual air conditioning, a 2.3-inch productivity screen, and a rearview camera, but that's about it. This isn't great but it's a lot better than workhorses from the early '90s that came with a windscreen and some air on the inside. We also liked the fact that the climate control gets big knobs which are great when working with gloves. High-end models get a larger infotainment screen running SYNC 3. Higher-trim models also get leather trim and more features. We can't fault the quality of the base model as expectations are low, but the high-end models are starting to show their age in terms of build quality. Ram does a much better job these days, but the good news is that the upcoming 2022 F-250 will be at the receiving end of a much more extensive interior upgrade.

After using our grappling hook and air sickness medicine to get into the cabin (the Tremor package that this truck features raises the ride height considerably but thankfully it has step boards), we were greeted by seats wide enough to fit President Taft's generous behind and armrest storage that would probably fit your average-sized globe.

It has a little less front headroom than the Chevy Silverado 2500 with 40.8 inches of space, about the same as the Ram Heavy Duty. It has more shoulder room than its American counterparts and falls in the middle in hip room. As you can see, all three are within inches of each other.

The F-250 will seat five passengers in the Super Cab and Crew Cab configurations, but can fit six with a front bench seat. In the back of the Crew Cab, riders get 40.4 inches of headroom, 43.6 inches of legroom - which was plenty for an average-sized human - 65.9 inches of shoulder room, and 64.7 inches of hip room. Each of those dimensions are bigger than the Silverado Crew Cab and the Mega Cab version of the Ram.

With around $50,000 separating the base XL and the top-spec Platinum, there's going to be a big difference in terms of interior quality. Since durability is a top priority in fleet specification, the XL comes with tough vinyl in Medium Earth Gray, although this can be upgraded to cloth in the same color for a minimal cost. XLT trim upgrades to cloth seats in either Medium Earth Gray or Medium Light Caramel. From the Lariat upward, leather upholstery is standard on the seats and steering wheel. In Lariat trim, you can choose between Medium Light Caramel or Black.

After that, the F-250 gets quite a bit more luxurious. The King Ranch specification includes model-specific Kingsville Antique Affect leather in a Black/Java mix, while the door trim gets higher-quality panels with leather trim and woodgrain inserts. The Platinum trim comes with premium leather in Black or Dark Marsala. The Limited trim only has one option: Two-tone premium leather in Highland Tan. It also boasts dark ash swirl wood trim, a Miko suede headliner, and a leather-wrapped instrument panel.

The six-and-three-quarter foot bed has 65.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the eight-footer takes it up to 78.5 cubes. The Chevrolet Silverado's longest box is a bit bigger but not enough to make a difference when it comes to deciding. Maximum loading capacity depends on the model, but even the Crew Cab 4x4 is rated to carry up to 3,470 lbs. The Regular Cab 4x2 can carry up to 4,260 lbs.

Interior storage space also depends on body style. Five-seat models get a big center console, while six-seaters get a smaller compartment. SuperCab and Crew Cab models have under-seat storage (optional on some trims) hidden beneath the rear seats. The six-seater XLT model's front seats also fold flat in a 40/20/40 configuration, offering more under-seat storage. There are plenty of cupholders to go around, and every model in the 2021 lineup can be ordered with a bed step for easier access to the rear.

Again, the result of such a big price difference is a massive difference in the specification. The base XL gets manual air conditioning, a rearview camera, a small 2.3-inch productivity screen within the instrument cluster, automatic on/off headlamps, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column. XLT models are equipped with more family-friendly features like blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision assist, and regular cruise control, plus it gets a larger 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen. As you work your way up the trim levels, this hard-working truck gets a lot more pleasurable to live with every day. Higher-spec models add features like power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, power-adjustable pedals linked to a memory system, intelligent access with push-button ignition, and heated/ventilated front seats. Adaptive cruise control, adaptive steering, and lane-keeping alert are some of the useful driver-assist technologies that are included or available on the upper trims.

The best thing about Ford's infotainment setup is that it features two big knobs for volume and tuning. Those are easy to grab without looking and the most important functions to control easily. On the base XL, the SYNC interface consists of a 4.2-inch LCD screen in the center stack, allowing access to App-Link, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and 911 Assist. A Wi-Fi hotspot is standard too. This basic setup gets you only four speakers in Regular Cab models and six speakers for the Super and Crew Cabs. The SYNC 3 system in the XLT is far more comprehensive and includes an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and two USB-C ports. At this level, the speaker count climbs to five for the Regular Cab and seven for the Super/Crew Cabs.

The Lariat takes a welcome step up by introducing a 10-speaker B&O premium sound system along with SiriusXM Traffic Plus and Travel Link. In the King Ranch and above, voice-activated navigation and HD Radio are added.

SYNC 3 continues with the function bar at the bottom, allowing drivers to swap between navigation, radio and phone. It also features new more natural voice commands. It has new points of interest too, and remembers your previous entries to learn more about your habits.

The system works adequately, but doesn't feel as exciting or new as some of the German or Korean makes. But it was glitch-free and worked quickly to start Apple CarPlay, which is one of the most important things as that's what we use most often when taking a drive.

For the last decade, the F-250 has consistently scored more than 80 out of a possible 100 points according to J.D. Power's rating. In 2021, it achieved a very impressive 86 points, matching the Chevrolet Silverado and scoring one point more than the GMC Sierra. According to the NHTSA, certain 2021 F-250s have been affected by two recalls. One was for inadequate windshield bonding that could potentially cause the windshield to detach from the vehicle. Another recall, affecting only 4x4 models, was for steering that could lock up in vehicles equipped with optional centerline stabilizer kits from Icon Vehicle Dynamics.

There were several recalls for the 2020 model, with issues including reduced seatback strength, a faulty rearview camera, sudden tire air loss, and a torque converter damper plate that could fracture.

If anything does go wrong, the 2021 F-250 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty (100,000 miles for the diesel), five years of corrosion perforation coverage, and roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles.

The 2021 Regular Cab model received an overall four-star rating from the NHTSA, while the Super Cab 4x2 achieved a better five-star overall rating. The 4x4 Crew Cab, interestingly, has a lower four-star rating. The Super Cab has not been fully tested but a 4x4 variant managed four stars for the frontal crash and three stars for the rollover test. The IIHS has not yet published an F-250 crashworthiness review.

Although every F-250 pickup truck is equipped with the basic safety systems, the most advanced driver-assist technologies are only standard on higher-spec models. The base XL comes with trailer sway control, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, six airbags, ABS brakes, and traction control, and stability control.

The better-equipped XLT gets blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer tow, and pre-collision assist with automatic braking, and forward collision warning. All of this is part of Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite. Lariat models get rear parking sensors, while the King Ranch adds rain-sensing wipers and the ultimate trailer tow camera system with trailer reverse guidance. Four cameras make it much easier to maneuver the large truck when towing a trailer. The top-spec models come with adaptive cruise control, while the Limited is the only model to get lane-keeping alert and adaptive steering as standard.

The current Ford Super Duty pickups were new in 2017, but got a big refresh in 2020 at the Chicago Auto Show, along with the addition of that Godzilla engine option. It's well into its lifecycle, which means any weird gremlins should be figured out, and in our weeklong test it performed flawlessly.

The new Ford F-250 truck starts at $34,230 for the base model, although the Platinum, Tremor, Crew Cab, winch-equipped version we tested is more than double that at over $75,000. The Ram 2500 starts at $35,425 and features a cabin and a comfortable ride that blows the Ford away. The Ram has coil springs in back as opposed to the leaf springs on the Ford, which soften the ride both loaded and unloaded, which is where the Ford struggles. In its top trim, the Ram 2500 Limited will set you back $62,840.

In the truck world, loyalty is key, and Ford seems to have it. Last year, it sold more than 787,000 pickups in all forms while Chevy moved just over 594,000 and Ram sold more than 563,000. The amount of work you could do with this truck is staggering - we're just mad we didn't construct anything more than a simple outhouse and a jungle gym for kids. Next time, we're going to build a full communications array to contact the F-250's evil alien brethren.

The price of the Ford F-250 begins at $34,230 for the XL. It's followed by the XLT at $39,095 and the Lariat at $47,210. After this, the big truck gets a lot more expensive. The King Ranch carries an MSRP of $59,595, the Platinum is $65,515, and the Limited goes for a hefty $84,190. These prices all represent the trims in their cheapest format, body style, and powertrain. You'll also need to factor in the destination charge of $1,695 in the USA.

With so many configurations on offer, each trim can get significantly more expensive than the numbers reflected above. For example, the base XL will be $3,590 more expensive if you upgrade from the Regular Cab to the Crew Cab. On the same trim, upgrading from 4x2 to 4x4 costs $2,790 and equipping the powerful diesel engine costs $10,495. Further up in the range, the King Ranch will be $1,690 more expensive for the 4x4 derivative although the diesel carries the same premium here.

It all depends on the kind of truck you need but do expect the final bill to fluctuate wildly after configuring your F-250.

The Ford F-250 truck is available in six different flavors: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Three engine options are available. The smaller gas engine is a 6.2-liter V8 with 385 hp and it comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The larger 7.3-liter V8 with 430 hp is coupled to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The biggest, baddest engine option is the 6.7-liter turbodiesel with 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Most models have a 4x2 drivetrain as standard, but all Ford F-250 models have access to 4x4. The two top-spec models come standard with 4WD.

The XL is the workhorse of the range. It comes with manual air conditioning, heavy-duty vinyl upholstery, six airbags, a rearview camera, and 17-inch steel wheels. It has a basic infotainment system with a small 4.2-inch LCD screen.

The XLT adds cloth seats, blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision assist, and automatic emergency braking. It also introduces the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an eight-inch LCD touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

From the Lariat trim and up, the Regular Cab option drops away. Leather upholstery is standard along with rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker B&O sound system.

The King Ranch has several model-specific features like a unique grille, the option of dual-tone exterior paint, Kingsville King Ranch leather seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, and a surround-view camera system for safer and more convenient trailer towing.

Moving up to the Platinum trim adds a standard 4x4 drivetrain, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, adaptive cruise control, power-deployable running boards, LED fog lamps, and quad-beam LED headlamps.

The top-spec Limited trim comes with the powerful 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine as standard, adaptive steering, a power moonroof, lane-keeping alert, and dark ash swirl wood trim.

There are many packages and accessories available for all Ford F-250 pickup trucks. Even the cheapest XL Regular Cab can be ordered with the Trailer Tow High Capacity Package with the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist Package. It costs $2,785 but also requires the diesel engine and the SYNC 3 infotainment system, raising the base price by a substantial $16,690. The package includes lane-keep alert, an upgraded rear axle, increased GCWR (30,300 lbs), a surround-view camera, a trailer reverse guide, and a rear CHMSL camera.

The FX4 Off-Road Package costs $400 and includes hill descent control, off-road shock absorbers, skid plates for the transfer case and fuel tank, and FX4 decals. However, you'll also need to spec the 4x4 drivetrain and other extras which will increase the overall price to $3,745.

Higher up in the range, the King Ranch can be equipped with the $3,350 King Ranch Ultimate Package. This includes LED fog lamps, a twin-panel moonroof, and multi-contour seats. Likely to be one of the more popular options is the Tremor Off-Road Package. On this model, it costs $3,975 and includes 35-inch off-road tires, a Rock Crawl mode, an increase in ride height, performance shock absorbers, and a lot more. However, you'll need the bigger V8 engine and 4x4 drivetrain to go with it, realizing a net price increase of $7,710. On the Platinum, which already has 4x4, speccing the Tremor Package will only add the bigger V8 so the price increase is a lower $6,020.

As you can see, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to customizing the F-250 and the options above are just a snapshot of what you can expect when ordering your truck.

The answer to this question depends on what you intend to do with your Ford F-250 pickup. We'd want a blend of practicality and luxury, which is why we'd opt for the mid-spec Lariat in Crew Cab configuration. It can still carry a load and a family in relative comfort.

The big question is whether we'd have the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel. Sure, 1,050 lb-ft sounds like a lot of fun, but it's a very specialized engine. Unless you're going to be towing something large, it's only going to be a waste. That's why we'd have the 7.3-liter V8 with the ten-speed automatic transmission. At only $2,045, it's much cheaper than the $10,495 6.7-liter engine. Add the $710 Lariat Value Package, and you have a winner. This package includes LED lighting for the box, power-adjustable pedals, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, towing mirrors, and remote start.

Much like Ford, GMC also caters to a diverse audience with the Sierra. Instead of offering two gas engines and one diesel, GMC offers one of both. The 6.6-liter V8 does a decent job, just like Ford's 6.2-liter V8. The 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 is a monster, however. While its 910 lb-ft of torque can't quite match Ford's four-figure torque output, its maximum towing capacity of 18,510 lbs isn't lacking. The Sierra is more of a luxury truck, though. It comes with some impressive kit such as an available 15-inch diagonal color head-up display. In addition to that, the top-spec Sierra is cheaper than the high-end Ford. At the workhorse end, the Sierra is more expensive. Choosing between the two depends on what you want to do with the truck. To our eyes, the Ford is the better buy. The Ford's interior more than makes up for the price difference, not to mention the better towing capacity and more potent diesel engine.

Being cousins, the Silverado has the same issues as the GMC. It has a modern interior, powerful engines and is nearly a match for the Ford. Both trucks do a fine job of towing, but the Ford will remain the winner thanks to 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado has a bigger, more practical bed, however. It can manage more cargo as well. Ford's F-250 has a nicer, more user-friendly interior, but this match is closer than the one above. Still, the Ford just edges it thanks to its more robust diesel engine and superior towing specs, both of which count for a lot in this segment.