2022 Ford F-350 Super Duty

While many trucks will inevitably spend most of their lives doing mundane city-based errands, the Ford F-350 is a working truck. Instead of bragging about how economical it is or how many creature comforts you get as standard, Ford shows off the F-350's best-in-class towing capacity of 21,200 pounds (35,750 lbs using a gooseneck). It's available with three potent V8 engines, with the smallest being 6.2 liters. Outputs range from 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque to 430 hp/75 lb-ft with either of the two standard gasoline engines, while the turbodiesel V8 has 475 hp/1,050 lb-ft to throw around. You'll never be able to mention gas mileage figures without wincing a little, but that's hardly the point. What it lacks in environmental friendliness, it makes up for in being a reliable, hard-working partner. It's the Riggs to your Murtaugh. The 2021 model year's changes have made it more competitive against its fiercest USA-based rivals, including the Ram 3500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD.

You won't mistake the 2022 Ford F-350 for anything but a workhorse. While most models are adorned with a bit of glittery chrome up front, it's pretty clear that this pickup truck was built to work hard. The front is big and bulky, with quad headlights emphasizing its stature. The dually model has wider wheel arches, accentuating its higher towing capacity and load-carrying ability. Despite the slab-sided exterior, Ford included enough design language for the F-350 to fit nicely into the extended family. Base models ride on 17-inch steel wheels, while XLT, Lariat, and King Ranch boast 18-inch items in a variety of designs. The top two trims are fitted with 20-inch Polished Aluminum wheels. A moonroof is optional on Crew Cab models, and comes standard on the Limited in that configuration.

There's no such thing as a standard overall length or overall wheelbase for the Ford F-350 Super Duty. There are three cab configurations, two box sizes, and five wheelbase lengths to choose from. The base XL Regular Cab has a 231.8-inch body length and a 141.6-inch wheelbase. The longest wheelbase is 176 inches, coupled to a 266.2-inch body. Depending on which model you choose, the height varies between 78.7 inches to 81.5 inches. The only static measurement is the width with mirrors, rated at 105.9 inches. The extended mirror measurement on dually setups takes the width to 110 inches.

Ground clearance varies between 8.3 to 8.8 inches. Adding the new Tremor Package and the lifted suspension increases the ground clearance to 10.8 inches. You also get a set of 35-inch tires. Sounds fantastic, but if you're on the short side, you might want to invest in a small stepladder. Considering the long overhangs and wheelbase, the approach and departure angles aren't that great. The former is between 16.7 and 18 degrees depending on configuration, with the latter between 17.9 and 20.5 degrees.

The lightest F-350 weighs 5,877 pounds, while the heaviest model tips the scales at 8,133 lbs.

Three engines are available for the 2022 F-350, with a 6.2-liter V8 gas engine being the default. It delivers 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine can also be tuned to run on Flex Fuel, which is a combination of gas and methanol or ethanol. It's a handy feature, especially for the tax benefits if the truck will be used as a business vehicle. While it may not be the most impressive engine available, it provides ample power and a tow rating of 16,700 lbs.

For just over $1,705, you can upgrade to the 7.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8 gas engine, also mated to the ten-speed 'box. The outputs increase to 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, and it makes the F-350 feel less lethargic around town. Towing capacity is increased to 21,000 lbs.

The ultimate engine is the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, adding over $10,000 to the retail price of the Ford F-350 Super Duty. In return, you get 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. This engine gives the F-350 its class-leading towing capacity of 21,200 lbs on a conventional hitch and 35,750 lbs with a gooseneck. All models come as standard with rear-wheel-drive, but four-wheel-drive is available. Adding the Tremor or FX4 package turns the F-350 into a proper 4x4.

With over 1,000 lb-ft of torque and almost no weight over the rear wheels, you'd expect the F-350 pickup to be a handful. Thankfully, traction and stability control keep the rear in check even when you press the throttle a little too deep into the carpet. The steering is light and precise at low speeds, but it gains weight the faster you go. It doesn't like corners, but that's pretty much par for the course when it comes to pickup trucks that weigh more than 5,800 lbs. Brake-feel is a little off - there isn't much bite at first, so you press down a little harder, and then it clamps down too hard. This is something you'll adapt to in the long run, however.

Ride comfort is above average, but with leaf springs at the rear, you'd never mistake the F-350 for a Rolls-Royce. The rear end can be quite bouncy when not carrying a load, but since this truck isn't for posing, there's little chance of that happening. To counteract the ride, Ford equips the F-350 with comfortable, supportive seats. In high-end models, these are trimmed in leather. Despite the improved interior ambiance, the F-350 also can't hide its constant battle with the air. Wind and road noise is noticeable at speed, but not so much that it's a deal-breaker.

Since the EPA doesn't evaluate heavy-duty trucks, we must rely on customer feedback and our own experiences with the vehicle. The standard 6.2-liter V8 used to get around 11 mpg with the old six-speed gearbox. The new ten-speed should make a difference, but not so much that you'd notice. Snooping around on customer forums reveals that the diesel will do approximately 14 mpg. Whatever model you opt for, it won't be winning any awards from Greenpeace.

At least Ford had the good sense to include large gas tanks as standard, although the size of the tank is determined by the body configuration you choose. The smallest tank size is 29 gallons, going up to 48 gallons in the Crew Cab with an eight-foot bed. This allows for a practical 670-mile range between refills.

The basic F-350 XL comes with a 40/20/40 split-bench in the front. A Super or Crew Cab adds another three-seat bench in the rear, taking the maximum capacity up to six. On high-end models, you get two seats in the front and a three-seat bench in the back. Hard-wearing vinyl upholstery is standard on base models, while mid-spec models get a high-quality cloth. Top-spec models get the leather treatment, along with ten-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in front, and heating in the rear on Crew Cabs.

The front legroom of 43.9 inches is standard across all three body styles. Rear passengers will be most pleased in the Crew Cab rear as it offers 43.6 inches of legroom. The rear legroom is a bit tight in the SuperCab, as it offers just 33.5 inches. Headroom is 40.8 inches in the front, 40.3 inches in the rear of the SuperCab, and 40.4 inches in the Crew Cab.

The Ford F-350 pickup truck obviously doesn't have a trunk. Lockable and weatherproof aluminum cross-bed tool boxes can be specified and you can opt for a variety of tonneau covers ranging from a soft folding cover to a retractable unit. You can mount BoxLink as a standalone option, allowing you to fit aftermarket storage bins. For daily shopping, you'll have to rely on the storage behind the front seats. In the Regular Cab, you get 11,6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. In the Super and Crew Cab, the rear seats can be folded flat to provide 31.6 and 52.1 cubic feet, respectively. Keep in mind that the rest of the family will have to stay at home when you shop.

Two bed sizes are available: 6.75 feet and eight feet. The bed height is 21.1 inches, and at its widest, it's 66.9 inches long. The smaller bed offers 65.4 cubic feet of space, while the larger bed offers 78.5 cubic feet. The maximum load capacity is rated at 7,850 lbs.

There's a wide variety of features available, depending on what you want to do with the F-350. The base fleet-spec XL is equipped with cruise control, a vinyl split-bench, two 12V power outlets, a 2.3-inch display in the instrument cluster, and manual air conditioning. The assistant-manager-spec XLT adds cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster, remote keyless entry, and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert.

Lariat trims have leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable pedals, an eight-inch LCD in the instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the passenger seat. Reverse sensing is standard from this model.

The King Ranch adds the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera with Pro Backup Assist, which does exactly what it says. A surround-view camera and lane-keep alert are standard. It also dials the luxury up a notch by adding heated and ventilated front seats. This particular model has its own unique interior trim consisting of model-specific wood trim and Kingsville Antique Affect leather.

For the Platinum trim, quad beam LED headlights, power running boards, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with brake assist, heated rear seats, and BoxLink for the bed are added.

The top-spec model is called the Limited and comes as standard with adaptive steering, two-tone Admiral Blue / Light Slate leather-trimmed front bucket seats, a twin-panel moonroof, and the 6.7-liter V8 turbo diesel engine as standard.

The basic infotainment system comes with Bluetooth connectivity, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and the basic SYNC software. On the XL, regular cab models have four speakers while six speakers are included for Super and Crew Cab configurations. This year, a small 4.2-inch infotainment display screen is added to the entry-spec trim - inherited from last year's XLT - with Bluetooth and voice commands. Moving up to the XLT adds one speaker per body configuration (five on Regular cabs, seven for Super and Crew) while upgrading to the better SYNC 3 interface, which includes a much larger eight-inch touchscreen this year - up from last year's 4.2-inch display - complete with SiriusXM as standard and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. From the Lariat upwards, the new SYNC 4 software is used from this year and navigation becomes standard, as well as over-the-air software updates. The audio setup is improved, too, with a ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen unit.

J.D. Power rates the 2022 Ford F-350 Super Duty relatively highly, with an 81 out of 100 overall consumer-verified rating. In terms of quality and reliability, it scores even higher at 84, and a 85 for resale value. However, the F-350 has been recalled multiple times. 2021 models were affected by five recalls for issues ranging from separating driveshafts and inadequate windshield bonding to improperly attached wheel-hub extenders, steering that may lock up, and driveshafts that may separate. 2022 models have not been recalled yet.

Every new Ford F-350 is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The IIHS and NHTSA rarely test heavy-duty workhorses, so while there is no comprehensive safety review from either authority, Ford does include several features as standard on the F-350 range. Every model gets automatic headlights, ABS, stability and traction control, six airbags, tire pressure monitoring, and MyKey, plus the prerequisite rearview camera. While the entry-spec models are quite barebones, XLT models get blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning. Lariat and upwards get reverse sensors while a surround-view monitor and lane keep alert are added from the King Ranch. Platinum-spec trucks come with adaptive cruise control, while the top-end Limited gets all this, plus adaptive steering.

In many ways, the F-350 Super Duty is in need of an overhaul. Compared to its direct rivals, it's lagging in terms of luxury and safety, but at least infotainment received a useful update this year. Ford kept updating it over the years, but the time has now come for a rethink, but without losing all the essentials that keep it ahead of the competition.

The two available gas V8s are magnificent engines, but there's a reason Ford chose to fit the V8 turbo diesel to the new top-spec Limited. With more than 1,000 lb-ft of torque, it can tow up to 35,750 lbs when correctly equipped, which keeps the F-350 ahead of most of the pack except the Ram. It has better infotainment this year and can drag something like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and all his gym equipment.

The F-350 dually also seems to be a favorite when it comes to vehicle mods. Owners like to lift them beyond the reaches of the average human. It doesn't make sense to everyone, but hey, it's your truck. More than anything, the F-350 was designed for working hard, which is something it does very well. In this segment, reliability matters, so buyers are more likely to be swayed by a proven recipe than a fancy interior with loads of gadgets, anyway.

The pricing of the Ford F-350 reflects what a broad spectrum it covers. A Regular Cab XL has an MSRP of $35,715. The XLT goes up to $40,620 in Regular Cab, increasing to $44,090 for the SuperCab and $45,855 for the Crew Cab. A Lariat SuperCab goes for $49,835, while the Crew Cab has an MSRP of $52,165. The King Ranch is only available in Crew Cab, retailing for $64,820. A Platinum in Crew Cab configuration with a dually setup costs $70,365, while the top-spec Limited has a price of $88,520. These prices exclude Ford's destination charge of $1,695.

If you're buying the F-350 for practical reasons, we recommend opting for the XLT. This trim level is available in all body styles and can be equipped with that monstrous diesel engine. Add the Power Stroke diesel and a part-time 4x4 system to a Crew Cab XLT, and you have a nice balance of comfort/luxury and impressive towing and off-road ability. This year you even get a proper infotainment setup with a decent eight-inch touchscreen. We don't think it's necessary to add anything else to the package, considering this is the kind of truck you work with. If you want it for family duty, investing in one of the top-tier models might be worth it, but the modern Ram and Chevy do a better job in that particular department.

This one is so close that it really comes down to brand loyalty. The Ram is also available with three engine options, but two of them are diesel. Ram's inline six-cylinder turbocharged diesel also offers more than 1,000 lb-ft of torque, and the 2022 model beats Ford's towing capacity - with a 37,100-lbs effort.

In every other way, these trucks are closely matched. The comfort levels and ride quality are perfectly acceptable in both, although we tend towards the Ram for those who want their truck to double as a family carrier. The Super Duty remains our choice for working hard, but the top-spec Ram with the high output diesel undercuts the Super Duty by around $10,000. That will buy you a lot of diesel. However, the Ford's superior ten-speed transmission compared to the Ram's six-speed and its updated infotainment counts for something too.

Out of the three trucks here, the Chevy is the most modern. You can tell just by looking at it. This is both good and bad. On the good side, you get all the latest tech and a brand-new gas V8 that develops 401 hp. On the bad side, the Chevy still has to prove itself. Longevity and reliability matter in this segment and prospective owners will likely wait a year or two before buying.

The Chevy's diesel engine has been carried over, producing 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. With 1,000 lb-ft being the new standard, the Silverado is a bit behind. Still, it is capable of towing 35,500 lbs, which is one plump human behind the Ford. The top-spec Silverado with the high-output diesel and 4WD is $12,000 less than the Ford, which helps swing our vote in that direction.