2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty Review

　　

2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Ford's pickup truck lineup is relatively simple to understand. As the numbers get progressively bigger, the trucks get more capable. The 2020 Ford F-450 represents the pinnacle of the non-commercial fleet. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 37,000 pounds thanks to 1,050 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque delivered by a next-generation 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty XL 2dr Regular Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for F-450 Super Duty XL

　　F-450 Super Duty XL

　　XL 2dr Regular Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $50,210 MSRPXL 2dr Regular Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $53,525 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $54,630 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) (Most Popular) - $57,395 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $55,985 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $59,305 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $60,410 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $63,170 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $66,980 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $69,745 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $75,545 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $78,310 MSRPPlatinum 4dr Crew Cab DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $80,755 MSRPPlatinum 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $83,520 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD DRW (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $90,860 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　On the inside, supportive seats, abundant space, and plenty of features make it easy to live with the F-450. Hook up your trailer and load up all your heaviest gear and you'll still have a vehicle that can pamper you on the longest of road trips. For maximum towing and hauling, though, you'll need the less accommodating regular-cab configuration instead of the more popular crew cab.

　　You might not expect it from such a massive vehicle, but the F-450 is available with many technology and safety features. Infotainment highlights include newly standard FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi service and available wireless smartphone charging, while the list of driving aids expands to include automatic emergency braking. Ford also makes its driving assistance and collision avoidance tech standard on all F-450s except for the base XL trim.

　　Towing is the name of this truck's game, and the 2020 F-450 Super Duty adds two critically important pieces of technology to support that role. The first is improved Trailer Reverse Guidance, which now works with both fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers. The second is Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which is a semi-automated steering technology that makes reversing a trailer easier.

　　You do have to pay more for the 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty compared to other heavy-duty trucks. But if you need maximum capability, it's pretty much in a class of its own.

　　

Which F-450 Super Duty does zzdcar recommend?

Our recommendation for most F-450 buyers is the XLT trim level. Available in regular-cab or crew-cab configuration, XLT trim delivers maximum towing and hauling capability combined with most of the features you'll really want, such as Sync 3 infotainment and Ford's CoPilot360 safety systems.

　　

2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty models

The 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty is a full-size heavy-duty pickup available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Cab configurations include regular cab (XL and XLT only) and crew cab, each equipped with an 8.2-foot bed and a dual rear-wheel axle. The only engine is a turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V8 that puts out an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.

　　Base XL models come standard with 19.5-inch commercial tires mounted on polished forged aluminum wheels, which bring the only real bling to the truck's exterior. Inside, the F-450 XL is equipped with air conditioning, vinyl seat and floor coverings, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and manual windows and door locks. A rearview camera is standard, along with Sync Bluetooth connectivity and FordPass Connect including Wi-Fi service for up to 10 devices. Every F-450 also has a trailer-towing preparation package for fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.

　　Step up to the XLT and you get chrome exterior trim, cloth upholstery, carpeted floors, and power-operated mirrors, windows and door locks. Sync 3 infotainment is standard with XLT trim, adding an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Ford also equips the F-450 XLT with its Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems.

　　The midrange Lariat adds power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, and a 10-speaker premium sound system. This version also includes power-telescoping and -folding side mirrors, a power-sliding rear window, and rear parking sensors.

　　Western-themed King Ranch models add special exterior and interior trim, along with unique leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. This trim also equips the F-450 with remote engine starting, automatic wipers with a de-icing function, a power-remote tailgate release, wireless device charging, a navigation system, and camera-based trailer towing aids.

　　Platinum models throw in adaptive steering, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights and foglights, power-deploying side steps, and a built-in tailgate step. Premium leather and heated rear seats are also standard.

　　At the top of the lineup is the Limited trim level. It comes only with four-wheel drive and includes a fancy grille, massaging front seats wrapped in exclusive two-tone leather, leather-wrapped dashboard and door armrest trim, a faux suede headliner, and a dual-panel sunroof.

　　Many standard features offered on upper trim levels are available as options on the rest of the lineup. Other noteworthy add-ons include fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailer hitch kits, a power takeoff feature to power accessories using the engine, stowable loading ramps, a supplemental rapid cab heater, trailer tire-pressure monitoring and a spray-in bedliner.

　　

2020 F-450 Super Duty Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: XLXLTLariatKing RanchPlatinumLimitedXL

　　

Base MSRP	$54,630
Engine Type	Diesel
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	24,200 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles