2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Review

　　

2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　No other class of vehicle on sale today has quite the breadth of features, body styles and engines as pickup trucks. That's especially true of full-size heavy-duty trucks such as the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Whether you're looking to haul a trailer to a job site or drive a luxed-out truck with all the features, there's an F-250 for you. Ford even offers the Super Duty Tremor package that increases this truck's capabilities off-road.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) 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-250 Super Duty XL

　　F-250 Super Duty XL

　　XL 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $34,230 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $36,565 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $36,765 MSRPXL 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $37,020 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $37,820 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $38,020 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $39,355 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $39,565 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $40,620 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $40,830 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $39,095 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $41,740 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $41,895 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $41,940 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $43,505 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $43,705 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $44,545 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $44,745 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $46,300 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $46,505 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $47,210 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $47,410 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $49,540 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $49,740 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $50,400 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $50,600 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $52,730 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $52,930 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $58,095 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $58,290 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $61,285 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $61,485 MSRPPlatinum 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $65,515 MSRPPlatinum 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $65,715 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $84,190 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.7L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) - $84,390 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　The current F-250 — part of Ford's F-Series line of trucks that have been among the most popular vehicles in America for decades — was redesigned in 2017 and carries over into 2021 mostly unchanged. But Ford Super Duty trucks are far from alone in this class. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and Ram 2500 have been battling it out with Super Duty trucks for years, and both offer roughly the same variety of configurations as the Ford. So is the F-250 the best heavy-duty truck for you? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to help you decide.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the F-250 Super Duty drive? Our F-250 crew-cab test truck had the optional diesel engine. It provides strong and smooth acceleration in just about any situation. There's a tiny bit of lag before the truck gets going, but the new 10-speed transmission shifts quickly.

　　Braking performance is disappointing, however. The brakes feel reasonably capable in typical conditions, but our truck took 153 feet to execute a panic stop from 60 mph, which is longer than average for the segment. The steering feels somewhat numb and inert, but the truck does track straight on the open road. This big Ford feels somewhat maneuverable, but there's no hiding its sheer bulk.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the F-250 Super Duty? If you have any heavy-duty pickup experience at all, the F-250 will seem sufficiently comfortable. It's not a benchmark by any means, but it does a decent job of keeping occupants happy. It's fairly quiet when it comes to wind and road noise, and the air-conditioning system has no trouble keeping the cabin cool.

　　It's hard to fault an F-250 for riding firmly when it's not carrying any load. Even though the overall feeling is agreeable enough, it's worth noting that the Ram 2500 is smoother-riding. The F-250's seats are what we're most lukewarm about. They're nicely adjustable and spacious, but the cushions — particularly the seat bottoms — feel flat and don't conform to an occupant's shape very well.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? No one should be surprised that it takes a big step up to get into this truck. It's tall even for its class. But unfortunately, our test truck didn't come with the relatively inexpensive option of side steps. For an F-250, we'd say those are a must-have.

　　Inside, there's more than enough space for everyone, and it's easy to fine-tune the positioning of the driver's seat and steering wheel to your liking. All of the relevant controls are within reach and operate as you'd expect them to. As for visibility, the F-250 gives you nice views out thanks to its big windows. All the same, we recommend opting for rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Ford's audio and navigation system is built around the Sync 3 interface. The interface is proven and it works, but it no longer stands out. It's missing recent competitor innovations in screen size and menu control. That said, this system does well when it comes to voice recognition support and smartphone integration.

　　Safety equipment in the F-250 has caught up with most competitors thanks to features such as lane departure warning for the truck and attached trailer, a blind-spot monitor with trailer coverage, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　

Towing and Storage

8.0/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The F-250 offers strong towing and hauling capability. Its aluminum body saves weight, and the savings amount to extra payload capacity. In this class, it's all about the numbers, and the Ford can nearly match the Ram 2500 in most cases. Everyday loading, however, is hampered by the bed's tall sides.

　　Inside, both cargo space in the back half of the crew cab and storage for personal items are quite generous. And while toting kids isn't the first thing you think about when buying a truck, the big crew cab makes it easy to fit car seats of any size. (Getting the kids up and in is another matter.)

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The fuel economy of heavy-duty pickups like the Ford F-250 is a mystery because this class of trucks is exempt from official labeling and testing. We did record fuel consumption over 800 miles of driving, though, and it averaged 16.5 mpg over that distance. Our best tank on a mostly highway route was 18.9 mpg.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the F-250 Super Duty a good value? The heavy-duty pickup arms race is in full swing. This updated 2020 F-250 has done quite a bit to catch up, but it might not be enough. Sure, there's the new 10-speed transmission and more power, but the interior trimmings are still average. Ford's warranty coverage is average, though the diesel engine's coverage lasts for 100,000 miles instead of the 60,000 you get with the gas V8.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　All heavy-duty pickups are big, but even among them the Ford F-250 makes a statement. It knows what it is, and the styling is hardly subtle. The driving experience matches that persona. It's no joy to drive, but neither is it a chore. Fun doesn't enter into it. The F-250 is built to work and to do a job, and it delivers on that promise.

　　

Which F-250 Super Duty does zzdcar recommend?

Which F-250 is right for you depends what you plan to use it for. That said, we suggest starting with the XLT trim. It comes with a decent list of standard and optional features, and it's available with a variety of bed and cab configurations.

　　

2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty models

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty is available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. There are three cab configurations — a regular cab, an extended cab (aka SuperCab) and a crew cab — that can be paired with either a 6.8- or an 8.2-foot bed. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims, and four-wheel drive is available on all.

　　The F-250 Super Duty, depending on the configuration, is available with three powertrains:

　　6.2-liter gasoline V8 (385 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission 7.3-liter gasoline V8 (430 hp, 475 lb-ft) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission 6.7-liter turbocharged-diesel V8 (475 hp, 1,050 lb-ft) that's also paired with a 10-speed automatic.XL

　　The base F-250 Super Duty XL is a spartan beast intended for work-truck duty. Standard features include:

　　Black-painted steel bumpers Black plastic exterior trim 17-inch steel wheels 4.2-inch center display screen One USB-C port FordPass Connect (includes remote services and onboard Wi-Fi) Vinyl floor covering and upholstery 40/20/40-split bench seat Manual windows Manual-folding mirrorsXLT

　　The XLT is a big step up in terms of refinement over the base XL. Besides all of the XL's features, the XLT trim comes with:

　　Chrome bumpers and grille 18-inch alloy wheels Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Heated exterior mirrors 8-inch touchscreen display with available navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Two USB-C ports Carpeted floor and cloth upholstery Power windows and door locks Two 110-volt household-style outlets Integrated trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab)Lariat

　　The Lariat is only available as an extended-cab or crew-cab truck. It includes all the XLT's features and adds:

　　Power-folding tow mirrors Power-sliding rear window Rear parking sensors Dual-zone automatic climate control 11-speaker B&O audio system 8-inch instrument cluster screen Auto-dimming rearview mirror Leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seatsKing Ranch

　　The crew cab-only King Ranch adds a Western flair to the F-250 Super Duty. It includes all Lariat content plus:

　　LED bed lighting Remote tailgate release Remote start King Ranch-specific leather interior Keyless entry with push-button startPlatinum

　　Ford keeps layering on the premium features with the Platinum trim. Standard equipment includes:

　　Body-colored bumpers and mirrors LED headlights 20-inch wheels Massaging and ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Rain-sensing wipers Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ford and the car in front)Limited

　　The top-tier Limited trim turns up the premium feel even further. Additions include:

　　Standard four-wheel drive Two-tone leather upholstery Moonroof Suede headliner and wood interior trim Premium two-tone leather upholsteryMany features found on the upper trim levels are optional on the lower trims. Other options, depending on the trim level, include:

　　Trailer Tow High Capacity with Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System and Pro Trailer Backup Assist package Lane keeping alert (warns you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Upgraded axle Increased tow capacity Trailer backup assist (knob-based steering controller to make reversing with a trailer easier) 360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the F-250 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) FX4 Off-Road package Hill descent control Off-road shock absorbers Transfer case and fuel-tank skid plates Tremor Off-Road package Locking rear differential Front limited-slip differential Upgraded suspension with increased ride height 18-inch wheels with off-road tires Lane keeping alert Skid plates Revised bumpers with better approach angles Rock and Trail Crawl modes

　　

2021 F-250 Super Duty Highlights

Type: Crew CabSuperCabRegular CabDieselCrew Cab

　　Trim: XLXLTLariatKing RanchPlatinumLimitedXL

　　

Base MSRP	$37,820
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	18,200 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles