2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The interior of the Super Cab range is pretty much the same across the range, but that's good because it's a decent place to be. The design and layout looks good and the plastics combined with the brushed aluminium finishings look more upmarket than your typically workhorse. Seating is good; the bolstering is strong and comfortable and will accommodate plus size people without hassle.

Controls for various functions are in good reach and the steering controls are there to stop you needing to lean across to push buttons. The infotainment and the gauge cluster are good with good functionality and are better in the Pickup model over the Chassis workhorse. The cabin is also nicely sound deadened too; even the diesel lump's noise doesn't intrude too much. For added people transport, the Crew Cab can seat six.

With a quiet cabin you may accidentally rev the diesel lump a little too much, especially if you're used to playing things by ear. The diesel-powered engine is responsive thanks to such high torque, but the gasoline engine isn't far behind. The automatic transmission is good with changes coming in smooth and when you expect. The F-250 Super Cab is big, so you're not going to chuck it around corners with much success, but the handling is adequate for what you're driving and with the weight it has.

The steering is light enough to make maneuvering the truck around parking bays and such, and even though the turning circle is on par with the Titanic, the on board camera systems do help you out a lot. The ride is smooth enough, but an empty load box will see the rear axle bounce around a bit, but driver controls and aids step in to help if you're too lazy for corrections yourself.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty has the option of all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, a 6-speed automatic transmission, different length wheelbases and load box sizes. With the a lot of aluminum being used in the construction of the truck it's weight belays its bulk, but even if it was as heavy as it looks, the engines on offer are more than strong enough to shift it around. Options include a gasoline drinking 6.2-liter V8 with 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque on tap as well as a monster diesel V8 that comes in at 6.7-liters with 440 hp and a powerful 925 lb-ft of torque – enough for am 18,000 lb payload.

For a truck, there's some great features and tech on board. You get a run of the mill audio system in the lower specs, but you can option a good infotainment system headed up by a touchscreen display. Ford's good and user-friendly Sync 3 system is in play in most models at almost $400, and it also comes with voice activation to make life easier. The Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System is a must-have for haulers who don't want to bash things; it'll help you keep an eye on things. Safety is basic, but adequate with front and side airbags, roll stability control and trailer sway control.

The award-winning Ford F-250 Super Duty wears many faces, and comes in a street and town ready guise as well as in a few more different configurations suited to the rough and tumble ranch work. The F-250 has been a popular choice for the past 40 years now, so there's a rich heritage associated, and that's reason enough to buy one for many Americans. The pricing is good, the specs are good, and the truck is good. Better than rivals? Probably much the same, these things are bought with the heart.