2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Test Drive: A Tough Truck With A Soft Side

You would have to go back more than four decades to find a year when the Ford F-Series was not the best-selling vehicle in the USA. Achieving this level of dominance and maintaining it isn't easy, but Ford has made continuous improvements to its Super Duty pickup truck series, most recently with a major facelift for the 2020 model year, including enhancements for the Ford F-250. The Super Duty lineup spans multiple models including the F-250, F-350, and F-450, each of which offers benefits and drawbacks but all of which are some of the best workhorses around. Ford sent us a 2020 F-250 Crew Cab to review, so we could analyze the changes for the new model year.

The F-250 sits above the F-150 in Ford's truck lineup, offering larger engines and greater capabilities than its half-ton sibling. Additions for 2020 include a new 7.3-liter gasoline V8 engine, improved 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel engine with class-leading torque, and numerous exterior changes. The Ford F-250 Super Duty is now the oldest heavy-duty truck amongst the big three American automakers but Ford hopes these new class-leading engines will help keep the best-seller competitive against the Ram 2500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.

What's the Price of the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty?

The most affordable Ford F-250 pickup is the XL, which starts at $33,705. One step above this is the XLT at $38,485. The Lariat takes a big jump up in price to $46,600, however, moves up to the SuperCab body style. After that is the King Ranch at $59,000, the Platinum at $65,895, and finally, the Limited at a jaw-dropping $83,600 - all three available exclusively in Crew Cab format. All of these prices represent each trim in its cheapest form and excludes taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,695.

Once you've selected your trim, there are many more decisions to be made in terms of body style, box size, and powertrain. These all carry their own costs. For instance, on the XL Regular Cab, upgrading to the 7.3L V8 will cost $2,045, whereas going for the 6.7L diesel adds $10,495 to the Ford F-250's price. Sticking with this trim, going from 4x2 to 4x4 costs an additional $2,790. On the mid-range Lariat Crew Cab, the engine upgrades cost the same, but the 4x4 drivetrain is a pricier $3,185 upgrade. At the other end of the price spectrum, it's all too easy to specify a few options on the Limited trim and send the price beyond $90,000.

2020 F-250 Super Duty Exterior

Dimensions

2020 F-250 Super Duty Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The F-250 excels with regards to towing and hauling. Our tester, as configured, boasted a 14,700-pound towing capacity, which we barely scratched the surface of by attaching a trailer with a car. Even with around 5,000 pounds of metal attached to the hitch, the F-250 barely noticed that anything was behind it. A drawback to all of this capability comes the moment you drive the truck over anything but perfect pavement. The solid rear axle and rear leaf spring suspensions pogos around over uneven surfaces and the effect is amplified when there's nothing in the bed. Half-ton trucks have become remarkably comfortable in recent years but full-ton models like the F-250 still deservingly carry their reputations for bumpiness.

To the F-250's credit, it does drive along pretty quietly even at highway speeds. Road and wind noise are minimal and the 7.3-liter V8 is nearly silent when you aren't pressing hard on the throttle. The hydraulic power steering feels heavier than what you'll find in the half-ton segment but an optional adaptive steering system changes ratios at lower speeds, making it a bit easier to maneuver the F-250 around parking lots. The F-250 certainly feels its size when going around bends but it doesn't ever feel unstable, even at highway speeds.

2020 F-250 Super Duty Interior

2020 F-250 Super Duty Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty A Good Truck?

Truck buyers are especially loyal so it takes a lot to convince someone to jump brands. GM and Ram each have newer trucks on the market but Ford's latest facelift to the Super Duty lineup still keeps it a compelling option. The new engines are easily the best new addition and are currently our favorite options in this segment. Ford's 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 is a powerhouse and the PowerStroke diesel has enough torque to move continents. The new Tremor Off-Road Package is also a compelling option for heavy-duty truck buyers who like to get muddy.

We expect an all-new Super Duty to arrive soon after the next-generation F-150, boasting a completely new exterior, improved interior, and these new and wonderful engines under the hood. Even with just a facelift, the F-250 is still one of the best heavy-duty trucks on the market and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The Lariat trim level Ford sent us seems like an excellent middle ground for buyers who want more luxury but don't need the expensive opulence of the King Ranch, Platinum, or Limited.

What Ford F-250 Super Duty Model Should I Buy?

It would be nearly impossible for us to offer a one-size-fits-all configuration for the F-250 since truck buyers have such drastically different needs. If we were to build our perfect F-250, we'd likely stick with the Lariat trim level with the spacious Crew Cab configuration because it offers plenty of livable features without the massive hit on our wallets of the upper trims. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine is highly tempting but for $10,495, we wouldn't take enough advantage of its capabilities to justify the cost. The cheaper 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 is a no-brainer for $2,045. As-tested, our F-250 Lariat with a few packages rang in at a fairly reasonable price of $68,665.

2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Comparisons

2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Like the F-250, the Silverado 2500HD is one of the most capable trucks you can get your hands on. The latest Chevy is also much-improved over its predecessor, with strong powertrains and a much more modern interior. In terms of raw numbers, Chevy's base gas engine lies somewhere between Ford's 6.2 and 7.3L V8s in terms of output. Both ranges have massively powerful diesel options, but the Ford's outputs are superior. This allows the F-250 to tow 4,300 lbs more than the 2500HD, but unless you really do need this extra towing capacity, both trucks will be more than sufficient for most purposes. The Silverado does fight back with a slightly more accommodating bed, though, which can manage more cargo than the Ford's. But again, it's a close match. In the end, the Ford's nicer cabin, better towing capacity, and stronger diesel engine are enough for it to steal the win.

2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs GMC Sierra 2500HD

Sharing much with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, the GMC is a similarly capable truck which means that it can't quite match the Ford F-250 diesel's maximum outputs or towing capacity. But being able to haul up to 18,500 lbs is still nothing to be embarrassed about. Like the Silverado, the Sierra has a decent but unspectacular cabin which falls short of the build quality in the Ford. What the GMC does have is a great spread of standard and available features, including the highly versatile six-function MultiPro tailgate. An available 15-view camera system and a transparent trailer view are tech highlights that also set apart the Sierra. If you are looking for a feature-rich heavy-duty truck, it's worth noting that the range-topping Sierra 2500HD Denali Crew Cab starts at under $65,000, which is a lot less than the Ford F-250's top Limited trim. However, Ford's basic Regular Cab is cheaper than GMC's equivalent. So, the best buy depends on whether you want a basic worker or a luxurious leisure truck.