2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty Review: The Empire Strikes Back

Many pickup trucks claim to be able to do hard work yet end up spending most of their lives around town running trivial errands. However, with available engine options that include a turbodiesel V8 with 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque and an insane towing capacity of up to 38,000 lbs, the 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty is no milquetoast pickup. It looks incredible now that it has received an overhaul that includes an imposing exterior makeover, but it also has more power and capability than ever before, proving where its priorities lie. The F-350 Super Duty faces stiff competition from the Ram 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, but the American automaker ensures that no matter how hard rivals try to beat it in terms of towing and payload hauling, it comes back stronger every time. Now, we have a brand-new Super Duty that will be hard to beat until the competition performs a similar overhaul.

What's the Price of the 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty?

The price of the new Ford F-350 Super Duty proves that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get truly impressive workhorse capabilities. The base XL is the only model that comes with RWD as standard and it will cost you $45,015 in this configuration. Starting from the XLT, 4WD becomes the norm and you need to pay $51,160 for this trim. The Lariat sells for $62,460 and the King Ranch $77,025. The penultimate Platinum will cost you $77,915, while the top-of-the-range Limited is a hefty $97,270. Replacing the base engine with the larger-capacity V8 on the XL will cost $1,705. Meanwhile, every model aside from the Limited can opt for the standard turbodiesel V8 ($9,995) or the high-output variant ($12,495). The latter comes standard on the top-tier trim. Opting for a larger cabin will also increase the price on XL, XLT, and Lariat, which all come standard with the Regular Cab. These prices for the Ford F-350 Super Duty are MSRP and do not include the $1,895 destination charge.

2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty Handling and Driving Impressions

Despite its impressive size, weight, and girth, the 2023 F-350 Super Duty is not as hard to handle as it may look. It has remarkably light steering when traveling at low speeds, so you can maneuver around parking lots without too much stress. However, you will need to check your mirrors regularly, lest you lose sight of just how big this truck is. While the steering does gain weight as you pick up speed, be mindful that the Ford Super Duty does not like corners, and taking them at speed is unwise.

Once you get used to how the car handles, you can actually sit back and enjoy its surprisingly good ride comfort. That is when compared to similar vehicles; it is definitely not a plush luxury cruiser. If you don't have a load in the back, the rear end can bounce a bit, but when you're pulling something heavy, bumps in the road will be flattened beneath the stiff suspension. Inside the cabin, comfortable seats ensure that not much going on below is transmitted to the passengers. Still, road and wind noise can be a problem, despite the overall good build quality of the interior.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty A Good Truck?

We have always been fans of the Ford F-350 Super Duty, but our last review stated that we thought it was in need of an update. Now, we can't really think of anything bad to say about the heavy-duty pickup. Sure, it isn't exactly luxurious, and it's far from sophisticated, but that isn't what we really want from this type of vehicle. Instead, it focuses on delivering massive amounts of power, with towing and payload-hauling capacities to match. The newest F-350 SD can now pull 38,000 lbs, setting yet another benchmark for rivals to try to surpass. It also looks and feels better, and the higher standard safety specification is welcome. There is currently no better work truck in this particular subsegment in the USA, and it will be at least a year before one of Ford's rivals takes a shot at the crown again. So, we feel confident saying that the F-350 Super Duty is an excellent pickup truck.

What 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty Model Should I Buy?

If you want to unlock the full potential of the F-350 Super Duty, then the standard RWD XL trim is the way to go. You'll have to equip it with dual rear wheels and the 6.7-liter high-output turbodiesel engine to gain access to the maximum towing capacity though, and these are pricey additions. Still, not many people need to lug 38,000 lbs around, and even models outfitted with the base engine can handle a decent load. A good middle ground, in our opinion, is the XLT trim. It gets 4WD as standard, so it can tackle some rough terrain and not lose its footing. It also gives you the option of all four engines, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Similarly, Regular, Super, and Crew cabs are available. The bonus features at this level include forward-collision avoidance and crash mitigation, rear parking sensors, and intersection assist.