2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty Review: Leading The Pack

While it hasn't undergone a complete redesign or even a facelift for the new year, the Ford F-350 has received some very notable updates to remain competitive against rivals like the Ram 3500 and Chevy Silverado 3500HD. Among these, the newly available 430-horsepower V8 gasoline engine and the upgraded V8 diesel engine, which now develops 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, are the most notable. With these updates, the F-350 Super Duty remains the best-in-class for towing capacity, maxing out at 21,200 lbs conventional towing and 35,750 lbs gooseneck. Unsurprisingly, these potent powertrains don't get very impressive fuel economy. Nevertheless, the pickup remains extremely popular for its hardy capabilities and long list of available features on the upper trim levels - assuming buyers can afford the hefty price tags associated with those models.

F-350 Super Duty Exterior

There is no mistaking the F-350 for anything but a heavy-duty truck. From its massive grille to chunky bumpers, everything about the pickup says workhorse. The standard automatic quad halogen headlights are equally large, framing the grille, while foglights rest in the lower bumper on the upper trims. The rear of the truck is equally as sturdy, with the dual-rear-wheel models sporting enormous wheel arches to advertise the extra stability and payload capacity. Despite all this blue-collar style, the cabin is actually quite sleek, especially on the Super and Crew Cab configurations.

Dimensions

The overall size of the F-350 Ford truck varies depending on how it is configured. In its most basic configuration, the Regular Cab wheelbase measures 141.6 inches long within a 231.8-inch body. However, the largest Crew Cab/long bed configuration sees these figures increased to 176 inches and 266.2 inches, respectively. Similarly, height can vary between 78.7 inches and 81.5 inches. Width is standard, though, at a girthy 80 inches without accounting for the mirrors. However, when equipped for dual rear wheels, this increases to 96 inches. The pickup has a modicum of 4x4 capabilities, thanks to its modest 8.3 - 8.8 inches of ground clearance, complemented by an approach angle of 16.7 - 18 degrees and a departure angle of 17.9 - 20.5 degrees. Curb weights vary for the F-350 but are very much in line with its title as a heavy-duty truck, the lightest F-350 weighs in at 5,887 pounds, while the heaviest can be as much as 8,133 lbs.

Ford F-350 Super Duty Performance

Engine and Transmission

For the new year, three engines are available under the hood of the F-350 Super Duty. The standard powertrain is a 6.2-liter two-valve V8 gas engine developing 385 hp and 430 lb-ft. However, this year, the standard engine comes mated to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. While it may be the weakest engine in the line-up, this V8 supplies more than enough power to get the hefty pickup around. Acceleration is acceptable, though not impressive.

Once again, the 2020 F-350 gets access to an eminently capable 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, but its outputs have been increased to 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft to stay ahead of the competition. It comes paired to the same capable ten-speed automatic transmission as the gas engine. This powertrain is what makes the Super Duty the segment leader it is, providing ample pulling power thanks to over 1000 lb-ft of torque. With the improved outputs, the diesel engine can tow up to 21,200 lbs in conventional style, and up to 35,750 lbs in a gooseneck configuration.

A new engine is available this year, too. The 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engine comes mated to the same ten-speed automatic gearbox to develop 430 hp and 475 lb-ft. While it doesn't provide the same level of towing power as the diesel engine, the new gas engine is still more capable than the standard one. It also provides much better acceleration, making the pickup feel far less lethargic around town.

Every truck comes standard with rear-wheel-drive, but all-wheel-drive is available to every model, too. While not as capable as the diesel engine, the gas engines can still tow a fair amount. The standard V8 maxes out at 16,700 lbs conventional towing, with the new V8 can manage up to 21,000 lbs.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Even with all that power under the hood, and even with over 1000 lb-ft of torque, the F-350 is quite well-behaved on the road. Thanks to the electronically assisted steering and surprisingly tight turning sector, the large pickup actually maneuvers well in traffic. That is, assuming you remember just how gargantuan the truck is. Parking lots will feel tight, and taking corners at anything more than sedate speeds will quickly remind you just how much the F-350 weighs.

Steering is precise but light at low speeds, gaining heft as the truck gains speed. However, there isn't that much feedback unless the adaptive steering is equipped. Even then, don't expect much from the Ford. This is only compounded by the somewhat unresponsive brakes, which require a heavier foot than you'd expect, often leading to over application.

On the plus side, ride comfort is above average. The seats are comfortable, and the suspension absorbs all but the largest bumps without complaint. Naturally, the upper trims provide even more comfort, with available leather upholstery and other creature comforts. But, despite the build quality of the cabin, noise can be an issue when any of the potent V8 engines are pushed to perform. They'll certainly drown out whatever wind and road noise manages to slip through.

Ford F-350 Pickup Truck Gas Mileage

Heavy-duty trucks are not subject to traditional gas mileage ratings by the EPA. Usually, we would rely on reports by consumers to determine the fuel economy of these vehicles, but with the changes made to the turbodiesel engine and the new 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engine, there hasn't been enough feedback to offer reliable figures. The standard 6.2-liter V8 remains unchanged, though, delivering a combined mileage figure of 11 mpg. The diesel powertrain delivered 14 mpg in its previous configuration, and we expect the updated powertrain to deliver similar figures. The fuel tank varies in size between 29 and 48 gallons, with the largest tank allowing the pickup to travel in the region of 672 miles before needing to refuel.

F-350 Super Duty Interior

Seating and Interior Space

Up to three passengers can be seated with the most basic F-350, but equipping the larger Super or Crew Cab increases this to a maximum capacity of six. Up front, there is plenty of head- and legroom for all three people. Headroom remains the same throughout the cabin in the larger cabs, but the SuperCab gets less-than-stellar legroom. The Crew Cab is more spacious, more easily accommodating taller individuals. The seats are positioned quite high, providing a fair degree of visibility, but the available blind-spot monitor and cameras are still welcome. The same height can make getting in and out a bit difficult, though. The lower trim levels offer manually adjustable seats, while the upper trims get ten-way power front seats with available memory functions with heating and cooling. Vinyl upholstery comes standard, with cloth on the mid-tier trims, and leather on the upper trims.

Ford F-350 Super Duty Trunk and Cargo Space

None of the Ford F-350 trucks get a standard trunk, instead relying on the cargo bed for most storage applications. Still, there is some space behind the front seats, specifically 11.6 cubic feet inside the Regular Cab. The rear seats can be folded down in the larger cabs, with a total of 31.6 cubic feet or 52.1 cubic feet available within the Super and Crew Cab, respectively. This is actually enough for most daily needs around town, assuming you don't need the available rear seats. For anything larger, you'll be using the cargo bed. The standard bed is 6.75-ft long, while the larger bed is 8.0-ft long. Bed height is standard at 21.1 inches, while the width at the widest section is 66.9 inches. The standard bed offers a total capacity of 65.4 cubic feet, while the larger bed offers 78.5 cubic feet. The most capable of the F-350 range can haul loads of up to 7,850 lbs.

There is a fair amount of small-item storage within the interior. There is a standard glove compartment and modest door pockets in each of the available doors. The center console supplies a pretty spacious storage bin, with an extra space available just in front. There are a pair of shelves beside the center console, and cupholders are placed within the center storage bin.

Features

The F-350 is, first and foremost, a workhorse. As such, the entry-level model comes with the most basic spec sheet. These comprise cruise control, vinyl upholstery, two-way manual front seats, two 12-volt power outlets, and basic air conditioning. The first set of upgrades come with the XLT, which gets cloth upholstery, remote keyless entry, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster, and cargo area locking cleats. Leather upholstery, in various grades of quality, becomes standard from the Lariat upwards, along with ten-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 110-volt power outlet. Climate-controlled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column are standard on the upper-most trims, while the high-tier Platinum gets multi-contour front seats, heated rear seats, keyless entry and ignition, and a power dual-panel sunroof. The safety suite comprises a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision avoidance, lane keep alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera, with multiple features being restricted to the upper trim levels.

Infotainment

The infotainment suite is quite basic on the starter model, comprising a Sync interface that supports Bluetooth functions, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and AM/FM Radio with a four- or six-speaker sound system, depending on the cab. The XLT gets the Sync 3 system, which includes a 4.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. An extra speaker is added to the sound system on the XLT, while the Lariat upwards upgrades to a completely new ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Navigation with voice commands is added at the King Range level. A single USB port comes standard, with an extra one added to the upper trims.

Ford F-350 Super Duty Problems and Reliability

While the 2020 Ford F-350 has not yet received a dependability rating from J.D. Power, we expect the 82 out of 100 from 2019 to transfer over unchanged. Despite this high rating, the truck has been recalled several times over the last few years in the USA. One of the three recalls from 2019 carries over to 2020, with all three reasons comprising reduced seat back strength, premature right rear axle shaft failure, and the block heater cable splice connector potentially corroding. New purchases are covered by a 36,000-mile/36-month limited warranty, with the powertrain and roadside assistance covered for 60,000 miles/60 months. The diesel powertrain gets a longer 100,000-mile/60-month warranty.

Warranty

F-350 Super Duty Safety

Heavy-duty trucks are seldom tested by independent institutes for crash-test safety, and the Ford F-350 stays true to this trend. But even without a verified rating from the NHTSA or IIHS, the Ford pickup gets access to a variety of safety features. Every model comes equipped with ABS, automatic headlights, stability and traction control, a rearview camera, and a set of six airbags: front, front side, and side curtain. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite provides different levels of protection depending on the trim, with the complete suite comprises blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.

Verdict: Is the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty A Good car?

There is a reason that Ford has led the heavy-duty segment for years now. While the newest Ford F-350 Super Duty has not undergone a full redesign like some of its rivals, the manufacturer has managed to keep it current and just ahead of the competition in all the ways that matter.

Two gasoline engines are now available to the truck, each delivering more than enough power to move it with a respectable level of haste. But, it's the available turbodiesel engine that really impresses. Updated for the new year, it develops over 1,000 lb-ft of torque, pushing the Super Duty's towing capacity past that of the updated Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, maxing out at 35,750 lbs when configured for gooseneck towing. This keeps Ford ahead of the pack for yet another year.

However, the rest of the truck's features are starting to become a little dated, with the infotainment suite being a rather weak point. Most of the best safety features are also limited to the more expensive upper trim levels. Still, there is bound to be a Super Duty out there to suit just about any need, even all the creature comforts you could want in a family vehicle. The F-350 remains a popular choice for modifications featuring a lifted ride height and 'dually' rear-wheel setups, too.

But, at the end of the day, this is still an enormous truck designed for doing hard work. This is what it excels at above every other rival, but the fact that it can do so much more is what makes it the true leader in the segment. You'll be hard-pressed to find a heavy-duty pickup better than the Ford F-350.

What's the Price of the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty?

Pricing for the Ford F-350 Super Duty isn't overly expensive, with the entry-level XL asking for just $35,220, but the price can climb drastically. The XLT remains relatively affordable at $40,010, but the Lariat adds a significant $8,110 over this. The King Ranch will set you back $60,520, while the penultimate Platinum asks for $65,520. None of these come close to the top-tier Limited, though, which bears a hefty $84,775 price tag. These are just starting prices for each model, though, with variations in cab and bed size, and powertrain, affecting the price accordingly. Upgrading to the 6.7-liter V8 turbo diesel motor, for example, adds a whopping $10,495 to your bill. Pricing excludes tax, registration, licensing, and Ford's $1,695 destination fee.

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

If you're buying a Ford F-350 pickup truck for practical applications, then you'll be happy to stick to the more affordable trims that still prioritize cargo and towing capacities. As such, one of the lower trims, such as the XL or XLT, equipped with the Regular Cab and long bed, should get the job done. However, buyers who want the pickup to double as a family vehicle or daily driver may be tempted by one of the better-appointed models, such as the Lariat or King Ranch with a Super or Crew Cab. The diesel engine is a must for those who need towing power, while tacking on some of the available driver-assistance features will improve the appeal of the mid-tier models for family use.

2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty Comparisons

2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs Ram 3500

Much like the F-350 pickup, the Ram 3500 gets access to three engines, but only one of these is a gasoline engine. The gasoline V8 develops 410 hp and 429 lb-ft, while the inline-six diesel engines can develop up to 400 hp and 1,000 lb-ft. This allows the Ram to tow almost as much as the Super Duty, topping out at 35,100 lbs. However, even though the Ram 3500 is on par with the Ford in almost every way, including a comfortable ride and a long list of standard and available comfort and safety features. The only thing really holding it back from being the F-350's equal is the less engaging six-cylinder engine. But being an equal isn't all it's cracked up to be, with the top-tier Ram maxing out at $20k less than the top-tier Ford F-350 Super Duty's price. The Super Duty is the slightly better pick, and it's a bit more fun to drive, but the two are so similar in terms of ability that it will most likely come down to personal taste.

2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The Silverado 3500HD has been totally redesigned for 2020, in an attempt by Chevrolet to get ahead of the competition. It gets a brand-new V8 gas engine that develops 401 hp, but its diesel engine remains unchanged, developing 445 hp and 910 lb-ft. In its most capable guise, the Chevy can tow up to 35,500 lbs, which would have been enough to surpass the Ford F-350, last year that is. The updates to the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty keep it in the lead when it comes to heavy-duty operations. Much like the Ram 3500, the Silverado is equal to the Ford in just about every other regard. However, the Chevy has just been redesigned and, as such, it comes with more modern equipment and updates to quality, it may be the better choice until Ford gives its Super Duty a complete overhaul.