2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty Review: The Towing & Hauling King
Within the three tiers of Ford's range of hardworking Super Duty trucks, the F-450 sits right on top. With a mighty tow rating of up to 35,000 pounds, dual rear wheel 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, and a mega 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine with 450 horsepower and 935 lb-ft of torque, the F-450's hauling capabilities are enough for the toughest jobs. You can also specify a snow-plow package, a fifth-wheel prep pack, and a heavy-duty front suspension. The big Ford also has a comfortable, spacious cabin, while six trims cater to those looking for a durable workhorse or a more luxurious truck that can also serve for family duties. While the F-450's tow ratings lead the way, the Ram 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500HD are worthy competitors, if you won't be towing close to the F-450's maximum capacity.
What's the Price of the 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty?
The Ford F-450 Super Duty range kicks off with the XL at an MSRP of $47,375 for the Regular Cab. Next is the XLT at $52,255, followed by the mid-range, Crew Cab Lariat $63,905 and the King Ranch at $72,340. Moving into the more luxurious trim levels, the Platinum costs $75,585 and the range-topping Limited goes for $86,505.
For the base XL, upgrading from the Regular Cab to the Crew Cab will cost $4,420. The 4x4 drivetrain, meanwhile, adds $3,315. Upgrading from Regular Cab to Crew Cab and 4x2 to 4x4 will see similar price increases from trim to trim.
All prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,595.
Best Deals on 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty
Handling and Driving Impressions
While there's no getting away from its sheer size, the F-450 does have one clear advantage over the F-350 and F-250: a wide-track front axle. This allows the front wheels to turn a lot more sharply in the F-450, significantly reducing the turning radius and making the F-450 feel more maneuverable. Available adaptive steering (standard on higher trims) also reduces the steering effort depending on speed and load, improving the driver's ability to control the big truck easily.
With its beefed-up suspension components helping it deliver those impressive towing capacities, the F-450's ride is rather firm when empty. Things smooth out a bit when the truck is loaded up, and together with its hefty weight and the huge reserves of torque, the F-450 is quite pleasant on the open road, tracking straight and feeling reassuringly planted. Towing is made easier thanks to power-extending side mirrors and the good camera system; blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage is available, too. Thanks to the standard dual rear wheels of the F-450, stability is increased when towing heavy loads. The truck is also well insulated from wind and road noise.
Verdict: Is the 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty A Good Truck?
While the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks will be enough for most, the F-450 takes towing and hauling to a class-leading level. When properly equipped, the 35,000-pound towing capacity is hard to argue with. Along with the 450-horsepower turbodiesel, the extra-wide front axle for improved maneuverability, and the dual-rear-wheel setup for enhanced towing stability, the Ford blends ultimate ability with a spacious and family-friendly cabin like few other trucks. Of course, with its increased weight, the F-450's payload sees a drop relative to the F-350, so you'll need to carefully compare specification sheets to decide which truck best fits your needs. In its higher trims and/or with options added, the F-450's price can also escalate dramatically. If you don't need to tow at the upper end of the F-450's capability, then GMC's Sierra 3500HD, Ford's own F-350 Super Duty, and the Ram 3500 are viable alternatives worth looking at. If you do need all of the F-450's towing capability, then it virtually stands alone outside of full-on commercial trucks.
What Ford F-450 Super Duty Model Should I Buy?
At $63,905, the mid-range Lariat offers most of the features you need without the excessive price of the more premium trims. The only limitation is that you can only get it in the Crew Cab configuration, with the workhorse Regular Cabs only available in the lower two trims. Still, this means you're getting must-have feature upgrades like the SYNC3 infotainment system, a superior premium sound system, and dual-zone automatic climate control. It's just a pity that many of the driver-assist safety features aren't standard, so we'd add on adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support for $740. Depending on your needs, you can also upgrade to the Tow Technology Package ($2,150) or the Snow Plough/Camper Package ($245). You'll still get one of the toughest trucks in the business for under $70,000.
2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty Comparisons
2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty vs Ford F-350 Super Duty
Both of these trucks share the same trim lines. The major differences are mechanical, with the F-450 using a standard 450-horsepower 6.7-liter turbodiesel and an extra-wide front axle. The F-350 can be optioned with this diesel engine, but uses a 385 hp 6.2-liter gasoline V8 by default. The F-450 also comes standard with a dual-rear-wheel layout - this is another option on the F-350. At a base level, the F-450 will cost you a considerable $13,055 more than the cheapest F-350. The F-350's maximum towing capacity is 3,000 pounds short of the F-450's but is still a considerable 32,000 lbs when properly equipped. Both have comfortable and spacious interiors that range from basic/durable to quite opulent on the upper Platinum and Limited trims. The F-350 is, however, also available as a Super Cab. Unless you must tow at the upper end of the F-450's range, the F-350 offers almost as much capability but is cheaper, has an extra engine option, and can be had as a Super Cab.
2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty vs GMC Sierra 3500HD
If you need to tow more than 23,100 pounds, then the Sierra 3500HD is immediately ruled out of contention with the F-450 as this is its maximum towing capacity, over 10,000 lbs below the F-450's capability. Towing ability aside, the Sierra is a competent truck that also enjoys spacious accommodations and a raft of available high-tech features. There's also the option of a 360-horsepower V8 gasoline engine, along with a turbodiesel, which gives shoppers a bit more choice. The Sierra's turbodiesel is nearly as strong as the F-450's, with 910 lb-ft of torque at its disposal. Both trucks aren't the smoothest, with firm suspensions set up to handle heavy loads. The Sierra is the noisier of the two though, with wind noise intruding more than in the F-450. Having being introduced in 2014, the GMC also feels a bit older than the Ford, which of course it is. If you want ultimate towing capability, the Ford has to be your choice. If your demands are less extreme, the Sierra 3500HD is still a good truck, but a better match for the Ford F-350 Super Duty.