By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 8, 2021) After Ram and GM introduced all-new heavy-duty pickups, Ford followed last year with a refreshed Super Duty lineup adding the most powerful engines and highest tow ratings its ever offered. As with most things when it comes to a pickup truck the F-250 continues to offer an infinite array of configurations and options for every need when it comes to brawny work needing towing muscle and massive payloads. Ford says 90 percent of Super Duty buyers tow, so this stuff matters — a lot.
            
For 2021 the F-250 Super Duty carries over mostly unchanged since it last received a full-on redesign in 2017. Super Duty is available in a choice of six trim levels including XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and the range topping Limited.

For this review Ford supplied us with the mid-level Lariat 4X4 Crew Cab powered by the $10,495 optional 450-hp 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel developing 1,050 lb-ft torque and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It also came equipped with the sharp new for 2021 off-road package called “Tremor” that adds a front-end lift and uniquely tuned suspension, 35-inch Goodyear maximum traction tires, unique 18-inch black matte-finished wheels, Trail Control, and selectable drive modes with a rock-crawl mode.

Tremor is available in F-250 or F-350 single-rear-wheel configuration, with either the all-new 7.3-liter gas V8 or third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 for an additional $3,975 up charge.

Maximum towing capacity for our F-250 Super Duty is 20,000 pounds with the $2,795 high-capacity trailer towing package of course. Other convenience aspects include an easy to reach filler for the required diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which is located next to the fuel filler. There’s also a DEF fuel gauge on the instrument cluster located next to the diesel fuel gauge that we found handy.

Additional Tremor styling adds body colored fender wheel moldings, an upgraded suspension, a rear locking differential, and a four-wheel drive transfer case lifted from the Ford F-150 Raptor. Tremor’s front end is more pronounced with a bulging hood, black accented grille, “Tremor” rear fender graphics, and interior tweaks found on the seat stitching, floor mats, instrument panel, center console and door trim. The Tremor package also includes six auxiliary switches above the rearview mirror for added accessories such as lights and a switch to operate the $3,000 optional factory installed 12,000 LB winch by Warn.



On boarding into the cabin is big step up even with running boards. Exiting the cabin is no less easy. Once there, front seats were especially roomy and comfortable and our Crew Cab’s rear seats and space is simply enormous. People, cargo or work equipment all easily accommodated. Also know that backing up or parking this huge rig takes an effort especially trying to fit It into an average car-sized parking space.

For the most part the cabin is unimpressive with too much hard plastic bits, cheap feeling and cost cutting trim pieces along sliver plastic trim that completely fails to convince as brushed nickel or aluminum metal. Beginning with the Lariat trim level and above seats are leather upholstered. There’s also ambient lighting, heated and cooled front seats, wireless charging, dual zone electronic automatic climate control, tilt/telescopic steering column and 10-way drivers/8-way passengers’ seats.

A huge center console storage bin is convenient, and we liked the center console cup holder with a flip-operated mechanism that cleverly turns room for two cups into room for four when necessary. Rear seat riders have two cup holders that pop out of the center fold-down armrest. All four doors have unlined plastic built-in bottle holders.



On the plus side, the interior functionality is well thought out with knobs and buttons intuitively and conveniently located and easy to use. Ford’s infotainment system Sync 3 is easy to use with a simple interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is standard with Sync 3. The same system also supports several different optional camera systems, such as a camera mounted near the third-stop lamp on the rear of the cab which displays what's in the cargo bed area and potentially helping you attach a fifth wheel/goose neck connection. Ford's top-shelf trailer tow camera system is bundled with 360-degree surround-view camera and adds a trailer reverse guidance capability to let you see what's behind your trailer.

On the road, we did some heavy-duty towing and traveling and with the diesel, power was never lacking thanks to the extra horsepower and massive amounts of torque. Power came on instantly and smoothly with an absolute minimum of usual diesel clattering. Wind noise passing over the large outside mirrors was negligible and road noise essentially nonexistent. Brake performance was acceptable, but we weren’t sure of its performance in the event we needed to stop quickly in an emergency situation.

While the Tremor Off-Road package came on our Lariat, we unfortunately didn’t get the opportunity to test its capability off-road. Extreme wildfire conditions were in effect here in Arizona where we tested the vehicle and rugged state/federal land closing our traditional off -road testing areas for the summer.

Automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist are optional, but think should be standard. Ditto for blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert and especially recommended given the tall driving height of the F-250.

When it comes to trucks arguably the folks at Ford know what they are doing which is why the F Series pickup has been the best-selling vehicle and best-selling truck in the U.S. for decades. But keep in mind that Heavy Duty trucks don’t come cheap and even our mid-level Lariat, although well-equipped still tipped the price scale with a sticker price just shy of $78,000 including nearly $25,000 of optional equipment.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $52,730
Price as Tested: $77,745
Engine – Transmission: 6.7-L 450-hp V8 Power Stroke Diesel paired with a 10-speed automatic
Horsepower: 450
Torque: 1,050 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: Observed 12 mpg overall, 75-mph highway driving: 14 mpg.
Seating: Five

Crash Test Safety Ratings: Unlike lighter duty one quarter ton pickups, heavy duty trucks are not regulated nor tested for U.S. government standards.

Where Built: Kentucky

Competes With:
Chevrolet Silverado HD
RAM 2500

Fab Features
Class best tow ratings
Quiet, roomy, comfortable cabin
Loads of advanced tech inside and out