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American truck racing is an ongoing endeavor, with manufacturers seemingly outdoing each other every few years based on a few factors. On the powertrain front, Ford appears to be head and shoulders above the rest, as the Super Duty trucks feature a powerful 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine with up to 500 horsepower and an astonishing 1,200 lb-ft of torque, which is optional on my loaded test vehicle.
The sheer power and thrust of the powerful Power Stroke is immense, and you can practically tow a house with no problem. Essentially, the heavy-duty option, which adds $13,495 to the price of the new F-250 Platinum Super Duty, adds to a price that says you’ve got some serious “stuff” to do and tow with this truck and you don’t want to mess around. They’re talking numbers up to about 8,000 pounds for payload and 30,000 pounds of towing capacity with the proper hitch setup (22,000 pounds conventional – test vehicle / up to 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch setup). Those are huge numbers, and as you can imagine, there are huge numbers you can get your hands on to get your hands on this powerful lower-end vehicle that boasts 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds when you’re not towing or hauling anything.
The 10-speed automatic transmission paired with all that power gives you a strange band of power that pushes you forward in spurts – the feeling you’d probably have if a freight train had 10 gears to play with. The FX4 Off-Road package adds skid plates and my test vehicle has a 3.31 axle with electronic locking, while low four-wheel drive is still reserved for off-road driving or low-traction conditions to avoid drivetrain lockup. The high-output Power Stroke is crazy, and many other passionate Americans and I are here for it, as long as we can afford it – more on that later.
Ford’s Super Duty trucks continue to be a rugged adventure due to their exceptional build quality and essentially rugged ride, primarily due to the huge leaf springs at the rear. However, the F-250 Super Duty Platinum test vehicle feels like the front suspension has been improved, as it doesn’t flex as much as I remember from the previous generation. The dampers feel more stable as they keep the body and overall weight balanced, which is a good thing if you ever need to tow or transport a heavy load.
Aside from the expected power package that the F-250 Super Duty Platinum offers with the powerful Power Stroke, there are a few amenities that make the big truck livable and inviting. Therefore, the Platinum trim, which is the top trim where the Limited trim is no longer available, offers all the inviting features such as comfortable heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, plush stitched Venetian leather upholstery, premium wood upholstery and numerous accent surfaces. However, most of these surfaces still feel hard, and some plastics may initially feel cheaper but are not as intrusive.
Ford has kept things tidy for the purpose of such a vehicle, and the F-250 Super Duty not only lives up to expectations because it’s both a functional vehicle and one that can provide the family with luxurious comfort that may be somewhat surpassed by competitors like Ram when it comes to factors like ride quality.
As usual, the cabin is huge and the seating areas are huge, but those with smaller frames can find a suitable position so as not to feel overly intimidated while piloting or driving in the F-250 Super Duty. You still have plenty of adjustment options with the power seats, power steering column, and even the power pedals, all of which can be stored in one of three memory seat settings. You still have to turn the large steering wheel from lock to lock several times, but the hydraulically powered rack has the right feel for a vehicle like this.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster offers nearly endless information via custom info screens, but doesn’t go as far as offering mapping functions like some rivals. The 12-inch infotainment touchscreen is Ford’s expected latest setup for Sync 4 software and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system is simple and effective with a short learning curve, just as I think it should be. A highlight is the Bang & Olufsen audio system, which is upgraded as part of the Platinum trim and appears to be very powerful, pumping sound through 14 speakers.
Owning the powerful Power Stroke diesel is an adventure and often puts a smile on your face when you hit the gas. Although you’ll pay your fair share for such an option at the fuel pump, I averaged a respectable 17.2 mpg on mixed driving excursions without towing or towing. However, there is a huge 34-gallon fuel tank in my short-wheelbase (160-inch) test vehicle and a huge 48-gallon tank in the long-wheelbase variant. My test vehicle’s highway range is almost 600 miles with my average fuel consumption.
The pay-to-play theme seems to fit here: If you can afford such a vehicle, go for the high-output engine and load it up with Platinum trim like my test vehicle did—that is, if you want bragging rights and the F-250 Super Duty with the high-output engine has the numbers to do it. The other numbers, perhaps not exactly boastful, are the entry price of $108,945 for my test vehicle, something to think about if you want the big torque and performance packed into a semi-luxury interior package.
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Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of ArticleSubmission.news, a trusted voice in the world of automotive media for over two decades. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the industry, Malcolm has earned a reputation for delivering honest reviews, incisive insights and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Malcolm is passionate about evolving automotive culture and staying ahead of the curve. He continues to make ArticleSubmission.news a destination for enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
