2023 Ford F250: All-New Ford Super Duty Truck Review

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2023 Ford F250: The F-150 is one of the best-selling vehicles in world history (read that again). But for towing really heavy loads, the standard F-150 doesn’t always cut the mustard.

That’s why Ford sells its Super Duty lineup, starting with the F-250 class. For 2023, Ford’s heavy-duty truck is completely redesigned and debuts with a refreshed interior, available technology suite and two new engines.

Think of Super Duty as an F-150 that decides to hit the gym, big time. Ford hasn’t offered a tow number for the new Super Duty, but the final truck can tow up to 22,800 pounds and offers a payload capacity of up to 4,260 pounds. Ford says it’s targeting best-in-class towing with the new Super Duty, so expect more capability.

But Super Tasks isn’t just for work. Thanks to its many trims, you can choose a shelled work truck that uses tough plastic on the inside and features cloth seats, just to get the job done.

But if rolling around in a simple wood hauler isn’t your style, you can go all out and opt for a rich leather interior, lots of technological features like a head-up display, and an 18-speaker sound system. Ford knows that Super Duty buyers are demanding, and the automaker designs its trucks to suit every need.

2023 Ford F250 Review

2023 Super Duty Review: The F-250 and F-350 added new technology but mostly left the winning formula alone. Ford announced a major update to its Super Duty heavy-duty pickup truck lineup that promises more power, more engine options and more special features.

2023 Ford F250

While Ford hasn’t shared all the details of its new lineup yet, it continues to adapt it to commercial customers who want both capability and familiarity. The automaker claims that the Super Duty range will have the most towing capacity, payload, torque and horsepower of any heavy-duty full-size truck.

In addition, the newly available camera and blind spot warning (BSW) systems are designed to work with a trailer or while the tailgate is down, and the Onboard Pro Power system can turn Super Duty into a 2 kW generator that can switch from a charger or run an air compressor. at the job site to turn on the lights or the TV at the camp site.

Additionally, the new 2023 F250 XL Off-Road package and the updated Tremor off-road version are aimed at the ardent adventure seeker. And all customers can choose from a variety of new look packages that change wheels, trim and paint.

2023 F250 Review Heavy-duty pickups, also known as HD trucks, are a distinctly American beast. Ford’s only competitors come from Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram. (Nissan’s Titan XD bridges the gap between heavy and light-duty trucks.)

Compared to light-duty trucks like the Ford F-150, all heavy-duty trucks have added towing capacity, the option to have a more powerful diesel engine, the ability to use a gooseneck hitch mounted in a bed for the fifth wheel towing, and a stronger suspension designed to handle the extra load.

These capabilities make heavy duty trucks ideal for contractors, snowplow operators, vehicle transporters and construction workers with tools in tow.

While we haven’t driven the new Super Duty yet, in our previous experience with the HD pickup, we found it stiff and difficult to maneuver, and had an overly stiff ride compared to the light duty truck. Consumer Reports has previously warned potential buyers that using a large, heavy-duty pickup for simple transportation is overkill.

The 2023 Ford F-250 is the most similar to Ford’s light-duty F-150 pickup. The F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 were intended almost exclusively for commercial customers, and some were only available as cab-chassis trucks. In other words, they can add a cargo box or aftermarket dumper, they can be converted into a crane truck, or an electric or telecommunications company can customize it as a bucket truck.

READ NEXT: Introducing New 2024 Ford Super Duty Full-Size Truck Review

New Update Ford F250 2023

Much of the new Super Duty’s interior is shared with the F-150, though it appears the Super Duty has column-mounted shifters. The XL model gets an 8-inch touchscreen and higher trim levels get a 12-inch one.

There are enough nooks and crannies so the driver can use the cabin as an office, and the front seats of Ford’s Max Recline fold down almost flat like business-class airline seats, offering a place for naps. Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited editions are also available, with high-end equipment that will never go out of style in a luxury sedan or SUV.

One of the biggest updates is the Ford Pro Upfit Integration System (UIS). As many heavy-duty truck owners customize their rigs with ploughs, auxiliary lights, and other equipment, Ford is adding new options to control those extras via the Super Duty’s built-in infotainment system.

Previously, owners had to run extra wires and add aftermarket switches.

2023 Ford F250 Specs

Gone is the old 6.2-liter V8 paired with a six-speed transmission. For 2023, a new 6.8-liter petrol V8 paired with a 10-speed automatic is the base powertrain.

2023 Ford F250

Ford hasn’t released power and torque figures for the bike yet, saying only that we’ll be “impressed” when the numbers come out. We’ll just have to wait until Ford decides the world is ready to be admired.

There is also a new high-out variant of the 6.7 liter Power Stroke V8 diesel engine. Again, Ford hasn’t said what the output figures are for this engine, only that it’s “aiming for best-in-class horsepower and torque.”

The powerplant is joined by two built-in engines: a 7.3-liter gas V8 and a 6.7-liter V8 diesel which Ford says has been modified to last longer between service intervals. All F-250 engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is expected to improve fuel economy throughout the range.

2023 Ford F250 Engine

The 6.2-liter gas V8 engine that was standard on the F-250 and F-350 is gone; it has been replaced by a new 6.8 liter V8. The new engine is a pushrod design compared to the outgoing SOHC V8 setup. We’ll have to wait to drive it to see if it offers a meaningful difference in real-world use.

Ford hasn’t shared details on horsepower or torque, but says the beast should provide more low-end torque for better performance on hills and highway merging. (6.2 liters out makes 385 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque)

Ford also says its 7.3-liter gas V8 gets a better air intake design and tuning for better torque and more horsepower.

For 2023, the 6.7-liter turbocharged “Power Stroke” V8 diesel will be carried over and coupled with a new high-output diesel engine option that Ford claims will offer best-in-class torque and horsepower. Two 10-speed “TorqShift” automatic transmissions were available, each with a different gear ratio.

It’s no surprise that Ford isn’t sharing fuel economy ratings because they aren’t required for vehicles over 8,500 pounds.

Most heavy duty trucks weigh more than that. In our 2017 heavy-duty Ford F-250 test, the diesel version got 15 mpg overall. We certainly hope that there will be improvement there, especially given the recent high price of diesel fuel.

Ford also hasn’t shared any details about the towing capacity of the different powertrains and body styles.

2023 Ford F250 Interior

In short, everything inside is new. If you just looked on the outside, you’d think the 2023 was just an update of the current truck, with similar bodywork and what appear to be only mild revisions to the headlights and taillights.

2023 Ford F250

But a quick glance at the interior dispels any thought that this is just a refresh. With an interior essentially lifted from the current F-150 (which is all new for 2021), the new Super Duty is a big step up over the current truck.

The entry-level XL model gets an 8-inch center touchscreen, while the top trim levels are treated to a 12-inch touchscreen. The physical gauges in the instrument cluster are gone and replaced with a fully digital instrument panel which is adjustable on higher trims as well.

The interior gets nicer as you climb the trim ladder, culminating in the top-spec Limited model. New options such as the F-150’s maximum reclining seats and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system help enhance the interior of this large truck.

Tech

Super Duty buyers can now select more options and benefit from Ford’s Pro Power Onboard, which adds outlets for power tools and accessories in the tailgate as well as in the cab.

While it can provide 2.0 kilowatts of power, it pales in comparison to the 7.2 kW output of the F-150 Hybrid. Until Ford decided to make the F-250 electrified. no hybrid, no access to full power.

Another nice addition is 5G connectivity which is standard across the range. Ford says the new Super Duty is the first pickup in the US to feature 5G. The onboard Qualcomm modem connects to the AT&T network and provides Wi-Fi connectivity for up to 10 devices.

Ford knew its customers were using the Super Duty for work, so the automaker decided to make it a mobile office as well as something tough enough to live in a variety of job locations.

Other new features include a new range of optional towing aids — useful for the approximately 96% of heavy-duty pickup owners who use their truck for towing.

New features available include onboard payload weighing (which debuted on the all-electric F-150 Lightning), a 360-degree trailer camera system that gives the driver a top-to-bottom view of the trailer, and a blind-spot warning system that also accounts for RVs and trailers likely to become a useful tool for many Super Task buyers.

There are lots of new security technologies available too. Adaptive cruise control with lane centering helps drivers stay on track, and a stop-and-go traffic assistance system can help limit reserved highway fatigue.

Forward parking sensors are now available, and the truck can now apply the brakes if you are about to collide with an object while entering or exiting a parking space or driveway. The new rear braking assist feature helps prevent collisions at low speeds by braking if it detects a potential crash.

There’s also a new trailer theft alert feature, which will send notifications via the FordPass mobile app to let owners know if a trailer has disconnected after the truck has been locked.

READ NEXT: 2024 Ford F350: New Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickup Truck Review

Driver Safety and Assistance

Super Duty unveiled an optional “tailgate down” camera and reverse sensing system, a backup camera that works when the tailgate is in the lowered position.

Ford says this is the first camera setup of its kind, and we think it could be a very useful feature that will appear in other trucks in the near future.

2023 Ford F250 Exterior

Ford called the new Super Duty’s look “tough and modern”. From the grille to the tailgate, this truck is instantly recognizable as a Ford and now shares the same headlight design as the F-150. Regular cab trucks are equipped with an 8-foot cargo box, while the SuperCab and Crew Cab trucks offer a choice of 6.75-foot or 8-foot cargo boxes.

Without any additional options, such as bigger tires or raised suspension, the Super Duty starts at 78.9 inches — about 6.5 feet — and goes up to 81.5 inches, and can be more than 22 feet long, so make sure You measure your garage before you buy.

There are seven grille options, and the new XL Off-Road package adds big 33-inch tires and a raised air dam alongside off-road-focused features like skid plates and an electronically locking rear differential. The Tremor Off-Road package goes a step further, with front end lift and 35-inch tires on 18-inch wheels.

How is Super Duty hauled and hauled?

Ford hasn’t released tow and haul ratings for the various engine and chassis configurations of the new Super Duty, but we’ll be sure to keep this space updated once they’re released.

2023 Ford F250

Other optional Ford Super Duty 2023 features include built-in scales for cargo weight and trailer tongue weight distribution, an all-round view camera that includes the trailer view, a BSW system for five-wheel trailers, and a navigation system that displays only routes suitable for the dimensions and weight of the trailer being towed—that is, helps drivers avoid routes with sharp turns and low bridges.

2023 Super Duty automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW) will only be available on select models but will not come as standard equipment.

We believes this technology should become standard, especially in large trucks, which can pose unique hazards to pedestrians and small vehicles. Adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist are optional.

2023 Ford F250 Price

2023 Ford Super Duty Price: $40,000-$90,000 (approx.)

2023 Ford F250 Release Date

Early 2023

People also ask Ford F250 2023

Q: Is Ford making a 6.8 V8?
A: With the debut of the fifth-generation 2023 Ford Super Duty range comes two new engines: a high-output version of the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel and an all-new 6.8-liter petrol engine.

Q: When can you order a 2023 Ford?
A:

  • 2023 Rangers August 2, 2022*
  • 2023 Edge August 2, 2022*
  • 2023 Maverick August 2, 2022*
  • 2023 Explorer August 2, 2022*

Q: How long does it take to get a Ford Super Duty after ordering?
A: Vehicles typically take eight to 12 weeks, however, custom orders will be expedited and can be built and ready for delivery within three weeks in some cases.

Q: Are 2023 vehicles out yet?
A: For example, the 2023 model will debut in the fall of 2022 — and dealers usually want old stock gone before new models arrive. But it doesn’t always work. And if the 2022 model is still available when the 2023 model arrives, dealers will usually offer deep discounts on the older model to sell it.