The American truck race is a perpetual endeavor in which manufacturers seemingly one-up each other every few years based on just a few factors. Ford has seemed to inch in front of others on the power front, where the Super Duty trucks have the option of a high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel engine, touting as much as 500 horsepower and an astonishing 1,200 lb-ft of torque, which is optioned on my loaded test vehicle.
The sheer power and thrust of the high-output Power Stroke is immense, and you can basically tow a house without a hiccup. Fundamentally, the high output option adding $13,495 to the cost of the new F-250 Platinum Super Duty adds to a price point that says you have some serious “things” to do and tow with this truck, and you don’t want to mess around. You’re talking numbers up to about 8,000 pounds for the payload and towing 30,000 pounds with the proper hitch arrangement (22,000 pounds conventional – test vehicle / up to as much as 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck hitch setup). Those are huge numbers, and, as you can guess, there are huge numbers to get your hands on this much low-end grunt and power that boasts a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds when you’re not towing or hauling anything.
The 10-speed automatic transmission coupled with all that power gives you a curious power band that thrusts you in spurts – the feeling I suspect you would have if a freight train had 10 gears to play with. The FX4 off-road package adds in skid plates and my test vehicle gets a 3.31 electronic locking axel while four-wheel-drive low is still reserved for off-roading or low traction conditions to avoid driveline binding. The high-output Power Stroke is nuts, and many other red-blooded Americans and I are here for it, for as long as we can afford such – more on that later.
Ford’s Super Duty trucks continue to be a rugged adventure in their exceptional build quality and essentially a rough ride quality, mostly due to the huge leaf springs out back. However, the F-250 Super Duty Platinum test vehicle feels that it’s been improved upon for the front suspension, as it doesn’t loft around as much as I remember in the previous generation. The dampers feel more substantial in keeping the body and all that weight composed, which is a good thing if you’re ever towing or hauling a heavy load.
Apart from the expected powerhouse that the F-250 Super Duty Platinum with the high-output Power Stroke is, there are some creature comforts to make the big truck livable and inviting. As such, the Platinum trim, which is the top trim where the Limited trim is no longer available, brings all the welcoming equipment like the comfy heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, plush stitched Venetian leather trim, premium wood trim, and plentiful accented surfaces. However, most of these surfaces remain hard to the touch, with some plastics that may initially feel cheapened, but not to the point of being overbearing.
Ford kept things proper for the purpose of such a vehicle, and the F-250 Super Duty plays well to the tune of being a working rig as well as one that can tote the family in some luxurious comfort that may be somewhat outdone by competitors like Ram when it comes to factors like ride quality.
As usual, the cabin is vast, and the seating areas are huge, but those with smaller frames can find a proper position so as not to be overly intimidated by piloting or riding in the F-250 Super Duty. You still have plenty of adjustability in the power seats, power steering column, and even the power-adjustable pedals, which can all be saved to one of three memory seat settings. You’ll still have to make several turns lock-to-lock on the large steering wheel, but the hydraulic-powered steering rack has the right amount of feel for such a vehicle.
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster provides nearly endless information through custom info screens, but doesn’t go the distance to offer mapping functions like some competitors. The 12-inch infotainment touchscreen is the expected latest setup out of Ford 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 the way it should be in my view. One highlight is the Bang & Olufsen audio system that comes upgraded as part of the Platinum trim, which appears to be very powerful, pumping sound through 14 speakers.
Having the high-output Power Stroke diesel is an adventure and often brings a smile to your face when hitting that throttle. Though you’ll pay your fair share for such an option at the fuel pump, I averaged a respectable 17.2 mpg during mixed driving excursions without hauling or towing. Mind you, there’s a huge 34-gallon fuel tank in my test vehicle, with the short wheelbase (160-inch), and a massive 48-gallon tank in the long wheelbase variation. My test vehicle has a highway cruising range at my average mpg of nearly 600 miles, so there’s that.
The pay-to-play theme seems to be fitting here, where if you can afford such a vehicle, go for the high-output engine and load it up like my Platinum-trimmed test vehicle – that is, if you want bragging rights and the F-250 Super Duty with the high-output engine has the numbers to do so. The other numbers, maybe not bragging rights, is the price of admission at $108,945 for my test vehicle, something to ponder over if you want the big torque and capability wrapped in a semi-luxurious interior package.
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
