The Ford F-250 has always had a single-mind focus: handle heavy loads and tough jobs. The redesigned 2017 model builds on that legacy by reducing the beast's overall weight and going heavy on refinement and technology. Of all HD trucks, the F-250 is a unanimous favorite among our staff.
Like the light-duty F-150, the new F-250 has an aluminum-alloy body and a frame mostly made from high-strength steel, a combination that makes the truck about 100 pounds lighter than the previous F-250 we tested.
Most buyers will opt for the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 that puts out 440 horsepower and a rocking 925 lb.-ft. of torque. The standard engine is a gas 6.2-liter V8 with 385 hp. Maximum towing capacity for the F-250 (with the trailer tow package, of course) is 18,000 pounds.
We equipped our test truck with the brawny turbodiesel V8. The massive F-250 chugs to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds -- just a bit faster than the competing heavy-duty diesel-powered Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 2500, and much quicker than the Nissan Titan XD. Fuel economy is 15 mpg overall, which is better than the big Silverado and Ram and equal to the Titan XD.
The Ford's engine noise is more subdued than what you might expect from a diesel, making long drives almost bearable.
While going in a straight line is one thing, piloting this behemoth in corners is another matter. Handling, in a word, is clumsy, and this monster truck is reluctant to turn. Overall maneuverability is horrid, and the turning circle is laughably huge. Most HD truck buyers get that this is par for the course.
The ride is also expectedly rough but not as unyielding as the other mammoth trucks, even with Ford's stiffer FX4 suspension.
You can get the F-250 with some really cool technological bits, such as several camera/monitor systems, including one camera mounted near the top of the cab. This lets the driver check on what is in the cargo box.
Ford offers a camera system that uses four high-definition cameras to give the driver a 360-degree bird's-eye view surrounding the truck. An optional 'Trailer Reverse Guidance' system helps you hook up your trailer when you're traveling solo by instructing the driver which way to turn the steering wheel while reversing, based on the trailer direction. There is also an available camera that can be placed on a trailer to provide more help while you're in reverse.
Other convenience aspects include an easy to reach filler for the required diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which is located right by the fuel filler.
One of the challenges of every four-wheel drive heavy-duty truck is simply stepping into the cab. Getting the burly FX4 off-road package for your F-250 gives the truck a high stance; even with running boards, you'll need a big step to get into this substantial rig. Given how high you sit, close-proximity visibility is compromised. Backing up this massive truck for the first time or trying to fit it into a car-sized parking spot reveals its gargantuan nature.
The front seats are comfortable and the crew cab's rear seat is enormous. It not only can accommodate a few work mates but it can also pack chock full of tools in an organized corral under the seat.
Keep in mind that these HD trucks don't come cheap. We bought a nicely equipped midlevel Lariat, which gets power folding and retractable side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, the FX4 off-road package, and few other odds and ends. The total was an eye-widening $67,130.
Forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are optional.
Clearly, not everyone needs a massive, heavy-duty truck. For most people who don't regularly tow a gargantuan trailer or aren't working their own trade like contractors, trucks like the F-250 are serious overkill. But for the tasks it was designed for, the F-250 proves its mettle.