The big Ford F-250 has always been about handling heavy loads and tough jobs. The revamped 2017 model builds on that legacy by reducing the beast's overall weight and going heavy on sophistication and technology.
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 Ford says makes the new truck about 350 pounds lighter than the previous model.
Power comes from a standard gas 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 385 hp and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. Many buyers will opt for the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 that puts out 440 hp and a rocking 925 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity for the F-250 (with the trailer tow package) 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 is more subdued than what you might expect from a diesel, making long drives almost bearable.
Going in a straight line is one thing. But piloting this behemoth in corners is not a thrill ride. Handling, in a word, is clumsy, with little steering feel. Overall maneuverability is horrid, and the turning circle is laughably huge. But we understand that most truck buyers aren't expecting sportscarlike agility.
The ride is also expectedly choppy and rough—and about on par with the other monstrous trucks.
You can get the F-250 with some really cool technological bits, such as several available camera/monitor systems, including one camera mounted near the top of the cab. This can let the driver check on what is in the cargo box.
Ford also 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 a factory-available camera that can be placed on a trailer to provide further assistance when reversing.
Forward-collision warning and brake support, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are optional.
A basic regular-cab, rear-wheel-drive F-250 starts at $33,730. There is hardly enough internet bandwidth to cover all the various trim line variations. Our Build & Buy configurator can walk you through the myriad permutations.
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. We also added a navigation system, the FX4 off-road package, chrome package, spray-in bedliner, a huge twin-panel powered sunroof, and few other odds and ends. The total was an eye-widening $67,130.
That burly FX4 off-road package gives the truck a high stance and imposing presence. And even with running boards, you 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 the gargantuan nature of the F-250. Fortunately, maneuvering is aided by a decent rearview camera and low side windows.
The power-adjustable pedals and power driver's seat help to find a good driving position. The seats themselves are comfortable. And the crew cab's rear seat is enormous. It not only can accommodate a burly crew but is also one of the few vehicles that excels at three-across child seat fitment.
Clearly, not everyone needs a massive, heavy-duty truck. Whether an F-250 like this one is right for you will depend on your wallet and whether what you're hauling can't be done by a smaller and easier-to-live-with half-ton model like the F-150. 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. The F-250 proves overkill can be good.
