Forgoing the same timeline as the heavy-duty trucks from GM and Ram, the 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty is a midcycle refresh rather than a complete redesign makeover. However, Ford didn’t squander the opportunity to take things up a notch or two. Before delving into some of the pluses of the 2020 Super Duty, let’s note that anyone who follows trucks at all knows that towing and payload numbers are often slippery little rascals. In the world of trucks, these specs can make or break a model’s sales — you know, the numbers that ultimately count.
Having said that, Ford is claiming bragging rights to an array of class- and segment-best numbers — for example, class-best diesel power and torque with the updated 6.7-liter V8 diesel. Its all-new 7.3-liter V8 delivers gas-engine class-best power and torque, as well. Ford claims to be segment-best across a number of towing schemes for both the F250 and the F350. It’s a staggering list of class-best accomplishments. A new 10-speed automatic transmission manages the loads while helping to keep fuel economy in check.
All-new and unique to Ford’s Super Duty models is the Tremor Off-Road Package. Although there’s a caveat or two, this all-new off-road group is offered as an option on all trim levels of the F250 and the F350 models with either the 6.7-liter diesel or the 7.3-liter gas V8. The Tremor package includes a list of upgrades and enhancements, such as Raptor-style fixed running boards, a lift kit, locking rear differential and Trail Control with rock-crawl mode. Adding the Tremor package also opens the door for adding the newly integrated electric winch, which has 12,000 lb of winching power.
Ford also added its new Pro Trailer Backup Assist to its option choices. It includes Trailer Reverse Guidance, which shows trailer angle and direction while providing steering suggestions for backing a trailer. Other technology upgrades either standard or available include 4G LTE Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging and USB-A and USB-C ports.
Ford may not have redesigned the F-Series Super Duty for 2020, but it didn’t let things ride, either. The improvements in this refresh are designed to grab the attention of those who need a truck to do more than just drive around town. Whether the need is hard work or extreme play, this year’s Super Duty is a must-consider.
What’s New for 2020?
Ford updated its 6.7L Power Stroke tubodiesel V8 while adding the all-new 7.3L gas V8. Both available engines use the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. A new off-road package called Tremor is available on all trim levels with the two above named engines. Trailer Reverse Guidance with Pro Trailer Assist is also available, as is wireless phone charging. Standard on all models is 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability. Beginning with the XLT, upper trims come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including lane-keeping alert, blind spot alert, Precollision Assist with emergency braking and high-beam assist. Plus, the F250, the F350 and the F450 all get a new face. See the 2020 Ford F250 models for sale near you or See the 2020 Ford F350 models for sale near you or See the 2020 Ford F450 models for sale near you
What We Like
- Class-leading power and torque
- Available new V8
- An abundant selection of configurations and grades
- Tremendous off-road capability with the Tremor group
- Upscale interiors
What We Don’t
- Eye-popping prices of upper grades
- Entry-grade XL is short on safety technologies
How Much?
$35,300-$92,125
Fuel Economy
The base engine on all but the top-of-the-heap Limited grade for the F250 and the F350 is the carry-over 385-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, generating 430 lb-ft of peak torque. The third-generation of the 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 comes standard on F450 models and Limited versions of the F250 and the F350, and it’s optional on all other versions of the F250 and the F350. It delivers 475 hp and a whopping 1,050 lb-ft of peak torque. Also optional on F250 and the F350 models (except Limited versions) is the all-new 430-hp 7.3-liter gasoline V8, making 475 lb-ft of peak torque. All engines in the F350 and the F450 are mated to an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The F250 with the 6.2L V8 gets a six-speed automatic transmission. Opting for an engine upgrade in the F250 gets you the 10-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive is optional on all models.
The Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t post estimated mileage of the vehicles in this class, but don’t expect much more than the low teens in city driving and maybe as much as the high teens or low 20s on the highway, depending on the engine, number of drive wheels, cab configuration and so forth.
Towing and payload capacities are all over the map — again, linked directly to the engine, configuration and so on. Here, though, are some conventional-towing maximums: 22,000 lb with the F250 regular cab with the turbodiesel, 35,750 lb with the F350 and 37,000 lb with the F450.
Standard Features & Options
Pricing out a truck requires a lot of decision-making. Truck buyers are typically faced with picking an engine, cab configuration, the number of drive wheels, cargo-box lengths, wheelbase lengths and on and on and on. With the F350 and the F450, you even need to decide between having one or two wheels on each side of the rear axle. The F-Series Super Duty is available in six grades: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. The prices listed are for the base model for the respective version (F250, F350 and the F450 within each trim level). 4WD is optional on all models and trims. All prices include the $1,595 factory destination charge.
The entry-level XL (F250 $35,300; F350 $36,815; F450 $51,475) includes as standard 17-in painted steel wheels (F450 gets 19.5-in wheels), halogen headlamps, high-beam assist, six airbags, manual telescoping outboard mirrors, manual climate control with air conditioning, two instrument panel-mounted power points, a rearview camera, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, manual door locks and windows, Ford Pass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, a 4-speaker (Regular Cab) or 6-speaker (Super Cab and Crew Cab) audio system, Ford Sync systems interface, Bluetooth connectivity, 40/20/40 split front bench seat, vinyl seating, hill-start assist and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.
Building on or replacing XL equipment, the XLT (F250 $40,080; F350 $41,605; F450 $57,250) provides 18-in aluminum wheels, a power tailgate lock, BoxLink with lockable tie-down cleats, rear privacy glass, cruise control, 4.2-in instrument cluster, 100-volt powerpoint, Ford Co-Pilot360, lockable under-seat storage box (Crew Cab), upgraded audio system with seven speakers (Regular Cab) and seven speakers (Super Cab and Crew Cab), navigation system, Ford Sync 3 systems interface, cloth seats, power windows, door locks and outboard mirrors, and remote keyless entry.
The Lariat (F250 $48,195; F350 $49,715; F450 $68,245) additions and replacements include upgraded 18-in aluminum wheels, halogen fog lamps, heated power-folding outboard mirrors, rear power-sliding window, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-in instrument cluster, two power points for rear-seat use, self-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded 10-speaker B&O Premium audio system, front bucket seats with leather and 10-way power-adjustable driver/front-passenger seats.
The King Ranch (F250 $60,595; F350 $62,115; F450 $78,310) additions and replacements include a rear-bumper step, LED cargo-box lighting, memory outboard mirrors, remote tailgate release, power-adjustable pedals with memory, heated/cooled front seats, wireless phone charging, Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System with 360-degree camera, remote start, unique King Ranch interior, heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icer, backup camera with trailer-reverse guidance and the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System with Pro Trailer Backup Assist Package.
Moving up to Platinum (F250 $67,490; F350 $67,500; F450 $82,020) removes the power-adjustable pedals but adds 20-in aluminum wheels, power-deployable running boards, LED fog lamps, Quad-Dual beam LED head lamps, tailgate step, adaptive cruise control with collision warning with brake support, adaptive steering, upgraded leather seating and rear heated seats (Crew Cab).
At the top of the lineup, Limited (F250 $85,195; F350 $86,370; F450 $92,125) additions or upgrades are two-tone leather seating, power moonroof, power-adjustable pedals and upfitter switches.
Many standard features on upper trims are also options on lower trims. Other features, such as a spray-in or drop-in bedliner, skid plates, stowable loading ramps, tonneau box cover, console vault and a backup alarm are options across all F-Series Super Duty trucks.
Safety
Every 2020 F-Series Super Duty truck comes with six airbags and a post-crash alert system. Also standard across the board is AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control that uses reduced engine power and selective wheel braking to limit the risk of rollover during hard cornering or evasive maneuvers.
On all but the entry-level XL, the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety technologies is standard with lane-keeping alert, blind spot alert with trailer coverage, precollision assist with automatic emergency braking and auto high-beam assist.
Neither the government nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test heavy-duty trucks.
Behind the Wheel
What can we say? This is a honking-big truck, and it drives like it. Ford has increased the driver-assist/safety systems, improved the steering and introduced the all-new 10-speed automatic transmission to make things a little easier, but this thing still drives like a big truck. At the Super Duty’s media drive near Phoenix, Arizona, we had ample opportunity to check out the updated 6.7L turbodiesel and the all-new gas V8 option. We are particularly impressed with new 7.3L V8. It has plenty of grunt, answering the throttle without hesitation. Of course, we love the Power Stroke turbodiesel. You can’t help but be awed by its 1,050 lb-ft of torque. We towed with both of these V8s, as well. Hoping not to sound trite, but with either engine, once up to speed, you could almost forget the several thousand pounds lurking behind you.
Although we think most folks will never seek the opportunity to make full use of all the off-road capability and technology of the new Tremor Off-Road Package, it’s 10.8 inches of ground clearance and 33 inches of water-fording capability is impressive. Ford created what was arguably the most challenging carmaker-made off-road course we’ve seen near a rock quarry outside of Phoenix. The Tremor-equipped Super Duty trucks took it all in stride.
Inside, the well-appointed cabin is remarkably quiet. Ford has done a terrific job stiffening the frame and applying the insulation. Other than some tire/road hum, all you can hear is yourself exhaling.
Other Cars to Consider
2020 Ram 2500/3500 — Recently redesigned and reengineered, the Ram HD trucks stand out for the available engine offerings, plus the available 12-in Uconnect touchscreen and optional air suspension.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD — The Silverado HD, which was redesigned for 2020, has solid towing numbers, an amazing camera system with invisible trailer and a wide range of configurations.
GMC Sierra HD — This is the mechanical twin of the Chevy Silverado HD and was also redesigned for 2020.
Used Ford F450 — If you need all that towing and payload capacity but are choking on the 2020 Super Duty prices, why not take a look at a used F450?
Autotrader’s Advice
Heavy-duty trucks, including the 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty, are purpose built. That purpose is hard work. Unless you need to haul huge payloads or pull heavier-than-normal trailers, the extra cash required to play within the HD class is wasted. Granted, the Tremor Off-Road Package dials up the off-road capability, but, again, you can find similar capability in more-affordable vehicles, as well. If you actually need the extra capability of an HD truck, check out the maximum capacities of the F250, the F350 and the F450 for the towing and payload numbers you need. Whichever you pick, we like the XLT trim. It offers plenty of standard equipment without the prices getting into the nose-bleed range. Find a Ford F250 for sale or Find a Ford F350 for sale or Find a Ford F450 for sale
