2018 Ford Super Duty Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
The 2018 Ford F-350 gets an upgraded diesel engine option with more torque.
Trim Levels (Interior and Exterior Options)
The 2018 Ford F-350 is a heavy duty truck that slots above the F-250. Available in five grades, the F-350 offers three cab styles, single or dual-wheel layouts, and two bed lengths.
F-350 XL: The base XL trim comes standard with bench seats (including rear seats on the SuperCab and crew cab), vinyl seats, air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system, a rearview camera, and 17-inch steel wheels.
F-350 XLT: Move up to the XLT trim and you'll get 18-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, cruise control, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, and steering wheel audio controls.
F-350 Lariat: The Lariat model is the first of three variants that lean toward luxury and come standard with leather upholstery, 10-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 10-speaker Sony audio system, Sync 3 with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
F-350 King Ranch: King Ranch models feature unique treatments including bright 18-inch alloy wheels, Mesa brown leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, navigation, and a heated steering wheel.
F-350 Platinum: Range-topping Platinum models come with 20-inch alloy wheels, heated rear seats, full LED headlights, and multicontour front seats with a massage function.
Options include remote start, power-deployable side steps, LED bed lighting, a 360-degree camera system, a panoramic sunroof, and a power-sliding rear window. The FX4 off-road package is also available and includes unique suspension tuning and transfer case, and skid plates for the fuel tank.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2018 Ford F-350 comes standard with a 6.2-liter V-8 good for 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. A 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 rated at 450 hp and 935 lb-ft is also available. Both engines are paired to a heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA doesn't rate heavy duty trucks for fuel economy.
Safety
The NHTSA and IIHS haven't crash tested the 2018 Ford F-350. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims and standard on higher grades. Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum models are also available with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Utility
When properly equipped, the 2018 F-350 can haul up to 7,630 pounds of payload depending on the cab style and bed length. The F-350 has the ability to pull up to 21,000 pounds of payload with a conventional trailer or up to 32,000 pounds with a fifth wheel or goose neck.
What We Think
In a 2017 First Drive, we appreciated the F-350's towing capability and the improved cabin materials. Ride quality, however, is still stiff when empty but becomes smooth when loaded. Both engines offers plenty of power but the diesel is punchier. We were impressed by how easy it was to use the driving aids that facilitate towing and hauling.
With its generous towing capacity, torque-rich diesel engine, and slick tech features that help with towing, the Ford Super Duty family was crowned <em>Motor Trend's </em>2017 Truck of the Year.
Cool Fact
The current-generation Ford F-350, like the smaller F-150, has an aluminum body to help reduce the truck's overall weight.
