2023 Ford Super Duty Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
Ford's heavy-duty workhorse has been redesigned for 2023. Along with fresh new looks, the Super Duty truck packs a slew of powertrain, technology, and driver assist enhancements. It's a strong contender against other heavy-duty rivals including the Ram 2500 and Silverado 2500HD .
What's New
- Aggressive exterior styling with seven different grille choices
- Bed-access steps on the rear bumper and in the bed sides
- STX, Sport, and Black appearance packages
- Standard 6.8-liter V-8 and optional 6.8-liter turbocharged diesel V-8
- Standard four-wheel drive on 2023 XLT models and above
- 2023 Tremor models now feature Trail Turn Assist for mitigating tight bends
- Customizable 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Standard 8.0-inch center display on XL models and 12.0-inch screen on higher trims
- Four USB ports
- Wireless charging pad
- Revised center console with more storage
- Max-Recline front seats
- Flat rear floor
- Eight- or 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Trailer Navigation, Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch, Ford Co-Pilot 360-Degree Trailer Camera System, and Blind Spot Information System for fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing driver assist features
- Ford Pro with its Upfit Integration System that simplifies adding and using accessories and equipment like lights or snow plows
- Embedded AT&T 5G capability
- Pro Power Onboard 2.0-kilowatt auxiliary power system
What We Think
A great heavy-duty truck has more capability than its smaller counterparts but the same general livability. And in many ways, the Ford Super Duty succeeds here. It has the same decent driving manners as the F-150, and the ride is surprisingly good, as we noted in our First Drive review. The interior is mostly the same, too. In a towing test with the gas V-8 and high-output Power Stroke, the Super Duty felt confident while towing, although you can hear the roar of the cooling fan working hard uphill. Add in the useful tech, and the Super Duty holds its own against segment rivals.
A diesel F-250 Tremor is a riot, too. The Tremor off-road package is comprehensive here with 35-inch all-terrain rubber, a winch-ready front bumper, limited-slip front and lockable rear diffs, and off-road-tuned suspensions that doesn't badly compromise towing and payload limits. Clever work-ready features across the F-250 lineup (Onboard Scale, Smart Hitch, and bountiful sensors and cameras) eliminate some paint points from the towing experience, and we struggled to find an off-road obstacle the monster truck couldn't surmount. The off-road suspension and massive towing/hauling capability result in a jarring ride, though, and the steering lacks the precision of rack-and-pinion setups enabled by independent front suspension. Still, folks who will use the F-250's sky-high towing/hauling capacities and intend to take their truck off-road would be thrilled by the F-250 Tremor, even if a Silverado 2500HD ZR2 is similarly capable and way more livable on pavement.
Gasoline and Diesel Engines
The F-250 is offered with a selection of V-8 powertrains. Gasoline engines include a 6.8-liter V-8 that develops 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque, and a 7.3-liter option that makes 430 hp and 485 lb-ft of torque.
There's one turbodiesel engine available: a 6.7-liter Power Stroke mill. However, it's offered in two states of tune. One variant produces 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, while the other high-output version gets an upgraded turbocharger and makes 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque.
Regardless of what's chosen, a 10-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels as standard or 4WD optionally.
Driver Assist and Safety Features
Ford offers features to make driving the 2023 F-250 safer and easier. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist help on the highway, and work with a trailer attached. Blind-spot monitoring is available, as well as blind-spot sensors that can be attached to a trailer. Front and rear proximity sensors come in handy when parking, as do front and rear automatic emergency braking. Various security features, like trailer theft alert and scheduled ignition hours, aid the new F-250's work-ready appeal.
Interior Room
The F-250 is sold with a Regular Cab as standard, which seats three passengers across. The available SuperCab and Crew Cab bring rear doors and a second row of seats providing space for another three passengers.
Bed Sizes
Two bed sizes are offered for the F-250. Regular Cab models all come with the longer bed, while SuperCab and Crew Cab models can be had with either bed. Access is facilitated via integrated box side steps, rear corner bumper steps, integrated handholds, and a tailgate step that's closer to the ground.
Towing and Hauling
The 2023 Ford F-250 can tow and haul more than ever before. Maximum towing capacity now tops out at a whopping 40,000 pounds, achieved with the rear-drive, regular-cab dually model with the high-output diesel engine package. Payload goes as high as 8,000 pounds, offered by rear-drive models with the 6.8-liter gasoline V-8.
In-Cab and Trailering Technology
New clever technology features aim to make the F-250 better to work and live with. An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, while higher-end models get a 12.0-inch unit; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. A head-up display and 12.0-inch digital gauge display are also available. Four USB ports are included, and a wireless charger is optional. Audio systems from Bang & Olufsen comprising eight or 18 speakers are available.
Ford Pro fleet management and telematics software allows businesses to monitor vehicle usage, further enhanced by 5G wireless connectivity. An industry-first tailgate down camera and reverse proximity sensors makes things easier when the bed is open. There's also a hitching camera view and semi-autonomous driving to simplify connecting a trailer, and a 360-degree camera system for when a trailer is attached, as well. The built-in navigation system can plot a route based on the trailer's dimensions, avoiding height and clearance concerns. Additional new capabilities include over-the-air updates and available onboard scales.
Pro Power Onboard
After debuting on the 2021 Ford F-150, Pro Power Onboard makes its way to the new 2023 F-250. This system works as a built-in generator, and can supply up to 2.0 kilowatts of power. Outlets are built into the bed and cab, so that various pieces of equipment or accessories can be plugged in and powered by the truck.
Trim Levels
The 2023 F-250 will be offered in trim levels starting with the work-oriented, low-frills XL—which now has an optional off-road package—and XLT. The Lariat trim makes it feel less basic, before the increasingly luxurious King Ranch, Limited, and Platinum trims take up the top. The Tremor package also returns, bringing off-road hardware like lifted suspension, 35-inch tires, and a Dana front axle in addition to dirt-ready driving modes.
