2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty Test Drive Overview

Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t provide fuel-economy estimates for heavy-duty pickups, let’s first address the F-350’s efficiency. Driven on the usual testing loop, unloaded, in two-wheel-drive, with just a driver aboard, our truck’s 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 averaged 15.4 mpg. During a full week of driving with heavy highway use, that average improved to 16.5 mpg.

Considering how much power the Powerstroke diesel delivers, this is remarkable. It generates 475 horsepower and the aforementioned 1,050 lb-ft of torque, and when you mat the accelerator to launch the truck onto a freeway and then rapidly release the pedal once you’re up to speed, you can almost sense the Super Duty’s structure sighing in relief.

Naturally, the Powerstroke emits the big-rig clatter that is a characteristic of large diesels, but a choking cloud of smoke and particulates doesn’t visibly belch from its dual exhaust outlets. Still, it’s worth noting that according to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the truck earns the worst possible rating for greenhouse-gas emissions.

Pollution aside, the diesel effortlessly motivates the F-350 and, based on a previous driving experience in the 2020 Super Duty, hauling loaded trailers up and down Arizona’s Yarnell Grade, the diesel and its 10-speed automatic transmission easily delivers on its promise.

We also speak from previous experience blasting around an Arizona rock quarry that the Super Duty’s Tremor off-road package is fantastic. With a front suspension lift, progressive-rate springs, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, it offers 10.4 inches of ground clearance, a water fording capability of 33 inches, and better approach, breakover, and departure angles than other Super Duty models. Plus, it includes Ford’s Trail Control off-road cruise control system and a Rock Crawl driving mode, in addition to a long list of other technologies that assist a driver in getting where she is going.

This evaluation of the 2021 Super Duty took place in the wilds of the Southern California suburbs, where different challenges present themselves. Take parking, for example. Finding enough of it to accommodate the F-350 is difficult, but, in addition to all of the climbing in and out of the cab, you’ll get your steps in with each trip to a shopping center because you’ll likely need to park at the far end of the lot. So, think of F-350 ownership as a fitness program.

You’ll also become an expert at backing into spaces. Believe it or not, and especially with the big towing mirrors, reversing camera, and parking assist sensors, it's easier to make this effort than trying to nose the truck into a space, get it straightened out, and then later back it out of the space. Note, however, that when this is necessary, a handy button on the dashboard activates the front camera to quickly assist you.

We took the F-350 to Disneyland, where it fit into the new Pixar Pals parking garage with plenty of room to spare. Still, navigating the tightly-coned pathways through the garage required extra care, the narrow parking spaces made opening the doors difficult, and there wasn’t enough room behind the truck to allow another vehicle to easily park behind it.

We also took the F-350 to Koreatown in Los Angeles, where its size proved a significant liability in terms of negotiating heavy weekend traffic, tightly packed streets, and finding a place to stash the truck for a meal with family members.

Finally, we took the F-350 to IKEA, where it shined brightly for hauling new items for the home office and the kids’ bedrooms. Loading the bed was a bit of a challenge, though, even after deploying the integrated tailgate step.

The IKEA run reminded us that with the added weight of family in the cab and cargo in the bed, the truck’s ride quality improves. Unloaded, with just the driver aboard, the ride is sometimes unyielding in its occasional brutality.

Adaptive steering is new for 2021, standard with Limited trim and optional on other models (except the XL and XLT). This is a speed-sensing technology that Ford claims decreases the steering ratio at low speeds for quicker response and lower effort levels, and increases the steering ratio at higher speeds for a firmer feel and a more controlled sensation on the highway. Based on our experience, this truck still requires plenty of wheel-work in urban environments and suffers from plenty of on-center play on the highway, which requires constant nannying by the driver.

Additionally, during everyday driving, it takes a fair degree of muscle to use the F-350’s brake pedal. There is no doubt; the brakes are stout. But you need to acclimate to the amount of pressure required to use them. Also, the test truck’s engine-braking system came in handy for mountain driving. You can activate it using a button on the dashboard.

These ride-and-handling comments are observations rather than criticisms. When you’re talking about heavy-duty trucks, slow steering, a rough ride, and dealing with the sheer size of the vehicle is to be expected. That’s why it's best to buy one because you need the towing and hauling capability, and not for any other reason.