When you’ve absolutely, positively got to have the biggest, baddest truck on the block, check out the 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty full-size pickup. This stylish draught animal comes in four trim levels, the base XL, midlevel XLT, amped-up Cabela, and the top-flight Lariat. All are available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD), and all can be delivered with either the 6.8-foot standard bed (SB) or 8-foot long bed (LB), though Regular Cab trims are LB-only. The F-350 Super Duty XL and XLT trims are available in all cab configurations, the three-passenger Regular Cab, six-passenger SuperCab with reverse-opening back doors, and six-passenger Crew Cab with four convenient, front-opening doors. The Cabela is delivered only in Crew Cab versions and, with front bucket seats, seats only five, while the Lariat, also with standard front bucket seats, is offered with either the SuperCab or Crew Cab. All trims except the Cabela are additionally offered with dual or single rear wheels, with Cabela trims delivered only with single rear wheels.

All 2010 F-350 Super Duty trims come with a 300-hp, 365-lb-ft/torque 5.4-liter variable-valve-timed V8 standard. XLs and XLTs feature a six-speed manual transmission, while Cabelas and Lariats are equipped with a standard five-speed automatic. Not potent enough? Don’t worry: All trims are also available with a Triton 6.8-liter V10 and its accompanying five-speed automatic transmission, which will put out 362 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. But wait, there’s more. If a ten-cylinder gasoline mill still isn’t gutsy enough, all trims can be delivered with a torque-heavy, 350-hp 6.4-liter V8 turbodiesel and five-speed automatic that’ll deliver a jaw-dropping 650 lb-ft of torque, enough muscle to haul 12,500 pounds of loaded trailer with nary a glitch when properly equipped. Fuel efficiency numbers are unavailable for any of the F-350 Super Duty’s engines.

For the base 2010 F-350 Super Duty XL trim Regular Cab, standard appearance features and cabin amenities include 17-inch steel wheels, trailer hitch and wiring, vinyl bench seats, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with two speakers. SuperCab and Crew Cab XL’s additionally feature split-folding rear bench seats. Moving up to the XLT means cloth upholstery, power accessories (including heated mirrors), cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, and a single-CD player with four speakers, as well as front, and in SuperCab and Crew Cab trims, rear floor mats. The almost-there Cabela comes with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, skid plates, power-adjustable front bucket seats, keypad entry, universal remote garage door opener, simulated alloy door and dash trim, and Sirius satellite radio, while the princely Lariat adds heated front seats, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-retractable outside mirrors, simulated wood door and dash inlays, Bluetooth communications technology, and a USB connection.

Most of the standard features found on the higher trim levels are available for the XL and XLT trims, with such stand-alone options as an off-road package, electronic trailer brake controller, heftier axle ratios, and spray-in bedliner offered with all trims, and goodies like a power sunroof, rearview camera, rear-seat entertainment, power-adjustable pedals, premium audio, and the highly touted SYNC system with navigation, weather, and real-time traffic available for upper-level trims. Dedicated F-350 Super Duty work trucks can be fitted with available in-dash computer systems and Ford’s unique ToolLink chip-activated tool tracking system.

Standard safety features for the 2010 F-350 Super Duty lineup start with four-wheel disc ABS and a post-collision safety system on all trims, with the XLT adding a remote anti-theft alarm that’s optional for the XL and the Cabela featuring front fog/driving lights and dusk-sensing headlights. The Lariat comes with standard rear parking sensors, and like the XLT and Cabela, offers optional SYNC-operated Vehicle Collision and Airbag Deployment Notification. Traction and stability control are additionally available for all trim levels.

Owners of the 2009 F-350 Super Duty trims complain about its poor gas mileage, yet most wouldn’t give up the powerful engines for better mileage – except maybe the only-tepid-on-its-best-day 5.4-liter V8 base engine. Another common complaint is this big pickup’s high-end maintenance and repair bills. Some curious placement of various controls and buttons has a few owners scratching their heads, while a lack of side-mounted airbags doesn’t sit well with a few more. Looks, however, as well as turbodiesel power, load-handling dual rear wheels, SYNC convenience, cabin room, and comfortable seating, as well as details like available all-terrain tires and rear-view camera, keep folks coming back for more of the F-350 Super Duty.