Just in case any lingering doubt remains, on the slim chance that an onlooker might not notice what this big rig is up to and what it is up for, Ford makes sure to shout it to the hills: “Super Duty” it screams in bold letters across the grille of the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup truck.

Get the message?

Ford might be wise as well to add this moniker to its advertising campaign for its heavy-duty pickup truck: “Super pick.”

Yes, reviewers think that highly of the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty. For good reason.

Granted, the All-American field of heavy-duty pickups is not a large one — Ford competes in it with Ram and the kissing cousins that are the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra – but it's a field built of fiercely loyal customers. Ford’s rivals keep upping the ante in hopes of gaining market share, and all the manufacturers keep pushing each other.

The folks behind the blue oval have risen to the challenge.

“If this truck was a person, Congress would have inquiries into performance-enhancing drugs,” writes one reviewer. “Its strength is obscene, its power nearly absolute.”

Muscle and power aren’t everything in the world of heavy-duty pickups.... But they certainly trump anything else.

The 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty boasts of both in abundance. Ford sends the F-250 out in a myriad of ways covering three different cab choices, four trims, assorted beds and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and all selections are powered by a couple of potent engines.

The automaker offers a 6.2-liter Triton V8, good for 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, as the standard powerplant in the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty.

An innovative 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 is available. Ford offered the same engine in its 2011 models, but was able to boost its hp and torque and thus its towing power. It burns regular diesel or a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and is up to 400 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a heavy-duty TorqShift 6-speed automatic transmission that includes Ford’s SelectShift manual shift control.

When properly equipped, the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty can tow up to 14,000 pounds with a conventional hitch and as much as 16,700 with a fifth-wheel setup. It’s rated for a maximum payload capacity of 4,290 pounds.

Ford starts the 2012 F-250 Super Duty off with the base XL and climbs the trim ladder from there to the XLT, Lariat and top-of-the-line King Ranch. All are quite capable of holding their own on the job site, and the top trims are comfortable in almost any environment.

Air conditioning, vinyl upholstery and floor coverings, 17-inch steel wheels, manual telescoping trailer tow mirrors and a two-speaker AM/FM radio come standard on the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL.

The XLT gets a chrome grille and bumpers, cruise control, keyless entry, cast-aluminum wheels, full power accessories, cloth upholstery, lockable storage, a power point under the rear seat and a CD player and AM/FM sound system with four speakers.

The Lariat steps things up another notch and has leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer screen, a middle front seat that converts into a console, 8-way power adjustable front seats, Ford’s Sync voice activation system and an 8-speaker audio system with satellite radio.

Ford packs the King Ranch with goodies from remote start to Chapparal leather upholstery with matching floor mats and door trim, heated and ventilated seats, a rear-view camera and driver's seat memory.

Ford’s Work Solutions package, designed to provide an office at the worksite and featuring an in-dash computer, is available for the XL and XLT versions. Those looking to do their work, or play, a little more remotely, can opt for an off-road package available to 4WD versions that includes skid plates, upgraded shock absorbers, all-terrain tires, descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

Bottom line, the 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty packs quite a punch in the truck world, which is not to say that the experts can’t find things to nitpick about with this pickup. For instance, some reviewers note that the cabin of the F-250 is beginning to age a bit, and they also take issue with what they feel is less-than-responsive steering.

Most experts do think the F-250 drives smoothly for a big truck, however, and find even the diesel version quiet compared to its rivals.

The 2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty comes standard with stability control and trailer sway control, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, hill assist start and side curtain airbags. The XLT and higher trims get an integrated trailer brake controller. The rear-view camera is standard on the King Ranch and available on the XLT and Lariat. The Lariat level has rear parking sensors and power-adjustable pedals.