The F-250 Super Duty proves a truck can have immense capability and work potential and yet still be comfortable enough for the daily commute. But that was not always the case for the venerable Ford F-250 Super Duty, a heavy-duty, work-ready pickup truck with immense power and the tools to get the job done. The early examples are as spartan as you might imagine a farm truck from the 1990s to be, but today, the F-250 Super Duty is a comfortable and sophisticated heavy-duty pickup.

The Ford F-250 competes in a fairly limited segment. Shoppers looking for capabilities such as large trailer towing and maximum payload capacity might also consider the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, the GMC Sierra 2500HD, and the Ram 2500.

Generations: Four

• Ford F-250 Super Duty 1st Generation
• Ford F-250 Super Duty 2nd Generation
• Ford F-250 Super Duty 3rd Generation
• Ford F-250 Super Duty 4th Generation

Pros: Immensely powerful, Designed for worksites, Wide range of trims and configurations
Cons: Rough ride when unloaded, Poor sight-lines over towering front end, Bare-bones in early models

Ford F-250 Super Duty Fourth Generation (2017-Present)

Buyers can select Super Duty trucks in one of three cab sizes and one of two bed sizes. The Regular Cab is a standard “single cab.” It offers two or three seats, with either bucket seats or a bench. The extended cab is known as the SuperCab—it features rear-hinged clamshell half-doors. The front doors need to be opened to access them. Finally, the SuperCrew is a full four-door model. Both SuperCabs and SuperCrews seat five passengers with buckets or six with the front bench.

The base engine is a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 385 horsepower. A 7.3-liter V8 engine is also available; it produces 430 hp (440 hp in later models). A 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine is also available, which puts out as much as 475 hp and 1,050 pound-feet of torque in later models. The early versions of this generation come with a six-speed automatic transmission. A new 10-speed automatic was introduced in 2020 for the gas engine. In 2021, this 10-speed automatic transmission was paired to both gas and diesel engines.

A rear-view camera became standard for the 2017 model year. This generation of the F-250 is available with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system. It is available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which became standard on models with SYNC 3 in later years. For 2022, the Super Duty also gains the new SYNC 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard safety features remain pretty limited as of the 2022 model year, but forward-collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and more are available. Optional equipment and appearance packages can also add everything from blacked out running boards, logos, and aluminum wheels to a trailer tow camera system complete with pro trailer backup assist.

Ford F-250 Super Duty Third Generation (2011-2016)

The 2011-2016 F-250 Super Duty’s standard V8 increased from 5.4 to 6.2 liters. It now made 385 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, routing power to a six-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity was up to 16,000 pounds in later fifth-wheel models. An optional 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 made 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feed of torque when new. Later models with this powertrain put out as much as 440 horsepower and 860 pound-feet of torque.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but the F-250 Super Duty is also offered with part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) system. Depending on the trim selected, it comes with manual or auto-locking hubs, electronic low-range gear selection, and hill-hold braking. Both engines come standard with an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler.

The 2011 F-250 Super Duty XL comes with a handful of standard appearance features and cabin comforts. These include 17-inch steel wheels, a Class III trailer hitch (and wiring), vinyl upholstery, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio with a pair of speakers. Other trims come with upgrades such as 17-, 18-, or even 20-inch wheels, a power sunroof, integrated side-steps, heated and/or power-adjustable mirrors, and a power-sliding rear window.

Ford F-250 Super Duty Second Generation (2008-2010)

From 2008 to 2010, the base engine in the F-250 Super Duty was a 5.4-liter V8. It featured variable valve timing and made 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. It pairs to either a six-speed manual in lower trims or a five-speed automatic in the rest of the F-250 Super Duty lineup. This V8 engine felt lazy, so we’d recommend looking for a truck outfitted with the optional 6.8-liter Triton V10. It made up to 362 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque when selected with the automatic transmission.

If you’re looking to do serious towing with your used Ford F-250 Super Duty, you should know that Ford also offered the 6.4-liter turbodiesel V8. This motor made up to 650 lb-ft of torque, allowing the truck to tow up to 12,500 pounds when properly equipped, and was also available in all trim levels of the F-250.

This generation of the F-250 was pretty bare-bones in the lower trims. The base XL Regular Cab comes with 17-inch painted steel wheels, a trailer hitch (and wiring), vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with two speakers. The SuperCab and Crew Cab versions come with a split-folding rear bench seat. The F-250 XLT adds standard cloth upholstery, power windows, power door locks, heated mirrors, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, and floor mats (front and rear in SuperCab and Crew Cabs). It also adds a single-CD player with four speakers. The high-end F-250 Lariat SuperCab or Crew Cab is delivered with standard leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth functionality, and a USB connection.

Ford F-250 Super Duty First Generation (1999-2007)

The F-250 Super Duty was introduced in 1998 for the 1999 model year. The heavy-duty truck was offered in Standard cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab was an extended cab truck with conventionally hinged doors, and the SuperCrew was a full-size four-door truck with a large interior. The Super Duty got the three-slot grille for 2004 and received some styling updates in 2005. Inside, it gained some features such as an additional glovebox and auxiliary switches for things like plows. Upgraded trims like the King Ranch and Platinum would not come until later.

The first-generation Ford Super Duty offered the choice of two gas engines and two diesel engines. The 5.4-liter gas V8 made 260 horsepower in 1999 and 300 horsepower starting in 2005. A 6.8-liter V10 made 310 horsepower in 1999 and 362 horsepower in 2005. A 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 was offered from 1999 to 2003. It made 235 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque initially, and it got up to 275 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque by 2003. That same year, an updated 6.0-liter Power Stroke V8 was introduced, making 325 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. In 2005, torque was updated to 570 pound-feet.