2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty made a bold statement at first glance. It was designed to embody strength and capability, featuring a massive dual-bar grille and bulky, squared-off headlights. The truck’s commanding presence was evident, from the base XL trim, which sported 17-inch steel wheels and dark plastic bumper and grille, to the top-tier Limited trim, which included body-color bumpers and a sophisticated grille design. Each trim level exhibited a unique personality, with the XLT adding painted aluminum wheels and chrome accents, while the Lariat trim we tested included a black appearance package that provided a Sportier styling with blacked-out elements.

Inside, the 2019 model maximized space utilization, offering ample storage with multiple bins and cupholders scattered throughout the cabin. The Super Duty's interior was tailored for both comfort and functionality. The second row, especially in the Crew Cab form, offered extensive legroom, and the bench seat could flip up to reveal additional storage. From the no-nonsense vinyl seats in the XL to the plush, leather-upholstered seats in the Lariat, the interior differed widely based on the trim. The higher-end trims like the Platinum and Limited boasted luxurious touches such as 20-way power front seats with massaging functions and a massive dual-panel panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with year-over-year visual updates that were subtle yet impactful. The front design was refined to display a bit more black paint and less chrome bling. The massive grille was less gaudy, and the headlights appeared somewhat sleeker. These changes delivered a more restrained yet still aggressive look. Trim-specific variations continued, from the simple black grille and bumpers of the XL to the unique chrome wheels and two-tone paint scheme of the King Ranch. The Platinum and Limited trims presented higher-end aesthetics with chrome and satin-chrome elements, while the addition of the Tremor package brought a dark, off-road-oriented design.

Interior-wise, the 2020 model retained the functional layout but felt less welcoming and a bit more mechanical due to the extensive use of hard plastics. Yet, features like deep cup holders, a massive center console, and rear seats that could fold up to create a load floor ensured practicality. The King Ranch trim introduced a saddle leather interior with unique stitching, while the Platinum trim came with ambient cabin lighting and massaging seats. The Limited trim topped it off with a remarkable twin-panel moonroof, almost covering the entire roof area.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a choice between two V8 engines: a 6.2-liter gasoline engine that produced 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 that delivered a whopping 450 horsepower and an unbelievable 935 lb-ft of torque. Despite the power, both engines were paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission which limited acceleration performance compared to competitors like the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD with its 10-speed transmission. The F-250 was available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD), with a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 4,270 pounds. Its capabilities came at the expense of ride comfort when the truck wasn't loaded, as it felt top-heavy and chatty over bumps.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty saw significant enhancements in the performance department. It retained the 6.2-liter V8 and the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, but the latter's output was increased to 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 was also introduced, generating 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. Both gasoline engines were now paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel continued with a six-speed automatic. This upgrade improved acceleration and overall driving dynamics. The Super Duty's maximum towing capacity jumped to 30,000 pounds with the diesel engine and appropriate configuration, showcasing a substantial increase over the 2019 model. That said, the ride quality remained harsh when not hauling heavy loads, though the off-road capabilities were expanded with the introduction of the Tremor package.

For form and function, the 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty catered to various needs with its single cabs, Super Cabs, and Crew Cabs options. The Regular Cab was available with an 8-foot-long bed, whereas the Super Cab and Crew Cab configurations offered both the long bed and the standard 6.75-foot bed. The truck was limited to a single-rear-wheel setup, with the Ford F-350 being the right choice for Dually requirements. Our Lariat test truck included practical features like a spray-in bed liner, LED bed lights, and a bed-mounted power outlet. Ford's integrated tailgate step was a handy feature, though it didn’t quite match the practicality of GMC and Chevy trucks’ side bumper steps.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty further refined its form and functionality. Like its predecessor, it was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab styles. It also provided both 6-foot-9-inch and 8-foot bed sizes. The tailgate step continued to be a useful feature, making bed access easier. The truck bed itself offered practical amenities, such as adjustable tie-downs, LED lighting, and an optional bed liner. The interior maintained a spacious and practical design, with substantial storage areas and the ability to fold up the rear seats on SuperCrew and Crew Cab models to create additional load space.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty came equipped with the SYNC infotainment system across all trims. However, the base versions on XL and XLT trims were quite basic, featuring just four speakers, an AM/FM radio, and a small 4.2-inch LCD screen. The higher trims received the advanced SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. SYNC 3 was praised for its simplicity and user-friendly interface. Yet, it lacked a consistent home button, making navigation through menus slightly cumbersome. Higher trims also offered a B&O premium audio system, voice-activated navigation, and additional luxury features.

For the 2020 model, technological enhancements were notable. The base XL model maintained a basic setup with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Importantly, FordPass Connect became standard across the lineup, offering a WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices and multiple remote functionalities via a smartphone app. These included remote lock/unlock, vehicle status updates, and remote start capabilities, although many of these features required a subscription.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. This included front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and trailer-sway control. Higher trims like the XLT and Lariat added features like headlights tied to the wipers. Optional advanced safety features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These high-end models could also be equipped with a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.

For 2020, the Ford F-250 Super Duty continued to emphasize safety with standard features such as front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac with roll stability control. Optional safety technologies remained similar to the 2019 model, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system were also available. However, standardizing more of these advanced safety features would have been a welcomed addition, especially given the ever-increasing size and complexity of navigating large trucks.