2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty showcased some subtle yet noticeable updates compared to its predecessor. True Ford aficionados would've recognized the minor changes, such as the revised front bumper which had more black painted areas and reduced chrome detailing. The grille was also reworked from its previous two-bar design to a more reserved look. The headlights became slightly sleeker due to the new shape of the grille, giving the truck a modern touch without a full redesign.

This model came in several trims including the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, which significantly altered its appearance. For instance, the base XL had a black grille, black bumpers, and 17-inch steel wheels. Moving up to the XLT added chrome touches, 18-inch alloy wheels, and corner signals on the side mirrors. The Lariat included fog lights and different 18-inch wheels.

The King Ranch featured a unique aesthetic with a two-tone paint job, chromed running boards, side mirrors, and door handles. The top-tier Platinum trim enhanced the exterior with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and power-retractable running boards, while the Limited trim offered a luxurious satin-chrome grille.

Ford also proffered a Tremor package, accessible on XLT-and-up trims, distinguishing itself with a dark grille and wheels, off-road tires, and other off-road gear.

Inside, the F-250 boasted a functional layout with ample storage, although it lacked a cozy atmosphere. Hard plastics were abundant, lending a cold and mechanical feel. The base XL trimmed down to basics, featuring air conditioning, vinyl upholstery, and an AM/FM/MP3 stereo with four speakers. Meanwhile, the King Ranch and higher trims included more luxurious offerings such as leather elements, voice-activated navigation, and even massaging seats on top models.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford F-150 maintained its rugged aesthetic but introduced several key improvements. The new front fascia sported bigger headlights and a rounder grille shape, with 11 design options for the grille and new tailgate appliques. The revised aerodynamic design, featuring active grille shutters and an automatically-deploying air dam, aimed to improve fuel efficiency.

The F-150's aluminum cab, bed, fenders, and hood combined with a steel frame to reduce weight and enhance fuel economy while maintaining robustness. The interior retained its truck-like presence with large angular vents and a high center console but saw upgrades in material quality especially in the luxurious King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims that featured leather upholstery and wood trim.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty excelled in power with three engine options: a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 making 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, a new 7.3-liter gas V8 producing 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 offering 475 hp and an extraordinary 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The gas engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel used a six-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an optional four-wheel drive.

This truck could tow up to 30,000 pounds when equipped with the 6.7-liter diesel, 3.55 axle ratio, and High Capacity Tow Package. Despite its immense power, the F-250’s suspension could result in a bumpy ride when unladen, which was problematic considering its built-for-work orientation. The Tremor off-road package provided added versatility with features like 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and rock crawl mode.

The 2021 Ford F-150 offered a variety of powertrains. The base model had a 3.3-liter V6 yielding 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, while a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 gave 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. It also included two twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engines: a 2.7-liter (325 hp and 400 lb-ft) and a 3.5-liter (400 hp and 500 lb-ft). Additionally, a 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 was available, producing 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

New for 2021, the PowerBoost hybrid combined a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque—making it the most powerful F-150 powertrain. This variant provided a remarkable balance of power and efficiency, with an estimated 700 miles on a single tank of gas. The F-150 outperformed its rivals in towing and payload capacities, with a maximum payload of 3,325 pounds and maximum towing of 14,000 pounds when properly equipped. However, transitions between electric-only and hybrid modes could be jarring.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations with bed lengths of 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot. Its cabin prioritized functionality, featuring deep cupholders and cubbies, a massive center console, and fold-up rear seats in the SuperCab and Crew Cab for additional storage.

In comparison, the 2021 Ford F-150 emphasized its role as a mobile office with features like a shifter that could fold flat to create a workspace and fold-flat Max Recline Seats for rest. It also boasted generous storage, capable of fitting large items like a Stetson in the center console and ensured phone stability with an angled wireless-charging pad.

Ford offered the F-150 in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew, with bed lengths of 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot. The F-150 trumped its rivals in practicalities with Pro Power Onboard—a feature providing in-bed power outlets, making the truck versatile for various tasks.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with the SYNC 3 system starting from the XLT trim. This included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, expanding to FordPass Connect across the lineup with a WiFi hotspot and remote capabilities through a smartphone app.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-150 debuted with Ford’s Sync 4 system, which featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The standard 8-inch touchscreen was upgradeable to a 12-inch unit, which featured intuitive menus and easy-to-read digital displays. Additionally, the F-150 included Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance to streamline towing.

Safety in the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. However, the F-250 had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Ford F-150, while new, did have carries over "good" IIHS ratings for roof strength from the previous model. Standard safety featured Ford Co-Pilot360, incorporating forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with available options including Active Drive Assist for semi-autonomous driving.