2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty received some subtle updates that keen observers might notice. The front bumper featured more black painted areas and less chrome, while the massive grille adopted a less gaudy design. The headlights became sleeker due to the altered grille shape, resulting in a truck that showed some styling restraint without a complete redesign. The F-250 was available in various trims, from the basic XL with its black grille and bumpers to the luxurious Limited with a satin-chrome grille and a twin-panel moonroof.

Inside, the F-250's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with plenty of hard plastics and a cold, mechanical feel. The base XL model came decently equipped for a work truck, while higher trims like the King Ranch and Platinum offered more comfort and luxury features, such as leather upholstery, heated-and-cooled front seats, and ambient cabin lighting. The Tremor package added off-road capabilities with dark wheels and upgraded off-road gear.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, especially in its Limited trim, exuded luxury and capability. The test truck, gleaming in Iconic Silver, featured power-deploying running boards, plush leather seats, and a high-end audio system. The F-350 came in six trim levels, with the King Ranch and above offering higher-end interiors. The crew cab provided ample space for five people, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The interior boasted soft two-tone leather, real wood and aluminum trim, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The F-350's cabin was spacious and well-equipped, with a large center console, dual glove compartments, and bins in the door panels. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with heated outboard seats and plenty of legroom. The truck's size made parking and navigating tight spaces challenging, but features like the reversing camera and parking assist sensors helped mitigate these issues.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, delivering 475 hp and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 option was introduced, generating 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The gas engines were paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 could tow up to 30,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured the same 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, producing 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. During testing, the truck averaged 15.4 mpg unloaded and 16.5 mpg with heavy highway use. The diesel engine provided remarkable power, effortlessly motivating the F-350 and handling loaded trailers with ease. The Tremor off-road package offered impressive off-road capabilities, with a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires.

Adaptive steering was new for 2021, standard on the Limited trim and optional on other models. This speed-sensing technology improved steering response at low speeds and provided a firmer feel at higher speeds. The F-350's brakes required a fair degree of muscle to use, but the engine-braking system was helpful for mountain driving. The truck's ride quality improved with added weight, but it could be unyielding when unloaded.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, extended SuperCab, and full four-door Crew Cab configurations, with either a 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot bed. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies designed to hold large items. The center console was massive, capable of storing files, tools, or even a laptop. The rear seats on the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up, revealing a load floor for large items.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided stretch-out space for five people. The Limited trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with a commanding driving position. The large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins offered plenty of storage. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with heated outboard seats and ample legroom. The truck's size made accessing the cargo bed challenging, but features like the integrated tailgate step and BoxLink system helped secure cargo.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL model came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio unit, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, an additional USB-C port, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard across the lineup, offering a WiFi hotspot and remote vehicle access via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's Limited trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a B&O premium sound system. The screen size was a liability when parking, but the reversing camera and top-down surround-view camera system helped. The truck also offered the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist technologies. The Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches accommodated add-on equipment.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system were also available. The F-250 had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty weighed about 7,300 pounds, providing a decent level of protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control system performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist operated subtly. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror positioning for optimal visibility.