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

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty received a modest styling update, featuring a more detailed grille and headlights. The new grille moved away from the gaudy chrome-clad bars of the 2019 model, presenting a more mature and imposing look. The massive headlights, with additional detail and contouring, appeared less bulky. Despite these updates, the design remained an evolution of the 2017 model, making the Super Duty look increasingly dated compared to the redesigned 2021 F-150. The cabin retained its blocky styling, which, while not particularly inviting, was ideally suited for work use with plenty of usable space.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty Limited exuded luxury with its Iconic Silver paint, chrome grille, and polished wheels. The plush leather seats and high-end audio system added to its stately yet purposeful appearance. Power-deploying running boards made cab access easy, revealing a cavernous interior with large seats and ample storage. The Limited trim featured high-end décor, including soft two-tone leather, real wood, and aluminum trim, along with a panoramic glass sunroof. This combination of luxury and capability justified the truck’s high price tag.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty offered three engine options. The standard 6.2-liter gas V8 produced 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. A 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 delivered 475 horsepower and an astounding 1,050 lb-ft of torque. New for 2020 was a 7.3-liter gas V8, generating 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 came with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 7.3-liter gas and 6.7-liter diesel engines featured a 10-speed automatic. The F-350 could tow up to 37,000 pounds with a gooseneck trailer and had a maximum payload capacity of 7,850 pounds. The Tremor off-road package added 35-inch all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and other off-road enhancements.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, equipped with the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. This engine produced 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, providing remarkable power and efficiency. The Tremor off-road package offered 10.4 inches of ground clearance, 33 inches of water fording capability, and improved off-road performance. Adaptive steering, new for 2021, adjusted the steering ratio based on speed, enhancing maneuverability. However, the truck’s size made urban driving and parking challenging, requiring careful navigation and frequent use of the reversing camera and parking assist sensors.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Super Crew configurations. The Super Cab, with rear-hinged half-doors, provided decent rear-seat space but required opening the front door for access. The Super Crew offered a massive cab with ample headroom and legroom, and fold-up rear seats for additional load space. The truck came with either a 6-foot-9-inch bed or an 8-foot bed, with the longer bed available in a dual-rear-wheel configuration. The bed featured a step for easier loading.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty crew cab provided stretch-out space for five people, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The commanding driving position offered excellent visibility. The large center console, dual glove compartments, and door bins provided ample storage. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with heated outboard seats, air conditioning vents, and numerous power ports. The flip-up seat cushion revealed additional storage space. The cargo bed, accessible via an integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step, featured the configurable BoxLink system and optional spray-in bedliner for added protection.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The system had an intuitive menu layout but occasionally experienced hiccups. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, with a 360 camera and Trailer Reverse Guidance, made trailer maneuvering easier by allowing the driver to control the trailer’s direction with a dial.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty also used the SYNC 3 system, but its 8-inch touchscreen felt small compared to competitors. The Limited trim included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The screen size was a liability when using the reversing camera and trailer assistance features. The system occasionally hung or ignored inputs, but separate stereo and climate controls limited screen interaction. The truck offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty came standard with airbags, automatic high beams, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The XLT trim added automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage. The Lariat included a reverse-sensing system, while the King Ranch featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Platinum trim added adaptive cruise control and adaptive steering, with all these features standard on the Limited trim.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing about 7,300 pounds, likely offered good 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 performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist operated subtly. Blind-spot monitoring required proper mirror positioning to be effective. The Sync 3 system’s 911 Assist feature could contact emergency responders following a collision.