2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2023 Ford F-150

Shopping for a new 2023 Ford F-150 involved setting a budget and determining specific needs from a full-size, light-duty pickup truck. The F-150's vast array of configurations made it possible to tailor the vehicle to almost any requirement. The model lineup included regular, extended (Super Cab), and crew cab (SuperCrew) styles, paired with short (5.5-foot), standard (6.5-foot), and long (8-foot) cargo beds. With eight core trims ranging from the workhorse XL work truck to the high-performance Raptor, and a variety of engines available, the choices seemed endless. Ford also offered an electric F-150 called the Lightning, though it was considered a separate model.

Prices ranged from $35,690 for the regular cab with two-wheel drive in XL trim to $109,345 for the high-performance F-150 Raptor R. These prices included a $1,995 destination charge. Adding optional equipment could quickly inflate the price, as seen with our F-150 XLT Super Crew test truck. Extras like four-wheel drive, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, multiple packages, and additional features brought the MSRP to $69,115.

Finished in Ford’s blue-gray Area 51 paint color, the F-150 presented a familiar, appealing design that didn't venture into the wild styling territory seen in some rivals. Inside, the F-150 adopted a modular, functional approach, though some surface plastics felt more utilitarian. The Ford Work Surface upgrade, while convenient, made the transmission shifter feel loose and flimsy. Despite the as-tested price, the cloth seats were appreciated for their agreeable surface temperature in various weather conditions.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a complete redesign. Available trims included XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each offering varying degrees of luxury and functionality. The XL work truck, for example, featured some creature comforts like 17-inch wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving up to trims like the XLT and Lariat introduced more modern features, including leather upholstery and advanced digital displays.

Our test model, the King Ranch, epitomized luxury within the lineup with 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and a stylish interior adorned with two-tone brown leather and signature branding. It came equipped with features like a spray-in bed liner, LED in-bed lighting, and the innovative 2-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard system.

While both trucks showcased distinct personalities, the F-150 maintained familiarity and practicality, whereas the F-250 Super Duty exuded an evolved, luxurious presence with an emphasis on advanced amenities.

The 2023 Ford F-150 offered numerous engine options, with our test truck featuring the optional twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. This engine produced 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, providing effortless acceleration despite lacking the V8’s signature note. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the V6 always selected the right gear without delay. The truck’s four-wheel-drive system lacked a full-time mode but handled off-road conditions adequately.

Ford claimed the F-150's maximum towing capacity was 14,000 pounds and its maximum payload rating was 3,315 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain. In terms of ride quality, the F-150 displayed some harshness and skittishness when unloaded, though it improved with added weight or when using alternative suspension setups like the FX4 Package or adaptive damping suspension available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a robust range of engines, starting with the base 6.8-liter gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. Buyers seeking more power could opt for the 7.3-liter V8 with 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque or the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 with up to 500 horsepower and an astounding 1,200 pound-feet of torque in its high-output version.

The 10-speed automatic transmission handled power distribution efficiently across all engine options. Despite its size, the Super Duty's diesel engines enabled lively acceleration, though maneuvering the truck required significant attention due to its vast turning radius.

When properly equipped, the F-250’s towing capacity reached an impressive 22,000 pounds. Features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales simplified towing tasks, making it easier to manage heavy loads and maintain balance while driving.

Overall, both trucks demonstrated formidable performance capabilities, with the F-150 excelling in versatility and the F-250 Super Duty dominating in heavy-duty power and towing capacity.

Getting into and out of trucks like the 2023 Ford F-150 wasn’t always easy, but step rails provided assistance, albeit at the cost of reducing the breakover angle. Inside, the F-150 XLT with the High package offered comfortable seating for five, with power adjustments for both front seats and power-adjustable pedals ensuring an optimal driving position. Storage options were abundant, including a large bin under the front center armrest, door panels, and dual glove compartments. Rear seats could be flipped up or folded flat for extra in-cab cargo room.

The test truck's cargo bed featured a factory-applied spray-in bedliner and the 2.0-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard system for running electric tools and appliances. However, climbing into the bed was challenging without the optional tailgate step from the Bed Utility Package.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab (extended cab), and SuperCrew (full four-door crew cab) configurations, paired with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The extended SuperCab featured rear-hinged clamshell doors, necessitating the front doors to be open for operation, providing wide access to the cab.

Our test model included an integrated Warn winch on the front bumper, soft-opening tailgate, and bed steps ahead and behind the rear wheels for improved bed access. Enticingly practical for its size, it featured grip handles inside the cab, multiple cupholders, a massive center storage bin, dual glove boxes, and large door storage spaces. In the SuperCrew configuration, rear seats folded up to create a spacious area protected from the elements.

When comparing cargo capacity, the F-150 offered a maximum payload rating of 3,315 pounds, significantly lower than the F-250 Super Duty's immense towing capacity of up to 22,000 pounds.

The 2023 Ford F-150 XLT was outfitted with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, displayed on a 12-inch touchscreen with features like enhanced voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Sync 4 couldn't always meet quick load expectations, particularly the satellite radio service, and would benefit from bolder graphics for better readability. However, the system was user-friendly, and the voice recognition was exceptionally reliable. The standard stereo offered decent sound quality, with the Bang & Olufsen premium audio system being a worthy upgrade.

Additional technological features included remote engine starting, remote tailgate locking, an integrated trailer-brake controller, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, the latter providing semi-autonomous assistance when reversing with a trailer. On Board Scales with Smart Hitch was also included to help prevent overloading the bed and determine trailer tongue weight.

Alternatively, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model's larger 12-inch screen added wireless versions of these connectivity options and featured a logical layout with redundant dials for radio and climate controls. The multiple USB ports, wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging provided ample options for device management.

Ford’s Trailer Navigation system was an impressive addition, allowing drivers to input trailer dimensions and weights to optimize travel routes, avoiding difficult turns and low bridges.

Our test truck was equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It included automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking. Additionally, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, and speed-sign recognition were part of the package.

During evaluation, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist delivered a generally smooth and reliable experience, though some minor issues were noted on tighter curves and exit ramps. More practical were the blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert systems, and surround-view camera, which significantly enhanced parking and maneuvering capabilities.

The F-150 received high safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five-star ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.

Starting at the XLT trim, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty also included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, though specifics varied by trim. The suite featured automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The dual-tier power-adjustable trailer mirrors with a wide-angle view improved visibility, while the trailer blind-spot monitoring and backup camera for the lowered tailgate were invaluable during towing.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS crash-tested the Ford Super Duty.