Overview
Heavy Duty pickups, such as the Ford F-series, don’t do one-hour lunch breaks. Hard at work is Ford’s latest and greatest in terms of horsepower, torque, and driver assistance features. While the half-ton F-150 is plenty useful, F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks move mountains. Every Super Duty gets a V-8, but size and output vary. The standard engine is exclusive to the XL trim, a 400-hp 6.8-liter V-8 with 445 pound-feet of torque. At the opposite end of the pecking order is a 500-hp 6.7-liter V-8 High-Output Power Stroke Diesel, good for up to 1050 pound-feet. Depending on how it’s equipped, the Super Duty is capable of hauling up to 8000 pounds of payload or towing up to 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck trailer. The Ford Pro Trailer Hitch Assist available on the Super Duty will automatically line up the hitch ball and brake the truck once the hitch is aligned with the ball. The Super Duty also flexes its innovation muscles with an industry-first “tailgate down” backup camera and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot.
What’s New for 2023?
Ford’s heavy-duty pickup truck is new from the tires up for the 2023 model year and gets revitalized engines in addition to its new looks. Under the hood, the 7.3-liter V-8 gets a revised air intake and refined tuning, and there’s an all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine. On the outside, the new Super Duty adopts a design language already familiar from Ford’s smaller F-150 and Maverick pickup trucks, which includes the brand’s signature “C-clamp” lighting. We’re happy to report that the Super Duty makes use of functional side vents rather than trendy fake ones. Inside the cabin, you’ll find a redesigned dashboard along with a new digital instrument cluster and an infotainment display as large as 12.0 inches. Additionally, four-wheel drive becomes standard on XLT and Lariat models rather than just on the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Rear-wheel drive is still standard on the base XL.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2023 Super Duty lineup follows the same trim level structure as the outgoing model. We’re inclined to recommend the midlevel Lariat since it provides worthwhile creature comforts—including LED lighting, power front seats, a 360-degree camera package, and a B&O audio system—at a more modest price point than the more expensive King Ranch and Platinum trims.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard V-8 engine is still a 430-hp 6.8-liter unit with 485 pound-feet of torque. As a replacement to the 380-hp 6.2-liter, is a new 400-hp 6.8-liter with 445 pound-feet of torque. While the larger 430-hp 7.3-liter gas-fed engine with 485 pound-feet of torque sees a couple of minor enhancements, our attention is drawn by the high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel, which makes 500 horsepower and 1200 lb-ft of torque. The Power Stroke engine also features a new turbocharger along with improved exhaust manifolds and unique tuning. Still, the Power Stroke turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V-8 is the bread-and-butter of the Ford Super Duty powertrain lineup. It’s 475-hp and 1050 pound-feet of torque is match for most of life’s commercial-sized battles. All engine options are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Super Duty boasts a maximum 8000-pound capacity for payload and can tow up to 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck-equipped. For conventional towing, the Super Duty is good for 13,700 pounds if its a crew-cab, long-bed 4×4 with the 6.8-liter V-8 behind its nose. To manage all that capability, the automaker has outfitted the truck with a host of trailering-assist features. Among them are onboard scales with Smart Hitch, which estimates cargo weight in real-time and provides guidance on trailer tongue-weight distribution. There’s also Trailer Navigation, which can optimize travel routes based on trailer dimensions and weight.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Since the EPA doesn’t test vehicles as heavy as the Super Duty and its gargantuan competitors, we judge them based on our own testing. Now that Ford has overhauled the powertrain options for its heavy-duty pickup trucks, we’ll have to wait until we get our hands on the new ones to evaluate real-world mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route. We expect the Super Duty’s optional Power Stroke diesel to be the most fuel-efficient engine in the lineup.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The new interior design is an improvement over the 2022 model, but those in the market for the base XL trim should still prepare for a fairly spartan cabin. More convenience and luxury features become available as you go through the various trims, though, and Ford has engineered front seats that can recline to a nearly flat position so drivers can properly rest when stopped overnight on long-haul drives. Ford hasn’t released a full list of the 2023 Super Duty’s interior features and options, but we’ll update this story with details once we learn more.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The base XL trim comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while more expensive models get a larger 12.0-inch display. A reconfigurable 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster is also available. Ford has integrated a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot as well as fleet management software and onboard telematics to help businesses keep track of their trucks’ locations and help operators stay on top of maintenance. All models come with a Bang & Olufsen–tuned stereo system. A 640-watt, eight-speaker setup is standard; a 1080-watt, 18-speaker one is optional.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of new driver-assistance tech is integrated into the 2023 Super Duty’s design, including some novel trailering features and adaptive cruise control, but many features are still optional. For more information about the Super Duty’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford’s limited and powertrain warranties align with the coverages that Chevy, GMC, and Ram provide on their heavy-duty pickups. However, only the GM trucks come with complimentary maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Gas powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Diesel powertrain warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
