2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty Review

There are a variety of minor options and drivetrain changes on the 2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup. SuperCabs are eligible for the Lariat Highline Package, which adds chrome details and black leather seating. Crew Cabs can be fitted with the Lariat Outlaw Package, which offers a black-with-red-accents color scheme inside and out. A power equipment group is now available on base XL models, as is a cloth front bench seat. F-250s equipped with the base 5.4-liter V8 have a standard 4.10 rear axle. Due to the stricter emissions standards in California, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont the 5.4-liter engine with a manual transmission is dropped, as is the 6.8-liter V10 for those states. Finally, Ford has extended powertrain warranty coverage to five years/60,000 miles.

High payload and towing capacities and a wide variety of configurations and special-edition models help make the aging Ford F-250 Super Duty a viable option for those who need a hard-core pickup civilized enough for everyday use.

Although most consumers will find that a regular half-ton pickup truck like the F-150 meets their day-to-day requirements, those with bigger towing and hauling tasks may need something more substantial. The next step up the ladder is a three-quarter-ton pickup truck, and Ford's entry in this class is the 2007 F-250 Super Duty. Square-jawed, big-rig styling distinguishes the F-250 from its half-ton sibling on the outside, but the most important differences are underneath where a stouter frame and larger engines give it the strength to carry heavier payloads and pull heavier trailers.

Three-quarter-ton buyers have plenty of options to consider when equipping their trucks. For starters, you can go with a Regular cab, Extended cab (SuperCab in Ford speak) or Crew Cab. Regular cabs have an 8-foot-long bed, while SuperCabs and crew cabs can have the 8-footer or an easier-to-manage 6.75-foot bed, depending on what size loads you plan to carry. Engine options include a 5.4-liter gasoline V8, 6.8-liter gasoline V10 and a 6.0-liter diesel V8 known as the Power Stroke. The Power Stroke offers more low-rpm torque than the gas V10, as well as a higher Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) -- up to 26,000 pounds. It's the best choice for buyers with serious towing requirements and is the most popular engine in the F-250 lineup.

Although the truck received a mild refresh for 2005, the 2007 Ford F-250 is one of the older designs in the three-quarter-ton pickup class. Compared to the offerings from GM and Dodge, the Ford's interior looks and feels dated, with mediocre seat comfort and minimal storage. And, although smooth, the Power Stroke diesel V8 does not perform as well as competing diesels when pulling heavy loads. That said, the Super Duty pickup's refined ride, handling and braking characteristics should still be appealing to buyers who don't need the strongest or newest three-quarter-ton truck on the market. Bear in mind, though, that a fully redesigned F-250 Super Duty is set to arrive next year as a 2008 model.

The F-250 is available with two- or four-wheel drive and three different engines. The base engine is a 5.4-liter V8 that generates 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.8-liter V10 generates 362 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. The best choice for those who do serious towing and hauling, though, is the 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 rated at 325 hp and 570 lb-ft, as it provides a 26,000-pound Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) when combined with the optional 4.30 rear axle. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with all of these engines and a five-speed automatic is optional. Properly equipped, an F-250 can tow up to 12,500 pounds.

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard; side airbags are not available. Automatic transmission-equipped XLT and Lariat models can be equipped with power-adjustable pedals. Rear parking sensors are optional on XLT and Lariat crew cabs. There is no NHTSA or IIHS crash test data on the F-250 Super Duty.

The F-250 Super Duty is actually quite civil on the highway, as it soaks up heavy ruts and bumps with ease while providing a quiet ride. Although the truck feels big from behind the wheel and has a large turning radius, handling is generally surefooted and the brakes perform well during panic stops. Acceleration is smooth and linear with the Power Stroke diesel V8, while the five-speed automatic transmission upshifts cleanly and holds gears when necessary, such as when there's a trailer hitched to the back.

Inside, the Ford F-250 pickup truck is beginning to show its age. It's plenty roomy up front, but the seats aren't very comfortable even with the King Ranch treatment and there isn't enough storage space. Crew cabs offer ample room for two or three passengers in back, and when you fold the rear seats up to make way for cargo, a utility tray flips out from underneath to keep the load floor flat.