2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty Review

Modern trucks are more capable than ever, but some jobs require an extra dose of power. That's where the 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty comes in. It offers massive tow ratings, enormous payload capacity, and all the high-tech features that modern heavy-duty truck buyers require.

Depending on your preferences and the hauling capability you require from your F-350, you can go with one of two engines: the standard 6.2-liter V8 or a turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V8. Both are powerful and provide plenty of hauling potential. Yet it's the truck's multiple driver assist features that fully illustrate how modern the F-350 is.

The adaptive cruise control, for example, is capable of operating in normal scenarios or while the truck is pulling a full 30,000-pound load. That should make long highway hauling journeys much easier. For added peace of mind, there are also features available such as lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring that can be programmed with the length of your trailer, and a rearview camera that can be mounted at the back of your trailer and connected to the infotainment screen. Getting your toy-hauler into a parking spot just got much easier.

Clearly, the F-350 is both capable and modern. But it's also downright cozy. There's abundant space in the cabin, supportive seats, and plenty of trim-level upgrades that are creature comfort-oriented. Hook up your trailer, load up all your heaviest gear, and you'll still have a vehicle that will pamper you on the longest of road trips. The 2019 Ford F-350 is a great pick for a modern heavy-duty truck that provides maximum comfort and capability.

The 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty is a full-size heavy-duty pickup available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. It can be configured as a regular-cab, extended-cab (aka SuperCab) or crew-cab body, with either a 6.8-foot or an 8.2-foot bed length. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 produces 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, while an available turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V8 puts out an impressive 450 hp and 935 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. A dual rear-wheel axle is also optional for the F-350.

Base XL models are just above the fleet level and come standard with features that include 17-inch steel wheels, manual front locking hubs (four-wheel-drive models), intermittent wipers, a rearview camera, manually telescoping towing mirrors, a removable locking tailgate with tailgate lift assist, and a 2.5-inch trailer hitch receiver with a 2-inch insert. Also included are air conditioning, vinyl upholstery, manual windows and door locks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a driver information display, and a four-speaker audio system. Extended- and crew-cab models get a six-speaker system.

Step up to the XLT and you get 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated mirrors, four locking cleats in the bed, a trailer-brake controller, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, rear underseat lockable storage, power windows and locks, and rear privacy glass (extended- and crew-cab models only). The XLT also includes cruise control, an alarm system, the Sync voice-controlled infotainment system, a 4.2-inch display, a USB port, and a CD player and satellite radio.

Springing for the midrange Lariat trim level gets you an electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system (four-wheel-drive models only), power-folding and telescoping outside mirrors plus driver-side auto-dimming and integrated spotlights, tubular side steps, a power-sliding rear window, and rear parking sensors. This trim also brings dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a rear center armrest, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-inch center touchscreen display, an upgraded Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, two 110-volt household-style power outlets, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium B&O Play 10-speaker B&O Play audio system with two USB charging ports.

The Western-themed King Ranch trim level, which is only offered on crew-cab models, adds unique alloy wheels, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, LED box lighting, keyless entry and start, remote start, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping and heated steering wheel, and a navigation system with satellite radio.

Choosing the Platinum model, again offered only on crew-cab models, gets you 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive steering, LED headlights, automatic wipers, power running boards, a remote tailgate release, a built-in tailgate step, multicontour front seats, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Top-of-the-line Limited models include everything from the Platinum model and add a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, a panoramic sunroof, and a Limited-exclusive two-tone leather interior.

Many of the features standard on upper trim levels are offered as options on the rest of the lineup. Other noteworthy options include a power sunroof, a heavy-duty trailer tow package (offered only with the turbodiesel engine), a massive 48-gallon fuel tank, different axle ratios with an electronically locking rear differential, an FX4 off-road package, and a fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch prep package. That options list goes on with adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, skid plates (four-wheel-drive models only), an Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System with a total of seven cameras, a separate rearview camera that can be mounted on a customer's trailer, trailer tire-pressure monitoring and a spray-in bedliner.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty SRW 4x4 Crew Cab Platinum FX4 (turbo 6.7L V8 diesel | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 6.8-foot bed).

NOTE: Although the F-250 is slightly less capable than the F-350, our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's F-350.