2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty Review

Ford's pickup truck lineup is relatively simple to understand. As the numbers get progressively bigger, the trucks get more capable. The 2019 Ford F-450 represents the pinnacle of the non-commercial fleet. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 34,000 pounds.

On the inside, there are supportive seats, abundant space and plenty of features. Hook up your trailer and load up all your heaviest gear and you'll still have a vehicle that will pamper you on the longest of road trips. Ford has also added a regular-cab configuration to the F-450 lineup this year to better appeal to users who don't want or need a crew cab.

You might not expect it from such a massive vehicle, but the F-450 is available with many technology and safety features. They include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring that can be programmed with the length of your trailer, and a rearview camera that can be mounted to the back of your trailer and connected to the infotainment screen.

You do have to pay more for the 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty compared to other heavy-duty trucks. But if you need maximum capability, it's pretty much in a class of its own.

The 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty is a full-size, heavy-duty pickup available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. It is available in two cab configurations: regular (XL and XLT only) and crew cab. Both configurations have an 8.2-foot bed and a dual rear-wheel axle. The only available engine is a turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V8 that puts out an impressive 450 horsepower and 935 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.

Base XL models come standard with 19.5-inch commercial tires mounted on polished alloy wheels, black grille and bumpers, front tow hooks, automatic headlights, LED roof marker lights, intermittent wipers, manually telescoping towing mirrors, and a removable locking tailgate with tailgate lift assist and a 3-inch trailer hitch receiver (with 2- and 2.5-inch inserts). Inside are air conditioning, vinyl upholstery, a 40/20/40-split front seat, a 60/40-split rear seat, vinyl floor covering, manual windows and door locks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a dual glovebox, an overhead console with storage bins, a driver information display, a rearview camera and a four-speaker audio system (six speakers with the crew cab).

Step up to the XLT and you get a chrome grille and bumpers, power-adjustable and heated mirrors (they telescope manually), four locking cleats in the bed, running boards, keyless entry, cloth upholstery and carpeting, rear underseat lockable storage (crew cab only), power windows and locks, rear privacy glass, cruise control, the Sync voice-controlled infotainment system, a 4.2-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a USB charging port and satellite radio.

The midrange Lariat adds foglights, tubular side steps, a power-sliding rear window, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and upgraded mirrors (power-folding and telescoping side mirrors with driver-side auto dimming and integrated LED spotlights).

Also in the Lariat are leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with a center console, power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat center armrest, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-inch center touchscreen, the upgraded Sync 3 voice-controlled infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two 110-volt household-style power outlets, Ford's in-car Wi-Fi system (FordPass Connect), and a premium Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system with two additional USB ports.

The Western-themed King Ranch model adds a body-colored grille, accent-color bumpers and lower body trim, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, LED box lighting, unique fender badges, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, a remote-operated tailgate release, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, an easy entry-and-exit driver's seat, a power tilt-and-telescoping and heated steering wheel, and a navigation system.

Platinum models add adaptive steering, a built-in tailgate step, a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, multicontour front seats, a leather- and wood-trimmed heated steering wheel, and LED headlights, foglights and taillights.

At the top of the lineup is the Limited trim level. It's four-wheel-drive only and comes with power-deployable running boards, illuminated door scuff plates, a surround-view and trailer-towing camera system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with emergency braking, lane departure warning, a panoramic sunroof, and a Limited-exclusive two-tone leather interior.

Many standard features offered on upper trim levels are available as options on the rest of the lineup. Other noteworthy add-ons include a fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch prep package, a separate rearview camera that can be mounted on a customer's trailer, trailer tire-pressure monitoring and a spray-in bedliner.