What kind of truck is the 2021 Ford Super Duty? What does it compare to?
The 2021 Ford Super Duty may be a family truck to some, or a tool to others—perhaps, even a status symbol in some places—but the heavy-duty trucks still offer eye-popping capabilities and an open bed with nearly limitless possibilities. It competes against the Detroit truckmakers’ biggest and brawniest: the Ram 2500HD, Chevy Silverado 2500HD, and GMC Sierra 2500HD. The Ford Super Duty trucks appeal thanks to their 1-2 combo of tough looks and an available engine that can tow up to 37,000 pounds.
Is the 2021 Ford Super Duty a good truck?
Review continues below
We give the 2021 Ford Super Duty a 6.2 TCC Rating with a couple footnotes: safety ratings and gas mileage ratings aren’t included. A fuel-economy rating would sink that overall number. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2021 Ford Super Duty?
Not much has changed for the Super Duty this year, compared to last year. Ford still offers the truck in F-250, F-350, and F-450 configurations, although the first two are better-sellers by far. The trucks are available in single- or dual-rear-wheel configurations, with regular-, extended-, or crew-cab body styles, depending on trim level or model.
How much does the 2021 Ford Super Duty cost?
The Super Duty starts at a lowly XL work truck spec for about $35,000 and builds to XLT, Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch, and a Limited trim that approaches $90,000.
Three engines are available, too: a 6.2-liter gas-powered V-8, 7.3-liter gas-powered V-8, or 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8. It’s enough to tax any spreadsheet, but the short of the long: The 6.2-liter V-8 is the payload champ (mostly due to a lower curb weight) and plenty capable; the 7.3-liter V-8 powerhouse is a better match for worksite detail or hauling massive campers into the middle of nowhere; the turbodiesel is the towing champ and can lug up to 37,000 pounds and posts 1,050 lb-ft of torque for driveway bragging rights.
Work trucks feel up to the task, while top trims are convincingly luxurious—albeit very big.
The Super Duty is commendable among rivals because it includes standard automatic emergency braking on most trims. Blind-spot monitors are mostly included, too. That’s good because they’re very necessary in the big hauler.
Base trucks cost about $35,000, but those are work-spec spartan haulers that appeal only to fleet buyers. Most Super Duty trucks will cost more than $40,000 and include several extras that appeal to haulers, weekend warriors, or job foremen and women. Our pick are the Super Duty XLT models that offer just enough to get the job done without sacrificing much for creature comforts—while maintaining a sane price, that is. For more, or perhaps without work intentions (no judgement here), Lariat and Limited trucks rival some luxury cars with up to 20-inch wheels, leather everywhere, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility software.
Where is the Ford Super Duty made?
The Ford Super Duty is assembled in Louisville, Kentucky.