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2020 Ford Super Duty

Starting at $35,730

8.5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2020 ford super duty tremor package
Ford
8.5/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Huge torque and tow ratings, comfortable and quiet cabin, advanced tech inside and out.
  • Lows Ponderous at highway speeds, some cheap cabin pieces, the top trims cost how much?
  • Verdict The Super Duty pickups keep pushing the boundaries of what modern heavy-duty trucks can do.
By Eric Stafford

Overview

The 2020 Ford Super Duty lineup represents the pinnacle of the company's pickup-truck capabilities and technology. From the F-250 to the F-350 and all the way up to the F-450, these heavy-duty behemoths are built to tow substantial loads and even double as family transportation. The most basic versions are perfect for tradesmen and the fanciest trims are fit for business executives. There's no shortage of horsepower and torque with any of its three available V-8 engines—which are highlighted by the most powerful diesel on the market. Ford sweetens the deal by offering a host of driver-assistance features and a robust infotainment system. Regardless of the configuration, the 2020 Super Duty pickups prove the potential of modern heavy-duty trucks.

What's New for 2020?

While Ram and General Motors have introduced all-new heavy-duty pickups, the Blue Oval enhances its 2020 Super Duty lineup with the most powerful engines and highest tow ratings its HD trucks have ever had. Of course, the refreshed 2020 Super Duty continues to offer a smorgasbord of different configurations and desirable options. All three model variants receive restyled front ends, and the dual-rear-wheel models have their own unique face.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

It's no secret that pickup truck prices are incredibly diverse, which has to do with their countless options and vast configurability. All the starting prices listed above are for the F-250, which is the one we'd recommend. We'd also choose the Lariat model because it has more desirable standard and optional features than the XLT. Crew cabs have become hugely popular thanks to their spacious accommodations, and we'd select one on our F-250 along with the 6.75-foot cargo bed. While the powerful Power Stroke diesel is tempting, we simply can't justify spending the extra $10,495 in this instance. We would, however, drop $2045 for the new 7.3-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic transmission, and would add another $3185 for the optional four-wheel-drive system. The FX4 Off-Road package upgrades our truck for tackling trails and the Lariat Value package includes upscale amenities (heated and ventilated front seats, LED cargo-box lighting, remote start, and more).

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The F-250 and F-350 come standard with a gasoline 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. While a six-speed automatic is the base transmission, most Super Duties feature a 10-speed automatic gearbox. All powertrains pair with either rear- or four-wheel drive, and all models can be equipped with more-powerful engine options. These include the gas-fed 7.3-liter V-8 that develops 430 horses and 475 lb-ft as well as the mighty Power Stroke diesel 6.7-liter V-8 that summons 475 horses and an amazing—and class-leading—1050 lb-ft of torque. The Super Duty also offers an off-road package—called the Tremor—that adds a lift kit and meatier tires along with other trail-ready upgrades. These heavy-duty Fords perform as one expects big rigs made to tow up to 19 tons would. When unladen the ride is stiff and bouncy, but those sensations smooth out when the bed is loaded up or a trailer is hooked up. The fanciest trims do a better job of muting wind and road noise on the highway, but all models—even those with the optional adaptive steering that Ford says is "more connected and engaging"—have a ponderous feeling on the highway that is exacerbated by the helm's disconnected feedback. Still, the trucks we drove benefited from firm and responsive brake pedals, and their steering was manageable at low speeds and in tight spaces where maneuvering the longest models can be difficult.

2020 ford super duty tremor packageView Photos
Ford

Towing and Payload Capacity

With a variety of cab and cargo bed configurations, the Super Duty has a wide range of max towing and payload capacities. Every version boasts generous ratings in both categories, but Ford fan boys who want the most impressive figures will appreciate that the strongest Super Duty can haul a 7850-pound payload, pull up to 24,200 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch, and lug a massive 37,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Since the EPA doesn't test vehicles as heavy as the Super Duty and its gargantuan competitors, we can only judge them based on our own testing. Now that Ford has overhauled the powertrain options for its heavy-duty pickup trucks, we have to wait until we get our hands on the new ones to evaluate their real-world mpg on our highway fuel-economy route. The gas-fed 6.2-liter V-8 with a six-speed automatic remains the standard setup on F-250 models, and the last one we tested earned 15 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the gas-powered Chevy Silverado 2500HD returned 14 mpg in the same test. We expect the Super Duty's optional Power Stroke diesel to be the most fuel-efficient engine in the lineup.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Fashion and function live in harmony inside the Super Duty, with a sharp dash design and a practical layout. Even stripped-down Super Duty interiors are ergonomic environments with straightforward controls and materials meant to get messy. Proceedings get pretty beginning with the Lariat trim level that introduces leather-trimmed upholstery and upscale options such as ambient lighting, heated and cooled front seats, and wireless charging. Ante up for the premium King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited to unlock features no other rival has (such as massaging seats) and feel like royalty. Still, there are some chintzy bits that cheapen even the snazziest model's interiors. Buyers have the choice of two bed sizes (a 6.75-footer or an 8-foot box), but the regular cab can only be outfitted with the long box. The Super Duty’s many cubbies and versatile trays are highlighted by a massive center-console bin on models with bucket seats. The crew cab takes storage a step further with a lockable box under the rear seat.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Super Duty models except the base XL come standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that's user-friendly and packed with a wealth of features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It can also be upgraded with a 10-speaker B&O (Bang & Olufsen) stereo and SiriusXM satellite radio, which requires a paid subscription after the first three months. A pair of large volume and tuning knobs as well as other physical buttons on the steering wheel make the system feel intuitive. Larger cabs can be fitted with enough accessory outlets to light up a Guns N’ Roses’ concert, including up to two 110-volts power points.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has only crash tested the 2020 F-250, where it earned a four-star rating. Meanwhile, no Super Duty has been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Still, most of the lineup can be equipped with extensive driver-assistance technology that includes automated emergency braking and a useful multi-view camera system. Likewise, its blind-spot monitoring system even works when the truck is towing a trailer. Other key safety features include:

  • Available automatic high-beam headlights
  • Available adaptive cruise control
  • Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford's limited and powertrain warranty align with the coverages that Chevy, GMC, and Ram provide on their heavy-duty pickups. However, only the GM trucks come with any complimentary maintenance.

  • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
  • No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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Specifications

Specifications

2020 Ford F-350 Tremor 7.3 4x4

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

PRICE AS TESTED
$78,960 (base price: $61,345)

ENGINE TYPE
pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
445 in3, 7298 cm3
Power
430 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
475 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): live axle/live axle
Brakes (F/R): 14.3-in vented disc/14.3-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac, LT285/75R-18 129/126Q M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 159.8 in
Length: 250.0 in
Width: 80.0 in
Height: 81.3 in
Passenger volume: 136 ft3
Curb weight: 7394 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
1/4 mile: 15.7 sec @ 91 mph
Top speed (governor limitedm): 95 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 238 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.71 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 11 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 14 mpg
Highway range: 470 miles

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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