What's New for 2018?
Heavy-duty truck enthusiasts, rejoice. As progress marches on, the Ford F-series trucks keep getting more powerful. New for 2018 is the Power Stroke diesel engine with more power than ever before. Ford can put that feather in their cap for now. No truck this size can match its massive 935 lb-ft torque.
For those unfamiliar with the F-250, this is the slightly beefier cousin to the more popular F-150 pickup. The F-250 tows more, carries more, and sits wider and taller on the road. While most truck drivers will be content with the F-150, some need the extra power and muscle of a Super Duty truck. Ford also offers the F-350 and even F-450 for those with serious work needs (or the need for serious bragging rights).
How Does It Compare to the F-150?
When determining just how much truck you need, consider your budget and hauling needs. The Ford F-250 is bigger and burns more fuel. Though it's not officially tested, estimates place the F-250 in the vicinity of 12 or 13 miles per gallon. By comparison, the F-150 gets about 22 mpg. There's also sticker price to consider, with a $5,000 difference between the two trucks' starting prices.
You get what you pay for though. The Ford F-250 can tow up to 13,300 pounds when properly equipped. That's quite a bit more than the F-150's 8,000-pounds towing capacity. It's made possible with its engine options: the 6.2-liter V8 with 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque or 6.7-liter Powerstroke V8 diesel with 440 hp and record-smashing 925 lb-ft of torque. If you are constantly pushing the limits of what your pickup truck can do, upgrading to a F-250 is a no-brainer. The rest can keep driving the ever-popular F-150.
I'm Getting an F-250, But Which One?
Decisions. Decisions. You have five trims to choose from, everything from the stripped-down XL workhorse to the luxury liner Platinum trim. We're betting most will be happy with the middle-of-the-road Lariat. There are plenty of things to love, like leather upholstery, 10-speaker Sony audio system, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear parking sensors, and remote start. But you won't pay a king's ransom for it.