With its heavyweight capabilities and modern accommodations, the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty spans any lingering gaps between work-friendly utility and on-road luxury. Because this heavy-duty truck has so much to offer, shoppers may need a little help sorting through the details. Cue our ultimate 2021 F-250 buying guide!
You can look to the heavy-duty Ford F-250 to move major weight, and that’s thanks in part to its hardy engine lineup. Choose between two gas-powered engines and a turbodiesel V8, all of which were specially designed to tow and haul heavy-duty workloads.
This heavy-duty truck was designed to tow and haul the kind of weight that would make lesser trucks balk. Towing and hauling capabilities vary quite a bit, however, depending on your F-250 Super Duty’s body style, powertrain, axle ratio, and equipment.
With a conventional trailer-tow setup, the F-250 can tow max loads of up to 20,000 pounds. Add a fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch, and the F-250 can manage up to 22,800 pounds.
This Ford Super Duty is also a talented hauler. With the right configuration, the heavy-duty F-250 can transport payloads weighing up to 4,260 pounds.
One of the greatest things about the heavy-duty F-250 is its highly configurable nature. This modern pickup truck is available with three body styles, two truck bed lengths, and single- or dual-rear wheels.
Choose between a single-row regular cabin, two-row extended SuperCab, and two-row Crew Cab, the latter of which is the roomiest option. Depending on who you travel with, there’s an F-250 cabin option for everyone.
The SuperCab and Crew Cab are available with either a 6.75-foot short bed or an 8-foot long bed. The regular cabin comes standard with the 8-foot box only.
Outside, the 2021 Ford F-250 has never looked better. This heavy-duty truck’s rugged style and broad stance is enough to make it stand out in a crowd. Add some extras—like chrome trim, 20-inch wheels, and LED lights—and you’ve got quite a handsome truck on your hands.
Whether you choose the one-row regular cab, extended SuperCab, or roomy Super Crew, you can count on lasting seating support and impressive leg and headroom. The base XL comes standard with utility-friendly vinyl seats, but the XLT upgrades comfort levels with cloth seating. With the Lariat and up, you’ll find a range of leather upholstery options, which only get more luxurious as you climb the trim levels.
The 2021 F-250 also offers the kind of high-end features that were once only found in European luxury models. Ford’s optional multicontoured front seats, for example, are heated, ventilated, and able to give you a massage.
In addition to being extremely powerful, the heavy-duty F-250 helps you stay out of trouble. High-tech safety aids, including the standard rearview camera and options like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, use cameras and sensors to help detect danger before it can become problematic.
The F-250 safety roster is tuned into your workday, helping you stay alert with optional trailer reverse guidance and the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System. The latter uses a collection of cameras to create multiple vantage points and thereby increasing safety. The trailer reverse guidance feature includes a knob on the dash that helps you steer a trailer in the desired direction—no need to risk jackknifing!
The 2021 F-250 is also nicely equipped with smart tech features. Each of these heavy-duty trucks comes standard with a Wi-Fi modem, giving you the opportunity to bring an internet connection out on the road. The standard FordPass Connect app gives you remote access to your truck, so it’s easy to make sure you locked the doors. Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is standard on all but the base XL model, giving you hands-free access to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology. Other handy options include remote engine start and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment interface. If you do a lot of traveling, the integrated navigation system can help you find your way around unfamiliar cities and towns.
The entry-level Ford F-250 is ready for your heavy-duty workday. It comes standard with everything you need to move heavy weight, including a rearview camera to help you line up a trailer. Inside, vinyl seats and floor coverings are easy to clean. Tech features, like Sync voice controls and the Wi-Fi modem, put a high-tech twist on your daily drive.
The XLT has more modern appeal, with standard cloth seats and an upgraded infotainment system. That system, Sync 3, includes complete smartphone integration, making it easy to access music apps and texting capabilities without glancing away from the road. The XLT is also big on high-tech conveniences, with a power-locking tailgate and a handy blind-spot monitor with trailer coverage.
At the Lariat level, the F-250 begins to feel much more luxurious. Inside, you’ll find leather upholstery and a 10-speaker premium sound system. Outside, this heavy-duty truck is also pretty flashy, with 18-inch wheels and automatic high beams.
The King Ranch is a high-end F-250 model with a distinctly upscale Western theme. Inside, the exclusive Kingsville Antique Affect leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel make you feel like you’re never too far from the ranch. The King Ranch is loaded with high-tech comforts and conveniences, including a premium B&O sound system and the Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System.
This luxurious heavy-duty truck is flashy inside and out, with 20-inch polished wheels and special upgraded leather upholstery. The Platinum’s exclusive styling will appeal to drivers who appreciate an uptown vibe.
The top-of-the-line Limited comes standard with every imaginable luxury and high-tech utility feature. This combination makes it a great heavy-duty truck for drivers who do a lot of heavy lifting but also have a deep appreciation for the finer things.
Every F-250 Super Duty truck comes standard with a solid warranty. Should the unexpected happen, Ford’s extensive coverage will help you get back on the road. Limited warranty coverage includes:
The 2021 model is part of the third generation of F-250 Super Duty trucks, introduced for the 2017 model year. Rumor has it that an all-new F-250 is due out for the 2022 model year, but details have yet to be announced. Check back for updates as we learn more!