Ford F-450 Super Duty 2021 Review

While Ford's F-150 pickup is among the eternally best-selling vehicles in America, the 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty represents the pinnacle of the automaker's truck ambitions. This full-size truck is purpose-built for moving the heaviest stuff possible from a truck you can still park in your (very wide) driveway.

Central to these feats of strength is the F-450's turbodiesel V8 engine. With 1,050 lb-ft of torque, there's not much in the realm of weekend recreation that it can't pull. It also makes the F-450 an ideal pickup for the lighter hauling jobs of the heaviest commercial and construction work.

For 2021, the F-450 carries over with only a few minor feature changes, and its fundamental strength remains the same: This truck can handle some weight. Sure, it boasts a massive 37,000-pound maximum tow rating, but the F-450 is more than just a hearty mule. Wildly checking off the options list can produce a truck with sophisticated features and luxuries, such as massaging seats and a leather-wrapped dashboard. The F-450 also comes with an impressive list of tech features, including driver assistance features such as trailering blind-spot warning and semi-automated steering that eases the stress of backing up a trailer.

You'll likely end up paying more for the F-450 than other heavy-duty trucks such as the F-350 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and Ram 3500HD. But it will be worth it if you need all of that maximum capability that the F-450 provides.

Which F-450 Super Duty does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 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.

XL and XLT trims are available in regular-cab and crew-cab configurations, while the other trims are only available as crew cabs. Either configuration comes with an 8.2-foot bed and dual rear-wheel axle.

The only engine is a turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel V8 that makes 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.

XL The base workhorse of the lineup, the XL comes with:

• 19.5-inch alloy wheels with commercial tires
• Limited-slip rear differential
• Automatic headlights
• Air conditioning
• Vinyl seat coverings
• Vinyl flooring
• Manual windows and door locks

The handful of tech and driver assistance features include:

• Rearview camera
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi hotspot (can accommodate up to 10 devices)
• 4.2-inch central display
• USB input
• Four-speaker audio system

XLT Gains a few extra features, such as:

• Chrome exterior trim
• Power-adjustable, heated side mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Power windows and door/tailgate locks
• Cloth upholstery
• Carpeted floors

Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system comes standard and bundles:

• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite radio
• Two USB inputs
• Five-speaker audio system

The XLT also comes with the Co-Pilot360 package of driver assistance features, which add:

• Automatic high beams
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)

Lariat Picks up where the XLT leaves off with:

• Chrome step bar
• Foglights
• Power-folding and extending side mirrors
• Power-sliding rear window
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Leather seating
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 10-speaker premium B&O audio system
• Rear parking sensors

King Ranch Offered as a crew cab only, the King Range adds Western styling flair to the F-450 with special exterior and interior trim and unique leather upholstery. It also has:

• Power-remote tailgate release
• Remote engine start
• Push-button start
• Automatic wipers
• Ambient cabin lighting
• Memory functions (driver's seat, pedals, steering wheel)
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Power-adjustable, heated steering wheel
• Navigation system
• Wireless device charging pad
• Camera-based trailer towing aids
• Trailer reverse assist

The Platinum trims adds:

• Satin aluminum grille
• LED headlights and foglights
• Built-in tailgate steps
• Adaptive cruise control
• Power-deploying side steps
• Premium leather upholstery
• Heated rear seats

Finally, the top-trim Limited comes exclusively with four-wheel drive and includes:

• Unique grille design
• Massaging front seats
• Two-tone leather upholstery
• Leather-wrapped dashboard and armrests
• Faux suede headliner
• Dual-panel sunroof
• Adaptive steering
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Ford offers a handful of option packages for each trim. Typically, these make desirable standard features from a higher trim level available on the preceding trim level. Other optional highlights include: FX4 Off-Road (all 4WD trims)

• Off-road-tuned suspension
• Hill descent control
• Transfer case
• Fuel tank skid plates

Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System with Pro Trailer Backup Assist

• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the F-450 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Backup assist (dash-mounted knob helps you keep the F-450 and towing trailer aligned while reversing)

Several stand-alone options are also available for various trim levels, such as:

• Tailgate step
• Spray-in bedliner
• Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailer hitch kits
• LED bed lighting
• Enhanced blind-spot monitoring for trailering
• Power tap system (can power accessories such as snowplow, pump or compressor using the engine)
• Supplemental rapid cab heater (quickly heats cabin until diesel engine warms enough to take over)