Ford F-450 Super Duty

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

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?

If you need to tow things that move earth or make office buildings, you can probably get by with the F-450's XL and XLT workhorse trims. But if long trips with big boats, horse trailers or fifth-wheels are more your style, consider the extra luxuries of the Lariat and Platinum trims. We think the XLT hits the sweet spot. It's available with either a regular or crew cab, offers maximum towing and hauling capabilities, and covers the essentials with Sync 3 infotainment, Co-Pilot360 safety systems, and a handful of options such as heated seats and step bars.

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)