2021 Ford F-350 Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
If your needs for a truck fall between extreme heavy duty and full-on commercial, the Ford F-350 is for you. Available in three cab styles, two bed lengths, and with single or dual rear wheels, the F-350 can be built to numerous configurations. Adding to that are the diverse trim levels and three V-8 engine options. A workhorse, the F-350 provides huge towing and hauling capabilities.
What's New
- A bed side step is offered from the entry-level XL trim to the Platinum trim
- Manually adjustable towing mirrors become optional on dually models in XL trim
- New exterior paint color choices added
What We Think
It's no surprise that the F-350 is mightily capable. With incredibly strong powertrains—including the segment's most powerful and torquey diesel mill—and a frame built to extremes, the F-350 makes towing and hauling heavy loads a breeze.
What's more surprising is how nice a vehicle the F-350 is. There's no avoiding that it's a gigantic heavy-duty truck—and if we're honest, most MotorTrend editors prefer the Ram Heavy Duty's interior and exterior styling—but the Ford drives reasonably well considering its size. Quality and overall execution is good, and high-end trim levels are downright luxurious (and priced to match). The F-350, a former Truck of the Year winner, remains a top contender for heavy-duty pickup truck shoppers.
What Engine Is in a Ford F-350?
All F-350 engines are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and power the rear wheels as standard or 4WD optionally.
The base engine is a 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 producing 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Above that, a 7.3-liter gasoline V-8 making 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque is available.
If you're looking for a diesel, the F-350 offers the segment's most powerful and torquey turbodiesel engine. It's a 6.7-liter mill churning out 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. This engine should enable an approximately 7.2-second 0-60 mph time.
Safety
The F-350 can be equipped with driver-assist and active-safety features including front automatic emergency braking, trailer sway control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree view camera system.
How Much Weight Can an F-350 Carry?
F-350 models in crew cab, long bed, 4WD configuration have the lowest payload of the range at 2,890 pounds. The F-350 that can carry the most weight is the regular cab, long bed, RWD, dually model, which maxes out at 7,850 pounds.
How Much Can an F-350 Tow?
Crew cab models with 4WD and the 6.2-liter gas engine have the lowest towing capacity of the F-250 lineup, bumper-towing 12,300 pounds. Several configurations with the Powerstroke diesel engine are rated to pull up to 21,200 pounds.
For gooseneck or fifth-wheel towing, capacity is 12,000 pounds in crew cab, 4WD, 6.2-liter gas V-8 models at the lowest. On the high end, regular cab, RWD, diesel dually models can pull an incredible 35,750 pounds.
Technology
In basic trims, the F-350 includes a 4.2-inch infotainment screen and gauge cluster display, intended to control basic vehicle functions. In higher-end trims an 8.0-inch gauge cluster display and infotainment touchscreen are fitted, which add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; built-in navigation is available. All F-350 trims include one USB port; additional USB charge ports, a 100-volt outlet, and wireless device charger are available or included depending on trim.
Trim Levels
2021 Ford F-350 XL
- 17-inch silver-painted steel wheels
- Black front and rear bumpers
- Vinyl seating surfaces
- Manual door locks, windows, mirrors
2021 Ford F-350 XLT
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome front and rear bumpers
- Cloth seating surfaces
- Power door locks, windows, mirrors
2021 Ford F-350 Lariat
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Leather seating surfaces
- Power-adjustable pedals
- Dual-zone climate control
2021 Ford F-350 King Ranch
- 18-inch bright-finished alloy wheels
- Special premium leather seating surfaces
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Illuminated running boards
2021 Ford F-350 Platinum
- 20-inch polished alloy wheels
- Body-color front and rear bumpers
- Premium LED headlights
- Power-folding running boards
2021 Ford F-350 Limited
- 20-inch polished alloy wheels
- Two-tone leather seating surfaces
- Panoramic moonroof
- Speed-adaptive steering
