Overview

A 2022 Ford Super Duty—either the F-250, F-350, or F-450—is more truck than most people need. But for those who need one, it’s mighty impressive. There’s a trio of V-8 engines, highlighted by a 7.3-liter with 473 pound-feet of torque and a diesel 6.7-liter with 1050 pound-feet. A properly equipped Super Duty can tow up to 37,000 pounds and haul up to 7850 pounds of payload. While heavy-duty rivals from Ram offer higher torque and tow ratings, as well as nicer interiors, Ford’s fanciest crew-cab models provide upscale environs and enormous passenger space. The Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD both have better driving manners, but the 2022 Super Duty touts more high-tech features and various driver assists.

What’s New for 2022?

For 2022, the Super Duty lineup receives newly available infotainment features, fresh exterior and interior color options, and a new appearance package. A 12.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync 4 software and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available on the heavy-duty pickup. With the addition of the Lariat Sport appearance package, models add a color-matched grille, bumpers, and exterior mirrors, as well as black running boards and chrome exhaust tips. The paint palette now includes Atlas Blue. Interior colors for the Lariat trim now include Baja; the Limited adds Navy Pier and Light Slate.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The F-250 and F-350 come standard with a gasoline 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. While a six-speed automatic is the base transmission, most Super Duties feature a 10-speed automatic gearbox. All powertrains pair with either rear- or four-wheel drive, and all models can be equipped with more powerful engine options. These include the gas-fed 7.3-liter V-8 that develops 430 horses and 475 pound-feet, as well as the mighty Power Stroke diesel 6.7-liter V-8 that summons 475 horses and an enormous 1050 pound-feet of torque. The Super Duty also offers an off-road package—called Tremor—that adds a lift kit and meatier tires along with other trail-ready upgrades. These heavy-duty Fords perform as one expects big rigs made to tow up to 19 tons would. When unladen the ride is stiff and bouncy, but those sensations smooth out when the bed is loaded up or a trailer is hooked on. The fanciest trims do a better job of muting wind and road noise on the highway, but all models—even those with the optional adaptive steering that Ford says is “more connected and engaging”—have a ponderous feeling on the highway that is exacerbated by the helm’s disconnected feedback. Still, the trucks we drove benefited from firm and responsive brake pedals, and their steering was manageable at low speeds and in tight spaces where maneuvering the longest models can be difficult.

Towing and Payload Capacity

With a variety of cab and cargo bed configurations, the Super Duty has a wide range of max towing and payload capacities. Every version boasts generous ratings in both categories, but Ford fanboys who want the most impressive figures will appreciate that the strongest Super Duty can haul a 7850-pound payload, pull up to 24,200 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch, and lug a massive 37,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Since the EPA doesn’t test vehicles as heavy as the Super Duty and its gargantuan competitors, we can only judge them based on our own testing. Now that Ford has overhauled the powertrain options for its heavy-duty pickup trucks, we have to wait until we get our hands on the new ones to evaluate their real-world mpg on our highway fuel-economy route. The gas-fed 6.2-liter V-8 with a six-speed automatic remains the standard setup on F-250 models, and the last one we tested earned 15 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the gas-powered Chevy Silverado 2500HD returned 14 mpg in the same test. We expect the Super Duty’s optional Power Stroke diesel to be the most fuel-efficient engine in the lineup.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Fashion and function live in harmony inside the Super Duty, with a sharp dash design and a practical layout. Even stripped-down Super Duty interiors are ergonomic environments with straightforward controls and materials meant to get messy. Proceedings get pretty beginning with the Lariat trim level that introduces leather-trimmed upholstery and upscale options such as ambient lighting, heated and cooled front seats, and wireless charging. Ante up for the premium King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited to unlock features no other rival has (such as massaging seats) and feel like royalty. Still, there are some chintzy bits that cheapen even the snazziest model’s interiors. Buyers have the choice of two bed sizes (a 6.75-footer or an 8-foot box), but the regular cab can only be outfitted with the long box. The Super Duty’s many cubbies and versatile trays are highlighted by a massive center-console bin on models with bucket seats. The crew cab takes storage a step further with a lockable box under the rear seat.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Base XL models comes standard with a nontouch display for their infotainment systems. The XLT features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It can also be upgraded with a 10-speaker B&O stereo and SiriusXM satellite radio, which requires a paid subscription after the first three months. A pair of large volume and tuning knobs, as well as other physical buttons on the steering wheel, makes the system feel intuitive. The rest of the lineup features a 12.0-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 software that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Larger cabs can be fitted with enough accessory outlets to light up a Guns N’ Roses concert, including up to two 110-volt power points.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Still, most of the lineup can be equipped with extensive driver-assistance technology that includes automated emergency braking and a useful multi-view camera system. Likewise, its blind-spot monitoring system even works when the truck is towing a trailer. For more information about the Super Duty’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

•  Available automatic high-beams
•  Available adaptive cruise control
•  Available lane-keeping assist