2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Ford returns its F-350 Super Duty full-size one-ton pickups with a few tweaks to further confound the 2015 truck wars. Perhaps the most...

Ford returns its F-350 Super Duty full-size one-ton pickups with a few tweaks to further confound the 2015 truck wars. Perhaps the most notable improvement to this traditional front-runner is the addition of some needed power in the next-gen 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, allowing this brute to tote a sizable trailer load right alongside the Ram 3500s and the GM 3500s of the world. Additionally for this year, the King Ranch trim level, already pretty princely, gets some added appearance bling inside and out that allows a better fit into the original Texas-ranch motif of its inception, and perhaps put to rest complaints that higher-level F-Series interiors are, shall we say, somewhat aged compared to rivals. A couple of new interior color and fabric schemes are nicely incorporated into the new Running W graphics that now signify a more definitive Lone-Star state of mind for the laudably high-end King Ranch stable.

Meanwhile, 2015 versions of this heavy-duty hauler are expected to return in 5 trim levels, the base XL, the up-featured XLT, the well-equipped Lariat, the pleasantly plush, new-look King Ranch and the luxurious Platinum. Of course 3 cab configurations, including the 3-seat, 2-door Regular Cab, the 6-passenger, 4-door (rear-hinged back door) Super Cab and the 6-place Crew Cab with its 4 independently opening doors also remain, while a pair of bed lengths, the standard 6.8-foot and the 8.2-foot long bed are reprised, as well. Be advised that in keeping with tradition, Regular Cab variants tote only the long-bed configuration.

Additionally, the latest iterations of the F-350 Super Duty can be delivered in a range of wheelbases from 137 inches to 172.4 inches, depending on cab layout and bed length, with single rear wheels (SRW) once again standard and dual rear wheels (DRW) returning as a payload-packing (up to 7,200 pounds) option throughout the lineup. Of course, the rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD) is once more standard, while terrain-taming part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD), with a 2-speed transfer case and locking differentials, remains a popular option.

Also unchanged for 2015 is the standard 385-hp 6.2-liter Flex Fuel V8 powerplant that endows all F-350 Super Duty iterations. Look for 405 lb-ft of torque under the management of the ubiquitous 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, now sporting a brand-new torque converter. Towing capacity, meantime, remains maxed out at 12,500 pounds when this big rig packs the available 4.3 axle ratio, and 18,500 pounds with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck towing setup.

As noted, for the upcoming model year, the available 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 monster motor is now even more monstrous, according to Ford. A larger turbocharger and reworked engine cooling are touted to put out significantly more grunt than 2014’s 400 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque, which ought to result in markedly heftier towing oomph, as well as better exhaust braking capabilities. And all trim levels except the base XL will again carry a standard integrated trailer brake controller.

Barring any significant changes, other than those hefty upgrades to the plush King Ranch, standard appearance features should remain, depending on the selected trim level, 17-, 18- or 20-inch steel or alloy wheels, a trailer hitch and wiring, heated power-adjustable mirrors, acres of chrome, a power-sliding rear window and side steps.

Inside, again depending on trim level, expect vinyl, cloth or premium leather upholstery, full power accessories, heated, power-adjustable front seats, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Either manual air conditioning or automatic dual-zone climate control, as well as memory for driver's seat and mirror settings also returns to specified trim levels, while the XLT and higher trim levels offer Bluetooth-integrated Sync infotainment, a single-CD player and up to 9 speakers. The Lariat and above additionally throw in rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

The up-styled 2015 F-350 Super Duty King Ranch, as well as the standing-pat-but-still-flagship Platinum trim levels additionally offer Sony premium speakers, a dashboard-mounted video display and a memory-card-based navigation system.

Much of the standard equipment endowing higher trim levels should again remain optional in lower trims, while Ford’s Work Solutions and Crew Chief packages, not to mention a beefed-up front suspension package, are slated to again remain available for all trims. Look for optional equipment in higher trim levels, meanwhile, to again include a power moonroof, an off-road package (4WD variants only) and various storage and cargo-management upgrades.

Finally, standard safety features in all 2015 F-350 Super Duty iterations are expected to remain 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front (and in 6-passenger trims, rear) head airbags, and a post-collision safety system. Again all trims also return packing Ford’s touted MyKey programmable speed and audio-volume limiting system. The XLT and higher trims, meantime, also throw in standard Sync emergency communications, with the Lariat and above trim levels tossing standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors and a remote antitheft alarm into the mix. Oh, and the King Ranch and Platinum variants are expected to return with front fog/driving lights as standard equipment again in 2015.