Used 2023 Ford F450 Super Duty Crew Cab

A fifth generation of Super Duty launches this year, with even greater capabilities than its impressive predecessor. Many of these capabilities are class-leading and Ford augments the trucks’ talents with excellent technology — brains to match the brawn.

Like the big-selling F-150 half-ton truck, the Super Duty range has beds and cabs made of aluminum, making it different from the rest of the heavy duty truck class.

Ford is always in conversation with its truck customers, the upshot being that the new Super Duty is incredibly well thought out. It’s great at doing all the things most people use their trucks for. The Super Duty has both the hardware and the software to do those jobs.

The new Super Duty’s base engine is a 6.8-liter gasoline V8 making a substantial 405 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Don’t dismiss this out of hand and go immediately for the optional 7.3-liter V8 developing 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. We don’t think the former is underpowered at all. It just depends on what kind of work your new Super Duty will be doing.

The two turbocharged diesel V8 engines are the real torque-monsters, though. The regular version makes 1,050 lb-ft of it, while the High Output variant generates a class-leading 1,200 lb-ft. This latter engine is how the Ford Super Duty achieves its best-in-class towing figure of 40,000 pounds.

We’ve actually driven an appropriately-equipped Super Duty up a steep incline with a 40,000-pound trailer-load and it felt like there was more muscle in reserve than we needed at the time. Coming down the other side, there’s some noise from the engine braking and excellent cooling system, but we’ll take it if it means being able to pull that much weight with that much confidence.

In normal driving situations, we like what Ford has done with the steering. It doesn’t need those constant minor corrections, which can get really tiring on a long drive. We’ve found the suspension to be comfortable, while the few harsher bumps that might still trouble it are softened by superb cushioning in the seats.

Among the features available are adaptive cruise control with stop/go and lane centering, plus a full-color head-up display.

For those whose work or play takes them away from the tarmac, an XL Off-Road package brings an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and increased water-fording ability (pun intended). The more comprehensive Tremor Off-Road package adds things like a dedicated suspension setup, plus a Dana front axle with a limited-slip differential, rock-crawl driving mode, and Trail Control — a cruise control for tricky terrain.

The usual truck trim level playbook is that the base trim is extremely basic, with things like cloth upholstery and vinyl flooring. From that point, amenities pile on until we get to real leather and wood accents in the plushest version. That’s how it is with the 2023 Super Duty.

Higher trims come with a configurable 12-inch digital instrument cluster, while a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen comes in at the one-up-from-base XLT trim, replacing an 8-inch unit. Other available features include Max Recline front seats that raise the lower cushion slightly and tilt the back virtually all the way down, for a well-earned break when the workday started way too early. There’s also a choice of high-end audio systems from Bang & Olufsen.

Materials, construction, and design are all excellent, and from the Lariat trim on up, things become wonderfully luxurious. There’s plenty of room for people and stuff in all three cabin styles, and the center console’s stowage area is big enough to take a tablet in an upright position.

The 2023 Super Duty remains super-sized. The front end is enlivened by “C-clamp” LED daytime running lights. Vertical vents on the front fenders help with aerodynamics, preventing air pressure from building up under the massive hood.

Cab choices are Regular, Super Crew, and Crew Cab. Bed lengths are 6.75 feet or 8 feet. The Regular Cab always comes with the longer version. Steps at each side and at both corners of the rear bumper contribute to convenient bed access. Remote tailgate opening and closing is one of the many options. STX (with chrome), Sport (body-colored elements), and Black appearance packages are also offered.

Another option is the Tremor Off-Road package, with a dedicated/raised suspension, under-body protection, and 35-inch all-terrain tires.

The Ford Pro Upfit Integration System makes it easy for buyers to configure their new Super Duty trucks with specialized equipment. Things like an optional snow plow or crane can be controlled using the cabin’s touchscreen.

5G modem
Farewell, 4G. The 2023 Super Duty’s tech upgrades enable faster navigation and Wi-Fi (optional, for up to 10 devices), as well as over-the-air software updates — even while the truck is on the road.

Tailgate Down rearview camera and rear parking sensors
It’s now easier reversing toward a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer or up to a docking bay, thanks to this optional camera and sensor system that functions regardless of whether the tailgate is up or down. This option is a first for the class.

Pro Power Onboard
A 2-kilowatt electrical system with domestic outlets allows the Super Duty to power a lighting system or tools, or maybe just a tailgate party. This is on the options list.

Trailer Navigation
When this clever optional system plots a route, it takes the size and weight of the trailer into account, so it can avoid low bridges and/or tight turns if necessary.

Onboard scales
Using either a smartphone app or the intelligent taillights, this option will let drivers know if their potential cargo is within acceptable weight limits.

Pro Trailer Hitch Assist
This optional self-driving feature lines up the trailer hitch and receiver automatically.

Every new Ford Super Duty truck has a V8 engine. The base engine is a 6.8-liter gasoline V8 making 405 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The alternative is a 7.3-liter unit developing 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. Both are fine with regular gas.

Each of the two turbocharged diesel engines has a 6.7-liter displacement. The regular version develops 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The High Output version is boosted to 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. Ford is also extending the service intervals for the diesels, so they can spend more time on the job and less in the shop.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard throughout, even the diesels. Rear-wheel drive is the default setup, with 4-wheel drive available as an option.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not calculate any fuel economy estimates for trucks the size of the Ford Super Duty.

Towing and Payload Capacities

Maximum towing abilities span from 21,000 pounds (F-350 Tremor version) to a class-leading 40,000 pounds (F-450 with High Output turbodiesel and gooseneck adapter). The heaviest payload is a similarly unsurpassed 8,000 pounds (achieved with an F-350 XL with rear-wheel drive, dual rear wheels, Regular cab and the Heavy Duty Payload package).

3-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty on a 2023 Super Duty is three years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. For the diesel engines, this is stretched to 100,000 miles over the same time period. These terms are typical for the HD truck class.

Safety Equipment

Big trucks aren’t usually subjected to the same crash tests as things like sedans and SUVs. Yet safety is still addressed to a high degree in the Super Duty. The blind-spot monitoring system can work along the whole length of any trailer that might be connected. Front and rear brake assist
brings low-speed automatic emergency braking in either direction when maneuvering in tight situations. And a 360-degree trailer camera system provides a virtual bird’s-eye view when drivers are negotiating parking spots, with the range extended to include the trailer.