Obviously a lot of things are bigger than a breadbasket or box, but if a new Ford F-150 pickup just isn’t big enough to get your job done, there’s always a bigger Ford Super Duty. Let’s take a close look at the 2017 F-250 Lariat crew cab 4×4 in this test drive.
Super Duty trucks come in many flavors, including the F250, F350, F450, F550, and on to F650 and F750 medium duty trucks for really heavy lifting. They’re work trucks of the first magnitude, but in the case of the F-250 Lariat crew cab, it’s also a powerful luxury vehicle.
There are two engines available to power the Ford F-250. First is a healthy 6.2-liter SOHC 16-valve gasoline V8 that puts out 385 horsepower at 5,750 rpm along with 430 pound feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. The next choice is a 6.7-liter OHV, 32-valve Power Stroke® Turbo diesel that delivers 440 horsepower at 2,800 rpm, while developing a whopping 925 pound feet of torque. Got any stumps that need pulling?
This diesel is using a TorqShift® heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift® to gear motive force to either the rear wheels (4×2) or to all four (4×4).
The new Ford F-250 Super Duty comes in five trim levels: the base XL, XLT with more goodies, Lariat, the King Ranch and a top level Platinum trim. The next top level Limited package is coming very soon for the 2018 model year. There are three cab configurations from which to choose: Regular Cab; SuperCab; and Crew Cab, with two available bed lengths: 6.75 ft and 8 ft.
The exterior appeal of the F-250 Crew Cab is as attractive as any Super Duty truck can be. It is, after all, still a truck on the outside and should be to accomplish its mission statement. The interior ambience presents an altogether different image. The cabin both fore and aft delivers sumptuous and luxurious surroundings. In fact, if the Platinum version of this truck doesn’t have it, you probably don’t really need it.
Standard features include: fog lamps, locking removable tailgate with lift assist, box tie-down hooks, spare tire and wheel locks, tow hooks, one-touch up/down driver and passenger windows, 10-way power driver and passenger heated and cooled front seats, 110V/150W inverter in IP, SYNC with My Ford Touch, tilt/telescopic steering column, electrochromic mirror, fixed interval wipers, hill start assist, manual locking hubs, power windows and locks, Powerscope power fold mirrors, power heated glass and signals, reverse sensing and rear view camera, Four/Seven pin trailer tow connector, Built Ford Tough® trailer hitch receiver, Integrated trailer brake controller Front stabilizer bar, Hill start assist, MyKey® Pickup box and cargo area lamps, Stationary elevated idle control2 SYNC®, trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, trailer tow package, 4-wheel ASBS, airbags and safety canopy, autolamp/ rainlamp, autolock/unlock, driver/passenger air bags, remote keyless entry and start, Securilock pass anti theft, Securicode keyless keypad and SOS post crash alert system.
There were also the following options: Preferred equipment Package, 6.7 Power Stroke V-8 diesel, dual heavy duty alternator, 6-speed automatic transmission, LT 275/65 R20 OWL All-Terrain tires on Premium cast 20” chrome aluminum wheels, 3.55 Locking Axle, all-weather floor mats, chrome package, cab steps (running boards) with lights, Navigation system, remote start system, bodyside protection moldings, 10,000# GVWR Package, 50 state emissions, spare tire and wheel, 5th wheel hitch prep Package, jack, trans power take-off provision, upfitter switches, tough bed spray-in bedliner, Ultimate Trailer tow camera, Rapid heat supplemental heater, engine block heater, Lariat Value Package, FX4 Off-Road Package, with skid plates, tailgate step and Destination and Delivery charge.
Safety and Security technology included: AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, Driver and right-front-passenger airbags, Front-seat side airbags, Safety Canopy® System with roll-fold side-curtain airbags, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, and Tire pressure monitoring. There are also several available packages to enhance personal use.
My test 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4×4 was in Lariat trim, with the 6.7-liter PowerStroke V8 Diesel and 6-speed automatic. The exterior was sprayed Magnetic Steel gray metallic and featured a Charcoal leather interior with wood trim accents, and was base priced at $50,620, with the options elevating the final total to $66,945. Included were a 3-year/36,00 bumper to bumper warranty, a 5-year/60,000 powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000 roadside assistance program.
SUMMARY: As a highly desirable example of a Super Duty hauler, Lariat 4×4 Crew Cab version of the Ford F-250 is a force to be reckoned with, whether serving as a work base platform or as a luxury ride to a stylish social function. Admittedly, it’s not as easy to parallel park as some smaller luxury sedans, but it provides at least the same level of comfort and convenience amenities and often more. In a word, the Ford F-250 is one big Mother – “humongous” or “ginormous”.
The big 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 generates more muscle than one is likely to need on a regular basis, but it’s there if you need it.
Once you’re inside (entry is a bit of a chore for vertically challenged individuals) the big Super Duty pickup envelops one in sumptuous surroundings, while serving up virtually all of the latest in technology with intuitive controls and switchgear. It is capable of being both a home office on a construction site, or doing super duty for a gentleman or lady rancher. The front seat could accommodate three people and features a fold-down center section that serves as a center console complete with storage, connectivity for personal devices and cup holders. The ride quality is smoother when carrying a load than with an empty cargo bed.
Initially, the price may seem as big as the truck itself, but given its content, versatility and capability, the Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat Crew Cab 4×4 is actually priced less than say, a new fully equipped Chevy Suburban or GMC Yukon Denali. The price is competitive when you consider the Chevy Silverado HD Duramax or the Ram HD Cummins.
In the final analysis, this bigger than life, good-looking hauler is a vehicle for all seasons and reasons – it’s powerful and luxurious rolled into one elevated ride, but you might need to enlarge your garage to accommodate this ride.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2017 Ford F250 Super Duty 4×4 Lariat Crew Cab
Base Price: $50,620.
Price as Tested: $66,945.
Engine Type and Size: 6.7-literPower Stroke V8 Diesel (B20 capable).
Horsepower (bhp): 440 @ 2,800 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 925 @ 1,800-2,000 rpm
Transmission: TorqueShift® heavy-duty 6-speed SelectShift® automatic.
Drive Train: Longitudinally front mounted engine / 4×4 – 3.55 electronic locking axle.
Suspension: Front – Mono beam (narrow front track) with coil springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar Rear – Live axle with leaf springs, staggered shock absorbers and stabilizer bar.
Brakes: Hydraulic power-assisted four-wheel vented discs with ABS and Hill Start Assist.
Tires: Michelin LTX – LT 275/65 R20 OWL All Terrain mounted on 8-spoke, 8-lug, chrome alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 159.8 inches
Length Overall: 250.0 inches
Width: 80.0 inches – without mirrors
Height: 78.3 inches
GVWR: 11,400 lb. for single-rear-wheel trucks and 13,000 lb.for dual-rear-wheel trucks.
Turning Circle: Not given
Fuel Capacity: 34.0 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: EPA Fuel Economy Ratings not required on this vehicle due to weight rating.
Drag Coefficient: Not listed
0 – 60 mph: Not tested
