Ford’s F-250 has seen a lot of changes over the years, moving from a boxy, broad-shouldered body-style to a more rounded, modern look. Middle child to the popular F-150 and the larger F-350, the F-250 fills the niche populated by those looking for a little more than a short-bed without having to pay for an extra set of tires.
Looking for a new truck to call your own? Check out what the 2019 Ford F-250 has to offer.
Trim Levels
Need help choosing the correct truck for you? Take a look at the trim levels available on the 2019 Ford F-250.
The base XL model follows the same cues as the Ford F-150’s base model, basically offering customers a truck rigged for working and not so much for comfort or play. While it’s not a package that suits everyone’s needs, the trim still offers 17-inch steel wheels, a rearview camera, air conditioning, vinyl seats, manual windows, and a four- or six-speaker sound system. Towing features include a 2.5-inch trailer hitch receiver with a two-inch insert and a removable locking tailgate with tailgate lift assist. This entry-level model starts at $33,150.
Upgrade to the XLT model for 18-inch wheels, cloth seating, power windows, cruise control, Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, a 4.2-inch display, and keyless entry. The price for the XLT begins at $37,365.
Standard equipment on the Lariat model includes a power-sliding rear window, rear parking sensors, an optional shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, adjustable gas and brake pedals, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system. All these features will set you back $46,140.
For $56,910, King Ranch models bring a bit of the west to the F-250 with exclusive interior and exterior styling cues. Standard equipment on this crew-cab-only model includes LED box lighting, remote start, keyless entry, push-button start, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and leather seating.
Only offered on crew-cab variants as well, the Platinum model rides on 20-inch wheels. Customers will also enjoy adaptive steering, LED headlights, power running boards, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote tailgate release. If you’re interested, plan on spending $63,335 on this trim.
Limited models package nearly everything together, including a surround-view camera system, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, two-tone leather seating, and a panoramic sunroof. With the best features, this trim level has a price tag that matches. The Limited will set you back $80,240.
All 2019 Ford F-250s can be ordered with a regular cab, an extended cab, or a crew cab. Bed lengths measure either 6.8 or 8.2 feet in length.
Performance Specs
The third generation of the Ford F-250 draws power from either a gas-powered 6.2-liter V8 or a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine. Both shift via a six-speed automatic transmission. The gasoline engine is capable of 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, while the turbodiesel puts out a respectable 450 horsepower and a whopping 935 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel-drive is standard, but four-wheel-drive is optional. Most models can tow anywhere from 15,000 to 18,000 pounds with standard equipment, but when pulling a gooseneck trailer, the 2019 Ford F-250 is capable of towing up to 34,000 pounds.
Fuel Efficiency
The EPA does not rate the fuel efficiency of pickup trucks over a certain size, which includes the 2019 Ford F-250. Despite no official rating, the Car Connection speculates a fuel efficiency of 20 mpg. Not too bad for a truck the size of the F-250.
Safety
As of writing, the IIHS and NHTSA have not yet rated the 2019 Ford F-250. Apart from the lack of a safety rating, the NHTSA does report two recalls on the 2019 F-250 due to problems with the block heater connector and park pawl.
How the 2019 Ford F-250 Compares
At first glance, the 2019 Ford F-250 looks relatively unchanged since its last update in 2017. However, the once-bland-and-boxy pickup gains a little bling here and there on the exterior and some higher-quality interior material. It can’t quite compare to what the Lincoln Navigator or GMC Sierra Denali has to offer, but there is an attempt made to bring more of an upscale feel to the otherwise utilitarian pickup. Perhaps by abandoning their sedan and hatchback lineup, Ford will be able to focus more on equipping the F-Series trucks to compete in the ever-heated half-ton segment.
In direct competition with the F-Series is Dodge’s lineup of heavy-duty pickups. The Dodge Ram 2500 is similarly priced with a wide range of trim levels, available safety features, and additional package offerings, but may offer the styling some customers prefer over Ford’s F-250. Pitting the Ford Power Stroke diesel against Dodge’s Cummins diesel engine, however, separates the two when it comes to torque. The Cummins diesel makes a rated 1,000 lb-ft of torque with a smaller, inline six-cylinder engine to boot. The Ford 6.7-liter V8 makes more horsepower, though.
Blunt-nosed Chevrolet Silverado 2500 models suffer from the same no-frills styling found on older Fords. However, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD did win Kelley Blue Book’s 2019 Best Resale Value Award for Full-Size Pickup Truck. Both the Silverado 2500 and 3500 have the “top projected resale value of any heavy-duty truck for 2019.”
Edmunds recommended the XLT trim while complimenting the “available high-tech gear and a cabin that can keep any family comfortable.” Touchable features like a mix of buttons and touchscreen interfaces made navigating the infotainment system easier from the get-go.
Pros
- Tons of towing capacity
- Variety of trim levels to choose from
- Abundant driver assists
- Plenty of interior storage space
Cons
- Top trim levels near luxury-like price points
- True “base” model will cost you around $40,000
Autoversed
Loading ...