2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 exuded a balanced mix of strength and subtlety in its design. Unlike some competitors, such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which embraced aggressive and abstract aesthetics, the F-150 maintained a more restrained and timeless look. This approach allowed the truck's clean lines and blocky grille to exude confidence without seeming ostentatious. Ford's design choices emphasized durability and longevity, ensuring the F-150 would remain visually appealing even when it was handed down to its third owner.

Inside the F-150, the dash had a mechanical and straightforward appearance, which could initially appear cold and uninviting until the dash and infotainment screen powered up. This vehicle prioritized function over form, employing hard plastics across lower and upper trims for durability. While more luxurious trims incorporated soft-touch materials and leather, the interior didn't quite achieve the high-end luxury feel of competitors like the Ram 1500, whose interior verged on excessive for a pickup. The focus was on creating a cockpit that could withstand tough use while still offering sufficient comfort.

The F-150 lineup included the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited trims. The base XL trim featured steel wheels, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, manual locks, a 2.3-inch driver information display, and standard forward automatic emergency braking. The XLT added 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, chrome bumpers and grille, cruise control, SYNC 3 infotainment, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lariat trim introduced push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, heated power-folding side mirrors, an 8-inch color driver information display, dual-zone climate control, and power heated and cooled front seats. King Ranch brought a Western flair with saddle-leather upholstery and signature “King Ranch” stitching. Other features included a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, heated rear seats, and a remote release tailgate. The Platinum trim added unique chrome badging, LED bed lighting, fog lamps, ambient lighting, and massaging seats. The rugged Raptor trim came with big fenders, a menacing grille, and specialized off-road gear. The top-tier Limited trim boasted satin aluminum exhaust tips, a dual-panel moonroof, and premium leather upholstery, epitomizing truck luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty epitomized luxury mixed with utility. The test truck, clad in Iconic Silver paint, showcased a chrome grille and polished wheels, exuding elegance suitable for both tough jobs and upscale outings. The Limited trim was especially luxurious, featuring plush leather seats and a high-end audio system.

Climbing into the F-350 was facilitated by power-deploying running boards, which were essential due to the truck's elevated stance. Inside, the F-350 provided ample space with large, comfortable seats and extensive storage options. Trim levels ranged from the practical XL and XLT to the opulent Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims, each progressively increasing in luxury. The King Ranch trim introduced higher-end decor, while the Lariat and lower trims focused more on utility.

The Limited trim also came with a panoramic sunroof and real wood and aluminum trim that enhanced the luxurious feel. A significant aspect was the truck's ability to project a sense of grandeur, with an interior featuring soft two-tone leather, a simulated suede headliner, and abundant natural light, justifying its hefty price tag. Even the standard crew cab supplied generous legroom, making it a comfortable option for long trips.

Engine offerings for the 2020 Ford F-150 were diverse, designed to cater to various needs. The XL and XLT trims came standard with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. There was also a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6, generating 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. For those preferring more cylinders, the 5.0-liter V8 provided 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, stood out as the most powerful option. Additionally, Ford offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 generating 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission options included a 6-speed automatic for the XL and XLT trims, while other trims enjoyed a 10-speed automatic with Normal, Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect, and Sport modes. Both transmissions could manage either rear wheels or an optional 4-wheel drivetrain. When properly equipped, the F-150 excelled in towing capacity, managing up to 12,300 pounds with the Max Trailer Tow Package.

Despite its size, the F-150 managed to impress with its handling, providing a responsive steering feel and a ride that was refined across various terrains. The Raptor trim, in particular, distinguished itself with a unique suspension system, Terrain Management System, and off-road capabilities designed for tackling rough terrains.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, with its 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, delivered a remarkable 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The truck averaged 15.4 mpg unloaded in two-wheel drive, improving to 16.5 mpg with more highway use. This engine provided substantial power, making highway acceleration seem effortless and manageable.

Driving the F-350 on rugged terrains, equipped with the Tremor off-road package, highlighted its off-road prowess. Features included a front suspension lift, progressive-rate springs, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, delivering 10.4 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford 33 inches of water. Advanced off-road technologies like Ford’s Trail Control and Rock Crawl driving mode further enhanced its capability.

The F-350’s large size presented challenges in urban environments but offered ease of parking with its reversing camera, top-down surround-view camera system, and adaptive steering. However, parking in tight spaces and negotiating heavy traffic required significant effort. The truck’s ride quality improved with added weight in the bed, providing a smoother experience compared to when it was unladen. Moreover, the adaptive steering system, standard on high trims, aimed to enhance maneuverability, though it still demanded a fair degree of effort from the driver.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered various cab and bed configurations, catering to different needs. Cab options included the Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew, paired with 5.5, 6.5, and 8-foot bed options. The Regular Cab was a classic single cab, while the SuperCab featured rear half-doors necessitating the front doors to be open for access. The SuperCrew stood out with its full 4-door design, providing substantial rear legroom and ample cabin space. Inside, the SuperCrew boasted a spacious rear seating area, with the rear seats capable of flipping up to create a large load floor, ideal for storing items within the cab.

The interior featured various storage solutions, including deep door pockets, center console storage, and multiple cup holders. The F-150 also offered a bed step that extended from the top of the tailgate for easier access to the cargo bed.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty provided similar flexibility with its bed access solutions, including an integrated tailgate step and retractable bed step. The F-350's cargo bed was easy to secure, especially with the configurable BoxLink system and optional spray-in bedliner. Inside, the crew cab version provided ample space for five occupants, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The commanding driving position allowed excellent road visibility, bolstered by a lofty perch that almost matched the view from long-haul trucks. Storage solutions were abundant, with dual glove compartments, a large center console, and bins in the door panels.

Rear-seat comfort in the F-350 was notable, particularly in terms of legroom, although the seat cushion was positioned slightly lower than expected. Heated rear seats and numerous power ports enhanced the rear passengers' experience, while practical under-seat storage added convenience.

In terms of cargo capacity, the F-150 excelled with its maximum towing capacity of 12,300 pounds and payload capability ranging from 1,410 to 3,270 pounds depending on the configuration. Meanwhile, the F-350's capabilities were even more impressive. With a maximum towing capacity reaching up to 21,200 pounds depending on the configuration and a payload capacity of up to 7,640 pounds, it was clear that the F-350 was designed for heavy-duty tasks.

When it came to technology, the 2020 Ford F-150 offered varying levels of infotainment and connectivity options. The base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input, while the XLT and higher trims provided the SYNC 3 infotainment system housed in an 8-inch touchscreen. SYNC 3 included functionalities like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, enhanced voice recognition, and pinch-to-zoom map interfaces. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large buttons and straightforward menu navigation.

FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem was available from the XLT trim and above, allowing connection for up to 10 devices and offering remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle location services. The higher trims could also be equipped with a Kicker subwoofer and a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, offering high-quality audio experiences.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, despite its luxury offerings, seemed slightly outdated with its 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. However, the system still featured modern amenities like smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The infotainment's size became a liability when relying on features like the reversing camera and trailer assist technologies. A larger display would have provided a more confident user experience.

While Sync 3 was generally user-friendly, it occasionally lagged in response or failed to recognize inputs. Voice-recognition technology was helpful, though it sometimes required the use of displayed prompts. Additionally, the F-350 offered comprehensive driver information displays, covering various aspects of safety, towing, off-roading, and efficiency.

One standout feature was the Live Drive Power Take-off system, which provided a power source for various equipment. The truck also included an array of upfitter switches, ready to accommodate additional accessories.

The 2020 Ford F-150 was well-equipped with a range of standard safety features, including a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. The truck also featured rain-sensing headlights, an anti-theft system, and the SOS post-crash alert system.

Ford offered a suite of driver-assistance technologies standard on the F-150, such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. Higher trims included more advanced features as part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. This encompassed automatic high beams, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist was particularly noteworthy, simplifying the process of backing up a trailer.

In crash tests, the F-150 SuperCrew received 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the SuperCab and Regular Cab managed 4 stars. The SuperCrew also earned top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

For the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, vehicle safety was primarily ensured by its significant weight and robust structure. With a weight of about 7,300 pounds, the truck was likely to offer good protection in crashes, especially against smaller vehicles.

The F-350 came with an array of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control system, though sometimes uneven in performance, did not bring the truck to a full stop, and the lane-keep assist operated subtly. The test truck’s blind-spot monitoring system required careful mirror adjustment to ensure visibility of adjacent lanes.

Pairing a smartphone with Sync 3 enabled the 911 Assist feature, which could automatically contact emergency responders in a collision, provided there was a mobile signal.