When it comes to reliable trucks that get the job done, the 2019 Ford F-250 is hard to beat. Sure, there’s stiff competition from other full-size heavy-duty trucks like Chevrolet and RAM. But the F-250, an American favorite for years, is one of the hardest working trucks today.

According to Cars.com, there’s a lot to love about the Ford F-250 as a work truck. If your job involves moving heavy equipment, the F-250 makes it easy. It’s not only capable of pulling more than its heavy-duty peers, but it also has best-in-class towing capacity and stellar technology.

The Ford F-250’s engine options

While Ford widely touts the turbocharged V6 engines in its half-ton F-150, the F-250 has a powerful base V8 with a satisfying exhaust rumble. Paired with six-speed automatic transmission, the aspirated 6.2-liter V8 registers 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It offers more power at the press of the accelerator while offering a quiet, smooth ride.

Fuel efficiency

Cars.com tested an entry-level truck, the Super Duty F-250 XL. During a 200-mile unladen loop that’s approximately 75% highway, testers got an average of 15.7 MPG. (Keep in mind that trucks in the F-250’s size and weight class aren’t required to offer official EPA mileage estimates.)

The website estimates that the Super Duty F-250 XL has a driving range of 750 miles per tank. If you’re not hauling anything on a long trip, chances are you’ll need to stop and refuel before the truck.

The value of the Ford F-250

Ford’s Super Duty series of trucks have some big advantages for you including a price point that’s only slightly above most standard trucks on today’s market. It’s a great value. The 2019 base F-250 starts at $33,150. The Ford F-250 Platinum, on the other hand, is one of the most expensive trucks on the market.

Towing and payload capacity

It doesn’t matter if you’re hauling equipment to a job site or towing your boat to the lake, the Ford F-250 can handle it. The 2019 model has class-best towing at 12,300 to 15,400 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 4,270 pounds. You can choose between either conventional or fifth wheel gooseneck towing options.

You can also opt to get the ultimate trailer tow cameras to make towing easy with much better sightlines. The system features a 360-degree camera that takes the guesswork out of handling the large truck in tight places. The blind-spot monitors detect vehicles you may not see in adjacent lanes.

Great handling

A staff member at Cars.com maintained that while the F-250 is roughly the size of a cargo ship, its excellent handling made it easy to drive and keep it in the lane.

The Super Duty F-250 XL they tested had a crew cab with a long bed, which required more planning for tight space maneuvering. But Ford designed the F-250 to handle well and that’s a real plus.

The Ford F-250’s interior simplicity

Much like its exterior, the interior of a basic Ford F-250 truck is simple and roomy. There’s no fancy design work here and it really isn’t needed. The crew cab models have lots of space. There may not be a wealth of comfort features but the controls are easy to use and the interior is highly functional. 

The team at Cars.com had some gripes, like the uncomfortable front seats and high cost of going diesel. Otherwise, they point out why the Ford F-250 is an unbeatable American truck, establishing that less can indeed be more.