For the 2017 model year, Ford made quantum upgrades to the F-Series Super Duty line. In the first year of its fourth generation, the F-250 Super Duty pickup truck benefitted from these crucial improvements. And thanks to those changes, rivals such as the Ram Power Wagon and the Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 got the message that the F-250 was ready to rumble.

If you have a massive trailer to tow or you’re hauling hefty cargo, an F-250 could fit your needs perfectly. But even though the utility of this truck is off the charts, it’s still a huge investment. And even if you’re considering a used 2017 model, prices aren’t that much lower.

With that in mind, we’ve gleaned essential information from F-250 reviews published by Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and J.D. Power. We suggest that you read them as well.

Car and Driver

According to David Beard of Car and Driver, the 2017 F-250 Super Duty has an all-new aluminum body, heavier fully boxed steel frame, redesigned rear axle, and stronger AWD components. His test truck was a Platinum trim with a 4X4 crew cab that had a base price of $63,605. Its curb weight tipped the scale 8,300 pounds.

Without cargo to haul or a trailer to tow, the F-250’s ride is a bit stiff—not surprising since its suspension is designed to handle a payload of 3,450 pounds and can tow up to 15,000 pounds. The test truck was equipped with an optional gooseneck/fifth-wheel hitch that added 400 pounds to its towing capacity. 

The optional second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel engine cranks out 440 hp and a jaw-dropping 925-lb-ft of torque that costs an extra $8,705. By comparison, the standard 6.2-liter V8 gas engine makes 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the diesel is so-so with an average of 15 mpg.

Beard also highlighted improvements in the F-250’s stopping and turning. A truck this massive takes 202 feet to stop from a speed of 70 mph, but this is 40 feet less than the 2012 F-250. Ford’s adaptive steering system that comes standard in the Platinum trim varies with speed and increases the truck’s turning responsiveness.

Interior amenities are what you’d expect for a high-end truck: leather upholstery, massaging front seats, and dual-zone climate control. Safety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are available for the first time.

The price for the options on Beard’s test truck was steep: $14,510. Added to the Platinum’s base price, the grand total was an eye-watering $78,115.

Beard advised that you can get the F-250’s incredible towing capability in lower trims for much less money. For example, the XL trim level with this powertrain and cab style is $49,020. He suggested that the only option that you should seriously consider is the adaptive steering system available in the Lariat and King Ranch trims for $685. But the bottom line of this review is that if you want this much truck, it won’t come cheap.

Motor Trend

The long-term verdict review by Jonny Lieberman covers the 2017 F-250 Super Duty King Ranch that had a base price of $58,950. Motor Trend awarded the F-250 “The Truck of the Year” award. Lieberman was clearly smitten when he dubbed it “the truckiest truck that ever trucked.”

The reviewer tested the F-250 for a year and put over 21,000 miles on it. Finding parking for it in his driveway was problematic. Also, he admitted that he was unable to take much advantage of the F-250’s towing and offroading prowess. But he and his coworkers used the F-250 for plenty of hauling.

He complimented the truck on its reliability. He also noted that it was relatively inexpensive to maintain, as compared to a higher-maintenance Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X diesel that was also being tested. The F-250 had a couple of minor glitches with the massaging front seats and the integrated step that allows access into the truck bed. But overall the truck had no major problems. 

The key takeaway of Lieberman’s review is that his lifestyle didn’t warrant a big truck with heavy-duty capabilities. And that is something that potential F-250 buyers will want to mull over, also.

J.D. Power

Christian Wardlaw reviewed the 2017 F-250 Super Crew Platinum with the short bed, 4WD, the turbodiesel engine, and other goodies. The cost for this particular truck was $78,270, which included the $1,295 destination charge.

The reviewer glowingly described the F-250 as “the most capable large light-duty truck.”However, the most interesting part of this article was its data about F-250 buyers. 

Most F-250 buyers surveyed were males in their 50s with a median annual household income slightly over $100,000. They wanted to purchase a truck from a U.S. manufacturer and didn’t want to pay extra for safety features. What they liked about the truck was its powertrain, exterior styling, and visibility and safety. They didn’t like its storage and space, steering and handling, and climate control system.

But strangely enough, the Ford F-250 isn’t the most appealing heavy-duty truck according to one J.D. Power study that measures owners’ satisfaction. The honors went to the GMC Sierra Heavy Duty with its optional Duramax diesel engine. The starting price for the 2500HD model is $44,490.

If you’re looking at the F-250, you’ll find the honest feedback from real F-250 owners to be extremely helpful, especially when the big truck you want is such a big-ticket item.