Ford designers didn't just make this truck bigger and better. They made it smarter. Realizing that today's truck owners spend a lot of time in their vehicles, designers paid more attention to comfort and convenience. New interior features include a fold-down armrest, a floor console that can accommodate a laptop, and a removable hanging bin for storage that can attach to the dash. Controls are big, easy to reach and manipulate and gauges are easy to read. The only exception is the instrument panel dimmer, which is a bit hard to reach. Two large cupholders are provided. The standard cigar lighter is augmented with a second auxiliary power outlet.
Passenger-side airbags offer a deactivation switch on regular cab and SuperCab models. Adjustable seatbelt anchors increase safety and comfort.
This truck is much roomier than before. An additional l.5 inches of seat travel is designed to accommodate a wider range of drivers. Shoulder room has been increased by more than 3 inches and hip room by more than 5 inches.
We drove our F-250 along the Pacific Coast, down bustling inland freeways and off road in the backcountry. Our overwhelming impression was that it drove like a much smaller truck. It almost felt like a big luxury car. We were impressed with the striking combination of crisp handling and compliant ride quality. The steering was precise.
The new chassis is more rigid than the previous platform, which allowed Ford engineers to redesign and retune the suspension geometry. Body roll was noticeably limited in the corners.
Four-wheel disc brakes, which are standard, provided excellent driver feedback. Braking performance was impressive with smooth, undramatic stops. Rear ABS, which modulates brake pressure when rear-wheel lockup is detected, is standard on XL and XLT. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard on our Lariat models, a $500 option on the other trim levels. The F-250 comes with a 16-inch wheel and tire package.
We found the SuperCab's four doors a great way to gain access to the rear seat, which is standard on the XLT and Lariat models and optional with the XL trim. The rear seat cushion folds up and forward and the seatback folds down to create a steel flat loading surface, a perfect place to put tools and other heavy items that need to stay secure and out of the elements.
The rear doors are 25 inches wide. They hinge on the rear pillars of the cab and swing out a full 90 degrees from the doorsill. This design eases the loading of gear and passengers and contributes to occupant safety with the combination of vertical beams and a cross brace where the front and rear doors meet.