The 2008 Ford F-250, complete with optional 6.8-liter V10 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, represents Ford's combination of power, luxury and style. On the power side Ford also offers a 6.4-liter PowerStroke diesel making 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, but this V10 is no slouch at 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet. On the luxury side our test truck had the optional reverse warning system, trailer brake controller, heated leather seats with memory settings, electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive and a navigation/Sirius head unit. Style-wise, I dig this truck's Tonka-like headlights, two-tone paint and front fender grilles. A sweet ride, but is it better than the competition from GM?
In a word...no. Like many vehicle segments there aren't any dogs left in the heavy duty truck market. But the Ford's driving dynamics simply aren't up to the GMC Sierra 2500HD I test drove a few weeks ago. That truck had the optional diesel, so obviously it felt more powerful than this Ford. But even discounting the power difference the Sierra felt better to pilot. I commented on how that big-ass truck didn't really feel like a big-ass truck. This Ford? It feels (accelerates, stops, steers, rides) like a big-ass truck.
I fear Ford's F-Series has suffered from excessive weight ever since the 2003-2004 redesigns. The trucks have been undeniably capable in terms of chassis strength, but that "meatiness" in frame design has meant "weightiness" in driving dynamics. The GM trucks feel just as "meaty" but they are also responsive and, dare I say it -- nimble, when it comes to on-road reactions. This Ford is not.
I prefer the F-Series' exterior design, and the useful features on this truck (the trailer brake controller, stowable bed extender, multiple utility switches, interior storage bins, etc.) give it a strong claim on "king of heavy duty function" status. But GM has made even its large, heavy duty trucks a real joy to drive. Ford (and Dodge) still need to catch up. Also, with an MSRP of $45,055, this F-250 FX4 cost within $1,000 of the GMC Sierra I drove recently, and that truck was a crew cab model with the diesel engine option.
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