2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum

The 2021 F-250 Super Duty is Ford's heavy-duty workhorse, built to tow and haul far beyond what a half-ton pickup can manage. It squares off against the Ram 2500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, with the Ford standing out for its class-leading payload and towing figures. The steering is direct for a truck this size, and the available adaptive steering makes low-speed maneuvers easier than expected. Expect a firm ride when unladen, but the F-250 settles down noticeably with weight in the bed or a trailer behind it. The cabin is spacious, especially in crew cab form, with high-quality materials on upper trims and a user-friendly SYNC 4 system. The Platinum is the luxury flagship of the F-250 range, so if you want a heavy-duty truck that feels more like a high-end SUV, this is the one; the Lariat is a step down in leather and trim details. Its 7.3L V8 makes 430 horsepower and pairs with a smooth automatic transmission; with four-wheel drive, it has the muscle to tow a large boat or fifth-wheel trailer without breaking a sweat. Only the Platinum offers the continuous-control suspension that adapts damping on the fly, so the ride firms up when you need it and softens on the highway.