2023 Ford F-250 XL

The F-250 is Ford's heavy-duty pickup, the one you step up to when a half-ton just isn't enough for serious towing and hauling. It drives with the commanding presence you expect from a Super Duty, with a ride that's firm when empty but settles down nicely under load. The cabin is built to work hard, with durable materials and a straightforward layout, though the XL's interior is basic compared to the Lariat's leather and tech. You get a real truck bed and a choice of cab styles, so you can match it to your work or play needs, and the towing capacity is the whole point here. The XL is the base Super Duty, skipping the XLT's chrome and power options to keep the price down for work-truck buyers. Its 7.3L V8 pairs with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, giving you the grunt to pull heavy loads without a diesel's added cost. Expect a vinyl floor and manual locks inside, which makes hosing out the cab after a muddy job straightforward.