2016 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum

The 2016 F-450 Super Duty is Ford's heaviest-duty pickup, the one you step up to when a half-ton or even an F-250 won't cut it. It's built to haul and tow serious loads, and the steering and brakes feel reassuringly heavy and direct for a truck this size. Expect a firm, truck-like ride when it's empty, with the rear axle hopping over bumps until you put weight in the bed. The cabin is spacious and functional, with hard-wearing materials and a straightforward layout that puts controls where you expect them. Stepping up to the Platinum from the XL adds leather, heated and cooled seats, and a premium sound system, plus standard four-wheel drive for serious capability. Its 6.7L V8 makes 440 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic that shifts smoothly under load and keeps the truck moving even when the bed is full. The Platinum's available adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping alert make long highway tows less tiring, though the ride stays firm when you're running empty.