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 work-spec F-250, so you get vinyl floors and manual locks, but you also save thousands over an XLT. This one has the big 7.3L V8 with 405 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque paired to the ten-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, which has plenty of grunt for heavy trailers. The XL's standard 8-inch touchscreen with FordPass Connect is a welcome upgrade over older work trucks.