You can’t go wrong with Ford’s F-150 or Super Duty lines, as both trucks are reliable and powerful. Which one you choose, however, will depend entirely on your needs. We’ve got the breakdown below to make your decision easier.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- While it can be used for commercial purposes, the F-150 is more a personal or family truck. The Super Duty is made with work in mind.
- The F-150 can tow up to 14,000 pounds, but the Super Duty far exceeds that number at up to 40,000 pounds in its F-350 model.
- The Super-Duty’s interiors are made with stronger materials for commercial use.
Differences in the Ford F-150 and Super Duty
The 2024 Ford F-150 and the 2024 Ford Super Duty have similar capabilities and both are at the top of their class. The differences are mainly in size and use. The light duty F-150 is a powerful pickup used for hauling, off-roading and personal family use. The Super Duty line — consisting of the F-250, F-350, and F-450 — is more geared toward commercial use, as its towing and payload capabilities are far superior.
Let’s Talk Engine Power
There are four standard powertrains to the F-150, with one a PowerBoost hybrid. The old 3.3-liter V6 that was standard in Ford’s entry-level trim package is now a thing of the past. It has been replaced with a turbo 2.7-liter V6 which delivers 325 ponies. The truck's other trim levels still offer a variety of powerful yet economical options, including the combo twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 (with electric motor), the 3.5-liter Ecoboost and the 5-liter V8 engines.
As tough as the F-150 is, the Super Duty is the real work horse. Its 6.2-liter engine delivers 385 horses and 430 lb-ft of torque and things only get more powerful from there. Included in higher trims are a 7.3-liter V8, cranking out 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel generating 475 horsepower and an almost unheard of 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
Which Truck Has Better Work Grade Capacity?
The F-150 can get most jobs done, with a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, and a payload of 2,455 pounds overall. But the strongest Super Duty, the F-350, can tow up to 40,000 pounds with a total payload of 8,000 lbs.
The Super Duty is indeed made for commercial work — it Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) features trailer coverage, onboard scales, smart hitch, and trailer navigation, all of which help you travel while hauling heavy cargo.
Clean and Well-Built Interiors
The interiors of the F-150 and Super Duty are utilitarian and built to meet the needs of their owners, but they are nonetheless clean and spacious with easy to use console controls.
The F-150 base model features single bench seating for three. Higher trim levels have two rows of seats for six people. Cloth upholstery is standard, but leather upgrades are available, as are a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, massaging seats up front, and power adjustable seats.
The Super Duty is made with more commercial grade materials for interiors that take a beating during the work day. While tough and well made, the Super Duty’s base trim is practical and no-frills — however, hints of luxury and comfort are offered as features in higher trims.
For long hauls, you can get rest in your F-150 or Super Duty — its front seats fold down nearly flat. Cubbies and storage areas abound throughout and the line even includes a lockbox in the back seat for valuables.
Both the F-150 and Super Duty Are Recent Award Winners
No matter what truck you choose, you can be rest assured you’re getting quality in both truck models. The F-150 and the Super Duty have been popular for decades and have won awards since they rolled off the manufacturing line. In 2023, the MotorTrend Truck of the Year award went to the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
For 2024, the Super Duty wins the North American Truck of the Year, its fourth consecutive year.
Making the Choice
Now that you know what each truck offers, it’s up to you to make the call on which you need. If you desire more of a family truck, you can’t get better than the F-150, but if commercial hauling and towing are more important, the Super Duty will more than meet your expectations. Stop by Lunghamer Ford today to take a test drive.