Updated 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickups Play to Their Strengths

Ford unveiled the new Super Duty at an event in Louisville, Ky., where the truck will be built. At times the pitch felt like it was aimed at investors just as much as potential truck buyers, with boasts about how much the Super Duty line contributes to the company’s market share and revenue. 

But those stats also offer some insight into why Ford is being so conservative when it comes to updating its heavy-duty truck lineup. For commercial buyers, that means a familiar design that’s easy to customize and maintain. For those who want the biggest and baddest-looking truck on the block, that means off-road packages and factory lift kits. The new Super Duty lineup has a little bit of both.

We will share more information about the new HD lineup as soon as it’s available. In the meantime, here’s what we know:

Ford calls the Super Duty’s new look “tough and modern.” From the grille to the tailgate, the truck is instantly recognizable as a Ford and now shares a headlight design with the F-150. Regular cab trucks come with an 8-foot cargo box, while SuperCab and Crew Cab trucks offer a choice of a 6.75-foot or 8-foot cargo box. Without any additional options, such as bigger tires or a lifted suspension, a Super Duty starts at 78.9 inches tall—about 6.5 feet—and goes up to 81.5 inches, and can be more than 22 feet long, so make sure you measure your garage before you buy.

There are seven grille options, and a new XL Off-Road package adds massive 33-inch tires and a raised air dam in addition to off-road-focused features like skid plates and an electronic locking rear differential. The Tremor Off-Road package goes a step further, with a front-end lift and 35-inch tires on 18-inch wheels.

Much of the new Super Duty’s interior is shared with the F-150, although it appears that the Super Duty has a column-mounted shifter. XL models get an 8-inch touchscreen and higher trim levels get a 12-inch display. There are enough nooks and crannies that drivers can use the cab as an office, and Ford’s Max Recline front seats fold nearly flat like a business-class airline seat, offering a place to catch a nap. Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited editions are also available, with the kind of upscale fittings that wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury sedan or SUV.

One of the biggest updates is the Ford Pro Upfit Integration System (UIS). Because many heavy-duty truck owners customize their rigs with plows, auxiliary lighting, and other equipment, Ford added a new option to control those extras through the Super Duty’s built-in infotainment system. Previously, owners had to run extra wires and add aftermarket switches.

The 6.2-liter gas V8 engine that was standard on the F-250 and F-350 is no more; it has been replaced by a new 6.8-liter V8. The new engine is a pushrod design compared with the outgoing V8’s SOHC setup. We’ll have to wait to drive it to see if that offers any appreciable difference in real-world use. Ford hasn’t shared details on horsepower or torque but says this beast of an engine should provide more low-end torque for better performance on hills and highway merges. (The outgoing 6.2-liter produces 385 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque.)

Ford also says its 7.3-liter gas V8 gets an improved air intake design and tuning for better torque and more horsepower. For 2023, the 6.7-liter, turbocharged “Power Stroke” diesel V8 carries over and is joined by a new high-output diesel engine option that Ford claims will offer best-in-class torque and horsepower. Two “TorqShift” 10-speed automatic transmissions are available, each with different gear ratios. 

It’s no surprise that Ford didn’t share fuel-economy ratings because they’re not required for vehicles over 8,500 pounds. Most heavy-duty trucks weigh more than that. In our 2017 test of the heavy-duty Ford F-250, the diesel version got 15 mpg overall. We certainly hope to see some improvement there, especially considering how high diesel fuel prices are these days. Ford hasn’t shared any details about the towing capacity of the different powertrains and body styles, either.

The Super Duty debuts an optional “tailgate down” camera and reverse sensing system, a backup camera that works when the tailgate is in the lowered position. Ford says this is the first camera setup of its kind, and we think it could be a very useful feature that shows up on other trucks in the near future.