2019 Ford F-350

The Ford F-350 is the second step in the automaker's Super Duty pickup truck line, vehicles that are capable of heavier towing and payload duties than the light-duty F-150. The Super Duty starting point is the F-250, which is covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.

For 2019, the F-350 is unchanged. Available in six trim levels -- XL XLT Lariat KR Platinum Limited -- the F-350 is as high as you can go in the F-series range without graduating to a dual-wheel rear axle (though that is available as an option).

The F-350 boasts aluminum body construction (like its light-duty F-150 cousin) and a boxed steel frame, both of which were part of the brief that went into this truck's last major redesign in 2017.

You can get an F-350 in regular, Super Cab and Crew Cab configurations, and with 6.75- and 8.0-foot cargo beds. Engine choices include a 6.2L gasoline V8 that makes 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, while the option is a 6.7L turbodiesel good for 450 hp and 925 lb-ft. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission and a choice of rear- and four-wheel drive.

Maximum payload in the F-350 XL is 3,461 kg; towing capacity is 9,525 kg when using a conventional hitch and 12,474 kg with a fifth-wheel.

You'd think the market would be more limited in the heavy duty arena than for light-duty models, but there is indeed a lot of competition here: Chevrolet, GMC and Ram sell analogous 3500-series versions of their full-size trucks, while Nissan's Titan XD wades into the shallow end of the heavy-duty market.

Base F-350 buyers sacrifice interior comfort for durability with vinyl seats and floors. Cloth seats are optional. There is an AM/FM radio, a CD player is optional. It does have tilt/telescoping steering, but the locks, mirrors and windows are manually operated. Power adjustment of the mirrors, locks, and windows costs extra.

Opt for the XLT and you get an improved infotainment system with Sync voice recognition, satellite radio, and a 4.2-inch screen. The seats are cloth with manual adjustment. Windows, mirrors and locks are power adjusted, and cruise control is standard. There's an optional driver assistance package that adds adaptive steering, automatic high beams, lane-keeping alert and a leather-wrapped wheel.

Move up to Lariat trim for 10-way power adjustable leather seats, a 10-speaker Sony audio system with an 8.0-inch screen and dual-zone climate control. Parking sensors are included and power-adjust pedals are standard.

The audaciously named King Ranch trim adds more luxury features like unique leather seats that are heated in the front and - on crew cab - in the rear. It gets a special grille and unique paint as well as other trim inside and out.

Shiny-sounding Platinum models get blind spot alert with trailer coverage, massage seats with Platinum leather, illuminated door sill plates, eucalyptus wood trim, body-colour bumpers, power step rails, and a satin grille.

Finally, Limited trim gets standard upfitter switches, lane keeping system, sunroof (with twin glass panels in crew cab models) and a unique satin chrome grille finish.