The Ford F-350 Super Duty trucks were significantly updated last year with the impressive, class-leading 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 and the 6.2-liter V-8 gas engines, but that doesn't mean the 2012 version has been ignored. 

One exciting new development for the 2012 is a compressed natural gas/propane prep engine option. For those out in the field, this is good news. The standard 6.2-liter V8 gas engine has 15 percent better fuel economy compared with the previous engine and produces a best-in-class 405 lb.-ft. of torque and 385 horsepower. It is also capable of running on E85 ethanol.

The Ford-designed and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine delivers as much as 20 percent better fuel economy than the 6.4-liter it replaced. The new Power Stroke isn’t just fuel efficient, it’s also the most powerful diesel pickup engine money can buy, rated at 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine also can run on up to B20 biodiesel fuel.



Although Ford offers both engines and box sizes (8 feet and 6 1/2 feet) for each of the 4 trim lines—the XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch—the 3 cab options (Crew, Regular and Super) are different for the Lariat and King Ranch. All 3 cab options are available for the XL and XLT, but the Regular cab is not offered as an option for the Lariat, and the Crew cab is the only option for the King Ranch. One other option to note: Ford has added Autumn Red for its color options this year on the King Ranch.

The XL (base) begins at $33, 610, and the XLT is roughly $3600 more. The major price difference comes with the Lariat and the King Ranch. The Lariat starts at $40, 825, and the King Ranch just over $7000 more.



The base XL comes standard with 17inch steel wheels, towing package, air-conditioning and vinyl or cloth interiors and an AM/FM stereo/single-CD player. Overall, the truck is more comfortable than before. The seats in the Lariat have been upgraded with driver lumbar adjustment and cup holders, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and AM/FM stereo with single-CD player and MP3 options, as well as a LCD Productivity Screen standard in the Lariat and King Ranch with plenty of interior storage. Finally, for those in cold climates, it is notable that the Rapid-Heat Supplemental Cab Heater is optional on all models.

The King Ranch has a standard new Navigation System with Premium Sound System including HD Radio Technology, AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with MP3 capability, USB port, in-dash touch screen, voice-activated controls, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link capability, digital clock and 8 speakers with subwoofer (requires rear view camera). The Reverse Vehicle Aid Sensor is not available for the XL, optional for the XLT and standard on the Lariat and King Ranch, whereas the Rear View Camera is optional on the Lariat, and standard on the King Ranch. A nice feature is the Power point - auxiliary, 110-volt/150-watt inverter outlet, which is standard on the Lariat and King Ranch.

Powered Adjustable Pedals are included with the XLT Interior Package and XLT Premium Packages, but come standard on the Lariat. Powered-Memory Adjustable Pedals are included with the Lariat Ultimate and Plus Packages, but optional on the standard King Ranch. Finally, the Remote Start System is optional on all vehicles.