Cargazing
By Derek Price
For those who genuinely need the immense capabilities of a heavy-duty truck like the Ford F-350, the top Limited trim represents the pinnacle of what’s possible.
This opulent behemoth spares no expense in delivering supreme towing prowess paired with first-class accommodations.
After a week testing an F-350 Limited 4×4 crew cab, one thing is crystal clear: it’s an absolute dream machine for the right buyer. Just be prepared for sticker shock.
The example I evaluated was optioned to the hilt, carrying an eye-watering $104,755 price tag after a host of niceties like a spray-in bedliner, tonneau cover, and Ford’s clever Pro Upfit integration system for operating accessory equipment.
That six-figure window sticker is enough to cause whiplash, especially for a vehicle designed to haul payloads of dirt, steel and lumber.
Still, if you’re in the market for this level of heavy-duty truck and want luxury amenities to match, the F-350 Limited delivers in spades.
The handsome cabin is awash in premium materials like real wood and leather, plus all the latest tech including digital widescreen displays and generous infotainment systems.
With its imposing dimensions and premium details like LED lighting and bold wheels, the luxurious F-350 Limited cuts an undeniably commanding presence.
Sublime features such as cooled and massaging front seats provided a surprisingly serene experience while towing up to 22,000 pounds with a conventional trailer.
That said, the Limited’s cabin didn’t quite achieve the same sophistication and sense of occasion as the plush Ram 1500 Limited I tested earlier this year. The Ford has the right features but lacks that final degree of design cohesion and material execution to truly feel like a $100K interior. It’s lovely, just not luxurious in the most modern sense.
What the F-350 Limited absolutely nails is outright capability and performance. Thanks to its new 6.7L High Output Power Stroke diesel V8, this rig tows with incredible ease and unflappable confidence.
The inline-six unleashes 500 horsepower and a skyscraper-leveling 1,200 lb-ft of torque, enough brute force to make child’s play out of lugging massive trailers up grades. A responsive 10-speed automatic and standard 4WD put that muscle to the ground effectively.
The powertrain’s refinement also impressed. The hulking F-350 proved smoother and quieter than expected, with the rumbling diesel fading into silent oblivion at highway speeds.
The F-350 Limited’s well-appointed cabin blends premium materials with the latest tech like digital widescreen displays and massaging leather seats.
Credit sublime sound insulation and aerodynamic optimization that help deliver an experience more reminiscent of a luxury SUV than a commercial-grade truck.
Some concessions are inevitable with a vehicle of this size and mission, mind you. Maneuverability is understandably poor given the F-350’s gargantuan dimensions, with tight parking lots being an outright ordeal requiring careful planning.
By the end of my loan I’d grown skilled at doing “final approaches” into open spaces, treating each parking job with the same precision and forethought as landing an airplane.
For those legitimately needing the extreme capabilities of a Super Duty truck, it’s hard to imagine a more compelling option than the F-350 Limited. It combines incredible towing and hauling capacities with a luxurious, tech-savvy cabin and the smoothest, most confident driving experience in the heavy-duty class.
Just don’t faint when presented with the window sticker.
At over $100K as-tested, the financial sting is profound, especially if your needs align more with an F-150 or midsize truck. But for private users, commercial fleets or ranchers who demand the biggest, baddest truck possible, it’s impossible to overlook the ultimate “do anything” appeal of Ford’s premium Super Duty hero.
This F-350 is a no-compromise, no-excuses machine built to conquer the toughest jobs with exceptional comfort and capability. For the right buyer, that makes it a dream come true, regardless of price.
At A Glance
Info Box
What was tested? 2023 Ford F-350 DRW 4×4 Crew Cab Limited ($99,280). Options: 3.55 ratio limited slip axle ($385), Ford Pro Upfit integration ($400), tonneau cover ($2,200), spray-in bed liner ($595). Price as tested (including $1,895 destination charge): $104,755
Wheelbase: 175.9 in.
Length: 266.2 in.
Width: 105.9 in.
Height: 81.5 in.
Engine: 6.7-liter High Output Power Stroke Diesel V8 (500 horsepower, 1,200 ft. lbs. torque)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel economy: Not rated
Ratings
Style: 7
Performance: 10
Price: 2
Handling: 4
Ride: 6
Comfort: 7
Quality: 7
Overall: 8
Why buy it?
For buyers who need maximum heavy-duty capabilities combined with first-class accommodations, the lavishly equipped 2023 Ford F-350 Limited represents the ultimate “do anything” dream machine.