Full Description: It`s not very often that a new model comes on the market that`s so vastly improved it raises the bar for the entire category. That`s the case, however, with the debut of the all-new 2017 Ford F-250. Along with the other two models that make up the Ford Super Duty truck lineup (namely the F-350 and F-450, both reviewed separately), this full-size pickup has been reworked from the ground up. The improvements to the F-250 range from beefier underpinnings and more powerful engines to roomier interiors that can be equipped with a host of convenience and technology features, all designed to make this heavy-duty pickup a good deal more capable. Knowing these trucks will be doing some heavy lifting, Ford`s engineers started by giving the F-250 substantially larger frame rails and crossmembers made out of 95 percent high-strength steel. To compensate for the extra bulk, the truck`s body panels and pickup box are now made out of lightweight aluminum (just as the F-150 received recently) that Ford says is both more dent-resistant and makes the new truck hundreds of pounds lighter than previous generations. Then there`s the list of newly available technology, from bright LED headlights to adaptive cruise control with collision warning to a multicamera system that gives the driver a 360-degree view around the truck, something that`s invaluable in maneuvering through tight spaces. A host of towing-related technologies have been added, too, including an improved blind-spot monitoring system that covers the length of the trailer, a pair of rearview cameras to aid trailer hookup, an integrated trailer tire-pressure monitoring system, and a backup camera that can be mounted on the tail of the trailer itself. The 2017 Ford F-250 is a full-size, heavy-duty pickup available in five trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. It is also offered in regular cab, extended-cab (a.k.a. SuperCab) and crew-cab body styles and with a choice of 6.75- and 8-foot bed lengths. Base XL models come standard with a 17-inch steel wheels, black grille and bumpers, front tow hooks, manual front locking hubs (four-wheel-drive models), auto on/off headlights, intermittent wipers, manually adjustable telescoping towing mirrors, a removable locking tailgate with tailgate lift assist, a 2.5-inch trailer hitch receiver (with 2-inch insert), air-conditioning, vinyl upholstery, a 40/20/40-split front seat, a 60/40-split rear seat, vinyl floor covering, manual windows and door locks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a dual glovebox, an overhead console with storage bins (extended and crew cabs only), a driver information display and a four-speaker AM/FM audio system (six speakers in extended- and crew-cab models). Step up the the XLT and you get 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille and front and rear bumpers, manually telescoping power-adjustable, heated mirrors with built-in turn signals, four locking cleats in the bed, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, carpeted floor covering, rear under-seat lockable storage, power windows and locks, rear privacy glass (extended- and crew-cab models only), cruise control, a rearview camera, an alarm system, the Sync voice-controlled infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display and USB charging port and an AM/FM/CD audio system with satellite radio. Springing for the midrange Lariat trim level gets you bright-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, an electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system (four-wheel-drive models only), foglights, power-folding, telescoping outside mirrors (plus driver-side auto-dimming and integrated spotlights), tubular side steps, a power sliding rear window, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 10-way power front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a rear-seat center armrest, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-inch center touchscreen display, an upgraded Sync 3 voice-controlled infotainment system, two 110-volt household-style power outlets, and a premium Sony 10-speaker audio system with two USB charging ports. The Western-themed King Ranch model, which is offered on crew-cab models only, adds unique alloy wheels, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, a body-color grille, accent-color bumpers and lower body trim, LED box lighting, unique fender badges, keyless entry/start, remote start, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, driver memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping and heated steering wheel, and a navigation system. Choosing the top-of-the-line Platinum model, again offered on crew-cab models only, gets you 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive steering, LED headlights, LED foglights, power running boards, a remote tailgate release, a built-in tailgate step, LED taillights, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and multicontour front seats. Many of the standard features offered on upper trim levels are offered as options on the rest of the lineup. Other noteworthy options include a power sunroof, a heavy-duty trailer tow package (offered only with the turbodiesel engine), a massive 48-gallon fuel tank, a fifth-wheel/gooseneck hitch prep package, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, skid plates (four-wheel-drive models only), an Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System (a total of seven cameras), a separate rearview camera that can be mounted on a customer`s trailer, trailer tire-pressure monitoring and a spray-in bedliner. The 2017 Ford F-250 comes standard with the familiar 6.2-liter gasoline V8 that`s been tweaked to up the output to 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Also available is a revised version of the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 that now puts out an impressive 440 hp and a whopping 925 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is offered as an option. Properly equipped, the F-250 is rated to tow conventional trailers up to 18,000 pounds and fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailers up to 18,600 pounds. A two-wheel-drive regular cab F-250 has a maximum payload of 4,200 pounds, and the popular crew-cab 4WD can carry a maximum of 3,450 pounds.Trailer Towing Pkg,4-Wheel Disc Brakes,Trailer Hitch - Receiver,Wheels - Alloy,Wheels - Aluminum,AM/FM Radio,CD Player,Premium Audio System,Air Conditioning,Cloth Seats,Cruise Control,Intermittent Wipers,Power Locks,Power Mirrors,Power Windows,Tilt Steering Wheel,Roof Airbags,Trip Computer,Airbag - Driver,Airbag - Passenger,Four Wheel ABS,Side Airbags,Traction Control,Vehicle Anti-theft,Compass,Oil Pressure Gauge,Outside Temp Display,Tachometer,Trip Odometer,Volt Meter,Water Temp Gauge,Tow Hooks,12V Power Outlet,Fold Down Rear Seat,Vanity Mirrors,Active Cylinder Mngt,Remote Start,Four Wheel Drive,Off Road Package,Power Steering,V8 Cyl. Engine,Ext Service Contract Avl,Financing Available