2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty

header-image
$34,230 - $84,390
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on October 31, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

New All Aluminum construction reduces the weight

Options can get pricier

For 2021, Ford has added new paint options and a Bed Step option.

Plenty of trims to suit all tastes

No diesel option for base variants

A lot of standard tech features

No-side steps for Ingress and Egress

Specs & Features

$36,565

price

385 hp @ 5750 rpm

horsepower

430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.2L 8cyl RWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Part of the fullsize pickup truck segment, the 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab competes with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Regular Cab, the RAM 2500 Regular Cab, and the GMC Sierra 2500 Regular Cab. A base price of MSRP $34,230 gets you a 6.2L V8 engine. Despite the price going up to $41,895 this single powertrain is found in all 4 trims. This engine produces 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 of 8.8 seconds, and is offered in both RWD and 4WD configurations. The Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab is only offered in a single 8.1 feet cab with a payload capacity of 4,160 pounds.

Buying Advice

Thanks to its impressively large roster of standard tech features, the F-250 continues to dominate the Heavy Duty truck market in 2021. While the RAM may offer a bit of posh interior and F-250 ride quality still is a bit rough around the edges, It continues to remain the number 1 choice for many Americans.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

While the F-250 offers several configurations and choices to pick from based upon your needs and desire, it offers strong promises even in its base Regular Cab form. The 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab is a two-door, two-seat pickup truck that starts from $35,925 for the base XL trim and goes all the way up to $43,590 for the XLT trim level with AWD. It may not be as practical as its four-door siblings, but for the price, the F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab offers a robust amalgamation of power, muscle, and capability. It competes with the RAM 2500 Regular Cab, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab and the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment.

Features

The 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab comes in two trim levels named XL and the XLT respectively. Both these trims come in RWD as well as AWD drivetrain configurations. The XL trim level is a crude one with basic appointments while the higher XLT adds some more inclusive niceties. 

Prices for the XL trim starts at $35,925 for the RWD version and the XLT trim level starts at $40,790 for the RWD version. On the feature front, there’s not much to expect from a heavy-duty Regular Cab. However, the 2021 F-250 SuperDuty ropes in some good features like 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, 4G Hotspot, lane-keep alert, blind-spot monitor, and more. 

Trim

XL

XLT

MSRP (RWD)

$34,230

$39,095

MSRP (AWD)

$37,020

$41,895

Key Features 

385 hp 6.2-liter V8

In addition to the feature of XL:

 

Single-Zone Manual Climate control

18-inch alloy wheels

 

4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

8.0-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3 infotainment system.

 

17-inch steel wheels

Lane keep alert

 

Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers

Cruise control

 

Safety Canopy System

Blind Spot monitoring

Which Trim should you buy?

As the F-250 is a SuperDuty truck, you might need the help of an AWD drivetrain to help get some heavy-duty job done with the F-250. If your budget restricts you to the $40,000 mark, then the XL AWD is more than enough for your everyday needs. If you don’t mind sparing some extra dollars for some added features, the XLT is the one to go. 

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

There isn't any solid efficiency data available regarding any of the trucks in the segment due to the fact that EPA does not rate heavy-duty commercial trucks. However, some customer reviews do suggest that the 2021 Ford F-250 seems to offer better fuel economy compared to the rest of its rivals. Thanks to its comparatively smaller engine and lower weight though. A dedicated “Economy’ driving mode and a 34.0-gallon fuel tank are turned out to be healthy assistance to the F-250’s overÌ¥all character. 

Models

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab

2021 RAM 2500 Regular Cab

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab

MPG (City)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

MPG (Highway)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

MPG (Combined)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

34

32

36

36

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Among the lot here, the trucks from General Motors seem to have the largest tank capacity in the segment and possibly the same fuel economy figures as they share the same powertrain. The RAM 2500 on the other hand has the lowest fuel tank capacity at 32 gallons. However, fuel economy is probably one of the last things which you would look at while considering any of these burly workhorses. 

Interior
7.7/10

As a Regular Cab body style, the 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty only has a bare minimum amount of features to offer in the base XL trim. The XLT on the other hand provides some useful features and creature comforts inside, making things a bit more appealing. The interior layout truly resembles the F-250’s purpose with its rugged appearance and hard plastic surfaces. The tall seating position, tall dashboard, and the term ‘SUPER DUTY’ engraved on the passenger side dashboard area, proudly speak about its overall intentions. 

As a Regular Cab, the F-250 comes with just a single row of seats which is spacious and can seat three occupants pretty comfortably. The front seats are 4-way manually adjustable seats with some practical features such as the gear selector behind the steering wheel and the middle seat that can turn into an armrest when not in use. The 78.5 cubic feet cargo capacity in the bed makes the F-250 really practical and it doesn’t feel too small or big for a heavy-duty pickup truck.

Models

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab

2021 RAM 2500 Regular Cab

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab

Seating Capacity

3

3

3

3

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg, in inches)

40.8/66.7/43.9

39.8/65.9/40.9

43.1/66/44.5

43.1/66/44.5

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

78.5

74.7

83.5

83.5

Among the pack here, the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra seem to have the largest interior and cargo bed space in the segment while the RAM 2500 has the lowest. The F-250 falls right between its rivals when it comes to the interior space, features, and cargo capacity and as the base configuration in the F-250 lineup, it doesn’t have much to offer. Some of the notable interior features are:

  • 4-way manually adjustable seats 
  • Metal trim inserts
  • A middle seat that doubles up as an armrest when not in use
  • Steering wheel controls for the cruise control

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab?

As far as infotainment is concerned, the 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab isn’t really a premium variant in the F-250 lineup and only gets some basic features. The F-250 gets a SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment screen and a 5 speaker audio system. 

There are other features like SiriusXM satellite radio as well as some latest connectivity features such as Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G Internet Access WiFi hotspot. Some of the notable infotainment features are:

  • SiriusXM satellite radio
  • 4G internet access WiFi hotspot
  • An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen 
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
  • 5-speaker audio system
  • Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity

Exterior
7.7/10

The 2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab configuration is a pretty utilitarian one and hence gets some basic 17 as well as 18-inch wheels along with a long black colored grille portion. There are huge halogen headlamps and halogen tail lamps that are revised for the 2021 model year version.

It has the longest wheelbase in the segment along with a respectful amount of width that makes it adequately spacious both in the cabin as well as the cargo portion. And, as a heavy-duty truck, it also comes with Class V towing equipment and a heavy-duty suspension setup along with anti-roll bars that mean business.

Models

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab

2021 RAM 2500 Regular Cab

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab

Curb Weight (lbs)

5677

5989

5914

5924

Length (inches)

231.8

232

235.5

235.5

Width (inches)

80

79.4

81.7

81.7

Height (inches)

77.9

78

79.9

79.9

Ground Clearance (inches)

8.5

7.3

10.1

10.1

Wheelbase (inches)

142

140.5

141.5

141.5

IN the comparison above, the trucks from General Motors might seem to be the biggest trucks in the segment in terms of proportions but the F-250 has a better aesthetic appeal as compared to its rivals. However, a tall hood and a muscular character are a virtue of all these heavy-duty trucks. Some of the notable exterior features are:

  • 17 and 18-inch wheel options
  • Blacked out elements around the exterior
  • Redesigned headlamp and tail lamps design
  • Class V towing equipment
  • Heavy-duty suspension setup with anti-roll bars

Safety
8.0/10

Apart from being one of the most practical and promising options in its segment, the F-250 Regular Cab also seems to have a good safety quotient. The NHTSA has given it an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars and the F-250 gets similar ratings from agencies like the IIHS as well.

As standard safety features, the F-250 Regular Cab comes equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-hold assist, Ford Co-Pilot 360 features that include Trailer Tow Blind Spot Coverage, Pre-collision Assist, Cross-Traffic Alert, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and Safety Canopy airbag system. Some of the notable safety features are:

  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Ford Co-Pilot360 
  • Trailer Tow Blind Spot Coverage
  • Pre-collision Assist
  • Cross-Traffic Alert
  • Safety Canopy airbag system

Competition
9.0/10

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab vs. 2021 RAM 2500 Regular Cab

When compared to each other, the F-250 has an advantage in almost every aspect that heavy-duty pickup trucks are compared against. Whether it be the pricing, engine performance, fuel economy, interior space, or cargo capacity, the F-250 certainly proves to be a better choice when compared to the RAM 2500 Regular Cab.

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab vs. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD gives a befitting competition to the Ford F-250 in every possible way. But the F-250 feels a lot more solid in terms of build quality and has better driving dynamics and looks compared to the Silverado. The F-250 also offers a good amount of safety features that make it more appealing in the segment as opposed to the Silverado.

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab vs. 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are basically the same trucks but in different clothes. All the points mentioned earlier comparing the Ford F-250 and the Chevy Silverado apply to the GMC Sierra as well and the F-250 seems to be a really good choice between the two if you want value for money.

Final Verdict
8.2/10

The new Ford F-250 SuperDuty Regular Cab might be one of the basic iterations of the famed F-250 lineup, but it truly lives up to the performance expectations and practicality that one expects from a heavy-duty pickup truck.

It offers practicality, utilitarian features as well as an excellent towing capacity and payload capacity that makes it one of the highly recommended trucks in its segment. The F-250 proves to be a great value for money possession if you are looking for a heavy-duty pickup truck with a Regular Cab configuration.

Trims

    XL
    $34,230 onwards
    • 4.2-Inch center display screen
    • Fordpass Connect
    • Manual-Folding mirrors
    • One USB-C port
    • Vinyl floor covering and upholstery
    XLT
    $39,095 onwards
    • 8-Inch touchscreen display
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Cloth upholstery
    • Heated exterior mirrors
    • Two USB-C ports
    Lariat
    $47,210 onwards
    • Engine: 6.2L 8cyl RWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 385 hp @ 5750 rpm hp
    • Torque: 430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    King Ranch
    $58,095 onwards
    • Engine: 6.2L 8cyl RWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 385 hp @ 5750 rpm hp
    • Torque: 430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Platinum
    $65,515 onwards
    • Engine: 6.2L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 385 hp @ 5750 rpm hp
    • Torque: 430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Limited
    $84,190 onwards
    • Engine: 6.7L 8cyl 4WD 10AM
    • Horsepower: 475 hp @ 2600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 1050 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$36,500- $65,700

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.87

Horsepower

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

3

Read Review

$35,745- $87,375

Gasoline

7.82

385 hp @ 5750 rpm

430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

3

Read Review

$29,290- $74,600

Gasoline

8.03

395 hp @ 5750 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$29,300- $64,195

Gasoline

7.48

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

Read Review

$35,300- $63,300

Gasoline

7.67

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$37,100- $67,500

Gasoline

8.26

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$35,900- $65,100

Gasoline

7.98

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$30,100- $61,190

Gasoline

8.1

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

Read Review

$34,095- $66,335

Gasoline

7.62

370 hp @ 2800 rpm

429 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$35,795- $67,885

Gasoline

7.66

410 hp @ 5600 rpm

429 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

-

Read Review

2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6 sec14.5 sec-
    6.2 sec14.8 sec-
    6.5 sec--
    6.6 sec15.2 sec-
    6.9 sec--
    2021 RAM 2500

    Ranked #6

    7.2 sec15.3 sec-

    2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      20 mpg24 mpg21 mpg23 gal.460/552 mi.
      15 mpg21 mpg17 mpg28 gal.448/588 mi.
      20 mpg21 mpg17 mpg28.3 gal.448/588 mi.
      ---36 gal.-
      2021 RAM 3500

      Ranked #3

      ---32 gal.- -
      ---36 gal.-

      2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        235.5 in.81.75 in.80.9 in.11.2 in.141.6 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.79.94 in.10.2 in.141.55 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.79.94 in.10.2 in.141.55 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.80.94 in.11.2 in.141.55 in.
        2021 RAM 2500

        Ranked #2

        232 in.79.4 in.80.2 in.13.1 in.140.5 in.
        2021 RAM 3500

        Ranked #2

        232 in.79.4 in.79.5 in.13.3 in.140 in.

        2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          83.5 cu.ft.-137.4 cu.ft.
          11.6 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.44.1 cu.ft.
          89.1 cu.ft.-89.1 cu.ft.
          83.5 cu.ft.119.7 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.
          8.8 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.62.3 cu.ft.
          89.1 cu.ft.39.8 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.

          2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            89.1 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            2021 RAM 3500

            Ranked #2

            ---98 ft.
            61 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.61 cu.ft.79 ft.
            76.3 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            137.4 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.137.4 cu.ft.98 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.62.3 cu.ft.79 ft.

            2021 Ford F-250 SuperDuty vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Gooseneck/5th Wheel Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              22800 lbs.13100 lbs.4160 lbs.5877 lbs.
              21500 lbs.17200 lbs.4481 lbs.6339 lbs.
              2021 RAM 2500

              Ranked #3

              19990 lbs.14540 lbs.3690 lbs.6307 lbs.
              18510 lbs.17370 lbs.3857 lbs.5924 lbs.
              18510 lbs.17370 lbs.3857 lbs.5914 lbs.
              14500 lbs.17200 lbs.4421 lbs.6329 lbs.

              Top Ford Cars

              2021 Ford F-150 Raptor

              Horsepower : 450 hp @ 5000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 5.81 sec

              #1

              2021 Ford F-150

              Horsepower : 395 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #2

              2021 Ford Expedition

              Horsepower : 375 hp @ 5000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 5.9 sec

              #3

              2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 318 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 6.7 sec

              #4

              2021 Ford Mustang

              Horsepower : 310 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 4.9 sec

              #5

              2021 Ford Bronco

              Horsepower : 300 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7 sec

              #6

              2021 Ford Explorer

              Horsepower : 300 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 5.9 sec

              #7

              2021 Ford Ranger

              Horsepower : 270 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 6 sec

              #8

              2021 Ford Edge

              Horsepower : 250 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 7 sec

              #9

              2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 6250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 41 mpg

              0-60 : 8.9 sec

              #10