Which Ford Diesel Truck Is Best for You?

December 11th, 2020 by

A white 2017 Ford F-350 used Ford diesel truck is towing a large horse trailer in front of a mountain.

Modern diesel engines are more capable than ever; they also get better fuel economy and will last for a very long time. In fact, it is not uncommon to have a diesel truck exceed 250,000 miles with very few issues. Diesel engines are also being designed with increased payload capacities, increased towing capabilities, and increased horsepower. In addition, diesel engines are utilized in heavy-duty trucks that are quite luxurious on the inside and easy to drive. These are just a few reasons why people are becoming more and more intrigued by diesel-powered Ford trucks. But you might wonder which Ford diesel truck is best for me? Fair question. Here is a list of used Ford diesel trucks that could be the perfect fit for your needs.

There are several advantages diesel engines have over gasoline engines. For example, diesel engines produce more torque, which is a key factor in towing and payload capacity. In addition, diesel engines are naturally more efficient than gasoline engines, which means fewer trips to the gas station without compromising performance. Also, diesel engines are more durable than gas engines and thus have a longer life with fewer problems.

2017 Ford F-350 Diesel

There are plenty of good reasons why the 2017 Ford Super Duty won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award. All you need to know is that victory in this category was achieved by clearly beating and exceeding tough criteria put forth by the judges. Actually, according to Motor Trend, there are three reasons the Ford Super Duty won the award, efficiency, design, and performance. When you have a truck that exceeds these qualities, you bet you have a winner.

In 2017, Ford decided it was time to completely redesign the Super Duty, and that turned out to be a brilliant move. The new Ford truck featured aluminum body panels, which reduced weight to increase gas mileage without compromising towing or payload capacity. The Powerstroke Diesel engine is a hauling and towing champion with an impressive 440 hp and a whopping 925 lb-ft of torque. That allows this truck to pull a trailer weighting up to 32,500 lbs – not bad for a four-year-old truck.

Heavy-duty trucks are wonderful tools when you need to haul heavy stuff or tow huge amounts of weight. So it might seem a bit out of place to have comfortable seats, a fancy infotainment system, and oodles of luxury items right at your fingertips, but the era of the modern work truck is upon us, and the line of Ford Super Duty trucks leads the pack.

A blue 2018 Ford F-150 diesel is shown from the front driving on a highway.

2018 Ford F-150 Diesel

The 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel is powered by a 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 that delivers 250 hp. Just as impressive is the gas mileage; at 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, it marks the highest ever for a light-duty pickup truck. Nicer still is the fact that you don’t sacrifice towing capacity for good gas mileage. The 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel has a maximum towing capacity of 11,400 lbs, which is quite impressive considering this is technically a light-duty truck.

The truck also offers expansive driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. These are all upgrades from previous model years. You might be a bit surprised at how comfortable you feel sitting in a used Ford F-150; it’s kind of like driving while sitting in your favorite chair. You might even be tempted to lean back and actually enjoy a nice long drive.

Slide behind the wheel, sit back in comfort, and listen to the trademark diesel growl as you turn the key; let off the gas, and you can hardly hear the engine running. One might tend to think a diesel truck such as the Ford F-150 is best suited for work applications, and you would be right – the F-150 is a workhorse, and any contractor or other type of worker would be proud to own one. However, this truck isn’t all about towing and transporting heavy stuff; it is also perfectly suited for driving the family on weekend errands or to the lake for a nature outing.

A closeup shows the side Powerstroke diesel badging on a blue 2019 Ford F-250.

2019 Ford F-250 Diesel

The 2019 Ford F-250 Diesel pickup truck is a heavy-duty, full-size truck that frequently competes with the Chevy Silverado and the Ram 2500. It is smaller than it’s big brother, the Ford F-350, and bigger than its little brother, the Ford F-150. In terms of what that means, it all depends on what you are looking for in a diesel truck.

Perhaps you have heard the story about Goldilocks and the three bears. Goldilocks breaks into the bears’ home, steals their food, and makes a mess of their bedroom, not to mention that she breaks a few things as well. Anyway, everything she chooses is “just right,” which is why if this fictional character were to exist, she would definitely drive a Ford F-250. It’s not too big or too small – it’s just right.

Now, let’s not just assume that because the F-250 is considered a work truck that it is the stereotypical rough and tough diesel truck. In many ways, just the opposite holds true. In reading reviews of the interior, “plush” is a word you will see quite often. Even with the diesel engine, the cab remains a roomy space that is as quiet as it is comfortable. Even if the front seat passenger adjusts the seat back, there is still plenty of room to wiggle in the back seat. Higher trim level interiors can be best described as luxurious, and you might feel a little bad dragging mud or dirt into it.

The engineers at Ford did a fine job ensuring the 2019 Ford F-250 was a modern masterpiece; there are a large number of infotainment and other technological offerings that make this quite a usable truck. Whether you are grinding through a tough workday or cruising down the road on a family road trip, the voice-activated controls are responsive, and the infotainment system is easy to use.

You might be a little surprised by the power and capability that the 2019 Ford F-250 possesses. The 6.7-liter Powerstroke turbo diesel provides 450 hp and 935 lb-ft of torque, punch it too hard, and it will knock the plaque off of your teeth. Yeah, this used diesel truck has that much of a kick. You might wonder how well a truck this size handles, but it actually handles quite well. And thanks to the adaptive steering system, the truck also maneuvers with ease. The Ford F-250 might be a work truck at heart, but it handles more like a sports car. Well, a sports car that can tow up to 18,500 lbs, that is.

Drive Off in a Ford Diesel from DePaula Ford

You might not think it matters which Ford dealership you visit for your used Ford diesel truck, but it does; it matters more than you think. The staff at DePaula Ford has one thing in mind, a dedication to ensuring you have a great experience when buying a new or used vehicle. Whether you are looking to purchase a new or used pickup truck, SUV, crossover, or car, our service department works diligently to make sure that your car-buying task is pleasant and delightful.

Our Ford dealership offers an expansive lineup of new and used vehicles in the models and styles that matter to you. There is something for everybody at DePaula Ford in Albany. And your exceptional buying experience does not end when you drive off of the lot. Our Ford Service Center is staffed with certified technicians and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure comprehensive maintenance and repairs. Stop by today and see why DePaula Ford is the talk of the town.