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2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab

Overview

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2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

Not only does the full-size heavy-duty pickup truck business continue to thrive, it is the last remaining vehicle category solely controlled by the domestic Big Three. To this end, the 2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty has only three opponents: the Chevrolet Silverado HD/GMC Sierra HD twins, and the Ram 2500/3500. Not to say that the Super Duty has it easy, especially when it comes to bragging rights for the most torque or highest tow ratings. While the new Ram seems to be ahead of the pack (as least as far as towing and horsepower go), the differences are not miles apart, and the Ford Super Duty series can more than pull its own weight in every category. If you want a cool truck for light work and play, get a nice F-150 or Ram 1500. But, if you have real work to do, the kind that gets you and your truck dirty from head to bumper, then a 2012 Ford Super Duty is what you'll want to be driving.

You'll Like This Car If...

All the big HD trucks can tow and haul heavy loads, and the Super Duty is no exception. But, beyond its workhorse credentials the 2012 Ford Super Duty offers an impressive array of comfort and technology features aimed at maximizing efficiency on the open road and at the job site.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for the image a big, tough pickup truck conveys, but you're not moving anything heavier than the occasional sofa or some dirt bikes, you'll be just fine with a nice half-ton like the F-150.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.8
Driving Dynamics

6.2
Comfort & Convenience

8.4
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.0
Value

8.0
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#11

out of 65

Horsepower

#42

out of 61

5-Year Cost

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Consumer Rating

8.1 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

The 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel gets a bump up in horsepower and torque, and a gooseneck hitch is now available on 6.75-foot box.

Driving the F250 Super Duty Crew Cab

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Truck owners know that after horsepower and torque, a truck's body strength is its most important feature, which is why Ford has given the 2012 Super Duty the stiffest chassis...

the company has ever produced. Featuring fully boxed front frame rails, and thick C-channel frame rails and crossmembers, the Super Duty's rigid frame helps it avoid flexing and twisting as well as improving towing ability. A few days in the Texas outback revealed a truck that is stable, sturdy and easy to drive. The cabin is quiet, the steering firm and direct, and the brakes strong. When equipped with the PowerStroke diesel engine, the 2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty can tow up to 17,500 pounds with a conventional hitch, and 24,500 pounds with a fifth wheel.

Favorite Features

Favorite Features
King Ranch Trim
Constituting both interior (Chaparral leather) and exterior (PowerScope mirrors) upgrades, the King Ranch enhances over-the-road comfort with material, workmanship and appointment upgrades, adding immeasurably to the Super Duty's attractiveness. And, unlike some luxury pickups, there's no intention of appealing – overtly – to the Country Club set; this remains a work truck and not a work-in-progress.

Power Stroke Diesel
Ford's latest 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel is a true dynamo, with torque and towing figures near the top of its class.

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Details

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Although the 2012 Ford Super Duty is all about working hard, you wouldn't know it from the truck's interior. XLT and Lariat trims are very nice indeed, with plush covering for the seats and door panels, plenty of upscale trim on the dash and a number of comfort and convenience upgrades. The King Ranch package pushes the Super Duty's cab into the realm of Lincoln-like luxury, offering an interior so inviting you'll probably have your mud-covered work crew hitching a ride in the truck's long bed. For those who understand that the nature of their work is going to trash the truck's interior no matter how well it's put together, Ford builds the base XL truck with a pretty Spartan interior that can take a beating and cleans up easily.

Exterior

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab photo

You'd have to be half blind or 50 yards away to mistake the 2012 Ford Super Duty for any other truck, but just to be 100-percent certain, Ford stamps "SUPER DUTY" in huge capital letters across the truck's massive 3-bar chrome grille. The Super Duty's grille is not just for show; it serves as the air inlet for the truck's engine and transmission cooling units as well as the intercooler on the turbocharged diesel models. Remember, the cooler its moving parts stay, the better the Super Duty performs. It will probably live a lot longer, too. Other useful exterior features include available telescoping side trailer mirrors, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and a host of bed add-ons.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Ford knows truck owners are an independent bunch, so they've installed a front step bumper to make under-hood checks a bit easier to perform. Around back, the 2012 Ford Super Duty trucks include a hitch receiver matched to each model's capabilities as well as 7- and 4-pin connectors. On the safety front, every Super Cab includes Ford's Safety Canopy System with front-side and side-curtain airbags. Also standard is AdvanceTrac traction and stability control that includes trailer sway control and Roll Stability Control.

Optional Equipment

Those intending to tow with their 2012 Ford Super Duty truck will appreciate Ford's factory-installed TowCommand System. The system fully integrates the trailer brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS), TorqShift automatic transmission and tow/haul mode into one safe, capable towing platform. Functional enhancements include a foldable bed extender, which improves load utility when in place and stays out of the way when not needed, and a spray-in bedliner. Accessing the bed is made easier – and safer – by the why-didn't-they-think-of-this-before tailgate step option. And for those venturing off into the Great Unknown, an optional navigation system should get you there and – we hope – back again. Upscale options for 2012 include available heated/cooling 10-way power-operated front seats and lockable under-seat storage.

Under the Hood

2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab Engine photo

Ford offers two new engine choices for work, play or any combination of the two. The base powerplant is the new 6.2-liter gasoline V8 that features an iron block and aluminum heads, and is also E85 compatible. Those needing more power can opt for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel that infuses the Super Duty with both "tow" and "go" capability. Both engines are teamed to a heavy-duty TorqShift 6-speed automatic featuring Ford's SelectShift manual shift control. Super Duty trucks with the diesel engine can be fitted with Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO). This setup allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as a snowplow, a truck lift or cement mixer any time the engine is running.

6.2.-liter V8
385 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.7-liter V8 Turbo Diesel
400 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
800 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

Pricing Notes

Regardless of budget, Ford builds a 2012 Super Duty model to fit it. At a base price that starts around $30,000 the 2-wheel-drive F-250 Regular Cab will serve most fleet and commercial needs, while the diesel-powered Crew Cab F-450 in the XL trim level has a base price of about $50,000 (the diesel adds nearly $8,000). Depending upon trim and options, a loaded Super Duty F450 can top out at well over $70,000. The pricing of a 2012 Ford Super Duty is fully competitive with what Chevrolet and Ram are marketing for the 2012 model year. To get your best price, be sure to check our Fair Purchase Price that shows what others in your area paid for their trucks. As far as resale values, Ford's residuals trump both those of Chevrolet and Dodge when compared over time.

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2012 Ford F250 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.1

Out of 10

Based on 9 Ratings for the 2011 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

7.8/10

Quality

8.3/10
Reliability

8.2/10

Performance

7.9/10
Comfort

8.2/10

Styling

8.2/10

Great for working and plowing during the winter.

By the bro (ME) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great amount of room, great price(worth it)"

Cons: "not so good gas milage but its a work truck"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I can hall huge loads around, which is needed for my work. The interior design is pretty awesome for a truck. Ford made this truck pretty sick and i lifted it and added some custom things to make it sick but ford amazed me this time. If you want a great truck then pick Ford."

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It's all I have ever wanted in a truck

By RDL (AR) on Monday, April 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,250

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Handles great for such a big truck."

Cons: "Very expensive initial cost & maintence"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I've had this F250 for almost 3 years and have been very happy with its performance, style and comfort. The only problem is some wind noise that the dealer has not been able to resolve but is still working on. I bought this truck hoping it would be the last truck I ever buy (I'm 63 and have been buying a new F150 every 3 to 5 years) and I believe it will outlast me. It has met every expectation and more. The fuel mileage is exceptional for such a big truck (18 mpg average)."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Bad fuel mileage for a diesel!

By engarcia950 (NM) on Saturday, April 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 28,227

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Great Power for rated towing capacity"

Cons: "BAD fuel mileage, turbo failure at 15,000 miles"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"When I bought it, it was averaging 15.9 MPG and wasn't towing anything major (except an 800 mile round trip with a bumper pull flatbed gross trailer weight of 10,500lbs on the way back). Now its averaging 14.1 MPG and still not towing anything major!! Another thing that Ford screwed up on was the measly 26 gallon fuel tank! Very discouraged by this truck!! I only carry a measly 800lbs of tools and equipment in the bed to work and back!"

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Turbo problems

By Dan (AZ) on Sunday, March 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Great.... when it runs"

Cons: "Diesel is unreliable and overpriced!!!!!!!!!!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Trucks in and out of the shop for similar problems with the turbo. I've become afraid to drive the thing because something could break. Is that what you get with a $55,000 truck?"

7 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Best f series I have owned yet

By Kevin (WV) on Saturday, March 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Ford, comfortable, fuel efficient and powerfull"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned a 2003 f-250, 2005 f-250, 2008 f-250, and now this 2011 f-250, all diesel's and the 2011 is by far the most powerful and fuel efficient one I have owned. Love it."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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