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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular Cab

Overview

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2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular 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

#7

out of 49

Horsepower

#43

out of 46

Consumer Ratings

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.2 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular 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 F350 Super Duty Regular Cab

2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular 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 F350 Super Duty Regular Cab Details

2012 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular 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 F350 Super Duty Regular 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 F350 Super Duty Regular 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 F350 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 145 Ratings for the 2008 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.2/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

8.9/10

Handling problems 5th wheel trailer and wind

By Dumbguy (OR) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "engine"

Cons: "stability very bad in winds"

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

"I went from a 06 F-350 diesel 82,000 miles to 2013 F-350 diesel just for 5th wheel RV towing. Also truck came with the Ford 5th wheel hitch. Very poor stability pulling trailer in any wind and trucks or full size SUV's passing. Never had any stability problems with the 06, just turbo after 47,000 miles. The only help so far from Ford was help going from Continental to Michelin tires. Did not help the ride."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Totally great truck.

By Raven (MI) on Thursday, May 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Quiet, powerful, good mpg."

Cons: "DEF level display is a little inaccurate."

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

"I'm on my 4th pickup since 1993, 2nd slide-in camper and 3rd 5th wheel. This diesel will pull anything up any mountain with power to spare. It's as quiet as a gas engine and has given me 12.5 mpg loaded. The DPF functions without any driver interference and is never noticeable. Be aware that the regular cab diesel has a smaller fuel tank. The 11,500 lb GVWR option is recommended. No problems of any kind."

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Love the truck except the DPF system

By dieselpwr (PA) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Tons of power, rugged yet smooth ride, heated seat"

Cons: "DPF system lowers overall fuel eco"

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

"I purchased this after leasing 3 F-150 PU's. I love the truck except the DPF system, it uses fuel to regenerate. 'Drive to clean exhaust system' often appears near the end of a commute, this causes wasted fuel and excessive mileage to clean the DPF. The truck is very comfortable consider it is a 1 ton truck; the more payload, the smoother the ride. I had over 4,000 lbs. in the bed and the truck handled it fine, power was not lost and the brakes were more than capable of stopping the truck. I'm not big on Ford cars, but I will be buried in a Ford truck. I highly recommend any Ford Super Duty, however I would insist on the diesel engine. If you want to pull a tree out of tow your house this is the truck for you."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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2008 F350 Crewcab SRW 60K Miles

By Threebars (WI) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 61,415

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "pulls well, nice ride"

Cons: "major mechanical problems, fuel mileage"

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

"Only have about 61000 miles. In the last 9 months the radiator has been replaced. Cracked Torque Converter, Rear engine seal leak, front transfer case leaking. It pulls my goose neck down the road, but compared to past Fords this is a not a good ford truck. The radiator was not covered under warranty at 43K. The Torque converter just under 60K. Thank god a younger brother talked me into a extended warranty after the radiator. My problems aren't unique, friends have dad similar problems radiator and engine oil leaks"

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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2012 F350 XL 4x4 6.7L SRW review

By Jesse (IL) on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Pulls great very good on fuel for a 1 ton truck"

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

"I am a ford guy but had not purchased any thing since the 7.3l powerstroke. This truck does about the same as my old powerstroke truck on fuel 15 in town and 18-19 on highway if I keep it near the speed limit. Towing a trailer I am afraid it is going to pull the neck out of my trailer wow the power is very impressive yes MPG is lower when pulling but still better than expected. Vinyl seats with fold down arm rest are nice no one even notices they are not what I remembered in old work trucks. Getting XL allowed me to get a aftermarket radio and rearview camera much cheaper than XLT package. It has power window locks cruise and keyless entry. Fords gooseneck work great. Electric locking axle has already paid for its self. Don't drive one you will buy it."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best truck iv owned.

By Dsxstar (IN) on Wednesday, December 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,100

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Good gas mileage. Great power."

Cons: "None yet.."

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

"Iv owned a 05 f250 diesel. This 2012 is impressive. I had my 05 chipped and a few other things done and this new truck pulls a lot better. I get a lot better gas mileage with the new truck too."

7 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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