As a Ford dealership, we’re big fans of everything the Ford lineup has to offer, including what we consider to be some of the most impressive trucks on the road. Although we are certainly biased in this regard, a brief glance at Ford’s trucks is all it takes to appreciate what they have on display. Nothing makes that clearer than some of the latest additions to the legendary Super Duty family.
The 2026 Ford F-250 is a powerful and rugged full-size truck designed for people who need more muscle than the light-duty F-150 offers. One great thing about the F-250 is that it offers a wide range of options to meet all your needs, but this can also make it challenging to ensure you don’t overlook anything. Today, we’re going to take you through what’s available for this pickup and help you determine which features are right for you.
Four Powerful Engine Options to Choose From
When examining a full-size truck like this, there’s really no better place to start than with the engines, since so much depends on them. Without the right engine, nothing else really matters, so you’ll want to start here and consider the kind of power and performance you want from your truck. Ford offers four different engines for the 2026 F-250, starting with a 6.8L V8 gas engine that provides 405 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. If you want enhanced power, there’s a 7.3L V8 engine that delivers 430 hp and 485 lb-ft of torque. Although this is not a massive difference, it still adds up when considering performance.
You also have a couple of options for a diesel engine as well, starting with a 6.7L Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 engine that provides 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. If you need more power from your truck, you can choose a High Output (HO) version of this diesel engine, which boosts performance to 500 hp and an impressive 1,200 lb-ft of torque. All four engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and responsive drive. Additionally, you can choose between two-wheel and four-wheel drive to achieve the performance you want. Your choice of engine directly impacts how much towing you can do, with each one offering different maximum gooseneck towing:
- 6.8L V8 Gas – 17, 300 lbs
- 7.3L V8 Gas – 19,500 lbs
- Turbo Diesel – 22,900 lbs
- HO Turbo Diesel – 23,000 lbs
Please note that these numbers represent maximums, based on proper setup and equipment. Different configurations and trim levels can significantly impact the towing capacity of your Ford F-250, so it’s essential to take a comprehensive approach. However, since your choice of engine has such a significant impact on towing, it’s essential to know the weight you need to haul behind your truck before selecting a powertrain.
Five Configurations to Meet Your Needs
When determining the features you want in your truck, the engine is a great place to start, but it’s equally helpful to consider the amount of space you need in your pickup. Ford offers three options for cab size, along with two bed sizes, resulting in five different configurations for the 2026 F-250. When considering cab size, you start with a Regular Cab, which offers one row of seating, making it a great choice if you prefer a compact interior. This cab is available with an eight-foot-two-inch bed that gives you 78.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume to utilize.
If you want more room inside your truck, then you have two additional options, starting with a Super Cab that features two rows of seating, allowing you to take advantage of the extra space. The Super Cab is available with either a six-foot-eight-inch bed that gives you 65.4 cu.ft. of cargo space or the eight-foot bed that you can get with the Regular Cab. Finally, there’s the available Crew Cab, which also features two rows of seating but is larger overall, providing a more spacious interior. This model is also available with either bed length. We suggest considering how many passengers you often need to transport and the length of items you typically load into your truck’s box before deciding on the right configuration for you.
Customize Your Truck With Five Great Trim Levels
Potentially the most challenging decision you’ll need to make is which trim level is right for you. Fortunately, Ford doesn’t overwhelm you with a dozen options, but you still have five different trims to choose from, and there are some significant differences between them. Here’s a quick look at what each one offers, but remember, there are a lot more details to consider:
- F-250 XL – As the starting model, the XL comes standard with the 6.8L V8 gas engine, although the other three engines are also available. You get standard 17-inch wheels, black front and rear bumpers, halogen exterior lighting, and a standard tailgate. Inside, the XL has an eight-inch infotainment system, a 4.2-inch productivity screen, and vinyl seating.
- F-250 XLT – Moving up to the XLT gets you a lot of similar features, though there are some upgrades and more options. Standard exterior features on the XLT include 18-inch wheels, chrome bumpers, a power-lock tailgate, and a bright chrome grille. On the inside, this model features cloth seating and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with optional upgrades including heated seating, remote start functionality, and off-road-friendly adjustments with Ford’s Tremor Off-Road package.
- F-250 Lariat – The Lariat trim is a great option to consider if you want sophisticated upgrades both inside and out. On the outside, this model comes standard with features like LED reflector headlamps, LED fog lamps, and LED box lighting, complemented by chrome exterior details. Inside, you’ll find a larger 12-inch infotainment system, a 12-inch LCD productivity screen, an eight-speaker B&O sound system, ActiveX-trimmed seating, and more.
- F-250 King Ranch – If you’re looking for enhanced performance and more great features, then this is a good one to start with. The King Ranch comes standard with a 7.3L V8 engine, 20-inch wheels, body-color exterior details, and a Power Tailgate with Remote Release, including a Tailgate Step, a Tailgate Down Camera, and Rear Park Aid Sensors. Inside, you’ll find special King Ranch styling throughout, along with a head-up display, leather seating, and Ford Telematics to help optimize productivity on the road.
- F-250 Platinum – Finally, the Platinum is the ultimate expression of the F-250. This model comes equipped with a 7.2L V8 gas engine, 20-inch wheels, PowerScope trailer mirrors, and power-deployable running boards that make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle. On the inside, you can enjoy features like a heated, power-tilting leather-wrapped steering wheel, a unique Head-Up Display on the windshield, a 14-speaker B&O Unleashed sound system, refined leather seating, and much more to enjoy.
As you can see, transitioning from one trim to another can significantly impact the performance you receive, the exterior details your truck will feature, and the cabin features you can enjoy. Aside from ensuring you get a truck with sufficient towing and payload capacity for your daily needs, choosing the right trim level is probably the most crucial decision you have to make. Please remember that we’re happy to answer any questions you have about the features of these models. We can also show them to you in person to help you decide on the right one.
Enjoy Everything the Ford F-250 Has to Offer
No matter what you’re looking for in a powerful and sophisticated full-size truck, there’s a 2026 Ford F-250 built to deliver it all. The options you have make it easy to ensure you get everything you need without missing a thing, but they’re not excessive or so numerous that they become overwhelming. This is something that Ford does well, and you can see it on various models throughout their lineup. The result is a truck that suits your needs, whether that’s a rugged and simple work truck or a refined option that functions as a mobile office as you move from one jobsite to another. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s an F-250 that delivers it!
