Ford F-350 vs. Ford F-450: Two Super Duty Trucks Compared

Ford is a well-known American car brand, but perhaps they’re even better known for their trucks. The company makes many different ones, including the F-350 and F-450. These belong to the category sometimes described as “super duty.”

You can get the famous Ennis Ford service if you live close by and decide to shop for your next vehicle there. Ford F-350s and 450s are among the choices, and they might appeal if you have certain work or personal uses in mind.

Should you go with the F-350 or the 450, though? They both have admirers and features that set them apart. Let’s take a little time to talk about each one right now.

What Does “Super Duty” Mean?

Before we get into a more detailed breakdown of what both the Ford F-350 and the F-450 have to offer, let us define what “super duty” actually means. The term super duty refers to a special category of heavy-duty pickup truck. It was invented by Ford to describe the larger and more robust offerings they were putting on the market.

They are designed for more demanding towing and hauling jobs. It is therefore unusual for someone to buy one of these vehicles if they don’t plan to use it for work. You probably won’t see the average suburban resident who needs a functional, no-frills vehicle purchasing one.

Now, let us talk about what both the Ford F-350 and the 450 bring to the table.

The Exteriors  

Both the Ford F-350 and the 450 are likely to turn some heads because of their sheer size. These are both gargantuan trucks, with neither one likely to fit in your garage unless you have a very modern or custom-made one. Many owners must be content with keeping either model out in the driveway or parking it on the street for this reason.

The Ford F-350’s exterior is made of high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy. It’s durable, but also lightweight. The distinctive front grille might catch your eye. There are several bed lengths and cab styles from which you can choose.

The Ford F-450’s exterior looks perhaps even more impressive. It is made of high-strength aluminum alloy. That is precisely what is required for the types of outdoor jobs for which the 450 is normally used. You will also note the dual rear wheels if you are looking it over. These give it more towing capability and extra stability.

Speaking frankly, if you look at these two vehicles next to each other, the larger size and presence of the 450 is probably what you will notice first. While the 350 is anything but small, the 450 is wider and heavier. If you want a veritable tank that is going to be suitable for tackling just about any hauling or towing job while also giving you extraordinary stability, the 450 is probably going to be your go-to choice.

The Engine Options

If you want to look at the engine, you will see that the F-350 comes with a standard 6.2 L V8 gas version standard. However, if you want more power, you can custom-order one with 6.7 L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel. That gets you 475 horsepower and 1,050 feet of torque.

As for the 450, it comes with a 6.7 L Power Stroke V7 Turbo Diesel engine standard. That means you get with the 450 what you would have to special order with the 350.

If you are looking for maximum power, the more expensive version of the 350 matches what you get with the 450. However, if power is what you require more than anything else, probably going with the 450 to begin with makes more sense.

The Towing Capability

If you plan to do plenty of towing with your truck, then the 350 delivers a maximum payload of 35,750 lbs. That’s impressive, but the 450 has it beat. With the 450 you get 37,000 lbs maximum, which is virtually impossible to improve upon in this vehicle class.

The Interior

If you’re looking at the interior as a main selling point, both the 350 and 450 have plenty to offer in this department as well. With the 350 you can get a spacious cabin that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard. You can also get one with leather seats, though that will cost you a little bit more.

The 450 comes with everything we just mentioned, but you get even more with that model. You can purchase one with a larger infotainment screen, wood grain accents, and premium leather seating. The 450 is doubtless the more luxurious of the two, though neither is lacking.

The Price

The price difference between the two is likely the noticeable feature, though. You can get a brand-new 350 in most instances starting at about $36K, though that’s at one of the lower trim levels. The 450 starts at about $50K.

The price difference is due to the 450’s stronger chassis, higher payload capacity, and increased towing capability.

Which One is Better for Your Situation?

To put it as simply as possible, the Ford F-450 is larger and more rugged than the 350, and the price difference reflects that. The extra horsepower and luxury features you get with the 450 make it a titan of the super duty class, and Ford takes a lot of pride in this model.

That does not mean the 350 is any way a less worthy option. However, with a starting price of about $15K less, it’s probably only the individual who doesn’t mind dropping $50K, give or take, who is going to be shopping for the 450.

Consider what you plan to do with this vehicle if you are trying to decide between the two. If you have less to spend, the 350 is definitely the way to go, while if you have not only more money but some serious work to do with it, you might not mind spending the extra cash on a 450.