2012 Ford F250 XL V8

Ford's medium-duty F-250 carries over for 2012 mostly unchanged. After receiving an in-house designed 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 last year, the 2012 Ford F-250 truck adds an optional compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas preparation package to F-250s equipped with the 6.2-liter gasoline V-8. Also available for 2012 on the F-250 is a new factory-warranty-backed gooseneck hitch for F-250's equipped with the 6.8 foot bed.




The Ford F-250 continues to be offered with three cab configurations, two bed lengths, two engine choices, and two drivetrain options. Buyers have the chance to opt for a Regular Cab, Crew Cab, and Super Cab, with either a 6.8-foot bed, or an 8-foot bed. Engine options are nowhere near as expansive as the F-150; buyers are limited to a 6.2-liter V-8 producing 385 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, or a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 producing 400 hp and a massive 800 lb-ft of torque. All F-250s are available with the choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.




The interior of the F-250 ranges from the no-frills vinyl-covered worker's special F-250 XT, to lavishly upholstered with leather in the top-of-the-line F-250 King Ranch. Towing capacity ranges from 12,200 lbs for the F-250 Super Cab 4x4 with the 6.2-liter V-8, to 14,000 lbs for the F-250 Super Cab 4x2 or 4x4 with the 6.7-liter diesel. Maximum fifth-wheel weight ranges from 11,900 lbs for the F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 with the 6.2-liter V-8, and 16,700 lbs for the F-250 Regular Cab 4x2 with the diesel V-8.




Not much is new for 2012. Ford has added a factory-backed gooseneck hitch for F-250s with 6.8-foot beds. Ford says that it is the first factory-installed and warranted fifth-wheel/gooseneck system on a full-size heavy duty truck. Ford has also made available a compressed natural gas and liquid propane gas preparation package for the 6.2-liter V-8, allowing the F-250 to be run cheaply, and greenly.




Taking cues from Ford's Super Chief Concept from a few years back, the Ford F-250's Tonka-esque exterior looks like it means business. The F-250's grille uses two thick, solid horizontal bars in either black or chrome depending on trim level. All grilles sport a huge 13-inch-wide Ford blue oval right dead center. The F-250's hood is notable for its power dome, which was designed to allow clearance for the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 when it was added to the lineup last year.




Overall we found the Ford F-250's interior to be a rather pleasant place to be. On our First Drive of the F-250 King Ranch, we found that although it still rode like a truck, that overall the ride was both comfortable, and quiet. We also found the King Ranch's leather seats to be comfortable on the long haul, but without luring the driver into a deep sleep. We also found the driver's information screen logical and easy to use.




The last F-250 we tested was a 400-hp 6.7-liter turbodiesel V-8 King Ranch, with 800 lb-ft of torque. That F-250 took 8.3 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill empty. With a 2000 lb payload, the turbodiesel F-250 took only 9.2 seconds to top 60 mph. That same F-250 stopped from 60 mph in 152 feet with an empty bed, and in 158 feet with 2000 lbs of cargo. An F-250 Lariat with the 385-hp 6.2-liter V-8 with 405 lb-ft of torque, took 8.3 seconds to hit 60 mph and needed 140 feet to stop from 60 mph. Towing capacity varies; the minimum capacity is 12,200 lbs on the 6.2-liter equipped Super Cab 4x4, and the maximum capacity is 14,000 lbs for diesel equipped Super Cab 4x2 and 4x4s. Maximum fifth-wheel weight ranges from 11,900 lbs for gas-powered Crew Cab 4x4s, to 16,700 lbs for the diesel-powered Regular Cab 4x2s.




The 2012 Ford F-250 comes standard with AdvanceTrac traction control and roll stability control to prevent the top-heavy truck from flipping. Surely to win favors among those who use their F-250s to tow, all come standard with Ford's Trailer sway control which works to prevent trailer sway and the lock up of the trailer's brakes. To help tow heavy loads up steep grades, all F-250s also comes standard with hill start assist to prevent rollback and a potential accident.