The Ford F-series makes up America’s best selling trucks. And the F-150 and F-250 are two of the flagship models. But are these two trucks really different, or are they just different by name? 

Let’s compare specs as we outline the differences in the F-150 versus F-250. 

Let’s state the obvious: Ford trucks are no shrinking violets. But across the F series, there are size differences. 

As MotorTrend puts it,  

“At the core the difference is simple, the F-150 is a light-duty, half-ton class truck while the Ford F-250 is a three-quarter ton, heavy-duty truck. More specifically, the F-250 has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 8,500 pounds, while the F-150 is under that government-specified threshold.” 

 
But in comparing the F-150 vs. F-250 further, additional differences come to light. 

For instance, in terms of wheelbase, the Ford F-150 ranges from 122.4 inches to 163.7 inches. Compare that with the F-250's average wheelbase range of 250.5 inches to 266.2 inches. 

The same difference can be noted in the F-150 vs F-250 body weight. The F-150 weighs in at 4,100 pounds. The four-wheel drive variant weighs about 5,100 pounds. Compare that to the F-250's bulky frame: 

• The single-cab, two-wheel drive, 6.2-liter V-8 weighs 5,677 pounds.
• The crew-cab, four-wheel drive, 6.7-liter Power Stroke model weighs a stunning 7,538 pounds. 

No matter how you slice it, the F-250 is a beefy boy indeed. When compared head-to-head, the F-250 has the higher specs every time. 

In terms of towing, the Ford F-250 is the truck for the job. That’s because it can handle up to a whopping 20,000 pounds. (“Super Duty” indeed). 

In contrast, the F-150 is thought of more as an around-town truck. It’s towing capacity of 13,200 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. But it simply can’t hold a candle to the heavy-duty F-250 in terms of size or capability.  

The Ford F-150 lineup is largely comprised on V-6 engines. Specifically: 

• 3.3-liter V-6
• 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6
• 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6
• 3.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel V-6
• And a high-output 3.5-liter V-6 on the F-150 Raptor 

Ford F-150 light-duty trucks do offer V-8 engines, including the standard 5.0 liter. But for that kind of consistent power, that is where the F-250 truly comes into play. 

The F-250 only comes in three engine configurations. But all are V-8 engines: 

• 6.2-liter V-8
• 7.3-liter gasoline V-8
• 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 

The main difference between F-150s versus F-250s is their intended use. An F-150 is a great all-around vehicle or family truck that can tow and haul plenty for many buyers. On the flip side, an F-250 is a true heavy duty truck in every sense of the word. It is at home on a construction site, hauling heavy goods, and handling other kinds of taxing work. 

You can probably surmise that these different engine types yield different performance and fuel economy. When comparing F-150 vs F-250 gas mileage, the engine matters. It’s important to remember that lower power usually means greater fuel efficiency. 

As you can see, the Ford F-150 vs F-250 are different trucks meant for different use cases and different kinds of drivers. 

Lastly, we come down to price, which is where most drivers will notice a difference between the Ford 150 vs 250 pickup models. As of this writing, the two 2023 models feature wildly different MSRPs: 

• About $41,530 - $107,350 for the F-150 
• About $47,760 - $96,295 for the F-250 

Truly, when it comes to everything from specs to price, these two trucks couldn’t be different. One is a heavy duty pickup and the other is a light duty truck. But the good news is they are still, at their core, Ford trucks. And Ford trucks, regardless of the model, are synonymous with quality. 

At Oklahoma’s King of Trucks, we love pairing an F-150 or F-250 with a driver who is sure to get the most of it. Whether you prefer the F-250 vs F-150 is completely up to you. And at Seth Wadley, we don’t discriminate. 

Visit our showroom in Pauls Valley, OK to discover the pickup trucks of your dreams. Browse our inventory of new & used vehicles!