Sometimes you need a tough pickup truck, and sometimes you need a REALLY tough pickup truck.

If you're in the second group and need to get down to business, that's when a vehicle like the 2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty come into play as a serious option.

I recently got to test out a 2015 F-250 Super Duty and I'm back with a full report.

LOOKS
This is a large machine with a unique look that's all its own among pickup trucks. (it has its own frame and body, but does share a powertrain with the F-150).
It looks like what it is -- a large, menacing, powerful vehicle. There’s a distinctive chrome grille and a sturdy build all around. You definitely make good use of the step up into this vehicle, which rides quite high.
The interior did get an upgraded look and feel -- lots of storage space/cup holders, etc. and plenty of room in the back seat.

Depending what trim level you go with, your interior setup will vary widely. Base models will feel very much like a work truck, but if you go into upper trim levels it feels like a very nice luxury family vehicle inside the cab -- a luxury family vehicle that just happens to be very tough and can haul up to 15 tons plus of weight, depending on configuration.

ENGINE, PERFORMANCE
My test vehicle had a 6.2-liter gas engine that produces 385 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. A new option for 2015 is a 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel engine option -- capable of producing 440 hp and 860 lb.-ft. of torque.

Translation: This vehicle is meant for heavy towing/heavy hauling, and picks up where the F-150 can’t hang anymore. A fully loaded F-450 Super Duty tops out at 31,200 pounds of towing -- this is best in class; hard to argue with those numbers. Numbers on the F-250 Super Duty with the Power Stroke Diesel engine are just under 17,000 pounds towing and payload of just over 4,000 pounds.

All Super Duty trucks come with a six-speed automatic transmission and offer both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations.

RIDE QUALITY, MPG
The Super Duty is a work truck and rides high and can be a bit jumpy at times, but surprisingly it feels pretty smooth most of the time.You’ll pretty quick off the stop light but it’s not a sports car. You’ve got a lot of weight to get moving so it takes a little longer. Once you’re going, it’s fast and smooth.

I was getting about 13 mpg during my time in the truck; but it will be less than that if you're doing heavy towing, probably closer to single digits.

TECH
The MyFordTouch setup is available for both 2015 Super Duty and 2015 F-150, so you can stay up with the latest in-car technology from Ford. The slimmed down tech package on my test vehicle had no big touchscreen, but there were still easy-to-figure-out controls on a basic setup that allowed access to Satellite Radio in addition to AM/FM.

You get the basic Sync system for Voice commands even if you don't upgrade to MyFordTouch.

There was a sort of backup camera on the Super Duty I tested -- with the view behind popping up in the left side of the rearview mirror. Not quite an 8-inch screen, but it's still helpful. MyFordTouch upgrades will get you a large touchscreen.

OPTIONS, SAFETY FEATURES
My test vehicle included the following options

-- XLT value package includes fog lamps, LCD productivity screen, advanced security group, adjustable gas/brake pedal, reverse vehicle aid sensor, 6-way power seat for the driver ($1,345)
-- Free Sirius satellite for six months, then you have to pay to keep it
-- Skid plates ($100)
-- Power sliding rear window ($405)
-- Upfitter switches ($125)
-- Rearview camera ($540)
-- Tailgate step ($375)
-- Tough bed spray in bedline ($475)
-- No charge for: Engine block heater; Backglass defrost; Spare tire and wheel; 12.5K Trailer hitch

Other features notes
-- The large double side mirrors are helpful to avoid problems on the road, and they fold in if you come up to a tight space and need to get through
-- Hill start assist is standard. Inside you have a trailer brake controller and trailer sway control.
-- My test vehicle had no lane departure warning or blind spot warning features offered.

TARGET AUDIENCE, BOTTOM LINE
If you've got a lot of heavy towing and otherwise extreme work to do, and you need one of the toughest vehicles on the market, this 2015 Ford Super Duty is aimed squarely at you.

Obviously that number is small and most people won't need a workhorse like this, and a standard F-150 will do even if they want a work truck.

But for those who do need to go the extra mile, the Ford F250 Super Duty’s offerings are quite impressive and has few competitors that can put up a fight (Ram 2500 and Silverado 2500 are the main competitors for Ford’s Super Duty, and are also worth considering).

Matt Myftiu can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu; Follow @autotechreview on Twitter for all the latest content.