A quick glance may lead Penticton drivers to assume the 2020 F-250 and its Ram competitor feature identical safety features, and that’s true… to an extent. These trucks do share similar technologies. The trim levels at which they offer them, however, are quite different.
Ford connects consumers to exceptional safety on its base level model: the XL. Ram, comparatively, requires several trim upgrades before the same features appear. This demands extra costs to achieve what should be standard.
Among the XL’s available systems are:
Blind-Spot Monitoring: integrated sensors pair with wide-angle lenses to ensure maximum support, with a coverage distance of up to 33-feet yielding full cross-traffic control.
Automatic Emergency Braking: front-mounted radar scanners observe the road, intuitively identifying potential concerns and applying ABS pressure as needed to avoid a collision. This function offers precise speed regulation.
Pre-Collision Warnings: audio and visual alerts are provided to the driver if the F-250 detects a possible issue (such as an approaching vehicle or pedestrian). This affords more time to respond and greatly reduces the chance of a crash.
Lane-Keeping Assistance: the F-250 studies both trajectory and road patterns, automatically detecting when the truck begins to drift into the wrong path. Warnings are then given, allowing the operator to correct the alignment.
These features - in addition to roll-fold side-curtain airbags, a tailgate-mounted rear view camera, and child tethers - can all be found on the XL. The Ram instead requires an upgrade.
The Winner: The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty