There are only a handful of vehicles on planet Earth that are more capable, practical, and desirable than Ford’s legendary F-150. Though the American manufacturer offers many variants of their flagship pickup truck, the Platinum and Lariat trim levels have constantly been the top sellers of the range. Having trouble picking between the Ford F-150 Platinum vs Lariat? Then, you have come to the right place!
Today, we’ll take a closer look at both the F-150 Lariat and Platinum and tell you all about what sets these two models apart. When you reach the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which F-150 trim level suits you the most.
When it comes to the differences between the Ford F-150 Platinum and Lariat, the engine, gearbox, and paint are areas where we can identify some major differences. Ensure that you pay close attention to all these factors before choosing the trim level on your brand-new Ford F-150.
History of The Ford F-150
We cannot talk about different F-150 trim levels before taking a look at the history of the truck itself. In this section, we’ll do just that!
Here’s a fun fact – in the beginning, America’s trucks weren’t even called “F-150.” Instead, they went by the name “F-Series Bonus Built” and first came to the market soon after the Second World War came to an end.
The second generation soon followed in 1953 and introduced automatic transmissions to the range. Some now-familiar names like the F250 and F350 also made their debuts with this generation, but there was no sign of the F-150 – yet!
1959’s third generation F-series introduced four-wheel drive as a factory option, while 1961’s fourth generation revamped the truck’s suspension system to make it more comfortable. Ford released the first crew cab variants of the F-series in 1965.
The fifth generation of the Ford F-series was produced between 1967 – 1972. It had several visual cues that have since become synonymous with the F-150, like the brand name spelled on the hood in block letters.
Finally, the “F-150” nameplate made its first appearance on the 1975 sixth generation of the pickup truck. It rapidly became the best-selling model of the range, surpassing even the F-100 model.
Stepping into the 1980s, the F-150 took on a more blocky design synonymous with vehicles of that era. With this seventh-generation model, Ford took a more serious approach to the aerodynamics front. The 173,000 sales in 1980 act as evidence to prove that this approach paid off in spades! The long-running F-100 nameplate finally came to an end with this generation.
Since then, there have been 7 more generations of this pickup, bringing the total up to 14. Throughout these years, the F-150 has undergone significant changes, evolving into the rugged yet comfortable pickup we all know and love today. One of the most significant changes happened back in 2015 when the F-150 shifted to a fully aluminum body construction.
Now that you are up to speed on this legendary pickup truck’s history, let us dive into the comparison between Ford F-150 Platinum vs. Lariat trim levels.
F-150 Platinum
The Platinum is one of the highest-specced F-150 trim levels money can buy. And with a starting price of $64,695 for the 2023 model, it is one of the most expensive F-150 trim levels too!
The 2023 F-150 Platinum comes with a 5.0-liter V8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard. Other engine options on offer include the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the hybrid-equipped PowerBoost V6.
Being on the higher end of the F-150 range, the Platinum comes well equipped on the features front as well. Inside the F-150 Platinum, you’ll find the Ford Co-Piolet360 system that gives a whole host of driver-aids. On the rear, you’ll find a Class IV trailer hitch, hinting at the truck’s towing prowess.
The wood trim and accents in the interior are a unique feature of the Platinum that sets it apart from its siblings. Some other convenience features which come as standard include a 12-inch screen, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic braking.
Similar to other modern F-150s, the Platinum can comfortably seat 5 adults. The front memory seats offer 10-way power adjustability. On top of that, the lumbar support on both the front and rear seats is sure to make long-distance journeys in the F-150 Platinum more comfortable than ever.
F-150 Lariat
Now, we’ll shift our attention toward the F-150 Lariat. Powered by the reliable 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, the regular cab Lariat comes with a 23-gallon fuel tank as standard. It has the same 10-speed transmission as the more expensive Platinum, equipped with Ford’s SelectShift technology.
The F-150 Lariat has skid plates on the transfer case, fuel tank, and front differential, which is sure the please off-road enthusiasts. This pickup is not lacking on the comfort front too – with dual-zone climate control, cruise control, pre & post-collision breaking, and the 12-inch productivity screen coming as standard.
This variant of the F-150 is well-equipped on the entertainment front as well! The voice recognition equipped SYNC4 system makes controlling the variety of features easier, while the 4G LTE hotspot is sure to keep the kids entertained.
Worried about safety? The 2023 F-150 Lariet has got you covered! Front, side, and curtain airbags come as standard, as does curve control and Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control system. If you do get into some trouble, the SOS crash alert system will make sure the authorities are alerted immediately.
Common Differences Between Ford F-150 Platinum vs. Lariat
When comparing the Ford F-150 Platinum vs. Lariat, there are several areas where we can identify some clear differences. Want to learn about them? Then, follow along!
Here are some places where the F-150 Platinum differs from its Lariat counterpart.
- Engine
- Towing Capability
- Exterior Looks
- Fuel Efficiency
- Price
Engine
Let’s start off by comparing the hearts of the F-150 trim levels in question. Look under the hood of the F-150 Platinum, and you’ll find a massive 5.0-liter V8 making 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
On the other hand, the standard engine option of the Lariat is a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. Rest assured, this engine is no slouch, either. It is capable of producing 325 horsepower along with 400 lb-ft torque.
On top of the horsepower advantage, the Platinum’s V8 engine also comes equipped with Ford’s Variable Displacement technology. This allows the engine to intelligently shut down half of its cylinders, resulting in better fuel economy.
Although other optional engines are also available, the Platinum is the one to get for buyers looking for the most power right out of the gate.
Towing Capability
If you are someone who tows heavy loads frequently, you might want to spend the extra cash and get the Platinum. It is rated to tow 13,000 pounds, while the Lariat maxes out at 10,100 pounds.
Exterior Differences
There are several visual cues you can use to tell the Platinum and Lariat apart from each other. The Platinum comes with body-colored front and rear bumpers, while the ones on the Lariat are chrome plated.
You can see some visual differences between the two front grilles too. While the Lariat has black grille accents surrounded by black colored trim, the Platinum’s grille has chrome accents surrounded by satin chrome trim.
Another striking difference can be seen when you take a look at the wheels of the two trim levels. While the Lariat rides on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, Platinum owners get to enjoy 20-inch polished aluminum rims on each corner. However, the wheel pockets on both models are magnetically painted to give them a higher-quality finish.
Fuel Efficiency
Being a full-sized pickup truck, no one expects Ford F-150s to be very fuel efficient. Yet, when we compare the Ford F-150 Platinum vs. Lariat, some differences can be seen in this aspect too.
Thanks in part to its smaller engine, the Lariat has the upper hand on the fuel economy front. The EPA estimated fuel consumption stands at 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, for a combined rating of 22 MPG.
On the other hand, the Platinum gets a slightly lower 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, for achieving a combined overall rating of 20 MPG.
So, if you want to go for an F-150 but are still concerned with fuel economy, the Lariat is clearly the better option of the two.
Price
Finally, we have come to the biggest difference that sets the F-150 Lariat and Platinum apart – price. As we mentioned earlier, the F-150 Platinum is the more expensive option of the two, coming in at $64,695. On the other hand, you can pick up a brand new 2023 F-150 Lariat for a base price of $57,480. However, keep in mind that the prices may vary depending on your location and optional extras.
So, there you have it! A comparison of the Ford F-150 Platinum vs Lariat. Remember to consider all these factors before picking one trim level over the other.
Related articles:
Common Ford F250 Intermittent Starting Problems
