Buying a Luxury F-150 Without Having to Pay Lariat Prices

Adding custom leather to an F-150, with heated & cooled seats, is easy with Katzkin Automotive Leather and will save you thousands.

Full disclosure: this is a paid, sponsored post.

When I was a kid, trucks were tools. Simple interiors. Bench seats. Long beds. No frills, no fuss. But today trucks like the Ford F-150 SuperCrew have become the ultimate all-in-one vehicle for work, family, and weekend adventures. But there’s a BIG problem. If you want a luxury F-150 — something with heated and cooled leather seats — the CHEAPEAST SuperCrew option from Ford runs a staggering $60,020 for a no-option F-150 Lariat. And, of course, goes up from there.

Ouch.

But wouldn’t it be great if you could enjoy a touch of luxury without breaking the bank? Soft leather seating. Heated and cooled seats. Something comfortable and easy to maintain. Thanks to our friends over at Katzkin Automotive Leather, you can actually enjoy a premium Lariat-style interior (or better) in an XL or XLT trim F-150 while saving literally THOUSANDS.

Here’s How It Works

First, let’s point out the obvious. Katzkin leather interiors are NOT seat covers. They are replacement, factory-fit leather upholstery that matches and often exceeds OEM quality. Plus, they sell a heated and cooling option.

The first step: head over to Katzkin.com to enter your vehicle information and select your color options. There, you fill out a little form with your preferences, email address, and, of course, your location. (Or you can call them directly at  1.877.811.8840).

Katzkin then puts you in touch with a member of its nationwide installer network to arrange for installation. Why? Because this isn’t a DIY process; specially-trained craftsmen remove the cloth seats from your F-150, disassemble everything down to foam and frame, and then reinstall the new high-grade leather while keeping an eye on OEM safety, airbag, and OCS systems.

Once installed by an in-network dealer, Katzkin includes a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty to guarantee product and workmanship.

Pricing

Katzkin pricing for an F-150 SuperCrew starts at $1,795. That includes factory-grade leather (and stitching) in a standard color for both the front and back seats. If you had something like an Expedition with a third row, plan to spend an extra $300. And if you’re looking to fancy-up a one-row Regular Cab, those orders are quoted on a job-by-job basis.

For custom colors, contrast stitching, perforations, logos, etc., pricing starts at $2,095 and varies based on complexity and materials used. And, for heated and cooled seats, Katzkin has an in-house system they call Degreez. A typical front-row (passenger and driver) system costs $1,495 installed. Rear heating and cooling are available for some models, but are a touch more on the complex side, so a little rare. Still, not impossible.

Estimated Savings vs Buying a Lariat

With all of the engine and drivetrain options, not to mention features and packages, comparing and contrasting F-150 prices between trim levels can be a chore. So, to demonstrate how much folks will save by skipping the Lariat and upgrading an XL or XLT interior with Katzkin Automotive Leather, we used the Ford Build-and-Price configurator and spec’d each hypothetical F-150 SuperCrew with the same 2.7L EcoBoost engine and 4×2 drivetrain to keep things as fair as possible. (All prices are Ford-quoted MSRPs, including destination and delivery.)

Here’s how it breaks down —

• $60,020: F-150 Lariat SuperCrew
• $57,295: F-150 XLT High-Package + Katzkin factory leather & Degreez heated and cooled front seats
• $56,365: F-150 XLT Mid-Package + Sport Appearance Package + Katzkin factory leather & Degreez heated and cooled front seats
• $54,570: F-150 XLT Mid-Package + Katzkin factory leather & Degreez heated and cooled front seats
• $50,775: F-150 XL + STX Appearance Package + Katzkin factory leather & Degreez heated and cooled front seats

That’s right, you can enjoy one of the main benefits of Lariat while saving almost $10,000 in the process. And, of course, if you don’t need heated and cooled seats, or the 2.7L EcoBoost engine, you can save even more.

And, to be fair to Ford, the Lariat package isn’t just about leather seats. It also includes a digital gauge cluster, the larger 12″ SYNC 4 touchscreen, pushbutton start, dual-zone climate control, zone lighting, and more. Still, if you don’t need all of that extra tech — for example, I’d argue the analog gauge cluster is superior to the digital one — you can save a lot of money and still enjoy one of life’s many finer comforts in the process.

For more information, head over to Katzkin.com for details and options.

Photos & Videos: Katzkin Automotive Leather

Michael S. Palmer

Michael S. Palmer began his career assisting and developing content for Academy Award-winning and studio-based film and television producers. He has been a professional writer since 2008, when he joined the Writers Guild of America West (WGAw). As a journalist and Content Editor/Manager, he has covered numerous emerging imaging, theatrical exhibition, home entertainment, and automotive technologies. He currently spends his days creating original content at the Internet Brands Automotive Group for some of the world's largest online automotive communities, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, CorvetteForum, ClubLexus, AudiWorld, and LS1Tech. He still owns his first car, a 1987 Mercury Cougar; adores driving his Boss 302 Mustang; and recently teamed with Chevrolet Performance, Holley, Magnaflow, Eaton, Wilwood, Michelin, Chemical Guys, and Summit Racing to build his first project car. Installing an LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system into a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon made his eight-passenger wagon faster than a C5 Corvette to 60mph and 50 state emissions legal. His wife and daughter are very patient.