Before I place an order, I'm somewhat torn between a Lariat and the XLT, specifically cloth seats vs leather. Had the chance for the first time today to check out a XLT at the nearby dealer, which was ordered with the captains chairs/center console and XLT premium package. I was impressed by the fit and finish of the cloth seats, as I was expecting something that looked and felt cheaper and less durable (I've had a Chevy and a Ram with cloth since my last Ford, And both left a lot to be desired in terms of seat durability and feel).

What's your preference and why? And how do current owners of each like them so far? I've seen some posts of people complaining about the Lariat leather seats in the 2017 trucks....don't know the particulars or how widespread.

I don't (and wouldn't) haul around a dog in the cab. I'm also pretty particular about keeping the truck clean inside and out.

It it appears you can basically load an XLT with most Lariat interior features-except leather and now the leather steering wheel.

 

I know there is a post about some things used to be available on xlt level that now aren't for instance adaptive cruise/driver assist package.

 

That's true-driver assist pkg is one I've seen is no longer available on the XLT. I'm not very interested in those particular options however. In terms of the radio and gauge display, mirrors, heated seats, captains chairs....one can have all of that on the XLT. If optioned correctly you could essentially get everything that comes standard on a Lariat, minus leather seating surfaces.

 

I have had several cloth seats and hate it. Hard to keep clean. I tend to get my pants dirty and then sit on the seat. Then because the cloth is knitted the grease or dirt gets down deep and very hard to get off. For this reason I have had leather in the last few trucks.
Now don't get me wrong, the cloth looks fine but the only way I would have it is to put seat covers over it. The leather wipes right off, well once I dropped part of a Kit Kat candy bar and ended up grinding it in the seat. It got in those little perforations where the heated and cooled air comes out- it was a bear to get out.

 

I ordered an XLT due to the fact I don't like leather seating. At all, but very much so in a truck.

Too many years in work trucks with vinyl seats I guess. But either way in my opinion it's cold in the winter, hot (sweaty) in the summer, and a constant worry or bother.

How many people buy the highest level of trim, and get leather seats, just because they want to say they can? Many buy seat covers right away to "save the seats for the next owner".

Most of my vehicles have leather seats as this is the only way they are sold. I don't care for it in any of them no matter how much I spent on the car.

Also, if you have cloth you don't need the heated or cooled seats.

In my 2009 SD CC, I have +/- 200,000 miles. The seats are the only things that still look like the day i picked it up. No rips, tears, cracks, and better than driving down the road in a Hans Wegner Wing Chair!

 

Nope...without the driver assist package, you can no longer get the same gauge cluster.

My two cents: the heated seats in the cloth truck get much hotter than the heated cooled seats in the leather trucks.

 

What does the gauge cluster look like on an xlt?

I've heard this in regards to the heated cloth seats. The lariat I looked at had the small holes throughout the bottom seat area, which I assume allows the cooling function to operate. My last Chevy had leather seats very similar and it certainly was a job to clean out those tiny holes if anything was spilled or smeared on the seating surface.

 

Very similar gauges, just with the smaller 4.2" color LCD display.

The perforation holes supply the heat and the cooling. It is warm or cool air that comes out.

 

I found vinyl seats hot and clammy in the summer. The leather does not have the same effect. Cloth seats can be scratchy through thin summer shirts and on the back of the legs in shorts. Leather can feel cold when first getting in but the heated seats take that away quickly. And the leather is very easy to clean compared to shampoo and vacuum needed on the cloth. Just my opinions and experience. I would never purchase another vehicle with cloth seats unless backed into a corner vehicle wise.

 

I drove an XLT for years and the cloth seats were fine. They got dirty and worn looking as anything would. I have also had vehicles with leather and simply like the look, feel and cleanability better. Leather wipes off easily when something is spilled. I think this is like so many other things on these trucks and has more to do with taste and personal preference.

 

If you are on the line between cloth and leather, compare the cloth seats in a 2016 Super Duty to those in the 2017...or, a 2014 F-150 compared to a 2015 F-150. One difference is that the 'new' cloth is better. It is a more canvas-like material

My 2016 F-350 was an XLT with cloth seats. Completely as comfortable as leather, I would take great effort to avoid dirt and stains. However, when the inevitable happens, running a side landscaping business, the Ford upholstery cleaner is second to none. The seats would come away looking brand new again.

From a purely 'looks' perspective, the leather looks nicer. I understand why people like the leather...I think it should be an option in the XLT trims.

As for vinyl vs leather, please understand the vinyl content in a Lariat leather seat is *very high.*

 

I think the vinyl seats in the 2017's look lights years better than the vinyl in the previous generations. Its actually one of the reasons I went with the XL. To me it was either get an XL or skip the XLT and get a Lariat, and the Lariat is more fluff than I wanted to pay for.

 

I would agree leather is easier to keep clean. I have cloth in my present truck and don't have a problem keeping it clean but I'm careful. I cover the seat if I'm dirty.
I decided to to treat myself to a Lariat this time. I do think they look a little nicer. I would be happy owning either.

 

Gotta dig all the different angles of opinions!

TG Ford has so many options.

I'll just be happy when the darn thing gets here!

 

I'm in a similar position, current truck has cloth (have had custom seat covers, Cordura type material, on since basically new) but I've had numerous trucks with leather.

Ford's cloth on the XLT captains chairs looks and feels nicer than what Ram and GM offer, in my opinion. For the SD I will order, I'm likely not going to do seat covers again, as I've repeatedly found that they tend to hold smells in if you aren't meticulous about removing them and washing them every month or so....smells meaning the takeout food you picked up on the way home or the smell from the jacket you had on when you were standing next to the fire pit, etc...starts to create this dirty odor that never totally leaves unless you're removing the covers and washing them regularly.

Still undecided on the XLT vs Lariat though...will have to try out the cooled seats and see if that's the deal maker/breaker. I know they are not impressive in my friends 2014 Platinum 350.