Hello everyone,
I am going to be buying a 2018 f-350 but I'm undecided on if I should buy a lariat or King Ranch, would you know what are the differences?
Thanks

 

We got a Lariat instead of a King Cab simply because we didn't like what Ford did with the leather color scheme in 2018. We gave up massaging seats and a moon roof (neither of which were originally on our wish-list anyway). Did't like the Platinum interior color either.

 

Aside from included options, the leather differences are one big thing, and the inability to get the 40/20/40 front seat in the KR and higher packages. Personally, I can't stand the ugly-*** leather in the KR, so I am going for a loaded Lariat. Problem is nobody has anything like that in stock. "accent-color bumper" and two-tone paint are also included. I also noticed that you can't get Magnetic paint on the KR, which is so weird.

 

 

Short answer; King Ranch has more stuff.

Longer answer; Ford's site is fairly comprehensive in breaking down the package differences and every detail will be there for you. You can also search for the '18 order guide which also details the differences. I found it easier to use the order guide to do my build dream sheet.

 

The leather color alone turns me off from a KR. You'll have to decide for yourself, but you can get a Lariat with 99% of the same options if desired.

 

There isn't much you can get on a King Ranch that is not available on the Lariat.
Really it's just a matter of if you want the King Ranch logo and interior.

Study the brochure and see what suits you best.

 

I completely agree. I think if you want some of the options that come standard on Lariat (I wanted factory leather) then it is good value when compared to the upper trims. You can add pretty much everything to the Lariat that you can to the KR, Platinum and Limited but the bonus is you don't have to. If you like the KR interior and badging that is one thing as it is very unique. Platinum and limited don't change a whole lot other than the interiors and grills and such. I have a loaded Lariat and really I want for nothing, actually there are a few options it came with that I wouldn't miss if I didn't have them, which tells me for what I spent I got as much (maybe actually a little more) truck than I need. Base Lariat with a few options that are important to you is hard to beat.

 

A King Ranch is special; a Lariat is just a nice truck. I've had both. While I'm not sure the King Ranch leather is actually any "better" than Lariat leather, it is a different color and there is more of it. The center console is covered with actual leather in the KR, not vinyl like in the Lariat. The dashboard and steering wheel are a brown color in the KR vs black in the Lariat. The wood trim on the doors is real (and nicer) in the KR, fake in the Lariat. There is more padding on the upper part of the rear doors in the KR vs the Lariat. Beyond that, there is standard equipment, and the exterior trim appearance. I prefer the standard tailgate style and not the bright applique, but I do like the full two-tone color scheme on the KR and the KR badges are nice.

The modern KR trucks do not age any faster on the inside than a Lariat truck, contrary to the above info. The original Super Duty King Ranches did have this problem when genuine cowboy leather was used; the new trucks are low maintenance cheaper leather.

 

The KR and Platinum leather just feels better. Test drive a Lariat and then a KR, the feel is just much better in the KR. Also, don't sleep on the massaging seats. If you do any sort of road trip driving they are worth it.

 

Yeah, I originally found that the King Ranch had everything I wanted, but then I went with the Platinum because I didn't want the King Ranch logo and interior. I'll get a couple of bells and whistles I didn't need with a truck I'll like the looks of a little better.

 

Thanks for all the input,
I think I will buy the lariat since I like the color better and I don't care about the badges, and it still has all the features I want, so I think it is the best option in my case.

 

 

When ordering my 2017 F250, LED headlights were a must-have for me, and the panoramic roof was a deal breaker. I read somewhere that the KR trim level was the only 2017 model with which one could get LEDs without the big hole in the roof. I'm also not a fan of chrome, so painted bumpers appeal to me (I can repair paint, but not chrome). And besides, a Lariat is kind of an everyday sort of truck ... I wanted something that stood out a bit.

 

There are a lot of people who complain about the paint chips in the front bumpers for models with painted bumpers, like the KR. Chrome is much harder than paint, will last longer, but doesn't appeal to everyone.
Some even order the KR, then pay for the chrome pkg to get rid of the painted bumpers.

I had painted bumpers on my 05 F250 Sport, rocks are not kind to painted front bumpers. Paint is considerably softer than chrome.

YMWV