I’m debating between a 2021 XLT Premium and a Lariat Value. The biggest difference is climate control, but I haven’t been able to test drive either truck long enough to get a full understanding of how well each one works. Does anyone regret getting one climate system over the other? Does the Lariat climate control allow each front seat fan control, or only temperature? We noticed there didn’t seem to be a mechanical means to block airflow out of each vent in a Lariat we tested yesterday but I’m not sure if we missed it.

 

Although my initial answer would be YES, I thought about it for a moment. I live in Houston. Its hot usually. My ac stays on Max cold, and I usually adjust fan speed up and down to change the flow speed but my temp is on LO all the time. Except for a few days a year when it’s colder and I turn on the heat. I rarely use the auto function to set it to , for example 72. So I guess if I didn’t have it, I would miss it much.

 

One of the main reason I went to value over xlt on the next truck. Wife and I are 180 different on that part. Makes for better road trips for sure lol

 

We had a 2017 XLT. The HVAC worked, but manually adjusting the temperature **** while driving is distracting, IMHO, and the battle between the “sunny side” and the “shady side” finally got old.

Our 2019 Lariat has the electronic HVAC. The driver- and passenger side thermostats work well, but there’s just one fan. IIRC, the dash vents can close off most airflow. We typically set the AC to AUTO mode and 72°F / 72°F, and we’re quite comfy.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

I’ve owned several XLTs and Lariats. I currently own a F150 XLT and a F350 Lariat. The Lariat automatic AC wins hands down. I’m always messing with the fan speed and temp on the XLT and rarely touch any AC controls on the Lariat.

My wife really likes the Lariat dual temp settings.

The Lariat AC control is like your house. Just set the temp on the thermostat and forget it. Worst case if your too cold or hot turn temp dial 1-2 degrees and your done. With the XLT I’m constantly messing with fan speed and temp. As others have said it’s distracting.

You can shut off the vents by closing the louvers. To close the louvers just slide the air directional lever completely to the right.

I think if Ford included automatic AC in a XLT they would loose many Lariat sales. I think the XLT cloth seats are more comfortable than the Lariat Leather seats. The leather gets hot in the summer heat and cold in the winter cold.

 

Flip side from the others... No

It is mainly just me in the truck so I'm only dealing with what I like. I'm also used to the Electric car fiddling trying to keep the windows clear of fogging certain times of the year. And also if you use the auto setting you use too much battery. So different beast.
There has to be a difference other then that. I have the Premium pkg on the XLT.

 

The auto climate control is convenient.

If you typically drive with a passenger that prefers a different temperature (hotter or cooler) than you, and the passenger is your significant other, it could be essential.

 

Thanks all, for context I’m in New England and would drive with wife and baby. It sounds like it works just like any other automatic HVAC, I just wanted to check and make sure there weren’t any major problems/bugs people noticed. There are other differences between Value Lariat and XLT Premium but it’s hard to justify the ~$4000 increase...

 

I can tell you what is worth it down here in S. Florida besides the Auto Climate, Auto Windshield Wipers!!! My new truck doesn't have it and boy do I miss that!!!

 

Exactly. My wife and I wouldn’t buy a vehicle without dual climate mode. Saves a ton of arguments.

 

This is exactly why I had to go to a Lariat. Short drives are one thing, but hours being uncomfortable are over.

 

I've had both systems.

Automatic us great, set it and forget it.

Manual is reliable and not a big deal to adjust.

If you're married like me, the dual temperature option on the automatic system is worth the price of admission.

 

My wife and I have similar preference on temp so not a big deal either way for us, especially when you get used to the manual settings and what you prefer there is less "fiddling". We do have some older cars with climate control and when they start acting up they can be difficult to troubleshoot so I do prefer manual control on something that I will be keeping long term for maintenance reasons. Whats funny is my wife never uses the auto climate function in her car, everytime I get in it, its on manual override lol.

 

I came out of a 2018 150 Platinum into my current 250 XLT with premium package. I prefer the auto climate control than the regular. I do not daily drive this truck since I have another car for dd, but if you could get auto climate in an xlt, I would do it. Just my preference. Hate having to change the manual temp and fan speed.. Although, the heated seats do make up the difference somewhat.

 

Went through exact same dilemma last year, even posted here to gather opinions to help me decide. Once I decided on XLT premium vs. Lariat value, I realized there is similar dollar difference between XL/STX and XLT premium. Went with loaded STX and couldn't be happier.

For one, we found the cloth seats more comfortable than leather seats in Lariat. We both had auto climate in our cars for years, so that seemed to be the major obstacle going down to manual control. If it was just me, I would prefer auto climate control. Set it and forget it. Well, not for my wife. On long trips, with dual mode auto, she would constantly fiddle with temperature controls to the point neither one of us was comfortable. Since she was always colder, she would fiddle with the vents, pointing them away, then turning control **** all the way to high, which caused my side to blow like crazy, which made it so loud the radio volume had to go up, which caused her headache and on and on. Whenever I got into her car, the climate was always set on manual. Go figure.

So when we shopped for truck, her condition was that as long as vents on her side can be fully closed, she doesn't care whether it's auto or manual climate system. We have had the truck for a year now, and long road trips are finally comfortable for both of us, after all these years! I have full control over climate settings, and she just does her usual opening, moving and closing the vents. Works really well, much better than auto system! I have to admit I was very hesitant going down this road at first, but living with manual controls for a year now, it really is a non-issue to occasionally change temperature or speed dial.