So I’ll admit that I purchased the King Ranch trim because at my age and career status I felt I deserve to pamper myself a little …

There are four items that I felt were probably just bells and whistles that now I’d not want to be without

1). Adaptive cruise control.- I had no idea before having this how often on the freeway I have to manually override my cruise. Makes freeway driving so much more pleasant.

2). Automatic high and low beam - at least in my truck it works absolutely flawlessly. I drive our other vehicle now not equipped and I’m constantly forgetting to dim my headlights.

3). Hill start assist - Shift to drive on a steep grade and you’ll never want to be without it again.

4). Massage seats - almost embarrassed with my country boys to even admit I have them for the ribbing I would take….. but just between us they are fabulous. And bonus, the wife LOVES them!

So anyway, I really thought these things would be more show than function but they are some of my favorite features of the truck.

 

As I get older and shorter rides stove me up more I understand how massage seats could be useful.

I agree on the ad cruise, but not the auto beams. They simply don't work well enough when your on old country roads with curves and elevation changes.

 

My Lariat doesn't have the massaging seats but I agree 100% with the rest of your list. I'll add one - powered running boards. I had the factory units on my F-150 and thought they were a gimmick until my elderly parents went to get in the truck. This truck is SIGNIFICANTLY taller than the F-150 so they are even more beneficial now, plus they tuck up and out of the way for decent ground clearance when I am off-roading.

I do live out in the country with winding roads and lots of elevation changes and my auto high beams work flawlessly too. I'm amazed at how quickly the truck detects an oncoming vehicle and dims them.

 

+1 on the powered running boards. Ordered them for my wife but I use them all the time. And factory installed for 1/2 the price of AMP steps.

 

Agree and really like all the above items also on my 2021 F350 have to add heated steering wheel to things I didnt think I need but now its like I always will have these !

 

yep…. The heated steering wheel, as it’s getting colder, is something I’m really going to appreciate.

 

I love pulling the lever to release the parking brake.....I dont like the GM style where you step on the parking brake pedal to release it.
the 8 ft bed, the 48 gallon tank, the upfitters, moon roof and 7.3L motor. ( that was 4 things right? )

 

The auto high/low feature seems to be a hit or miss... like others experience, on winding, hilly, dark backroads,(especially if it's foggy or rainy) they don't always get it right and there is a lot of back and forth on it, however, on mostly straight roads they are great! I don't have the other things on the list... but some things I do love:

1. Cruise control! I didn't have this on the car I was driving, so it's nice to finally have just cruise. And based on others driving habits, Im glad it's regular cruise...
2. Power windows. Another option I didn't have on my previous car. It's so nice not to have to stretch across the seats to roll down the window by hand on the other side of the vehicle! lol...
3. Running boards. Just the regular, but extended boards. These trucks are so tall, it should be a crime for them to not have running boards!
4. Cloth seats with lumbar support. I have never been a fan of leather... especially the vented leather seats. Crud gets inside all the little holes and I never felt like just wiping it off really cleaned it. Cloth can also be dirty, but a quick shampoo will get them good and clean, plus, they aren't super hot in the summer time, or cold in the winter time. But the lumbar support is nice for the lower back on long trips!
5. Rear view camera. I'll admit here, I wanted the 360 cameras but removed the package because it was holding up orders at one time. So, I only ended up with the single rear view camera. I still turn my head to see behind me, but the camera really is helpful!

So far I really have enjoyed my truck! Just wish they wren't so ridiculously priced!

 

Biden’s electric Hummer he test drove this week lists at about 108k……. We’re going to see auto prices just keep rising I think…. Electric autos are certainly not less expensive…..

 

I am glad Ford makes these trucks in various trim packages so we can got a vehicle packaged as we want or that we can afford. I went with XLT trim to get the cruise control and heated seats. I do like having the backup camera when I am backing up to the trailer.

 

Really? Because when I'm driving uphill, and I meet opposing traffic, coming up the other side of the hill, and we meet at the top of the hill, after my headlights temporarily blind him, then they switch to low beam. I consider that "not working as well as my manual use", and fairly dangerous too. My eyes can see the light pointing up as they come up over the hill, but my car doesn't detect the light until it gets hit with it. Are you saying yours does better?

The same thing happens going downhill too. The auto-beams don't see light ahead that's pointed down, until it's right head on. That's not very effective imo.

My wife's jeep is the same. But Ford must have the market cornered on light technology I guess.

 

does your adaptive cruise do stop and go? Or does it disengage below a certain speed? I’m thinking about adding it to my 22

 

I like the Auto High Beams but like mentioned above, they don’t always switch off quickly enough on my back roads and make me feel like an *** blasting my brights at other motorists, so I don’t use it. Auto Low Beams is always a welcome feature.

Also mentioned above, the two items I’d add to your list are Heated Steering Wheel and Auto Running Boards.

I originally wanted a KR but my better half vetoed the interior so I went with Platinum.

Mike

 

while only a '19 ultimate lariat package the 4 previously thought "fluff options" are very useful

heated/cooled seats and heated steering wheel - heat is nice when cold, cooled seats work well in the south where it is hot most of the time
remote start-
upfitter switches - all 6 are used
onboard wifi- after almost 2 yrs of no need to use, it allowed wife to get work education requirements done on laptop while on travel days on cross country camping trip.

now i have used all the options the truck was equipped with, and 2 are still "fluff options" marginially useful at best.
tailgate step - too high to be useful

 

Do the Auto High Beams actually work ok in FORD?. in my Tacoma, it was more of a pita because when the high beams reflected off certain things they would turn on and off. I see them being good in like back road driving where its really really dark but in a lot of conditions i found it to be more hassle.