When looking for a Ford F-150 for sale, it can be difficult to ascertain what you need, want, and afford. Instead of letting your research take you down unimportant rabbit holes or through pages and pages of forums talking about details you haven’t even considered, why not look at what Ford sales numbers say?
According to Ford’s records, their most popular F-150 models are the XLT and the Lariat, the Lariat being the higher trim. The XLT is a step up from the XL and can be a good choice for those with a lower budget, but if you want a vehicle that functions even better than the XLT in multiple settings, gets good gas mileage, and has plenty of standard features, then you’ll want to take a closer look at the F-150 Lariat.
Unlike the XLT, the Lariat comes standard with Ford’s 12-inch touchscreen that not only includes the usual voice recognition and navigation, it also provides you with a digital owner’s manual that can help you avoid multiple trips to the shop for repairs, as well as a library of how-to videos. With so much knowledge available at your fingertips, plenty of safety features, bed/cabin configurations, and multiple options for customization, it’s easy to see why this is one of Ford’s best-selling models.
The Highest MPG Rating Among Current F-150 Models
Among the eight current F-150 models, the Lariat comes out on top when measuring fuel efficiency by the standard engine choice. The Lariat’s 2.7L EcoBoost V6 gives drivers 20 MPG in the city, and 26 MPG on the highway, which allows for fewer fueling stops and more money in your wallet. Paired with an automatic, ten-speed transmission, the EcoBoost is powerful, flexible, and capable of performing in a variety of conditions, whether you’re dealing with rougher road terrain, inclement weather, or evening traffic.
You can, of course, elect to switch out the 2.7L EcoBoost for the 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6, which will net you 25 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, but if you’re not one for sitting at the car charger for an hour or two, then the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is still the way to go. Another option is the gas tank size; you can choose a 23 or 26-gallon tank, and if you get the hybrid engine-and-motor combo, you can opt for the 30.6-gallon tank.
Of course, if you keep the original gas engine, the 36-gallon tank is an available option. Also standard on the Lariat is Ford’s Auto Start-Stop Technology, a useful tool that conserves fuel by shutting the engine when you come to a stop, then opening the engine back up as soon as you take your foot off the brake. It’s a truck that not only gets good gas mileage but it also conserves fuel.
Loaded With Standard Features
While buying a lower trim level makes sense for some, it will come as no surprise that the Lariat, while on the lower end of the pricing spectrum, still comes packed with features because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your creature comforts to save a few bucks. As far as the interior of the cabin goes, the Lariat comes standard with the following features: ambient lighting, the aforementioned 12-inch digital infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, power-adjustable pedals with memory, a 12V power point, heated and ventilated front seats, delayed accessory power, and fade-to-off interior lighting, and more.
No matter the weather, you and your passengers will be comfortable thanks to the dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control and the heated and ventilated front seats. Is the sun too bright, or do you need a little extra light? The Lariat has you covered with its ambient lighting and fade-to-off interior lighting. Want to finish listening to that song on the radio but need to turn your truck off at the gas station? You can still roll the window down and listen for a short while due to the delayed accessory power feature.
Technology-wise, the Lariat is packed with so many standard features it’s impossible to list them all. Notable features include intelligent access with push-button start, a lane-keeping system, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, cruise control, post-collision braking, a reverse sensing system, a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, curve control, and both a perimeter theft alarm and SecuriLock passive anti-theft system. You’ll have help backing up, driving with a trailer, and pre-and-post-collision safety precautions, ensuring that the Lariat is looking out for you, no matter where your journey takes you.
Other notable features include SiriusXM with 360L, which caters to your tastes and preferences in music, podcasts, and news, the Ford SYNC 4 software with enhanced voice recognition, and the FordPass Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Staying connected is not a problem when you’re behind the wheel of this exceptional truck.
A Happy Medium Between Base and Top Trim Levels
While the Lariat is nearer to the lower end of the trim levels, it has quite a few features that would be considered lux or high-end on many other brands’ pickup models. It serves as a happy medium, functioning at a higher level than the base trims while also being listed at a price more affordable for an array of drivers. It makes sense that people would be drawn to the Lariat; those who have always wanted a truck or looking to replace their old model should seriously consider this trim as their next truck.
Being in a middle-of-the-road spot (apart from actual driving, where most often you’re told to stay in your lane), the Lariat has the best of both worlds; a reasonable price with plenty of features to make even the pickiest truck driver happy. You won’t have to struggle to decide between trucks with features you won’t use. The practical and luxurious features on the Lariat are meant to be just that; practical yet luxurious, perfect for the driver who appreciates the finer things but doesn’t mind getting a little dirty now and then.
When you step into the Lariat, you’re stepping into your own private oasis. Everything adjusts to you and provides you with an atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the ride. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. You can get behind the wheel of a Lariat now and feel the difference from previous trucks you’ve driven.
Experience One of the Most Popular Trucks and One of Its Most Popular Trims
Taking all of this information into consideration, it’s no wonder people have fallen in love with not only the F-150 but the Lariat trim. Stuffed with a multitude of technology, safety, and other features, the pickup is clearly one of the best deals you’ll find out there. Ford’s trucks are, as we know, built tough, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also have a little refinement. It truly is the little things that make the biggest difference.
The care that Ford takes with each of its vehicles has kept the brand at the top of the automotive game for over a century. The Lariat’s attention to detail is a boon not granted to every driver, which is why it is recommended that before you make your final decision regarding a truck purchase, you find a Lariat to look over and perhaps take for a short test drive. We don’t think you’ll want to drive anything else after that.
