Lariat vs Platinum honest opinion

[flyct]

I went from a 2023 Lariat ER with Max Tow, power running boards etc to a 2024 Platinum with power running boards.

After 2 months of ownership here is my honest opinion of the “upgrade”

Lariat Pros:
Ride on my 23 Lariat was “smoother” and “softer” than the Platinum. Some of it is because of tires and some because of spring rate differences. I actually preferred the way the Lariat rode over the Platinum.

Actual Range on the Lariat was about 10% more than the Platinum. (EPA Published 330 vs 300 miles.)

Platinum Pros:
The only measurable advantage that the Platinum had over the Lariat was the Massaging Seats.

Blue Cruise 1.4, and Walk away Door Lock, Pro Power with truck turned off are other features that are on my 2024 Platinum that weren’t on my 2023 Lariat. Ford has stated these are supposed to be eventually upgraded via an OTA upgrade on previous year Lightnings. What can’t be upgraded is Heat Pump, but living here in Florida that’s not an issue.

Bottom line
So, was it worth it to replace my Lariat ER with a Platinum and would I do it again with what I now know? Probably not.

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[RickLightning]

Great info.

BlueCruise 1.4 and Walk Away Lock can be added with FDRS updates and FORScan. Don't know about the Pro Power with truck off as I haven't tried it.

 

[FastCote]

I have both a 22 larait SR and a 22 Platinum and I much prefer the platinum. Granted the Larait is a standard range, however there are several other features in the Platinum that the Larait lacks. Smart hitch, bed scales, a noticably better sound system, an upscale interior, and markedly better seats. The Larait seats felt worn out from day 1.

Forgot to mention the barn door sized sunroof, although I would give that up for more range, faster charging, etc

 

[Altivec]

When I was buying my truck, I had the dealer park a Lariat and Platinum side by side and allow me to go back and forth between them to compare. A couple of other things I noticed that you did not mention.

- Interior door panels in the platinum were leather with suede and real oak end details, seats were also a lot nicer looking.(besides it being massage seats).

- Sound system in the platinum was substantially better, especially when you crank it. Lariat got all distorted where the platinum was loud and clear.

- 3 Years of bluecruise as opposed to 3 month in the Lariat

When I bought they were blowing out the 23's and it was only a 7k CAN (5000US) difference. The nicer interior alone made me go with the platinum.

I am extremely happy that I went with the platinum because I can afford it, but your assessment is correct if you are going based on VALUE. I would go as far as to say, the lower the trim level you get on a lightning, the bigger the bang for your buck you're getting. The Pro trim really is the best value and you are actually getting some pretty nice goodies in there.

 

[Zaptor]

I have both a 22 larait SR and a 22 Platinum and I much prefer the platinum. Granted the Larait is a standard range, however there are several other features in the Platinum that the Larait lacks. Smart hitch, bed scales, a noticably better sound system, an upscale interior, and markedly better seats. The Larait seats felt worn out from day 1.

Forgot to mention the barn door sized sunroof, although I would give that up for more range, faster charging, etc

TBF though, much of this is because your SR Lariat lacks many of the ER Lariat features. My 2022 Lariat ER has the smart hitch, bed scales, and 'barn door sized sunroof'...
Cheers
Zap

 

[flyct]

I have both a 22 larait SR and a 22 Platinum and I much prefer the platinum. Granted the Larait is a standard range, however there are several other features in the Platinum that the Larait lacks. Smart hitch, bed scales, a noticably better sound system, an upscale interior, and markedly better seats. The Larait seats felt worn out from day 1.

Forgot to mention the barn door sized sunroof, although I would give that up for more range, faster charging, etc

Everyone has different needs and wants. We are blessed to live in a country where we can make these choices.

Fortunately or unfortunately the options of Smart Hitch, bed scales better sound system, while I understand have value to you, have little value to me. I don’t tow or carry heavy with the Lightning so the Smart Hitch and bed scales would be of little use to me. In the past, before going deaf in one ear and loosing 50% in the other better sound system would be usfull, but no longer..

We have 2. dogs that travel with us, so the rear seat has a dog cover on it all the time. I’m also concerned about blue jean dye transfer on the driver‘s light gray seat leather. The newly announced Black Leather seat option on 2025 is what I would order today.

If the sunroof were able to be deleted on an order that’s the way I would order it. My Platinum 450 and Lightning both have a sunroof and their shades are always closed. It’s a Florida Heat thing, it’s not a matter of being able to afford the options. I usually pay cash for my vehicles unless there is a zero% finance option.

 

[Henry Ford]

Actual Range on the Lariat was about 10% more than the Platinum. (EPA Published 330 vs 300 miles.)

Do you notice the difference? I've always wondered why the EPA numbers were different.

I've discussed it before, I had a theory the wheels were the biggest difference. I go back and forth between Lariat and Platinum wheels and can't tell the difference.

The only measurable advantage that the Platinum had over the Lariat was the Massaging Seats.

Pretty much. I like the Platinum interior a lot but it's definitely not a value proposition. The second owner of a Platinum will get a good deal.

 

[MountainAlive]

Interesting to hear the sound system is so much better in the platinum. I wonder if I can upgrade my lariat with platinum sound system parts.

 

[Stang68]

I’ve long wondered what the major difference is with the Platinum, being a Lariat owner with electric running boards and the sunroof. Always seemed like the seats were essentially it and that mostly is the case. A better sound system is always nice, though!

 

[roddiaz1]

Isn't the charging capability different between a 2023 ER and a 2024 models? Something about missing one inverter. What do I know.?
Thought the 2024 couldn't charge as quickly from our 80AMP home chargers. Is that not the case with the Platinum?

 

[RickLightning]

Isn't the charging capability different between a 2023 ER and a 2024 models? Something about missing one inverter. What do I know.?
Thought the 2024 couldn't charge as quickly from our 80AMP home chargers. Is that not the case with the Platinum?

2024s have a 48amp max unless a fleet order, where they can pick the 80amp max.

 

[Altivec]

Everyone has different needs and wants. We are blessed to live in a country where we can make these choices.

Fortunately or unfortunately the options of Smart Hitch, bed scales better sound system, while I understand have value to you, have little value to me. I don’t tow or carry heavy with the Lightning so the Smart Hitch and bed scales would be of little use to me. In the past, before going deaf in one ear and loosing 50% in the other better sound system would be usfull, but no longer..

We have 2. dogs that travel with us, so the rear seat has a dog cover on it all the time. I’m also concerned about blue jean dye transfer on the driver‘s light gray seat leather. The newly announced Black Leather seat option on 2025 is what I would order today.

If the sunroof were able to be deleted on an order that’s the way I would order it. My Platinum 450 and Lightning both have a sunroof and their shades are always closed. It’s a Florida Heat thing, it’s not a matter of being able to afford the options. I usually pay cash for my vehicles unless there is a zero% finance option.

You are completely correct when you say features and options are subjective. To me a nice interior, great sound system, and I can't live without a sun roof are essentials, to others such as yourself, they may be negatives.

So why did you "upgrade" to a platinum? I could understand remorse if you didn't own a lightning before and were overwhelmed with all the trims, but with ownership experience you should know what the lightning is all about. At some point in the buying process for your next truck, you must have said "I want more" than a lariat. Did you just not look into the differences? Did the dealer lie about something? Was it just the massaging seats you wanted? Was there a specific deal on the platinum that was not on another lariat? I am just curious of why you "upgraded" and are now disappointed just 2 months later.

 

[Piquette]

One thing I have not seen listed among the pros and cons lists here is towing capacity. The Lariats have a higher towing capacity than the Platinums, and this was important to me.

I agree that the sound system on the Platinums is (to my ears) is better.

 

[flyct]

You are completely correct when you say features and options are subjective. To me a nice interior, great sound system, and I can't live without a sun roof are essentials, to others such as yourself, they may be negatives.

So why did you "upgrade" to a platinum? I could understand remorse if you didn't own a lightning before and were overwhelmed with all the trims, but with ownership experience you should know what the lightning is all about. At some point in the buying process for your next truck, you must have said "I want more" than a lariat. Did you just not look into the differences? Did the dealer lie about something? Was it just the massaging seats you wanted? Was there a specific deal on the platinum that was not on another lariat? I am just curious of why you "upgraded" and are now disappointed just 2 months later.

I went to the dealership intending on trading in one of my 2 Tesla's on a Mach-E. After driving it I didn't like the entry and exit contortions required for my stiff 78 year old overweight body

As I was talking to the sales rep 3 Lightnings were pulled up under the delivery shaded area and being inspected by people with dealership shirts. Theses were dealership sales reps taking delivery of their own Lightning Platinum's. When I asked what its going on, my sales rep told me the Plan Incentives for leasing a Platinum Lightning was too good to pass up. So asked for numbers that included my X-Plan and my $2000 PCO applied. That was a $25,165 discount and incentives, plus Zero % Financing.

Wife loves the massaging seats on our Platinum F-450.

After a few days of negotiating the price of my 2023 Lariat they finally came up to my number the last day of the month.

I sold them my 2023 , put the money in a high yield savings account and lease the Platinum.

 

[Oafy44]

I bought my lariat at the end of 22’ at full
MSRP and 6.5 interest rate. I traded it in for a heavily discounted 24’ for $15k less than what I bought my lariat for with 0% interest with several more bells and whistles. The only thing I miss is how much faster the 23 charged on the 80 amp and possibly the steering is a bit tighter than the lariat. the seats are far better IMO. I feel the lariat seats are almost a vinyl - the platinum seats are a very nice/soft leather - and massaging is a nice bonus.

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