XLT vs Lariat - differences

[FourMoreG]

The Most Important feature, for ME, when it came time to decide between either a 2021 XLT or 2021 LARIAT SuperCrew, was based by MY Preference for the OEM LED headlights, standard and available only on the Lariat. The LED Headlights, WERE on my “preferred“ list, But, after my test driving Both an XLT and a Lariat, in the dark, the LED Headlights moved off my “Preferred Features List” to my “REQUIRED Features List, (including 4X4 & Tow). I found the LED Headlights had a more uniform projection area and I Want That.

So, That was That; The 2021 Lariat SuperCrew was my final choice.

Other “preferred list features“ included leather seating (having found leather easier to keep clean when compared to fabric), and the 10-speaker B&O sound system. Adding the 501A, OEM Running Boards & Sport packages satisfied the other “Preferred Features“ on my checklist.

Sponsored

 

[DapperDean]

Amazing! I had the same issue when I bought my 2020. I hate leather seats and wanted fabric. But every other reason you listed above is why I went with a Lariat. I'm keeping mine for a while and I want today's latest technology on my truck. I especially love adaptive cruise control and rain-sensing wipers. As for the B&O sound sustem - its just OK but anything less would be an abomination. The Lariat is a great place to chew up a lot of miles in comfort and safety. I chose the grey leather to lessen heat - but don't wear new unwashed jeans in them like I did - the stain will never come out!

 

[FourMoreG]

Amazing! I had the same issue when I bought my 2020. I hate leather seats and wanted fabric. But every other reason you listed above is why I went with a Lariat. I'm keeping mine for a while and I want today's latest technology on my truck. I especially love adaptive cruise control and rain-sensing wipers. As for the B&O sound sustem - its just OK but anything less would be an abomination. The Lariat is a great place to chew up a lot of miles in comfort and safety. I chose the grey leather to lessen heat - but don't wear new unwashed jeans in them like I did - the stain will never come out!

Amazing meets even More amazing !

In keeping to the OP, Most of the differences between XLT & LARIAT, that I felt noteworthy, were listed in my prior posting, BUT YOUR mention of “Grey Leather to lessen heat…” blew me away; WAY !
That is because I too, choose the “grey leather“ (Ford‘s lighter grey interior AKA “Stone“ leather color) for reduced heat retention ((and also a preferred breakup of the otherwise monotonous monochrome Ebony colored interior)) and so was also a decision point, which I omitted from my post. Note: for some marketing areas, “STONE” interior color is also available with XLT fabric.
Thanks for mentioning that.

 

[mtbikernate]

I got mine during the beginning of COVID and pretty much just had what was on the lot as availability and the one I bought was chosen because of a combination of features and price. The pricing was very good, so I was willing to pass up on a few things.

It's an XLT 4x4 w/302a and towing pkg. The towing pkg was a hard requirement for me.

I've had leather on vehicles before and it doesn't excite me much. I've had it crack as it aged. Even the cheapest fabrics have aged better for me. I am pretty pleased with the seat fabric in mine so far. It's much more durable than the Honda that I owned before. I have the heated power seats. Heated seats were a high priority for me, too. I agree that heated mirrors should be included with heated seats, though. I've eyed that thread about adding heated mirrors, for sure. I specifically don't want push button start, so I am happy to have a physical key. It's my first vehicle with remote start and I'm very pleased with it when it's either very cold or very hot outside.

Some things I could do without - while I like the chrome on my truck, I also like the magnetic trim colors. The chrome stuff on my truck added a lot to the cost. If it wasn't for the deal I got, I would have passed on it. Eventually I'm probably going to change the chrome steps with rock sliders (with steps) because the OEM steps collect mud and snow/ice in the worst way. The manual rear sliding window is kinda useless in a Super Crew truck. If it was a power window, I'd use it for sure. But I think I've only opened it once since I bought the truck, and never since.

I kindof wanted LED headlights, but after reading more about how even the Lariat's LED headlights aren't very good, I'm not disappointed that I didn't get them. For now I dropped in Auxito bulbs, but I may in the future upgrade to full LED housings from either AlphaRexx or Mishimoto. Either one looks good to me, and seems like they're both better reviewed than the Lariat LED headlights.

While I appreciate my music sounding nice, I'm not nearly as picky about it. So the 6 speaker sound system in my xlt fits in the "good enough" category for me. I kinda wanted built-in navigation, but I'm managing well enough with Android Auto. I tend to use Waze for long road trips and Google maps most other times. But I recently used GaiaGPS with topo maps for a 4wd drive and that was pretty cool and useful.

I also kinda wanted a Super Cab with the 6ft bed instead of the Super Crew with 5ft bed. But in the end, I think the bigger rear seats have been more useful to me than a longer bed. My dog appreciates the larger backseat and he rides back there a lot. I'm sure my nieces would have been less happy about a tiny backseat the week I picked them up from my sister's house in FL last summer, too.

 

[ch57]

Amazing meets even More amazing !

In keeping to the OP, Most of the differences between XLT & LARIAT, that I felt noteworthy, were listed in my prior posting, BUT YOUR mention of “Grey Leather to lessen heat…” blew me away; WAY !
That is because I too, choose the “grey leather“ (Ford‘s lighter grey interior AKA “Stone“ leather color) for reduced heat retention ((and also a preferred breakup of the otherwise monotonous monochrome Ebony colored interior)) and so was also a decision point, which I omitted from my post. Note: for some marketing areas, “STONE” interior color is also available with XLT fabric.
Thanks for mentioning that.

Care to share a photo? I thought the 'stone' was supposed to be more of a tan or sandy type color, not grey. I have not yet seen any on the lots with stone.

 

[Torrsall]

Hey all - New here. I posted an introductory post but was referred to this forum from another place when asking Ranger questions. So glad because theres a bunch of great info here! For the last 6 months I have been debating a new truck. A 90 Ranger was my first vehicle - sure was a great truck. Anywhoo, I am trying to better understand the true differences between XLT and Lariat. Every time I have been to a dealer (only 2 within an hours drive) they never have both available to look at side by side. Only one or the other. Not surprisingly no sales person was able to answer my 'what are the differences' question.

So below I have outlined the differences that I know of based on Ford, pics, and various reviews. These are things that are on the Lariat, and not on the XLT (both fully optioned). If there is anything else - please by all means let me know. It's only about a 5K difference between the two so having a tough time deciding which way to go....
Lariat things

• LED lights
• Darker plastics interior (not the shiny silver trim)
• Leather seats (I do not like leather, would swap for fabric in the future)
• rain sensing wipers
• B&O Sound system
• dual productivity screens in instrument cluster

All others aside - what pro/con does the lariat version instrument cluster offer?

For me, the Lariat worked the best. I'm used to safety and luxury options and wanted those in my new truck. I found that if I fully optioned the XLT, it was pretty close to the Lariat so I felt justified paying more.
BTW... Happy I did!

 

[jflogerzi]

Hey, Chad, welcome to the forum. My only experience is with the 2019 Lariat, and some things may have changed since then (probably for the worse), but for me the decisive differences are the B&O sound (which you listed) and the fob that locks and unlocks doors, starts the truck from a distance, etc. For me, the sound system alone is worth moving up to the Lariat, and the fob is a huge convenience, especially in bad weather. So, my advice is, if the budget permits (or the wife allows), do it!

XLT gets remote start with 302a as well. Rather go aftermarket than doing the B&O system. But each to there own Not a fan on an external sub

 

[Wytchdctr]

XLT is better. I am not biased at all. Nope

... especially with remote start added. Not a fan of how long the phone app takes.

 

[kieefer]

May have been mentioned but not all Lariat’s have the remote start option, at least on 2019 models. One thing that mine doesn’t along with heated mirrors.
I did add the StartX aftermarket remote start.

 

[BrassSlinger]

Originally was going to go with XLT Tremor but after seeing what a Lariat Tremor has standard vs what it would cost to add options to an XLT the Lariat was a no brainer for me.

 

[Daz]

2021 SuperCrew Lariat FX4, tow package with the 500a option list here.

Comes with heated pleather seats, LED lights, pushbutton start, keyless entry (touch the door handles), power folding heated mirrors w/ puddle lights, Lariat dash with dual productivity screens, engine block heater, 18" rims.

We do not have key fob remote start (can start it with Fordpass... about half the time), B&O sound system, rain sensing wipers, front parking sensors, nor adaptive cruise control.

The only things I kinda wish we had was the XLT dash - I think it would be more useful. With the Lariat, the right screen is kinda useless, and I use the left to show tach/temp/fuel. With the XLT I'd already have tach, temp and fuel and I could use the single screen for other info. Also I wish the sliding rear window was power operated.

Otherwise, the Lariat/FX4/500a is the perfect sweet spot for me.

 

[FourMoreG]

Care to share a photo? I thought the 'stone' was supposed to be more of a tan or sandy type color, not grey. I have not yet seen any on the lots with stone.

Here is a current web page photo, found on FORD.COM under Ranger, Gallery (this Ford photo is Much, MUCH better than anything I could take myself). The photo is Close to what My 2021 Lariat with STONE Leather interior looks like, although the Ford Photo leather color is LIGHTER than My leather.

To My eyes, looking at My interior, the STONE Leather is a Very Light shade of a Beige-grey color (more Beige than grey); more like a “PUTTY” color. I think that the Ford photo is Close, but not exact, when compared to my interior.

The color is VERY difficult to photograph AND Reproduce Accurately. It is 12°F right now outdoors; I think the Ford photo will be a decent representation, under the circumstances. The seat upholstery stitching Pattern, in the Ford photo, is an EXACT MATCH to my 2021.

If you tried to see for yourself, the current shade of Stone leather, and were unable to find an example, I’m not at all surprised. Ranger Lariats with Stone Leather were difficult, for me, to find locally. I also note that the exact color of leather can vary, from time-to-time and that is a normal characteristic of the material.

Maybe I will find a paint chip from a local paint store, or try to match My leather shade to an Exterior vehicle color, current or past, in the coming days, but no promises.

 

[BrassSlinger]

Here is a current web page photo, found on FORD.COM under Ranger, Gallery (this Ford photo is Much, MUCH better than anything I could take myself). The photo is Close to what My 2021 Lariat with STONE Leather interior looks like, although the Ford photo leather color is Lighter then My leather.

To My eyes, looking at My interior, the STONE Leather is a Very Light shade of a beige-grey color (more beige than grey); more like a “Putty“ color. I think that the Ford photo is Close, but not exact, when compared to my interior.

The color is quite difficult to photograph exactly, and as it is 12°F right now outdoors, I think the Ford photo will be a decent effort, under the circumstances. The seat upholstery stitching Pattern, in the Ford photo, is an EXACT MATCH to mine.

If you tried to see for yourself, the current shade of Stone leather, and were unable to find an example, I’m not at all surprised. Ranger Lariats with Stone Leather were difficult, for me, to find locally. I also note that the exact color of leather can vary, from time-to-time and that is a normal characteristic of the material.

I will try to find a paint chip from a local paint store, or try to match My leather shade to an Exterior vehicle color, current or past, in the coming days, but no promises.

I like that color interior,but i would get it dirty,and my OCD would kick in.

 

[MoatCarp]

Hello @ch57 ,

I probably won't add anything that hasn't been said already, but here's my take on the controversial Lariat gauge cluster --

I actually find the two screens useful. The left is for vehicle data. The right is for Navigation, Entertainment, and Phone Call. My left screen is typically on the Fuel Economy display as it helps reign in my lead foot and the right is typically on Entertainment to control audio sources and see song names.

The primary thing you're missing is the full-size tachometer. I know some will disagree with me but I find a tach in automatic vehicles useless 99.9% of the time. In the rare occasions you feel you may want to monitor your revs the left screen can display a digital tach as either a bar graph or traditional gauge/needle.

The only complaint I can think of is that the left screen is too small and layout options are limited. For example, if you want to see realtime fuel economy and a digital speedo, tough luck, it's not possible, they're on two different layouts.

I personally ended up paying extra for the Lariat because I really enjoy the convenience of the keyless/proximity fob. Never having to take the key out of your pocket is nice. The headlights, speakers, leather, and built-in garage opener are other features that I enjoy on a daily basis.

 

[VAMike]

You can get the B&O system in supercabs. I've driven an FX4 Lariat supercab that has it. It's actually still on the lot the last I looked at their website. It's a REALLY nice truck and I was tempted but I thought a crew cab would serve me better. It's quite a bit cheaper than my XLT Tremor was too.

There's no way it's a supercab with full B&O because there's nowhere for the extra speaker to go. They may have recently changed the 501A package for the supercab to include the HD radio, but I'd have to see it tuning an HD radio station before I'd believe it. (Ford seems to be cheaping, not adding features.) Right now if you build a 2022 ranger supercab and add 501A the summary line says "AM/FM Radio with 6 Speakers and SYNC® 3" and if you change to a supercrew and add 501A it says "B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with HD Radio". So I don't think they actually have changed anything, but (IMO) they have made it less clear than before that supercabs don't get B&O (it used to be a footnote in the package page, now it's only possible to tell that from the summary because the listing in the package page says "B&O/HD" without any footnote) because they're cheap, sleazy a-holes. (Let me tell you what I really think...) If they did change it so supercabs paying the 501A premium at least got HD radio I'd be impressed and pleasantly surprised, I'm just not holding my breath on that one.

In all other regards I love my supercab, but it's still annoying that they couldn't put in the HD radio (I don't care about the extra speaker for B&O) or at least knock a couple hundred bucks off the package price to acknowledge that, you know, it's not the entire package. This is the kind of penny-ante crap that makes me wonder what kind of idiots are running the store--souring the customer experience over something this petty (tie downs!) eliminates word of mouth worth millions of dollars if you have to buy ads instead to convince people you don't suck.

Sponsored