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Ford F-150 King Ranch or Ford F-150 Platinum: You Decide

If you’re in the market for a full-size truck, you can’t go wrong with a Ford F-150. Across its varied models, the F-150 has been the top-selling vehicle in its class for nearly 40 years. 


Full-Sized Pickup Market Share (2017)

  • Ford F-Series – 38% (896,000 sold)
  • Chevrolet Silverado – 24% (586,000 sold)
  • Dodge Ram Truck – 22%
  • GMC Sierra – 9%

When you’re considering an F-150, the next natural question is: which one? In comparing the F-150 King Ranch and the F-150 Platinum, you’ll find more similarities than differences. The determining factor will likely come down to style, which is entirely a matter of personal preference.

The King Ranch has more of a Western styling and feel, while the Platinum can best be described as contemporary. The Platinum has a few more features that come standard, such as power running boards that deploy when you open a door, or rain-sensing wipers. As one would expect, the added extras also increase the base price.

Be warned: if you’re looking for a basic truck without the flash, the Ford F-150 King Ranch and the Ford F-150 Platinum are both top-of-the-line, luxury models – and they come with the price tags to match.

Specs

You won’t find a lot of difference in the specs between the two. Regardless, they are impressive.

Tale of the Tape

Payload: Up to 3,270 pounds (depending on configuration)

Towing: Up to 13,200 pounds (depending on configuration)

EPA Estimated Mileage: 17 city/23 highway MPG

Standard Engines

The 2018 Ford F-150 King Ranch and the Ford F-150 Platinum both come standard with the 5.0 Liter V8, which clocks in at 395 horsepower and 400 ft lbs of torque. Direct-injection and twin independent variable cam timing optimize performance to match your driving conditions. Both trucks also feature a 10-speed automatic transmission, which means smoother gearshifts.

The 5.0L engine can be converted to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

Diesel Engine Option with Eye-Popping MPG

Two alternative engines are also available: a 3.5 Liter V6 EcoBoost engine and a 3.0 Liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V6.

That diesel engine is getting some serious notoriety. Delivering 250 diesel hp and 440 ft lbs of torque, Ford says it will get an industry-leading EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 30 mpg in highway driving and 22 mpg in city driving conditions. That's the highest mpg of any full-sized truck on the market today.

You can also upgrade to a massive 36-gallon fuel tank in either model.

Handling

Both models have optional axle upgrades, electronic locking rear wheel differential, hill descent control, and can be upgraded to 4 x 4 capabilities.

Safety Tech

When it comes to tech, both models feature the latest entertainment tech and safety tech. If it's not already standard on either model, you can add it.

Options include:

  • 360-degree camera with a dual view display
  • Adaptive cruise control (utilizing stop-and-go technology)
  • Pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection
  • Pro-trailer backup assist

The Platinum comes with automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers standard, while both are optional on the King Ranch. The Platinum also makes blind spot information systems standard, with cross-traffic alert and inflatable second-row safety belts — also optional on the King Ranch. 

 

 

Styling

This is where you will start to see some differences. Both trucks feature the classic two-bar grille, finished in chrome, over a caribou color mesh insert.

Overall, the King Ranch sports the chrome look, with both a chrome appearance package and a monochromatic paint package available.

Exterior

Both models have various options available:

  • Box side steps
  • Foldable pickup bed box extenders
  • Side mirrors, trailer tow – power adjust
  • Side mirrors, trailer tow – telescoping
  • 4 x 4 skid plates
  • Tailgate step with tailgate lift assist
  • Twin panel moonroof

The King Ranch has an option for a chrome rear bumper, while the Platinum’s rear bumper will be the color of the truck’s body.

The Platinum features power deployable running boards (in the SuperCrew version), wheel lip moldings, and side mirror skull caps in chrome as standard items, while these are options on the King Ranch.

Interior

The F-150 Platinum has bucket seats and a center console, adorned in a unique multi-contour leather. The F-150 King Ranch also has bucket seats and a center console, but with special King Ranch leather trim.

Apart from the trim packages and color selections, the interiors of the trucks are nearly identical.

Pricing

These are luxury trucks, and priced accordingly. The F-150 King Ranch starts at $51,930 plus fees, without adding any options. The 2018 Ford F-150 Platinum starts at $54,485 plus fees and options.

Why Buy a Ford F-150?

Besides best in class towing, payload, and torque, there are plenty of reasons to pick a Ford F-150 when you’re shopping for a full-sized truck.

Five Star Safety Rated

The F-150 earned an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and was the Insurance Institute for High Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick on crew cab/extended cab trucks with optional automatic emergency braking.

The Ford F-150 was picked as Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year and Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Award Winner for 2018. Kelly Blue Book refers to it as the “best-selling truck (and vehicle) in America for a reason.”

Lighter Weight, but Stronger

The 2018 Ford F-150 was redesigned to use more aluminum. Without sacrificing strength or durability, the truck dropped 700 pounds while increasing efficiency. Its new aluminum alloy body is military-grade, as the TV commercials are quick to remind you. Heat-treating the aluminum produces greater strength, which is what allowed Ford engineers to increase thickness where needed to add extra strength, without adding weight. This resulted in greater power-to-weight ratios, increased fuel efficiency, and higher maximum payload and tow ratings on what was already the best in the full-sized truck class.

The aluminum is also more resistant to dents and corrosion.

Changes for 2019 Models

A revised rear bumper is the headliner for the 2019 Ford F-150. It will be available with rear-exit dual exhaust on the back, similar to what Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram trucks feature, creating a sportier look. Not much else is expected to change, but when you're the top seller for more than three decades, incremental improvements are all that’s needed.

While this is by no means an exhaustive shopping guide, we hope we have covered the most common concerns of shoppers looking for truck backup cameras

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