Ford F

Jun 12, 2024

The pickup truck’s transformation into family vehicle is complete.

Yesteryear’s work trucks still exist, sure. But as more and more people have looked for one vehicle to do everything, automakers have flung increasing levels of comfort and convenience at the humble pickup. Well, that, and a lot of folks just like how trucks look, or what they think the ride say about the driver.

The Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck in North America, so of course it has a model to address the market’s needs. In fact, it has two. For this trim comparison, we’re checking out the two fanciest F-150s in the fleet, the Ford F-150 Platinum versus Limited. Read on to find out how these two swanky haulers compare.

The current, fourteenth-generation F-150 debuted as a 2021 model. Visually, it’s a light remodel of the previous truck, which ushered in a boxier look and aluminum body panels. This model more cleanly integrates the rectangular headlights with the wide, hexagonal grille, which gives the Ford the appearance of a lower hood line. The lower bumper was remodelled for improved aerodynamics, as were the side skirts. A new vent just below the A-pillar makes it easy to spot the current model in profile, too. Naturally, a whole swathe of new wheel and trim designs came on board.

Both of these models go big on the chrome trim. Sorry; the Limited trades the plain chrome for what Ford calls “Satin Aluminum.” Both use the latter for their contrasting tailgate bezels, however. The Limited also ditches the brightwork on the side mirrors, going for body-colored items instead. The grille is the big tell: the Platinum uses a simple bisecting bar to hold the Blue Oval, with small chrome rectangles in the mesh. The Limited adds two thin chrome bars around the main center one, and an additional half-dozen in the grille. It also spells out “Limited” right there on the hood. The other big change—literally—is the rolling stock: the Platinum features 20-inch alloys, while the Limited goes for 22s.

We should also note that the Limited only comes with the 5.5-foot bed; the Platinum offers both that and the 6.5-footer.

Both of these trims are exclusively available in Ford’s SuperCrew four-door layout. That means seating for five, with acres of space for adults in either row. Seriously; you’re looking at 40.8 inches (1,036 millimetres) of front headroom and 43.9 in (1,115 mm) of legroom, and those numbers are only fractionally smaller in the back.

You’ll also find leather in both, though in different colors. The Platinum offers buyers a whole lot of black, with a rich tan (Carmelo) contrasting option for the seats. The Limited gets unique Admiral Blue, quilted leather seats, which feature a lighter blue-grey insert. This latter color extends to the pillars and roof liner too, which gives the Limited a more airy feeling. Helping here is the standard twin-pane moonroof; it’s optional on Platinum. Both trims feature heated and ventilated front seats, with a semi-massage function Ford refers to as “active motion.”

If you want choice, the Platinum is the trim here. It comes standard with Ford’s venerable 5.0-liter V8 engine, pumping out an even 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque while drinking regular unleaded. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but 4WD is optional; both choices mean a 10-speed automatic transmission. Two versions of the EcoBoost 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 are available as well: the regular model with 400 hp and 500 lb-ft, or the PowerBoost hybrid, which bumps those figures up to 430 and 570, respectively.

The Limited keeps things simple: you’re getting 4WD and the PowerBoost.

Fuel economy figures range hover between 19 and 25 mpg on the combined rating, depending on powertrain. The 5.0-liter is the thirstiest engine, at 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined in rear-drive form; opting for 4WD bumps those numbers down to 16, 22, and 19 mpg, respectively. The EcoBoost is similar: 18, 24, and 20 mpg respectively for RWD, with the 4WD only knocking 1 mpg off the highway figure.

The hybrid powertrain is, unsurprisingly, the most efficient. In two-wheel-drive form, it scores 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, for a 25 mpg combined rating. Moving to 4WD makes it 24 mpg across the board.

As mentioned above, the Platinum trim is available with either the 5.5- or 6.5-foot beds, whereas the Limited only offers the former. That gives the Platinum a distinct square footage advantage. It also has a hauling advantage: when properly equipped, the F-150 can carry between 2,135 and 2,335 lb with the 5.0-liter. The EcoBoost comes close to that, at anywhere between 2,050 and 2,300 lb depending on GVWR.

The PowerBoost Hybrid model can tow 2,090 lb in 5.5-foot, 4x2 form, and 1,830 lb with 4x4. Go for the longer bed and those numbers shift to 2,120 and 1,810 lb, respectively.

When towing, the 5.0L F-150 can top out at 13,000 lb when properly equipped; the EcoBoost brings that up to 14,000 lb, while the PowerBoost is capped at 12,700 lb.

Both of these high-trim trucks come loaded to the gills with safety assists. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 2.0 suite includes a pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, plus pedestrian detection. Auto headlights, intersection assist, and Ford’s useful SecuriCode keyless entry system are all standard as well. So is blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which can also take into account your trailer. The rearview camera includes a dynamic hitch assist as well. Finally, there is the automated parking assist.

The one major difference between these two trims is the availability of BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway driving assist. It’s optional on the Platinum, but standard on Limited.

The F-150 comes with Ford’s Sync 4 touchscreen, plus a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s all pretty easy to use, with straightforward controls and plenty of customisation.

Standard kit on the Platinum includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera, rain-sensing wipers, power-adjustable memory mirrors, a wireless charge pad, and more. An eight-speaker B&O sound system is standard, with an 18-speaker setup optional. Also on the options list: Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and the centre console work surface, which utilizes the fold-flat shifter.

The Limited makes all those options standard. It also includes the Bed Utility Package, which adds a smattering of exterior lighting to the bed and truck sides, the BoxLink cargo management system, and a power tailgate with integrated step and work surface. This package is another optional one on the Platinum.

The lowest-priced F-150 Platinum is the rear-drive, 5.0-liter, 5.5-foot bed model, which rings in at $66,910 including destination. The long-bed choice is an additional $215. Upgrading to the EcoBoost model is $740, while the PowerBoost demands an additional $2,500. Adding 4x4, which is available with all engines, is another $3,795. That means a short-bed Platinum with PowerBoost and 4WD is $73,205.

That’s still some ways short of the $86,905 Limited, which includes both as standard equipment.

There is a whole lot to consider here with Ford’s best-seller. Both of these trims come with plenty of niceties, but the jump in cost to is significant.

It’s important to note that many of the Limited’s features are available as options on the Platinum. That allows buyers to pick and choose which goodies they want, such as the big glass roof, the updated sound system, and the PowerBoost Hybrid powertrain. We’re not going to lie, that is our favorite F-150 engine, though. There’s only one way to get the blue interior too, if you’re into that.

Our advice: think long and hard about which features you truly need or want, and see if you can’t end up saving some money with a well-specced Platinum.

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Neither. They're both gross overkill on luxury and price for their intended purpose as working utility vehicles.

Bring on the luxury! Even though they have pretty much priced themselves out of my comfort level. I’ll just keep my ‘14 going, and enjoy the luxury of nine years ago.