What Is the Difference Between The Ford King Ranch and The Platinum?

Ford vehicles are known for unrivaled intimacy with the road; right from their Sedan, SUVs, vans through to their signature lineup of trucks. 

If you are looking for a pickup truck that will handle all your heavy jobs and still make you look and feel good in the city, the Ford lineup has got you covered. 

These SUVs will not only exude power on the road but also elegance and prestige inside and outside. 

Two trim levels of the F-150 truck model stand out on the Ford lineup; the F-150 Ford King Ranch and the Ford Platinum trim. 

The two come in three cab sizes; Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. 

From a distance, these two will strike you as having a similar styling and aggressive exterior, but on closer look, they have as many similarities as their differences. 

What is the Difference Between The Ford King Ranch and The Platinum? 

The main difference between these two trim levels is their styling. The F-150 Platinum features a more upscale appearance with additional chrome and some frills. On the other hand, the F-150 King Ranch emphasizes a classic ranch aesthetic, complete with a King Ranch badge with an adventure-ready charm. 

Other differences between these two trim levels include: 

• Trim Specific features
• Powertrain
• Price Range
• Wheels and styling

Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck in the lineup of Ford truck models. It comes with an exceptional capability and a number of available options. The trim options available range from basic levels to the prestigious level and everything else in between. 

For many years, the Ford F-150 truck has been a well-known model in the pickup trucks market segment. This truck is offered in seven distinct trim levels, namely:

• King Ranch
• Platinum
• Base XL
• XLT
• Lariat
• Raptor 

Trim Specific Features: Ford King Ranch Vs. Platinum

The King Ranch brings various advantages both inside and outside the truck. 

It comes standard with heated and ventilated seats, as well as leather-wrapped steering (heated) and ambient lighting. 

Ford F-150 King Ranch is best for drivers who prefer comfort and style at an affordable price range. 

On the other hand, the Ford F-150 Platinum provides more power and safety compared to the lower trim levels. 

Unlike the other trim levels, the Platinum doesn’t compromise efficiency for power, it gets a fuel economy of 21 mpg combined. 

Its conspicuous features are the 20-inch aluminum wheels and chrome-plated exterior detailing that make it a stunner to look at. 

This trim level comes packed with advanced features, including rain-sensing windshield wipers, power running boards, and LED fog lights. 

On safety, the BLIS Blind Sport Alert is available on the F-150 King Ranch while it comes standard on the Ford F-150 Platinum Trim level. 

On the Platinum, this system also features rear cross-traffic alert and curve control. 

Both come standard with SOS Post-Crash Alert System. 

Powertrain and Drivetrain

If you are looking for power and elegance, the King Ranch and Platinum trims are in the middle of it all. 

They both feature a 5.0-L Ti-VCT V-8 engine that provides 395-hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. 

A diesel option is also offered for the higher trim levels; XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. 

They come with an optional 3.0-L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel that offers 250-hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. 

Drivers looking for a towing machine will appreciate the 11,400 pounds towing capacity plus the 1,940-pound payload rating of these two beasts. 

Both King Ranch and Platinum come standard with a 4 by 4 drivetrain coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

They also feature Haul/Tow and Sport driving modes. 

These two beasts can haul enormous cargo, thanks to the BoxLink feature. 

Price Range

Despite their close similarity in features and performance, the F-150 Platinum is pricier compared to the F-150 King Ranch. 

On its release, the MSRP of the Platinum was about $52,401 while that of the King Ranch was around $44,936. 

Wheels and Styling

The F-150 King Ranch comes standard with 18-inch machine aluminum wheels with an engraved King Ranch logo on them. 

While the Platinum features 20-inch aluminum chrome wheels. 

This is a significant difference between these two trim levels that give the platinum a stunning upscale look compared to King Ranch. 

Styling marks the most significant difference between these two trim levels; both interior and exterior styling. 

Both trim levels have a chrome-finished tow-bar grille with a caribou color mesh insert. 

The rear bumper on the King Ranch can be chromed while the back bumper on the F-150 Platinum is the same color as the truck’s body. 

Also, the Ford F-150 Platinum comes standard with a power running board in the SuperCrew variant, wheel lip moldings, and a chrome-plated side mirror skull cap, whereas the King Ranch has them as optional features. 

Inside Styling: The Platinum features bucket seats and a centrally placed console upholstered in distinctive multi-contoured leather. 

The King ranch on the other hand includes bucket seats and a centrally placed console also, but it comes with King Ranch leather upholstery. 

The inside of these two trims is almost similar with exception of trim packages and the different color options. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Is it worth it to buy a Ford F-150 truck? 

Yes. Regardless of which trim level you will choose, the lineup of Ford F-150 trucks is made up of very powerful powerhouses that will not only make your heavy job easier but will also provide comfort equivalent to riding in a luxury sedan or SUV. 

Also, you will get the best-in-class hauling and towing capacity. 

In terms of safety, the F-150 trucks have earned five-star safety ratings, giving you a secure and confident driving experience. 

The F-150 trucks are made from lightweight but strong material. These trucks were redesigned to use aluminum.

 Thus, they are more durable and very efficient.

The F-150 King Ranch and Platinum are a aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavalue for your bucks. 

Should I upgrade from Ford F-150 King Ranch to F-150 Platinum trim level? 

Yes, this is a worthy upgrade. 

While both offer excellent handling, comfort, and performance features, an upgrade to the Platinum trim level will accord you more standard features. 

The upmarket King Ranch and Platinum trims of the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 strike a perfect blend of amenities, comfort, and pricing. 

The higher trim level Platinum is worth the extra money over the King Ranch. 

Platinum Vs Limited trim, which one is better? 

The more powerful turbocharged 3.5-L V-6 EcoBoost engine in the Limited produces a whopping 470 pounds per foot of torque and a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. 

This is more power than that delivered by the Platinum trim. 

Besides, the Limited trim offers more fuel economy compared to the Platinum trim; it gets 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. 

Can I get massage seats on Ford King Ranch trim?

Massage seats are standard only on the Platinum and Limited trim levels of Ford F-150 pickup trucks and are available as an optional feature on the F-150 King Ranch trim level. 

Is a Ford F-150 Platinum Pickup truck Reliable? 

Yes. Ford F-150 is a highly dependable full-size pickup truck. 

It offers a wide range of powerful powertrains, which include the V6, V8, and diesel engines and a new hybrid option. 

Conclusion

Ford F-150 is an excellent pickup truck. 

It comes packed with power, capability, and comfort that drivers desire. Because of its many trim levels, it has options to match all driving styles. 

Drivers looking for a super duty workhorse with a few extras would love the King Ranch, while those keen on how they look both inside and outside, will love the platinum trim level because it comes with the chrome signature exterior that packs a punch as far as styling and elegance are concerned. 

In terms of performance, amenities, and engine power, the Ford F-150 King Ranch and F-150 Platinum are fairly similar.

They only differ in small design elements and standard amenities. 

A closer look at these two trim levels indicates that the Ford F-150 King Ranch, from any model year, is lacking in specific features that come standard in the F-150 Platinum trim level. 

Features like Blind Sports alerts, automated headlights, and remotely operated tailgate release all come standard on the Platinum trim level, but are all optional on the Ford F-150 King Ranch trim level. 

Choosing between these two trim levels can be a little overwhelming because they have a lot in common. 

Both have heavy-duty towing and hauling abilities. They both come with stylish designs, both inside and outside, with leather upholstery to enhance the ambient interior. 

But if you have a few more bucks to spare, buying the Ford F-150 Platinum trim level is a good idea since it comes standard with more features that are otherwise optional on the F-150 King Ranch trim level. 

More is always better when it comes to trim levels and standard features.