KP Texan

It could be leather, but I doubt it; you would be surprised how little leather there actually is in most modern "leather" interiors, with the exception of some luxury brands. I believe that the only leather on the front seats is in the center panels that your butt and back touches. Everything else (bolsters, headrests, seatbacks) is a vinyl. I've heard that the entire FX4 backseat is all vinyl, while the lariat's backseat center panels are leather. Don't take that as gospel, but I do recall reading that somewhere.

RickyTips

I just turned in a 2011 Lariat Eco with Lux pkg, nav, and moonroof for a 2013 FX4 with all the same options except the eco engine. I got the tuxedo black FX4 and with the color matched paint, HID lights, and blacked out lenses...this truck flat out looks mean as hell.

Of course everyone has there own likes but this is flat out the sweetest truck I have owned to date. Way more stylish than my Lariat. Oh yeah...and it has every single option my Lariat had too but just looks so much better. (in my opinion).

dixiescott

I have a really nice Lariat but I do think the FX4's look better.

zx12-iowa

Stiffer shocks is not a good thing for me. Lariat is a more comfortable/ professional truck fx4 is more off road/sporty. Last truck handoff road package and I added stiffer suspension. Too jittery. Lariat is a much nicer ride and my kids sleep better in it.

Tolson37

Bought my fx4 in Iowa and towed a Uhaul back to Phoenix AZ Tongue weight was about 100 lbs- i could lift it by hand. Was more comfortable than my 2012 Acura MDX. Quieter and smoother. The 2013s are awesome when loaded with all the goodies.

HardcoreOffroading

When I went to the dealership, it was either the raptor or lariat. Raptors bed was too short and the MPG was just horrible. Went to look at the lariats and the chrome was a little much for me. I also didn't like the wood interior. It looked too "cityish" for me. Sat in and tested the fx4. Fell in love right away. I'm a hunter so it gave me that offroad feeling, with the comfort and luxury in the inside.

ShapeShifter

I think this pretty much sums it up. The Lariat is a bit too flashy for me. While I'm not a hardcore off-roader, I like the FX4 styling much better. I'm not a fan of chrome, and the Lariat has too much for me. The FX4 is mostly blacked out, without taking it to the extreme. I also think the FX4 interior looks better without the fake wood grain.

And when you get right down to it, the differences are all about appearance - just about all of the same features are available on both models. The base models may be different, but most features can be added as options, but you can't optionally change the basic styling cues like adding chrome to an FX4, or blacking out a Lariat (at least not from the factory.)

You're apparently comparing base trim levels, not what's available, since I have all of these "Lariat" features on my FX4. In fact, looking over all of the posts in this thread, the only thing that's available on the Lariat that I wish I had on my FX4 is the Auto 4x4 mode.

To the OP: go to the dealer, and have them park a Lariat and an FX4 side by side, and compare the styling and trim, but ignore the options and accessories. Just look at the appearance, and pick the style you like best. Then look at options/accessories on all of the different model trucks to figure out your must-have list of options. Finally, check whether those options are available on your selected model. I'll bet you'll find that almost all of them are available. If you find any that aren't available, but are on the other model, then you'll have to decide if the other model is really what you want.

That's how I did it, and the FX4 was my clear choice. I'd like to have the Auto 4x4, but it didn't make me want the Lariat. But your needs and desires might be different, so you may make a different choice. Everybody's different, that's why they are so many different models and options.

Enjoy your truck shopping, it's a lot of fun!

SVT Guy

I guess I was wrong on that point, is select shift standard on Lariats?

KP Texan

Agree completely! I would have gone Tuxedo Black if it weren't so hard to keep looking pristine. One thing's for certain though: black is the sharpest color when it's all cleaned up, and the dark FX4 trim is just icing on the cake. I think my Sterling Gray is second only to the Black when it comes to a mean looking FX4!

PlethoraGreen

Yes.

It's an option upgrade on XL, STX, and XLT. Standard on everything else.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/feat...page=Feature15