The biggest difference between F150 Limited and Platinum is that Platinum trim offers an array of engines and styles and works great off-road. In contrast, the Limited trim is more about luxury and advanced features, designed for a smoother daily driving experience.
To learn what makes these two different from each other, keep reading – I’ve got a lot more details.
Platinum vs Limited F150: The Differences
Here’s a quick look at the difference between these two trims:
| Aspect | F150 Limited | F150 Platinum |
| Engine | Powerful, efficient, and hybrid. | Multiple options. |
| Towing & Payload | Refined, agile under load. | Powerful, robust towing capability |
| Fuel Efficiency | Exceptional, efficient. | Decent. |
| Interior Options | Opulent, feature-rich. | Modest enhancements. |
| Exterior Options | Upscale, sleek design. | Stylish, classic, with more choices. |
| Off-Road Ability | Limited, focused on smooth drives. | Versatile, optional off-road package. |
| Resale Value & Price | High initial investment, and high resale value. | Good resale, smaller initial value, and better bang for the buck. |
Engine And General Driving Experience
Winner: F150 Limited
The F150 Limited is the most powerful and efficient truck between the two.
Its 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine delivers 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque for strong performance with lower emissions and improved fuel economy.
The 4×4 setup and advanced handling features like AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control provide stability in all conditions.
The Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 suite adds safety and confidence. However, it’s 4×4 only. The other extra features make up for that minor downside, though. You even get curve control and variable steering assistance.
The Platinum only outdoes the Limited with its engine options.
You get the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, or 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6, all with a 10-speed automatic for a mix of power and efficiency.
It also offers 4×4 and 4×2 drivetrains for customization.
In other words, this trim is mostly about building versatility. You also get basic handling enhancement tech like independent front suspension and hill start assist.
So, all in all, the Limited is slightly more luxurious than the Platinum with its hybrid engine, delivering 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque, and extra features.
Towing And Payload
Winner: F150 Platinum
To start with, both the F150 Platinum and Limited share similar towing features like a Class IV Trailer Hitch, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control and Trailer Tow packages.
They’re both designed to handle heavy loads without breaking a sweat.
What’s special about the F150 Platinum, though, is that it also comes with the Max Trailer Tow Package.
It’s a workhorse with a 14,000 lbs. max towing and 2,135 lbs. max payload capacity. When I put it to the test with a 10,000-pound trailer, it handled well.
Loading it with everyday items like lumber, concrete blocks, and equipment, it performed admirably on the road.
However, I did notice a slight delay in acceleration, especially uphill.
Nevertheless, it was able to maintain stability and controlled braking through steep grades and descents.
Now, let’s talk about the Limited, which has a 12,400 lbs. max towing capacity. When I tested it with the same 10,000-pound load, it handled similarly well.
Loaded with the same mix of everyday items, the Limited surprised me with its PowerBoost engine. It delivered smooth acceleration, even on inclines.
The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system also made it easier to be a bit more precise and keep things more in control.
Compared to the Platinum, it showed a bit more agility in acceleration and managed the load with finesse.
All in all, if you simply want raw power to be prepared for all situations, the Platinum is your best bet.
Meanwhile, the Limited proves its name as the most luxurious F-150; it’s what you need if you want to do some decent towing with extra comfort and don’t need the absolute highest towing capacity.
Fuel Efficiency
Winner: F150 Limited
You’ll find both the F150 Platinum and Limited rocking a 26.0-gallon fuel tank, ready for those long hauls.
However, the Limited steps it up with extra choices: a 30.6-gallon tank with the PowerBoost engine and a whopping 36-gallon tank.
The F150 Platinum shows off some decent fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 17 City / 22 HWY MPG on Flex-fuel, giving you a combined 20 MPG.
I took the Platinum out on a road trip not too long ago, and I was pleasantly surprised by how close its actual MPG was to the EPA estimates.
But, if you’re after top-notch fuel efficiency, Platinum’s numbers might not quite hit the mark for you.
Also, keep in mind that with E85, you’ll get slightly lower fuel economy compared to regular unleaded.
That’s where the Limited comes in. It boasts an impressive EPA-estimated 23 City / 23 HWY MPG on regular unleaded fuel, which means a combined 23 MPG.
Real-world tests, including some extended and heavier driving scenarios, consistently show the Limited beating its EPA ratings.
I’ve had my fair share of drives with the Limited, especially through the city grind, and I have to say, its fuel efficiency blew me away.
During my commutes, it even surpassed what the EPA had promised.
Plus, with regular unleaded fuel, you’ll enjoy better overall efficiency and slightly lower fuel costs compared to Flex-fuel options.
The limited trim of the f150 hits that perfect sweet spot of efficiency and tank size.
Interior Options
Winner: F150 Limited
Both trims have cool interior features like dual zone climate control, all-around cameras, a smart cruise control, big 12-inch digital screens, a garage door opener, wireless charging, and a fancy sound system.
Compared to its pricier counterpart, the Platinum gets you a fairly modest package.
It adds a touch of class with its Unique Genuine Wood Interior Trim Accents, Black Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and all-around Black interior. These features give the cabin an upscale vibe.
When it comes to tech, it has the normal B&O Sound System – the unleashed variant only comes as optional.
Stepping into the F150 Limited interior, it’s a luxury upgrade.
You’ve got the Admiral Blue Leather or Light Slate interior color, Adaptive Steering, LED bed lighting for those late-night tasks, and premium specialized leather upholstery.
Even better, the front seats themselves are massaging seats.
And don’t forget Ford’s Pro Power Onboard system, which gives you power options right from your truck bed. It’s handy for extended trips, especially with that 7.2-kilowatt option for the hybrid.
Plus, the Interior Work Surface is a winner for when you need a flat spot to get stuff done.
All in all, the Limited wins out this one as well. Just keep in mind – some F150 users consider the Admiral Blue to be a dated look, so you won’t always get style points for the interior.
Exterior Options
Winner: F150 Platinum
Both the F150 Platinum and Limited rock side hood badges, giving them a unique vibe.
But if you look closer, you’ll see they’ve got their own distinct styles.
The Platinum sports a 275-60-22 wheel setup with 20-inch wheels, blending style and function. Although, these wheels make the truck’s presence a little smaller compared to what you’d get with the other trim.
As for the platinum trim’s mirror and door handles – they shine with a classic chrome finish, adding a touch of class.
Color options range from the pearly Star White Metallic Tri-Coat to the bold Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.
You’ve also got the pure gray of Avalanche Gray, the cool Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat, the deep Antimatter Blue Metallic, and the polished Iconic Silver Metallic.
Now, stepping up to the F150 Limited, you’re in for a more upscale vibe. It’s got a 275-45-22 wheel setup with 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, giving it a sleek look.
The mirror and door handles flaunt a brushed finish, adding to their premium feel. The grille design with “Limited” prominently displayed makes a statement.
And as topping on the cake, there’s a Two-panel moonroof, giving you and your crew a great view of the sky.
You won’t get many color options, though. There’s only the Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat, and Antimatter Blue Metallic.
This is mostly preference, but Platinum gets the win just for the sheer number of options.
Off-Road Ability
Winner: F150 Platinum
There’s no doubt here, the F150 Platinum wins straight out.
For a start, you’re getting both all-season and all-terrain tire options. Not to mention, the drivetrain versatility can also help out in many scenarios.
But the thing that makes it top out is something optional; you can get it with the popular FX4 Off-roading package if you tend to stay off the main road.
That’s no Raptor level of performance, but it’s enough to outshine the F150 Limited.
That one’s purely focused on smooth drives on the main road.
You could do slight off-roading with it thanks to the bigger tires, but who would want to put it through the rough roads considering how much more it costs?
Resale Value And Price
Winner: F150 Limited
Starting at $64,915, the Platinum itself is one of Ford’s higher-tier trims, so that alone gives it a decent bit of resale value.
It might wear out a little over time if you go off-road, though, so keep that in mind.
Priced at $83,010, the F150 Limited is Ford’s pinnacle of refined luxury. Thanks to its top-tier amenities and unique design, it’s a head-turner.
That means it has a superior resale value, especially as you’ll probably stick to smoother roads, which helps preserve the truck’s condition.
While the initial investment is higher, the f150 Limited will likely hold its value exceptionally well – more so than the f150 Platinum.
FAQs
Will there be a 2024 Limited?
No, there won’t be a 2024 F150 Limited. They’re just adding a new package called Platinum Plus on top of the Platinum. I think they’re trying to clear up the naming confusion. If you’ve checked out F150 Forums or Reddit, you’ll see what I mean. Explorer had a similar setup, with Platinum higher than Limited. Plus, it’s not like it’s a truly exclusive limited thing, like the Lariat Limited back in 2008.
Is platinum better than King Ranch?
When it comes to the F-150 Platinum vs. King Ranch, neither is objectively better than the other since they have almost the same feature set – it’s just the looks and wheels that are different. The Platinum has 20-inch wheels and some unique style tweaks, while the King Ranch is a little cheaper with similar benefits.
Final Remarks
All in all, the F-150 Platinum is worth it if you have particular tastes in aesthetics, want to save some cash, or simply enjoy driving through trails. It’s cheaper and good with towing, too.
If you simply want to enjoy an extremely comfortable driving experience, though, you might like the Limited.
I hope I helped clear some things out for you. Go get the perfect truck for yourself and enjoy the ride.
