Lariat seems to have lost it's way

[jomacmusic]

In my opinion mid-sized truck makers aren't concerned with quality, clearly. Their focus is on cranking out as many of these trucks, or as I like to call them, computers on wheels, as they can and making their sales numbers.

My biggest concern is what's going to happen in 3 years when my warranty runs out and all that really cool technology starts to break. The repair costs are going to be astronomical.

My thoughts exactly. I’ve owned my ‘25 Ranger Lariat for one year, time will tell if I will sell.

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[Onceaneagle]

I noticed the 2026 Lariat was just spending more for less so I have the 2025. What is really sad is the 2025 Maverick Lariat. Not really a Lariat level trim to me.

 

[cc1999]

Yea, 2026 Ford was not showing the Ranger any love.

I hope 27 model year Ford starts to show some love to the Ranger again.

I hate that they have done nothing but remove features every year since the 2024 6th gen was launched. All seems crazy to me . It’s simply backwards to what auto manufacturers have done for decades, they use to always add stuff, improve stuff every year to entice current owners to trade up for a new one.

This crazy decontenting approach makes no sense at all to me.

 

[Dhass68]

Yea, 2026 Ford was not showing the Ranger any love.

I hope 27 model year Ford starts to show some love to the Ranger again.

I hate that they have done nothing but remove features every year since the 2024 6th gen was launched. All seems crazy to me . It’s simply backwards to what auto manufacturers have done for decades, they use to always add stuff, improve stuff every year to entice current owners to trade up for a new one.

This crazy decontenting approach makes no sense at all to me.

They did add a sunroof

 

[Elfman]

What did they take away from the Lariat? I bought a 24 Lariat for work, and I like it a lot and was thinking I may get a 26 or 27 Lariat for myself, but hadn't realized they were removing features? Haven't been looking on the lot at them yet.

 

[surfstar]

I just bought a new 2025 Lariat 2.3 FX4 with advanced tow. After some research, I sought out a '25 for the MPC engine, better headlights, and was pleasantly surprised to learn of leather seats vs active-x (plastic seats make me clammy) and it has the 120v outlets without the convenience package listed - didn't expect that; July 2025 build.

17% off MSRP also drove me to a new Ranger Lariat.

Headlights and seat material seemed like the biggest downgrades for 2026, but others know more than me.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

With all the decontenting that's been done to Ranger, I am very glad I grabbed a '24 Lariat when I had the chance during Feb of '25. The projector LED's (decontented) are very nice, the park assist (decontented) is a useful feature I'm using several times a month, the leather seating (decontented to ActiveX) are pretty comfortable, etc.....

 

[Jason B]

There was a time when the Lariat trim was actually something worth while. Faux wood trim in the interior (if that's your thing), leather seats that actually were at least partial leather. I see no difference between these vinyl seats in the Ranger Lariat then in a vinyl seat in a base model. There is no hint of leather. I sprung for the Lariat for the better adjustable seats and the heated option, but it seems the Lariat is more for electronic options than nice finishing touches these days.

The XLT High (301A) option gets you 10-way driver/8-way passenger with lumbar support and heated seats (no memory), plus 12 in center screen, dual zone auto climate, and sliding rear window. No faux leather.
You don't get all the fancy electronic stuff. I always felt that the up price for Lariat is never worth it.

 

[purdyd]

My first thread was xlt versus lariat. This is the list of differences I came up with. Won’t swear it’s completely accurate.


bigger driving digital instrument cluster display
wireless Charging
memory seats
“leather” seats
seat back pockets
projector headlights
running boards. Not on 2025
heat mirrors with turn signal and safety light
Better sound system
running boards
rain sensing wipers
heated steering wheel
leather trimmed steering wheel
homelink
led Top brake light
zone lighting
second glove box
soft dash trim
soft front seat top of door trim
soft shifter trim
push button start
intelligent access (touch handle to open lock) (front doors only)
lighted visor mirrors
18” wheels

 

[Muffin1]

I know your talking about the Lariat trim but its happening at the XLT level too.
On my '24 XLT 301a package you got wireless phone charger, bed lights & bed power plugs.
Om my '25 XLT w/301a they were removed and added as a 'convenience' package for IIRC $299 and they also raised the 301A trim level price, so you got wacked twice for the same items.
At Ford ,where we sell you less for more.

 

[Bigsack]

The XLT High (301A) option gets you 10-way driver/8-way passenger with lumbar support and heated seats (no memory), plus 12 in center screen, dual zone auto climate, and sliding rear window. No faux leather.
You don't get all the fancy electronic stuff. I always felt that the up price for Lariat is never worth it.

Well I can be impatient, and when I was looking, the dealer could get the Lariat I got the same day. Didn't want to shop around for an XLT w/ 301A or special order. Sounds like I would have been happy the XLT 301A package though.

 

[gtyates]

My first thread was xlt versus lariat. This is the list of differences I came up with. Won’t swear it’s completely accurate.


bigger driving digital instrument cluster display
wireless Charging
memory seats
“leather” seats
seat back pockets
projector headlights
running boards. Not on 2025
heat mirrors with turn signal and safety light
Better sound system
running boards
rain sensing wipers
heated steering wheel
leather trimmed steering wheel
homelink
led Top brake light
zone lighting
second glove box
soft dash trim
soft front seat top of door trim
soft shifter trim
push button start
intelligent access (touch handle to open lock) (front doors only)
lighted visor mirrors
18” wheels

Ford dropped the awesome projector lamps in the Lariat for 2026. I love mine in my '24 Lariat. They are also adaptive and self-leveling.

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