King Ranch Lariat Puts Mom in Lap of Luxury

2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch Lariat SuperCrew 4X4 King Ranch Lariat SuperCrew

model as tested $45,505

Test Drove 6/11/09–6/15/09
reviewed by Sherrice Gilsbach

Here at MotherProof.com, we try to dispel gender-specific stereotypes and identify the best vehicle for every kind of mom and her lifestyle. As I slid behind the wheel of the 2009 Ford F-150 4x4 King Ranch Lariat SuperCrew, I knew there was plenty to make nearly any mom happy.

The F-150 King Ranch Lariat impressed me with its unexpected agility and phenomenal turning radius. It drove like a dream and was easier to maneuver than I ever would have expected. This F-150 is the top of the line and has oodles of upgrades.

One of my only beefs with the King Ranch Lariat is I spent a lot of time looking at it from the gas station. The 36-gallon tank paired with a powerful 5.4-liter V-8 engine means it sucked down the gas. This truck gets an EPA-estimated 14/18 mpg city/highway, and I swear you could hear the gallons flowing to the engine. Ford will add a V-6 EcoBoost engine, which they say will improve fuel economy, to its F-150 lineup in late 2010. However, I certainly wouldn’t recommend this V-8-equipped truck as a commuter vehicle unless you have a small fortune just for buying gas.

Being somewhat vertically challenged, I appreciated the F-150’s height and felt secure with the visibility it offered.  I’m pretty sure I saw the gentle curve of the Earth from high atop my driver’s perch, but that might be a slight exaggeration.

shopping around: At cars.com

• Side-by-Side Comparison
• Auto Loan Calculator

• Build your own
• Check for Rebates

Take the Next Steps at Cars.com

Find This Car Near You Research This Car

you might: Also Like