Base MSRP Range: $36,305 - $40,055

Base Invoice Range: $32,210 - $35,473

MSRP As Tested: $43,085

Versions: 2WD, 4WD. 5.5 ft bed, 6.5 ft bed.

Vehicle Category: Full-Size Pickup Truck

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive.

Engine as Tested: 5.4-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-8, 300 - horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 lb-ft torque at 3,750 rpm.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14/19.

Standard Safety Features: Driver and passenger airbags, 4-weel ">Antilock brakes.

Competition: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Lincoln Mark LT, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra.

There's only one thing you can say about leather seats like these.

Holy cow.

I've driven plenty of pickup trucks through the years, but I've never seen one with the kind of leather that comes in the King Ranch Edition of Ford's popular F-150. It feels like it's straight out of a Beverly Hills saddle shop - if such a place exists – because it has the rugged look of a classic cowboy saddle but feels soft as a Persian kitten. Oh, it's sweet.

But don't let the softness fool you. This truck is injected with an extra dose of Lone Star State testosterone.

Climbing into the cabin is like stepping into a hunting lodge thanks to the dark, fragrant leather, and the matching dash trim looks and feels almost exactly like a football. A big shifter knob seems like it belongs in the Stealth Bomber cockpit, reinforcing the message that this is a rough, tough, yet very classy truck.

Of course, you can't have a rough-and-tough truck without a rough-and-tough V8 engine, and the King Ranch doesn't disappoint. It comes with a 5.4-liter V8 that pounds out 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, enough power to constantly remind you that this thing is capable of handling virtually any job you throw at it.

On the downside, expect to get only 14 miles per gallon in town - perhaps even less if you drive it hard - and 19 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Those will be awfully painful numbers if gas prices remain high.

Then again, folks who buy the King Ranch truck probably aren't looking for economy. It starts at a pricey $36,155.

Before you throw up your hands in disgust, though, let's take a look at what you get for the money.

For starters, there are the big, comfortable, power-adjustable captain's chairs in front. They feel like the La-Z-Boy in your living room, perfect for spending hours on the road.

On the outside are sharp-looking running boards that make the truck look like it rides close to the ground. You also get power-folding mirrors, which can be nice for pulling into narrow parking spots or maneuvering through the drive-thru at the bank.

Inside, you get plenty of luxury goodies like automatic climate control, an outstanding stereo system, cruise control and power everything. The whole interior looks like a high-end luxury car with chrome and wood trim, not to mention those awesome leather seats.

In fact, when you compare it to a fancy luxury car with similar features, it comes out looking like a bargain. You could find similar goodies and style in, say, a Cadillac CTS, but the Caddy couldn't tow a boat or haul lumber.

If you're thinking about buying a King Ranch Edition, you might also stop by a Lincoln dealership to check out the Mark LT pickup. It's very similar in terms of comfort and luxury - it's based on the F-150, after all - but it has a different, more modern style that some drivers find appealing.

Whatever you buy, there's no truck that has the same Old West feel as the King Ranch.

Pros:It has the comfort and high style of a luxury car with a rugged interior that would look perfect in a hunting lodge.

Cons:Fourteen miles per gallon around town could be tough on your wallet.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 9
• Price: 7
• Handling: 6
• Ride: 6
• Comfort: 9
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 8

More Data

Where Built: USA

Major Options: Limited Slip Axle ($300), Power Adjustable Pedals ($120), Skid Plates ($160), Power Sliding Rear Window ($250), Trailer Tow Package ($350), Premium CD Player ($300), 20-inch Aluminum Wheels ($895), Reverse Sensing System ($245), Traction Control ($195), Limited-Slip Differential ($300), Rear-obstacle-detection system ($245).

Seating: 5/6

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 211.1 - 248.4

Warranties: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper, 5 years/unlomited miles Corrosion Protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Roadside Assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 4615 - 5849 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 1360 - 2670 lbs.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 7,200 - 15,000 lbs.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: 2400 - 9900 lbs. properly equipped.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 15.3

Destination Charge: $875