Heated steering wheels are nothing new in the automotive world, but if you wanted one in the past, you needed to buy a car from the likes of Mercedes Benz. That’s all changed, and features like heated steering wheels are available on most cars now. This is the case with the current Ford lineup – but is it possible to get yourself a heated steering wheel on any current Ford?
We’ll cover the answer to this in more detail below because Ford only offers a heated steering wheel on certain models in their range. Like most optional extras, the low-spec models are left out; on mid-spec models, adding this feature will cost you extra.
In this article, we’ll cover how much it costs to add a heated steering wheel to your Ford and which models include this feature at no extra cost. We’ll also explain how to use your heated steering wheel and, finally, our thoughts on the cost and usefulness of this feature.
Let’s get started!
How to use your Ford heated steering wheel
Turning your heated steering wheel on and off is a simple process in every Ford model. You have a’ Climate’ button in the main menu of the central infotainment screen. Press this, and alongside the option for aircon and fan speed, there should be an option to change the temperature of your steering wheel, and turn the function off if required.
Do all Ford models have a heated steering wheel?
Most Ford models come with a heated steering wheel as standard or the option to add this feature. However, there are a handful of low-spec Ford models without the option for a heated steering wheel.
Below, we’ve listed which models have this option and which Ford models don’t:
Models with a heated steering wheel as standard
Most high-spec Ford models come with a heated steering wheel as standard. The below list represents the highest trim levels you can choose for most Fords, so we’d expect a heating steering wheel to be included as a standard feature.
- Ecosport SES
- Ecosport Titanium
- Escape ST-Line Select
- Escape Platinum
- Escape ST-Line Elite
- Escape Hybrid
- Bronco Sport Outer Banks
- Bronco Sport Heritage Limited
- Bronco Heritage Limited
- Bronco Everglades
- Explorer ST-Line
- Explorer Limited
- Explorer Timberline
- Explorer ST
- Explorer Platinum
- Explorer King Ranch
- Edge Titanium
- Mustang Mach-E GT
- Mustang Mach-E Premium
- Mustang Mach-E California Route 1
- Expedition Limited
- Expedition Limited MAX
- Expedition King Ranch
- Expedition King Ranch MAX
- Expedition Platinum
- Expedition Platinum MAX
- F-150 Lariat
- F-150 King Ranch
- F-150 Platinum
- F-150 Limited
- F-150 Raptor
- F-150 Lightning Lariat
- F-150 Lightning Platinum
- Mustang Mach 1
- Mustang Mach 1 Premium
Models with a heated steering wheel as an optional extra
Mid-spec Ford models mostly include a heated steering wheel as an optional extra. Like most of the options on these vehicles, the heated steering wheel is often included as part of an ‘option pack’ where costs can reach $3,000+
- Escape Active – $695 (part of the Cold Weather pack)
- Escape ST-Line – $695 (part of the Cold Weather pack)
- Bronco Sport Heritage – $1,145 (part of the Heritage Convenience pack)
- Bronco Sport Badlands – $2,505 (part of the Premium pack)
- Bronco Outer Banks – $3,195 (part of the Lux pack)
- Bronco Badlands – $4,690 (part of the Lux pack)
- Bronco Wildtrak – $3,195 (part of the Lux pack)
- Explorer XLT – $3,540 (part of the 202A equipment group)
- Edge SEL – $350
- Edge ST-Line – $350
- Edge ST – $350
- Expedition XLT – $3,795 (part of the 202A equipment group)
- Expedition XLT MAX – $3,795 (part of the 202A equipment group)
- Expedition Timberline – $9,220 (part of the Timberline high pack)
- Maverick XLT – $1,730 (part of the XLT luxury pack)
- Maverick Lariat – $2,610 (part of the Lariat luxury pack)
- F-150 Tremor – $7,665 (part of the Tremor High pack)
- F-150 Lightning XLT – $5,000 (part of the 312A equipment group)
- Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback – $2,800 (part of the 201A equipment group)
- Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible – $2,800 (part of the 201A equipment group)
- Mustang GT Premium Fastback – $2,700 (part of the 401A equipment group)
- Mustang GT Premium Convertible – $2,700 (part of the 401A equipment group)
Models without a heated steering wheel
For most of the base trim level Ford models, you cannot add a heated steering wheel. This aligns with most optional extras that aren’t available on these cars.
- Ecosport S
- Ecosport SE
- Escape Base
- Bronco Sport Base
- Bronco Sport Big Bend
- Bronco Base
- Bronco Big Bend
- Bronco Black Diamond
- Bronco Heritage
- Bronco Raptor
- Explorer Base
- Edge SE
- Mustang Mach-E Select
- Expedition XL STX
- Maverick XL
- Ranger XL
- Ranger XLT
- Ranger Lariat
- F-150 XL
- F-150 XLT
- F-150 Lightning Pro
- Mustang EcoBoost Fastback
- Mustang EcoBoost Convertible
- Mustang GT Fastback
Is a Ford heated steering wheel worth it?
A heated steering wheel is a great option to add if you’re in a colder climate. It’s impressive to see Ford include a heated steering wheel as standard on so many cars, considering luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes don’t even do this. If you’re in a warmer region, then a heated steering wheel is unlikely to be used much, so I wouldn’t add it as an option.
As for the cost, if you do want to add this to a relevant Ford vehicle. Like many Ford options, the heated steering wheel is included in an options package. Prices for these packs vary a lot, depending on the features included. On the F-150 variants, you’ll need to pay over $5,000 for the right options pack, but on models like the Edge and Escape, the cost is significantly lower.
Overall, having a heated steering wheel is more of a luxury than a necessity. It’s useful in extremely cold weather, but even in those regions, I’d be reluctant to pay for an expensive options pack just for this feature. However, if you like the look of the other options included, having a heated steering wheel won’t hurt.
What other Ford options should you look at?
Across the Ford range, there are plenty of impressive (and not-so-impressive) options. We’ve put together articles on the most important features you should look into, covering the price, availability, and our thoughts. Check out the links below for more info:
