Ford F-150 Trim Levels Explained

What Are Trim Levels?

So, what is a trim level in the first place? This term describes the pre-packaged option groups available on a particular vehicle; you can essentially think of them as blueprints, depicting the accessories and features equipped from the factory. The F-150 features eight trim levels that range from least to most optioned and, in turn, lowest to highest price tag. These options typically enhance comfort, styling, and overall performance.

Trim levels are used to personalize a pickup to individual customer’s needs. While some F-150 drivers may use their vehicle for daily driving, replacing an SUV or other family vehicle, others may use their F-150 as a dedicated work truck. As a result, both consumers likely prefer different options and price points, and trim levels grant the ability to personalize your F-150 to your needs and budget.

Ford F-150 Trim Levels

Now that we understand trim levels, let’s get into the eight significant options offered on the Ford F-150! In this section, we’re highlighting the key features of each trim level, organized from least to most optioned.

XL

The F-150 XL is a no-frills, bare-bones package ideal for use as a work truck or fleet vehicle. This trim level focuses on the essentials, including power windows, power locks, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo. Base equipment includes: 

• 3.3L naturally-aspirated V6 engine producing 290 HP and 265 lb-ft or torque

• 8-inch capacitive touchscreen AM/FM radio

• Ford Co-Pilot 360™ Assist Safety System

• Rearview camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist

• Vinyl flooring

• Black bumpers and grille

• Automatic halogen lighting

• 17-inch steel wheels

Additionally, the F-150 XL can be optioned with the STX appearance package, which significantly enhances aesthetics and features for a fraction of the price of an XLT! STX features include: 

• 20” alloy wheels

• Body-colored bumpers and grille

• Dual exhaust

• Honeycomb grille

• STX bedside badges

• Halogen fog lights

XLT

The Ford F-150 XLT package is a well-optioned mid-tier package offering several amenities and appearance upgrades over the entry-level XL. This package is ideal for daily drivers, increasing comfort without drastically increasing the price. Standard features of the XLT include: 

• Standard 3.3L naturally-aspirated V6 engine producing 290 HP and 265 lb-ft of torque

• Upgradable to 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L Naturally-aspirated V8, or 3.5L PowerBoost V6 Hybrid

• 8-inch capacitive touchscreen AM/FM radio

• Rearview camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist

• Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist 2.0 Safety System

• Power-adjustable seats

• Optional BLIS (Blind Spot Information System)

• Chrome grille with black two-bar insert

• Chrome bumpers 

• Automatic halogen lighting

• Power adjustable mirrors

• 17” alloy wheels

Lariat

The F-150 Lariat offers a significant upgrade in luxury, adding numerous convenience features to the interior and exterior, as well as several appearance enhancements. The Lariat trim offers a solid middle ground between the XLT and higher-trim models, offering such features as: 

• Standard 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine producing 325 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque

• 12-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment display

• SYNC 4 operating system with Enhanced Voice Recognition

• 12-inch digital productivity display

• Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist 2.0 Safety System

• Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start

• Rearview camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist

• Dual power-adjustable seats

• Leather upholstery

• Automatic LED lighting

• Chrome bumpers

• Chrome grille with chrome two-bar insert

• Heated, power-adjustable, auto-dimming side mirrors

• 18” PVD-coated alloy wheels

King Ranch

The F-150 King Ranch has been a staple of Ford’s lineup since 2001, offering a sleek 2-tone paint job and the iconic King Ranch leather interior. This trim level blends luxury with the rugged nature of a Ford pickup, offering all the features and tech of a premium trim with styling that’ll look right at home on a ranch or job site. The King Ranch includes all features of the Lariat, as well as: 

• Standard 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 producing 400 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque

• Dual 10-way power-adjustable seats 

• King Ranch leather upholstery with center flow-through console

• Heated front and rear seats

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

• Trailer sway control

• Wireless charging pad

• Standard B&O sound system

• Accent color bumpers

• Chrome grille with stone gray single-bar insert

• Automatic LED projector headlights, LED fog lamps, LED tail lights 

• Heated, power-adjustable, auto-dimming side mirrors

• 20” machined aluminum wheels

Platinum

The F-150 Platinum trim level is another tier up in the F-150’s luxury trims, residing between the Lariat and Limited. This trim level is essentially an incremental upgrade from the lariat, offering several additional features that make for an exceptional daily driver and luxurious road tripper. The Platinum includes all standard features of the Lariat, as well as: 

• Standard 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 producing 400 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque

• Dual 10-way power-adjustable seats

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• Front and rear leather heated seats with flow-through center console

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

• Trailer sway control

• Wireless charging pad  

• Auto start-stop technology

• Power-deployable running boards

• 20” polished aluminum wheels

Limited

The F-150 Limited is the top-of-the-line in luxury, offering comparable features you’d expect to find in a luxury SUV. This trim level brings out all the stops, adding massaging seats, premium audio, and a standard hybrid powertrain. The Limited features all equipment of the Platinum, as well as: 

• Standard 3.5L PowerBoost V6 Hybrid producing 430 HP and 570 lb-ft of torque

• Active Motion massaging seats

• Pro Power onboard generator

• 22-inch polished aluminum wheels

• Ford Co-Pilot360™ Active 2.0 Safety Suite

• Onboard scales with a smart hitch

• Pro Trailer Backup Assist™

• Interior Work Surface

• Bang & Olufsen® Unleashed premium sound system

• 22” polished aluminum wheels

Tremor

Though most trim levels thus far have focused on luxury, the next two are geared toward off-road performance, featuring a series of suspension and software enhancements.

The Tremor is one such package, sporting rugged body-colored bumpers, upgraded suspension, and similar amenities to the XLT and Lariat packages. This trim level is ideal for a daily driver who sees the occasional dirt road or trail. Standout features of the Tremor package include: 

• Standard 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 producing 400 HP and 410 lb-ft of torque

• Tremor-branded, power-adjustable seats with flow-through center console

• Body-colored bumpers and grille

• Unique tremor grille with Active Orange accents 

• Hill Descent Control™

• Six upfitter switches in the overhead console

• Unique Tremor® suspension with off-road dampers

• Dual outlet exhaust

• 18” aluminum wheels with dark matte finish

Raptor

Finally, we have the Ford Raptor: a highly modified, widened, and off-road-centric F-150 designed to dominate any terrain and look great doing it. This trim package separates itself from the other trim levels in Ford’s lineup, featuring a 5-link rear suspension, widened IFS front suspension, sport-tuned FOX dampers, standard 35-inch tires, and Raptor-specific bodywork. Standard raptor features include: 

• Standard 3.5L EcoBoost High-Output V6 producing 450 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque

• 5-Link rear suspension with Panhard bar

• Long Travel independent front suspension with Raptor-specific control arms and tie rods

• FOX Live Valve internal bypass shocks

• Trail Control™ with Trail 1-Pedal Drive

• Flare front fenders with air extractors

• Unique Raptor®-style grille

• Automatic LED Lighting

• 17” bright machine-polished wheels

Which Package is Right for You?

So, which F-150 is right for you? To answer that question, you’ll have to look at a few variables, including your needs, expectations, and budget.

Obviously, if you’re spending the money for a brand new full-size pickup, you’ll want to ensure you get your money’s worth; no one wants to sit in their $50,000 pickup wishing they’d opted for different features or packages. So, to begin, let’s discuss your needs and expectations. 

What’s your planned usage of your F-150? If it’s a dedicated daily driver that won't ever leave the pavement, especially if you live in a mild climate, save the money on a 2WD drivetrain over 4WD; you can put that money toward interior upgrades! If you’re in the market for a dedicated work truck, you likely won’t want to waste the money for a fully loaded pickup. In these cases, an XL or XLT will do the trick. 

If you’re in the market for a luxurious family vehicle, consider the superior amenities of a Lariat, Platinum, Limited, or King Ranch, all of which offer more features than the average pickup owner would ever use! For mild-moderate off-roading, you can’t beat the features of a Tremor; however, if you’re looking for an off-the-shelf pickup that can dominate high-speed off-road terrain, the Raptor is virtually unbeatable. 

Regarding budget, you’ll need to weigh your desired price point against your desired features. Pickups like the XL, XL STX, and SLT offer all of the basic amenities and then some, all for well under $50,000–though that’s MSRP with nothing but standard features. And remember, if you’re having trouble finding the exact options you’re looking for on dealer lots, you can always Special Order a New Pickup!