Ford F-150 Trim Levels Explained

Updated on Jan 27, 2024

As not only the best-selling pickup in the United States for the past 46 consecutive years, but the best-selling vehicle across all classes for over 41 consecutive years, the Ford F-Series line is undoubtedly popular...and for good reason! These pickups are renowned for their unrelenting reliability, superb quality, rugged styling, and seemingly endless options.

If you’re in the market for a new half-ton pickup, the Ford F-150 is likely on your list, continuously outselling all other competitors in the half-ton market. But how do you choose which trim level to order? This year alone, Ford offers the F-150 with an eight-trim lineup, not including additional packages or the all-electric lightning! So which is right for you?

In this guide, we’re covering trim levels offered on the Ford F-150, including what they are and what separates each of the F-150’s eight trim levels apart from one another.

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 & 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!