It’s no secret that the Ford F-150 has a great range of trim levels to choose from, but differentiating between them may not be obvious at a glance. The XLT and Lariat are the second and third base options ahead of the XL, but what are the differences between these two popular trim choices?
Whilst the XLT features several interior and exterior upgrades with the options of luxurious heated front bucket seats, the safety upgrades such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning are some of the best additions to the XLT.
The Lariat however is the better option if you are wanting the best luxury and performance from your F-150 with dual-zone climate control, premium sound systems, and a highly capable EcoBoost engine.
The Ford F-150 is a unique and luxurious truck no matter which of the six trim levels you choose, but it didn’t become one of the best-selling pickup trucks in the world without offering enough variety and features to suit the vast majority of drivers.
Before we look into the differences between these trims you should know the similarities to expect. Both the XLT and the Lariat have the option of FX4 Off-Road packages on 4×4 models as well as Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0.
The main comparison points in the XLT and Lariat are the price point, improved horsepower, and even slightly more economical fuel consumption, but to make this choice you’ll want to know all the ins and outs of these impressive packages.
Let’s take a closer look at all the variations these trims have to offer and what makes them both unique.
The main difference and selling point between these variants is the base engine. The XLT features a 3.3L V6 that is capable of 290 horsepower.
However, the Lariats smaller turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost engine boasts 325 horsepower making it the preferred option for those wanting more power in their truck.
Both options have the option of a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine that offers 375 horsepower or even a 5.0L Ti-VCT engine with 400 horsepower and 10 gear speed automatic electronic transmission.
The Lariat will provide you with better power and even better fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 26 MPG compared to the XLT’s 25 MPG.
Another significant difference in these trim packages is the variety of technology and premium features that the Lariat has in comparison to the XLT.
Both the XLT and Lariat are equipped with SYNC 3 infotainment systems which feature an LCD touchscreen, GPS navigation and live traffic, and travel link feeds from SiriusXM as well as extra connectivity features such as WI-Fi hotspots and SYNC suite.
You also get access to the FordPass application on both trims which is a fantastic way to access all your vehicle information and features through your smartphone.
The Lariat, however, has a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen Play sound system, enhanced voice recognition, ambient lighting, and BLIS cross-traffic alert and trailer tow coverage.
Depending on what you planned to use your F-150 for, they both have their own features, but it is obvious to see the Lariat comes on top in this category.
It’s well known that additional luxurious features and finishes come with higher-priced trims, and the Lariat is no exception.
If you’re wanting a workhorse that can keep up with your busy lifestyle then the interior finish and amenities of the Lariat may be an unnecessary expense to you.
The Lariat features Push-Button Start unlike the XLT and also comes with a memory function adjustable driver’s seat that has 10-way power movement, as well as heating abilities for cold mornings.
Whilst both trim levels have cruise control and cross-traffic alerts the interior of the Lariat comes with leather seating and a wrapped steering wheel which gives a much most comfortable and visually appealing finish.
Finally, the differences to the exterior are another significant selling point that justifies the price difference. Both trim levels have a 170-degree swing to the rear door and box side steps, as well as LED lighting to illuminate every truck bed.
The truck bed is also where the differences begin, with the standard bed length on the XLT being only 6.5 feet, whereas the Lariat has an 8-foot bed equipped as standard. You can upgrade the XLT to get an 8-foot bed if this is a selling point for you.
The XLT’s 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels are slightly less impressive than the Lariats 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with magnetic-painted pockets as well as LED reflector headlamps and LED tail lamps.
The safety features on any vehicle are an important part of its appeal, especially if you plan to use this vehicle for daily use and want to have the reassurance that your truck is as sturdy as it is powerful.
Both models have rearview cameras as standard with optional intersection assist as well as:
But the Lariat is the first trim model alongside the King Ranch and Platinum trims to feature BlueCruise hands-free driving on prequalified sections of highways in over 130,000 miles of North American roads.
The Ford website offers a range of additional upgrade packages for both the XLT and Lariat meaning you can customize your dream truck to your heart’s content.
The XLT offers the following packages:
The Lariat offers the following packages:
The Lariat has a much better-equipped interior with a push-button start and a much more luxurious feel, but several other features are also available on the XLT.
XLT stands for Extra Luxurious Truck and goes back as far as 1970 when this was the top trim available for the Ford Ranger.
The King Ranch is equipped with a 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine whereas the Lariat only has a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine. The King Ranch also has a much smarter interior appearance with unique genuine wood accents.
The Ford F-150 has 6 trims available which all have their own option extras too. The six trims are:
The main comparisons between the Ford F-150 XLT and Lariat are the engine, interior finish, and overall features that make the trim much more appealing to those who are searching for a comfortable and feature-packed vehicle.
Of course, the addition of a more powerful engine and so many technological features does mean the price will increase if you are wanting to purchase the Lariat trim instead of the XLT. But you do get BlueCruise, additional horsepower, and a leather interior with this price which is a big upgrade from the XLT.
So if you choose to go for either of these trim packages for the Ford F-150, you are guaranteed to be impressed by everything this truck has to offer and see why it has become one of the best selling vehicles of its type.
