
F-150 Trim Levels

What's the Difference Between the 2026 Ford F-150 Trim Levels?
XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum or Raptor? The 2026 F-150 lineup covers everything from straightforward work trucks to hybrid daily drivers, luxury pickups and 720-horsepower off-road machines. Here's how to choose the F-150 that fits the way you actually use a truck.
Start with what you need your truck to do
XL is the work-focused starting point. STX adds attitude. XLT is the versatile everyday choice. Lariat adds technology and comfort. Tremor moves off-road, King Ranch and Platinum move upscale, and Raptor turns F-150 into a high-performance desert truck.
Which 2026 F-150 trim should you buy?
Forget the option codes for a minute. Here's the F-150 lineup in plain English.
Need a work truck?
XL gives you maximum cab, bed and engine flexibility while keeping the focus on capability and value.
Pick: F-150 XLWant style without luxury pricing?
STX adds a bolder appearance and available specialty packages while keeping the truck relatively straightforward.
Pick: F-150 STXWant the best all-around F-150?
XLT offers broad engine choice, useful technology, towing features and enough comfort for everyday use.
Pick: F-150 XLTWant premium comfort?
Lariat adds more upscale cabin materials, technology, convenience features and available BlueCruise.
Pick: F-150 LariatWant a trail truck?
Tremor combines serious off-road hardware with everyday F-150 usefulness.
Pick: F-150 TremorWant distinctive luxury?
King Ranch wraps F-150 capability in a premium Southwestern-inspired design.
Pick: F-150 King RanchWant the luxury flagship?
Platinum emphasizes premium materials, technology and sophisticated styling.
Pick: F-150 PlatinumWant the wild one?
Raptor is a purpose-built high-speed off-road truck, while Raptor R turns the insanity up to 720 horsepower.
Pick: F-150 Raptor2026 F-150 trim-level comparison
Here's the fastest way to see how the eight main F-150 trims differ before we break them down individually.
| Feature | XL | STX | XLT | Lariat | Tremor | King Ranch | Platinum | Raptor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary personality | Work truck VALUE | Bold style STYLE | Everyday versatility ALL-AROUND | Premium comfort TECH | Trail capability OFF-ROAD | Southwestern luxury DISTINCTIVE | Luxury flagship PREMIUM | Extreme performance RAPTOR |
| Hybrid available | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — |
| V8 available | Yes | Select configurations | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | 5.2L on Raptor R |
| Maximum available power | Up to 400 hp | Varies by engine | Up to 420 hp | Up to 420 hp | Up to 400 hp | Up to 420 hp | Up to 420 hp | Up to 720 hp |
| 4x4 standard | Available | Available | Available | Available | Yes | Available | Available | Yes |
| Main strength | Configuration flexibility | Appearance & value | Work + daily use | Comfort + tech | Technical trails | Luxury personality | Premium refinement | High-speed off-road |
Engine and feature availability varies by cab, bed, drivetrain, equipment group and package. Maximum towing and payload figures require specific configurations. Always confirm the equipment and ratings of the individual truck.

XL: the work-truck foundation
XL is the F-150 for buyers who care more about what a truck can do than how much luxury equipment is inside it.
It's also one of the most configurable trucks in the lineup. Regular Cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations are available, along with multiple bed lengths and several engine choices.
Properly configured, an F-150 XL can also deliver the lineup's headline capability numbers, including up to 13,500 pounds of towing and up to 2,440 pounds of payload.
- ✓Standard engine: 2.7L EcoBoost V6
- ✓Available 3.5L EcoBoost V6
- ✓Available 5.0L V8
- ✓Regular Cab, SuperCab or SuperCrew
- ✓Multiple bed lengths
- ✓Up to 13,500 lbs. towing when properly configured
Who should buy F-150 XL?
Contractors, fleet buyers, farmers, business owners or anyone who wants maximum F-150 capability and configuration flexibility without paying for luxury features they don't need.
STX: more attitude without jumping to luxury pricing
STX is aimed at buyers who like the value-oriented side of F-150 but want more visual personality.
Bold wheels, sportier exterior treatments and available appearance packages make STX feel less like a basic work truck while preserving the utility that makes F-150 useful.
For 2026, Ford also lists hybrid availability on STX, making it an interesting choice for buyers who want PowerBoost capability without moving deep into the luxury side of the lineup.
- ✓Bold STX exterior styling
- ✓Available PowerBoost hybrid
- ✓Available F-150 Lobo Package on select configurations
- ✓4x2 or available 4x4
Who should buy F-150 STX?
Someone who wants an F-150 that looks more aggressive than an XL but doesn't need all the additional comfort and technology of XLT or Lariat.


XLT: the F-150 sweet spot
For a huge number of truck buyers, XLT is where the F-150 lineup makes the most sense.
It adds more productivity, convenience and technology than the lower trims without forcing buyers into premium-truck pricing. The 12-inch center touchscreen with SYNC 4 gives the cabin a more modern feel, while towing technology such as available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist helps make the truck easier to use.
XLT also gives buyers broad engine choice, including the available 420-horsepower PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6.
- ✓Multiple engine choices
- ✓Available 420-hp PowerBoost hybrid
- ✓12-inch SYNC 4 center display
- ✓Available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist
- ✓Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist
- ✓Available BlueCruise
Who should buy F-150 XLT?
Buyers who need a real work-capable truck but also use their F-150 as a daily driver. XLT is arguably the most balanced trim in the lineup.
Lariat: where the F-150 starts feeling premium
Lariat is the transition point between the mainstream F-150 lineup and Ford's luxury trucks.
The focus shifts toward a more comfortable cabin, more standard technology and features designed for owners who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Lariat can still be configured with serious towing and hauling capability, while available PowerBoost gives buyers 420 horsepower, 570 lb.-ft. of torque and available Pro Power Onboard capability.
- ✓Available PowerBoost Full Hybrid
- ✓Premium cabin materials
- ✓Available heated and ventilated seating
- ✓Available BlueCruise
- ✓Advanced towing and camera technology
Who should buy F-150 Lariat?
Someone who needs F-150 capability but wants the truck to feel more like a premium daily driver during commuting, travel and long towing trips.


Tremor: the trail-focused F-150
Tremor is for buyers who need a pickup first but want much more factory off-road capability than a conventional F-150 provides.
It rides on 33-inch all-terrain tires and includes long-travel, off-road-tuned suspension, an electronic-locking rear differential and specialized drive modes including Rock Crawl.
Ford pairs that hardware with powerful engine choices, including the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and available 5.0L V8.
- ✓Standard 4x4
- ✓33-inch all-terrain tires
- ✓Off-road-tuned long-travel suspension
- ✓Electronic-locking rear differential
- ✓Rock Crawl mode
- ✓Ford Trail Control
- ✓Available 5.0L V8
Who should buy F-150 Tremor?
Hunters, outdoorsmen, rural owners and anyone who wants serious off-road capability while retaining the everyday towing, hauling and bed usefulness of an F-150.
King Ranch: unmistakable Texas-inspired luxury
King Ranch has always been one of the most distinctive F-150 trims because it doesn't try to look like every other luxury truck.
Southwestern-inspired colors, materials and badging give the cabin and exterior a recognizable personality while preserving serious F-150 towing and hauling capability.
PowerBoost hybrid availability also means King Ranch buyers can combine luxury with 420 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque.
- ✓Distinctive King Ranch styling
- ✓Premium interior materials
- ✓Available PowerBoost hybrid
- ✓Advanced towing technology
- ✓Available BlueCruise
Who should buy F-150 King Ranch?
Buyers who want a genuinely premium truck but prefer warm, distinctive styling over the more modern luxury theme of Platinum.


Platinum: luxury meets capability
Platinum is the modern luxury flagship of the conventional F-150 lineup.
It builds on F-150's towing, hauling and technology foundation with premium finishes, advanced convenience features and a more understated luxury design than King Ranch.
Ford also offers multiple Platinum equipment levels, including Platinum Standard, High and Platinum Plus configurations, giving buyers several ways to tailor the truck.
- ✓Luxury-focused interior
- ✓Available PowerBoost hybrid
- ✓Available Platinum Plus
- ✓Available BlueCruise
- ✓Premium audio and technology
Who should buy F-150 Platinum?
The buyer who wants a full-size pickup to serve as both a serious truck and a premium daily vehicle without moving into the specialty off-road territory of Raptor.
Raptor: a completely different kind of F-150
Raptor isn't simply an F-150 with larger tires. Ford changes the suspension, rear architecture, drivetrain, bodywork and performance hardware to create a truck designed for high-speed off-road use.
Standard Raptor models use a 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
Raptor R takes things even further with a supercharged 5.2L V8 producing 720 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft., available 37-inch tires and advanced FOX suspension hardware.
- ✓3.5L High-Output EcoBoost: 450 hp / 510 lb.-ft.
- ✓Raptor R 5.2L Supercharged V8: 720 hp / 640 lb.-ft.
- ✓FOX Live Valve suspension
- ✓Available 37-inch all-terrain tires
- ✓Trail Control
- ✓Trail 1-Pedal Drive
- ✓Baja and Rock Crawl drive modes
Who should buy F-150 Raptor?
Someone who wants factory-engineered extreme off-road performance and understands that Raptor's mission is very different from maximum towing or payload.

Six ways to power an F-150
Engine choice can matter as much as trim level. The 2026 F-150 lineup ranges from the 325-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost to the 720-horsepower supercharged Raptor R V8.
2.7L EcoBoost V6
A strong everyday engine with a useful balance of torque, capability and efficiency.
325 hp 400 lb.-ft. Up to 8,400 lbs. towing3.5L EcoBoost V6
The engine to look at when maximum conventional F-150 towing and payload capability are priorities.
382 hp 500 lb.-ft. Up to 13,500 lbs. towing3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid
Combines gasoline and electric power with high torque and available Pro Power Onboard capability.
420 hp 570 lb.-ft. Up to 11,600 lbs. towing5.0L Ti-VCT V8
The traditional naturally aspirated F-150 V8 for buyers who still want eight-cylinder sound and response.
400 hp 410 lb.-ft. Up to 12,800 lbs. towing3.5L High-Output EcoBoost
Exclusive to Raptor and tuned for high-performance off-road driving.
450 hp 510 lb.-ft.5.2L Supercharged V8
The extreme Raptor R powerplant.
720 hp 640 lb.-ft. Raptor R only
Trim matters. Configuration matters even more.
One of the most important things to understand when shopping for an F-150 is that a more expensive trim does not automatically mean more towing or payload.
Maximum capability depends on engine, cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, towing equipment and other options.
In fact, the work-focused XL can be configured to achieve some of the highest towing and payload ratings in the entire lineup.
- ✓Max available towing: 13,500 lbs.
- ✓Max available payload: 2,440 lbs.
- ✓Available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist
- ✓Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist
The hybrid isn't the weak engine
F-150 PowerBoost is different from the efficiency-first hybrids many shoppers may be used to.
The 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 produces 420 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque — more torque than the conventional 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L V8.
It also supports available Pro Power Onboard output of up to 7.2 kW, allowing the truck to function as a mobile power source for tools, equipment, campsites and other uses.
- ✓420 horsepower
- ✓570 lb.-ft. of torque
- ✓Up to 11,600 lbs. towing
- ✓Available 7.2-kW Pro Power Onboard

Which F-150 upgrade is actually worth it?
Each trim should solve a specific need. More expensive isn't automatically better.
XL vs. STX
Choose XL if capability, configuration flexibility and price come first. Choose STX if you want more visual attitude.
Function vs. styleSTX vs. XLT
STX is primarily about appearance and value. XLT adds more productivity, towing and technology options.
Style vs. versatilityXLT vs. Lariat
XLT gives you most of what truck buyers need. Lariat makes sense if interior comfort and premium technology matter every day.
Value vs. comfortTremor vs. Raptor
Tremor is still fundamentally a work-capable F-150 with added trail hardware. Raptor is a specialized high-performance off-road truck.
Utility vs. extreme performanceKing Ranch vs. Platinum
Both are luxury trucks. King Ranch is warmer and more distinctive; Platinum has a more contemporary luxury theme.
Personality vs. modern luxuryEcoBoost vs. PowerBoost
Choose 3.5L EcoBoost when maximum towing is the target. Choose PowerBoost for hybrid power, massive torque and available onboard electricity.
Max tow vs. hybrid versatilityEcoBoost vs. 5.0 V8
EcoBoost delivers more low-rpm torque, while the V8 offers naturally aspirated response and traditional truck character.
Turbo torque vs. V8 characterWhich trim to tow with?
Choose the configuration around the trailer first, then the trim. Cab, bed, engine and axle can matter more than the badge.
Spec the truck for the jobThe best F-150 features are the ones that help you use the truck
Ford's technology story isn't only about screens. Many available features are designed specifically around towing, work and everyday pickup ownership.
Pro Power Onboard
Available onboard power lets the F-150 supply electricity for tools, tailgates, campsites and jobsite equipment.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Available trailer technology helps simplify one of the most intimidating parts of towing: backing up.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist
Available technology can help the truck align itself with a conventional trailer hitch.
Available BlueCruise
Hands-free highway driving assistance is available on select F-150 trims and equipment packages.
Pro Access Tailgate
The available tailgate design provides easier bed access, particularly when a trailer is connected.
Mobile Office Features
Available work surfaces, storage and power features can turn the F-150 cabin into a useful workspace between jobs.
Compare 2026 F-150 trims at Chuck Anderson Ford
Shopping for an F-150 in Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, Richmond or the greater Kansas City area? Compare XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum and Raptor configurations at Chuck Anderson Ford.





2026 Ford F-150 trim-level FAQ
What are the 2026 Ford F-150 trim levels?
The 2026 F-150 lineup includes XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum and Raptor.
What is the difference between F-150 XL and XLT?
XL focuses on work-truck value, cab and bed flexibility and maximum configuration choice. XLT adds more convenience, technology and appearance equipment while retaining broad engine and towing options.
What is the difference between F-150 STX and XLT?
STX emphasizes aggressive styling and value. XLT offers more productivity, towing and technology options, including available PowerBoost hybrid power, available trailer-assistance technology and available BlueCruise.
What is the difference between F-150 XLT and Lariat?
XLT is the value-oriented all-around choice, while Lariat adds a more premium interior, additional comfort equipment and more advanced technology.
Which F-150 trim is best for towing?
The correct answer depends more on configuration than trim. A properly equipped 2026 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 can tow up to 13,500 pounds. Engine, cab, bed, axle ratio, drivetrain and towing equipment all affect the final rating.
Which F-150 trim is best for off-roading?
Tremor is an excellent choice for buyers who want serious trail capability while retaining conventional F-150 utility. Raptor is the more extreme factory off-road option with specialized suspension, high-output engines and available 37-inch tires.
What is the difference between F-150 Tremor and Raptor?
Tremor is a conventional F-150 enhanced with off-road suspension, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential and specialized trail modes. Raptor is a purpose-built high-speed off-road truck with FOX suspension, wider bodywork and a 450-horsepower High-Output EcoBoost engine. Raptor R adds a 720-horsepower supercharged V8.
Which F-150 trims offer the PowerBoost hybrid?
Ford lists the PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 as available on select STX, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum configurations for the 2026 model year.
How much horsepower does the F-150 PowerBoost have?
The 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 produces 420 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque.
Does the 2026 F-150 still offer a V8?
Yes. The naturally aspirated 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 produces 400 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque and is available on select F-150 trims. Raptor R uses a separate supercharged 5.2L V8 producing 720 horsepower.
What is the most luxurious F-150 trim?
Platinum is the modern luxury flagship of the conventional F-150 lineup, while King Ranch offers a similarly premium experience with distinctive Southwestern-inspired styling.
How much can the 2026 F-150 tow?
The 2026 F-150 can tow up to 13,500 pounds when properly equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6.
What is the maximum payload of the 2026 F-150?
The 2026 Ford F-150 offers up to 2,440 pounds of maximum available payload when properly configured.
Where can I buy a 2026 F-150 near Kansas City?
Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs, Missouri serves F-150 shoppers from Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, Richmond, Kansas City and surrounding communities. Browse available F-150 inventory online or visit the dealership to compare trim levels, engines and configurations in person.
The right F-150 starts with the job, not the badge.
Choose XL for work, STX for style, XLT for all-around value, Lariat for comfort, Tremor for the trail, King Ranch or Platinum for luxury, or Raptor for extreme performance. Shop 2026 Ford F-150 inventory at Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs and compare the lineup side by side.
Vehicle specifications, features, packages, horsepower, torque, towing capacities, payload capacities and availability are based on manufacturer-published 2026 Ford F-150 information available when this page was prepared and are subject to change. Maximum towing and payload ratings require specific vehicle, engine, drivetrain, axle, cab, bed and equipment configurations and may not be achieved simultaneously. Horsepower and torque ratings may require manufacturer-recommended premium fuel. Always consult the vehicle's towing guide, owner's manual and door-jamb certification label before towing or hauling. Ford, F-150, EcoBoost, PowerBoost, Raptor, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum, Pro Power Onboard, BlueCruise, Pro Trailer Backup Assist and related marks are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. FOX and Bang & Olufsen are trademarks of their respective owners.