Ford XL Vs. XLT – Similarities & Differences to Be Aware of

The Ford F150 is among the most popular truck models, courtesy of its sporty look, handling, and resilience. The 2023 F150 has several trims, ensueing the XL vs. XLT discussion.

How do the F150 XL and XLT differ? The two trims may appear similar, but they have several subtle differences, with the XLT having more features that are optional on the XL. A comprehensive review of the two trims will reveal their contrast points and aid you in determining the best pick.

What Is the Meaning Of XL?

A common misconception about the XL is that the letters stand for extra-large. The letters are not an abbreviation of anything; rather, they indicate that the truck is the base model. The Ford F150 is the cheapest trim with the basic features.  

Other Ford trucks like the Ranger, Maverick, Transit, and Super Duty have the XL trim. The Ford F150 Lightning, one of the best electric pickup trucks, has the Pro trim in place of the XL.

What Is the Meaning Of XLT?

A perusal of F150 XL vs. XLT Reddit discussions reveals that some users falsely believe that XLT means ‘Extra-Large Truck.’ The XLT is an upgrade of the XL trim, with several add-ons that the XL lacks. The extras make it costlier.

The Ford Ranger, Transit, Super Duty, Transit, and Maverick have the XLT as the upgrade trim from the XL. The F150 Lightning also has the XLT trim, an improvement of the Pro, its entry trim.

What Is the Difference Between XL And XLT?

While XL and XLT don’t represent any particular words, we understand they denote the trim class. The XL is the entry trim and has standard features. On the other hand, the XLT is higher than the XL: it has some add-ons that are optional on the XL, such as fog lamps.

The XLT is superior and more luxurious than the XL, which justifies its price. You notice this in the XL vs. XLT Maverick debate, where the latter majors on luxury extras. The XLT’s amenities include:

What Is the Difference Between Ford F150 XL And Ford F150 XLT?

As you have learnt what XL and XLT mean, it is time to look at the Ford F150 XL vs. Ford F150 XLT differences. We break down the discussion into various facets for a better comparison.

Ford F150 XL

As you now know, the Ford F150 XL is the standard trim of this pickup truck model. The following are the key attributes of the F150 XL.

Performance

Despite the F150 XL being an entry trim, its performance is top-notch, a reason behind its popularity. The 2023 Ford F150 XL has 290 horsepower at 6500 RPM and a torque of 265lb. ft at 4000 RPM. Additionally, this pickup truck has an 8200-pound base towing capacity.

Engine

The F150 XL owes its impressive performance to its robust 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine. Initially, the F150 used to run on the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT engine until its replacement by the 3.3-liter in 2018. Both engines are part of the Ford Cyclone family, with the smaller engine being more potent and efficient.

The 3.3-liter V6 engine is the XL’s primary engine; you may go for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 3.5-Liter EcoBoost, or 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine. Please note that the engines run on the auto start-stop technology, which helps with fuel efficiency.

The Ford F150 XL hybrid runs on a 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid V6 engine. If you desire more power, you can go for the High-Output supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine.

Transmission

This Ford truck runs on an electronic 10-speed automatic transmission supported by the SelectShift automated transmission technology. This technology allows you to pick between manual and automatic shifting to improve drivability and performance.

Furthermore, there are five drive modes. They are the normal, tow/haul, snow/wet, Eco select, and sport.

Interior

The Ford F150 XL Regular Cab has a single row of seats accommodating three people. The Super Cab and Super Crew models have two rows of seats, a six-passenger space. The cloth seats are comfortable, and there is ample legroom in the front and back rows.

This truck’s floor sports a black vinyl cover, though you may choose the optional carpeted floor mats. Standard comfort and convenience features include:

An interior work surface, a rearview mirror, and auto-dimming are some optional add-ons.

Exterior

The F150 XL’s exterior is a mash-up of simplicity, sporty and subtle ruggedness. Black detailing is prominent in this trim, noticeable in the front and rear bumpers, side mirrors, skull caps, and door and tailgate handles. Moreover, it has a two-bar grille with black accents.

The following are this pickup truck’s standard exterior extras.

Optional add-ons include LED box lighting, tailgate step, halogen fog lamps, power-adjustable side mirrors, and tailgate LED. For wheels, you may go for 17 or 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels. Alternatively, you can get the 18 or 20-inch 6-spoke machined aluminum wheels for an edge of style.

Entertainment

You won’t have a dull drive on the Ford F150 XL, courtesy of its entertainment system. You can tune in to your favorite radio station courtesy of the AM/FM stereo. The Ford SYNC 4 technology ensures connection to your contacts and frequently used apps.

The FordPass Connect Wi-Fi hotspot works as a modem, allowing you to connect to the internet. Once connected, you have a hotspot connecting up to ten devices.

This truck also has an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display to integrate various infotainment functions. You can upgrade the entertainment system with SiriusXM and SYNC 4 with voice recognition.

Safety Features

This F150 trim has several resources that enhance the security of the driver and other road users. It has a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, handy when reversing or linking to the trailer. This truck has front, driver, and passenger seat-mounted and safety canopy side curtain airbags for cushioning in case of impact.

Other safety features of the F150 XL are:

The BLIS with cross-traffic alert and trailer tow coverage is a non-standard feature of the XL.

Advanced Features

Most of the advanced features of the 2023 F-150 XL enhance security, for instance, the SecuriLock passive antitheft system. This tech addition will immobilize the engine when someone trying to gain access to the vehicle lacks a coded key.

This Ford model also boasts remote keyless entry, perimeter antitheft, and SOS post-crash alert systems. The hill start assist is handy when tackling slopes, preventing the car from rolling forward or backward.

Fuel Economy

The Ford F150 XL Regular Cab and Super Cab have a 23-gallon fuel tank, while the SuperCrew has a 26-gallon tank. The PowerBoost engine versions have a 30.6-gallon fuel tank. You may upgrade your truck with the optional 36-gallon fuel tank.

The following are the fuel economy ratings of this Ford truck according to the engine.

The values are for rear-wheel drive models. Four-wheel drive trucks lose 1-2 mpg. The F150 XL has one of the best hybrid trucks running on a 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid V6 engine and has the best fuel economy values. It has a 25/25/25 mpg rating for city, highway, and combined.

Prices

The 2023 Ford F-150 entry trim is the cheapest, starting at around $33700. The price might be higher depending on the dealership and the extras you want on the truck.

Pros And Cons of The Ford F150 XL

A look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Ford F150 XL will help determine whether it is an excellent acquisition.

Pros Of The XL

The F150 XL has a robust and efficient 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 265lb.ft ratings. You may opt for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, the 5-liter Ti VCT V8, or the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engines, depending on your preference, a hint of this trim’s flexibility.

An equally sturdy 10-speed automatic transmission supports this pickup, with the SelectShift transmission technology ensuring a smooth drive. The interior is comfy, with cloth seats and adequate legroom. You can pick between the Regular Cab, which accommodates three passengers, or the Super Cab and Super Crew models, which accommodate three more passengers.

The state-of-the-art infotainment system guarantees a fun experience, as you can play music and interact with your device’s apps. This truck packs several safety and security features to prevent mishaps to you, other road users, or your property.

Furthermore, the Ford XL is the cheapest trim and has several optional add-ons; thus, suitable for tuning to meet your desires.

Cons

Despite the F150 XL’s affordability, you have to pay more to upgrade its systems, considering that most add-ons are optional. 

Ford F150 XLT

The next part of our discussion focuses on the Ford F150 XLT, the second entry trim after the XL. A look at its crucial attributes will reveal its similarities and variations from the XL.

Performance

The F150 XLT does not disappoint on the road, with a 290-horsepower rating at 6500 RPM. It has a torque of 265lb.ft at 4000 RPM and a maximum towing capacity of 8200 lbs. These values are for the standard 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine. They are higher for the other engines; for instance, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 is capable of 325 horsepower at 5000 RPM and a torque of 400lb.ft at 3000 RPM.

Engine

The XLT trim has four main engine options, with the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine being standard. Others are the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and the 5-liter Ti-VCT V8 engines.

You can see that the XLT has the same engine options as the XL. Additionally, it has hybrid and supercharged variants. All the XLT’s engines except the 2.7-liter EcoBoost are aluminum builds. The exception features a compacted graphite iron block.

Transmission

The F150 XLT has a robust powertrain in the form of a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford’s SelectShift automatic transmission technology with progressive range selection supports this electronic powertrain.

Interior

This truck’s interior is simple and is one of the areas you notice the differences between it and the XL. The XLT has color-coordinated carpets on the floor, while the XL has a black vinyl covering.

The regular cab has one seating row for three passengers, while the Super Cab and SuperCrew versions have an extra row and accommodate six passengers. The interior is roomy, with enough legroom in the front and rear rows.

Standard interior details of the XLT include:

The XLT has more optional interior features than the XL. Below are some of these interior extras.

Exterior

The exterior styling is the primary difference in the 2023 F150 XL vs. XLT discussion. The XLT has chrome front and rear bumpers, while the XL’s are black. Unlike the XL’s all-black design, the XLT has a black-two bar grille with chrome surrounds.

The F150 XLT has halogen headlamps, taillamps, and fog lamps. Moreover, it sports daytime running lamps and a Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp-integrated cargo lamp.

Like the XL, the XLT is a combination of simplicity and sportiness. The chrome details and 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels enhance its stylishness.

You can upgrade the XLT’s exterior with the following accessories.

Entertainment

The entertainment package on the F-150 XLT comprises Ford’s SYNC 4 with enhanced voice recognition, an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen, and the FordPass Connect Wi-Fi hotspot.

You may tune up the XLT’s infotainment system with a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen, SiriusXM with 360L, a B&O sound system, and inbuilt navigation.

Safety Features

The XLT has similar safety features as the XL. These include the front, seat-mounted, and side curtain airbags, AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, and curve control.

Others are:

The alternative safety feature is the BLIS with cross-traffic alert and trailer tow coverage.

Advanced Features

The BLIS (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert and trailer tow coverage is one of the excellent advanced features of the F150 XLT. This feature detects vehicles in your truck’s or trailer’s blind spot and will send an alert.

Other advancements on this truck target security and convenience, such as the remote keyless entry system, the perimeter antitheft alarm, and SecuriLock passive antitheft tech. The SOS post-crash alert system automatically draws attention to the vehicle by flashing turn signal lamps and beeping the horn.

Fuel Economy

The XLT’s fuel economy depends on the engine under its hood. The standard 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine’s ratings are 19 mpg on city roads, 24 mpg on the highway, and a combined 21 mpg. These values are for the rear-wheel drive model with auto stop.

The following are the values of other engines with rear-wheel drive, with auto start/stop.

The highway values drop by roughly 1-2 mpg for models without auto start/stop. The same phenomenon happens for four-wheel drive trucks.

Prices

The 2023 Ford F150 XLT has a starting price of around $42000. The cost depends on several factors, such as the dealership and optional accessories you want on the truck. Models from previous years are cheaper.

Pros And Cons of The Ford F150 XLT

Let us look at the upsides and downsides of the Ford F150 XLT to get a clear picture of its excellence.

Pros Of The XLT

The XLT is a sturdy truck courtesy of its potent 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine. You can upgrade the engine to the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 or the 5-liter Ti-VCT V8 per your driving needs.

The XLT, like other F150 trims, is flexible, providing you with several choices, as evident from the engine options. You also choose a desired truck depending on the cab style and drivetrain.

The 10-speed transmission system also upholds flexibility, supported by the SelectShift automatic transmission technology with progressive range selection. The technology gives you a choice between shifting automatically or semi-automatically without using the clutch.

The XLT’s interior is cozy and spacious. The cloth seats are easy to maintain, and you may replace them with bucket or heated seats for more comfort. It has an up-to-date infotainment system, with standards like SYNC 4 with enhanced voice recognition and an 8-inch touchscreen display.

The F150 XLT boasts numerous safety and security details, notably the blind spot information system (BLIS) and the SecuriLock passive antitheft system. This truck nails it on stylishness, courtesy of its chrome accent.

Cons

The XLT is pricier than the XL, despite minor dissimilarities. You will have to spend more to upgrade the XLT with the optional features.

2023 Ford F-150 Lariat VS 2023 Ford F-150 XLT (YouTube Video)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is XLT Bigger Than XL?

Body dimension is among the factors that differentiate vehicle trims. The Ford F150 XL and XLT are entry trims and share several features, including their body dimensions. The Super Cab and SuperCrew versions are typically longer than the regular cab.

The situation repeats in the XL vs. XLT vs. Lariat body dimension discussion, as the size of all the truck trims is the same.

Q: What Does the XLT Package Include?

The XLT comes with a 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine with auto-start stop technology for efficiency. The engine works in tandem with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its standard drivetrain is 4X2 (rear-wheel drive), which you may recondition to 4X4.

You may also replace the engine with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost or 5-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine, among other alternatives. The XLT has an independent front suspension. An axle upgrade will strengthen this suspension unit.

This truck’s dealer-installed accessories are optional and include a removable cup tray, vertical and horizontal bed cargo net, chrome exhaust tips, a keyless entry keypad, and a wheel lock kit.

Q: How Big Is XLT Size?

The Ford F150 XLT’s size varies depending on the cab style. The regular cab is the smallest, with a wheelbase of 122.8 inches and an overall length of 209.1 inches. It is 75.6 inches tall and 95.7 inches wide, including the standard mirrors.

The XLT Super Cab has a 145.4-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 231.7 inches. The cab height is 75.5 inches, and its width is 95.7 inches, including standard mirrors. The SuperCrew has the exact dimensions as the Super Cab, though its cab height is 75.6 inches, a minor difference.

Q: What Is the Next Size Above XL?

The XL is the basic trim of some Ford trucks, such as the F150, Ranger, and Maverick. The F150 has eight trims, starting with the XL, followed by the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, Tremor, and Raptor.

After the XL is the XLT, which is also basic and sports several aspects of the XL, nevertheless, the XLT is superior to the XL, with extras like chrome detailing on the grille and bumpers, fog lights, and an improved infotainment system. The higher trims lean on luxury and have add-ons that are optional or missing on the XL and XLT.

Q: Does XLT Come with Power Seats?

Power seats are easy to adjust as they use electric motors, unlike manual seats that rely on levers. The F150 XLT comes with manual driver and passenger cloth seats. Power seats are optional; you may go for them for effortless reclining and adjustment.

The front power seats may be a 10-way or 8-way power driver for the driver and passenger seats or solely for the driver seat. Alternatively, you may fancy bucket seats with sport cloth or heated seats.

Q: Does The XLT Have a Sunroof?

A sunroof or moonroof does justice to a vehicle’s appearance and lets light and air into the cabin. The XLT does not have a sunroof as a standard feature. However, the SuperCrew model, across all F150 trims, except XL, has a twin-panel moonroof as an upgrade accessory. The moonroof is standard on the F150 Limited trim.

Q: Does The Ford XLT Have A 360 Camera?

A 360-degree camera is an essential car extra, especially for larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs. The camera gives the driver a comprehensive view of the vehicle, handy for moving in tight spaces like parking spots.

The 360-degree camera is an upgrade add-on for the Ford XLT. You should get it for your truck for convenience when driving.

Q; Can You Get an XLT With Leather Seats?

Leather is a prime car seat material due to its fantastic look, durability, and ease of maintenance. The Ford XLT comes with cloth seats, with a sports cloth alternative. You can’t get one with factory-installed leather seats.

You find leather seats on higher trims like the Lariat, Platinum, Tremor, Limited, and Raptor.

Final Words

The Ford F150 has several trims, of which the XL and XLT are the prominent entry-level ones, delved deep in this article. As you see, the XL vs. XLT discussion reveals that the two trims are entry-level with basic features.

Whereas XL is the first entry trim and the most affordable, the XLT is an improvement of the XL, with features like a fog lamp, cruise control, chrome-accented bumpers and grille, and color-coordinated carpeted floors. The XLT is also pricier than the XL. By now, you must have understood more about the two trims, and you can pick the best one now.