When shopping the 2025 Ford F-150 lineup, the XL and STX are usually the first two trims people consider. Both are in the affordable end of the range and carry over most of the updates Ford added to last year's truck, with some trim-specific updates. Let's break down their features below!
Key Takeaways
- Ford made major F-150 updates in 2024; 2025 focuses on small trim-level adjustments.
- The XL returns essentially identical to last year, while the STX picks up a few appearance changes.
- Engine options carry over unchanged for 2025.
What’s New for the 2025 F-150 XL and STX?
Ford didn’t overhaul either trim this year, but there are a couple of differences worth noting. The XL remains the bare-bones, work-ready version of the F-150 and carries over almost entirely untouched. The STX sees the most visible adjustments: Ford swapped its previous 20-inch wheels for gloss-black 18-inch versions and removed the LED fog lights and zone lighting that used to be standard.
Pricing for 2025 breaks down like this:
Ford sticks with the established engine lineup for 2025. The XL opens with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, but if you need more power, you can upgrade to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 or the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. All engines can pair with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
The STX narrows your engine selections to two choices: the standard 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 or the optional 5.0-liter V8. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the STX, but four-wheel drive is available.
Properly configured, the truck can tow up to 13,500 pounds, and payload tops out at 2,455 pounds. Both trims benefit from the same underlying structure and hardware, so towing and hauling numbers depend more on engine and package selection than trim.
What the 2025 Ford F-150 STX Adds Over the XL
The XL anchors the lineup and rides on 17-inch steel wheels. It comes standard with LED headlights, a Class IV trailer hitch, and keyless entry. Inside, vinyl flooring makes cleanup easy, which is ideal if you’re using it as a job-site truck. Ford also includes a 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so even the most affordable F-150 still gets modern tech. A digital instrument cluster is standard here, too, giving the cabin a cleaner and more updated look.
Ford doesn’t skimp on safety equipment at this level, either. The XL includes lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Those systems are tuned to help stabilize the truck and anything you’re towing, making the XL feel more secure on the road than you’d expect for a budget-minded trim.
The STX takes the XL’s foundation and shifts it toward a more polished, personal-use-friendly configuration. The steel wheels have larger alloys, and the interior trades vinyl flooring for carpeting, which makes the cabin feel more like a daily driver than a pure work truck. The STX also opens access to more optional features than the XL, allowing buyers to tailor the truck with styling upgrades, convenience add-ons, and capability packages that the base trim doesn’t offer.
Should You Choose the XL or the STX for Your Next Truck?
If you want a straightforward full-size truck without the extra frills, the XL fits that description perfectly. It has everything you need to tow, haul, commute, or work without stretching your budget. If you want a truck that has a slightly more comfortable interior and gives you more room to customize, the STX makes sense as the next step up. If you're still unsure, contact Banner Ford of Monroe for a test drive of one or both!