So you’ve been shopping for Ford full-size trucks and notice there are many great models in the lineup. The 2025 Ford F-150 continues to set the standard as one of America’s best-selling trucks, but which model is right for you? If you're torn between the versatile and classic power of XLT and the sporty performance of STX, you're not alone.
Discover the key differences between the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT and STX models in this in-depth comparison, highlighting the XLT's everyday power and the STX's sporty performance. Keep reading to find out what makes these two F-150 trucks different, so you can choose the right full-size Ford truck for driving and working in Florida.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Ford F-150 XLT is the model above the sporty STX, providing more standard features, chrome accents, and a full Hybrid V6 powertrain option.
- The 2025 Ford F-150 STX offers the optional FX4 trim, an off-road-focused package with off-road-tuned shocks and suspension.
- Check out the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT with the Lobo Package, which adds signature street style and the 5.0L V8 engine.
What is the difference between the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT and STX?
A step above the STX, the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT builds on the base model's standard features by adding a chromed bumper, chrome grille with black mesh, standard zone lighting, optional exterior design accents, and available LED box lighting, along with other upgrades and package options to boost both appearance and performance.
The 2025 Ford F-150 XLT offers several engine options, including a V6, V8, and a full Hybrid V6 powertrain. Although the STX also has various engine choices, the full Hybrid V6 powertrain isn't available for this Ford F-150 model, but it does come with the FX4 trim to enhance its off-road capabilities with off-road tuned shocks and suspension.
Other differences between the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT and STX include having more standard and optional features with the F-150 XLT, such as a Tailgate Step, Tailgate Work Surface, pickup box tie-down plates, chrome running boards, and the option to add either the 2kW, 2.4kW, or 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard, turning your Ford F-150 XLT into a mobile power source for many uses like tools, radios, chargers, and small fridge units.
Which engines are in the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT and STX models?
The 2025 Ford F-150 and STX models are available with several engine options and come standard with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine, which delivers 325 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, enabling a towing capacity of up to 8,400 pounds when properly equipped.
2025 Ford F-150 XLT Engine Options:
- 3.5L EcoBoost V6
- 5.0L Ti-VCT V8
- 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6
2025 Ford F-150 STX Engine Options:
- 5.0L Ti-VCT V8
Which 2025 Ford F-150 is right for me: the XLT or the STX?
There are many reasons why the Ford F-series trucks have stayed America’s best-selling trucks for 48 years and have been ranked among the best by Edmunds and Car and Driver. Whether you choose the classic power and performance of the 2025 Ford F-150 FTX or the sporty feel and off-road focus of the STX, know that you’re gaining advantages beyond just being one of the top full-size pickup trucks for generations.
When you buy the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT, you can add the Lobo Package, enhancing your full-size truck's style with custom gloss black wheels, ground effects, a light bar, and the roar of the 400-horsepower 5.0L V8 engine, delivering legendary power to tow up to 12,900 pounds.
Not only does the Ford F-150 XLT excel at heavy lifting, but it also offers smooth handling and a comfortable interior with convenience features, including optional heated, power-adjustable seats, a 12-inch digital productivity screen, optional Adaptive Cruise Control, optional Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start, and an available Console Work Surface that transforms your cabin into a mobile office where you can work on your laptop, spread out your plans and blueprints, sip coffee, and schedule your day.
Go for the sporty edge and off-road performance of the 2025 Ford F-150 STX with the FX4 trim (also available on the XLT), which includes off-road-tuned shocks and suspension. Featuring 18-inch or optional 20-inch alloy wheels, all-season or all-terrain tires, and package add-ons like the F-150 Lobo Package, STX Black Appearance Package, and Mobile Office Package, the F-150 STX is a versatile powerhouse that easily transitions from work to play, allowing you to tow and take adventures off-road on any terrain.
No matter which style and performance option you choose for your 2025 Ford F-150, you can drive with confidence knowing your full-size truck is equipped with the advanced safety features and driver assistance technology in the Ford Co-Pilot360 system, earning a Top Safety Pick recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Drive the Ford Truck You Love
Drive a 2025 Ford F-150, part of America’s best-selling truck series for nearly fifty years, and discover why people love the truck they drive year after year. Visit Alan Jay Ford of Wauchula, home to the best-selling trucks in America, the Ford F-series, and a place where outstanding service makes your car-buying experience easier than ever.