A Guide to 2021 Ford F-150 Trims and Package Levels
Where does the XL end and the XLT begin? Is the 900A better than the 701A? We make sense of it for you in our trim and package level guide.
The F-150 is the bread and butter of the Ford lineup. 2021 is a special year because the much-anticipated new model is starting to hit the streets. We are finally getting our chance at some seat time in the updated trucks. Spoiler alert, we like them. We suspect that many of you will like them as well and maybe looking to add one to your garage. There is good news and bad news with the F-150. The good news is there are a ton of options, configurations, and F-150 trims to choose from. The bad news is there are a ton of options, configurations, and F-150 trims to choose from. Do you really need to pay almost ten thousand more for a Lariat or will an XLT do? What is the difference? You can use a guide.
We recently gave you a breakdown of all of the Ford pickup trucks in our quick guide to the 2021 models. In that guide, we focused at the highest level and mainly concentrated on the capabilities of each truck and their price points. What are the towing and payload capacities, what engines are available? That can give you some direction on what truck series you are after. This time we are going to assume you read that article and decided the F-150 is for you. We will focus on the F-150 trims and look more closely at the standard features and available options. This isn’t so much about performance figures; this is more about the goodies you get in various packages and trim levels. We are not going to hit every single trim difference or option, but we will cover the main features you can expect at each level.
XL Trim
This is your base F-150, steel wheels and all. Inside you are sitting on cloth seats with a black vinyl floor covering. Your tunes will be coming at you from an AM/FM stereo with four speakers in regular cab configuration or six speakers in the SuperCab and SuperCrew trucks. Pretty basic, but it does include SYNC 4 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. But just because you chose the base model doesn’t mean you can’t spruce it up.
You can also upgrade from the base 100A Standard package up to the 101A High package. That will net you power items such as locks and windows. It will also give you cruise control and a reverse sensing system. The FX4 Off-Road Package is also available on the XT, as long as you also upgrade the engine and select the 101A High package. With the FX4 you get a slew of off-roading goodies like hill descent control, rock crawl mode, skid plates and more. Bottom line, you can build yourself a really nice XL trim truck and also spend over $50,000 in the process.
XLT
Want to keep the price reasonable but don’t want the stigma of a base model truck? The XLT is the next rung on the ladder. You still sit on cloth seats, but you do get a carpeted floor in this trim. Your base package on this truck is the 300A. You get Ford Co-Pilot 360 2.0, which includes BLIS with cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, rear view camera, auto high beams, reverse sensing system and more. chrome front and rear bumpers. If that is not enough for you, you can upgrade to the 301A Mid package. This gives you a power driver’s seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8-inch productivity screen in the instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and some other tidbits. Engine options are the same as they are on the XL, as are the individual options.
Lariat
You are halfway up the ladder now. You are riding on 18-inch aluminum wheels and sitting on leather-trimmed seats. Your base engine is now the 2.7L V6 EcoBoost. Your base package is now the 500A Standard. This gives you SYNC 4 with enhanced voice recognition, a 12-inch touchscreen, push-button start, and a slew of other nice little upgrades. Life is good in the Lariat, but it can be even better as two upgrade packages are available to you. The first is the 501A Mid which gives you a 400W exterior power outlet, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a universal garage door opener. Still more is available on the Lariat.
Step up to the 502A High package. The outside of your truck is now covered in chrome, you get LED projector headlamps and LED taillamps. Your leather steering wheel is now heated, and the leather seats are now heated and ventilated. This is a comprehensive package. It is expensive for sure, but your truck is now on the luxury side of things.
King Ranch
This is where beauty meets beast. Available as a SuperCrew only, the King Ranch comes standard with the beloved 5.0L V8 and a two-tone paint scheme. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is also standard, as are the full leather heated and ventilated seats. The base package is the 600A Standard. This is basically a fully loaded Lariat truck with a V8 dropped under the hood. As always, there is an upgrade available, which is the 601A High package. This package gives you 20-inch wheels, power tailgate, and power running boards. Even better the leather seats will massage you on the way home from a tough day at the office. Loading up this truck will have you nudging up with a $70,000 sticker.
Platinum
As luxurious as a King Ranch, but a little more subdued. Much of what is standard on the King Ranch is standard on the Platinum. The Platinum is the pick if you love the King Ranch, but would rather the inside of your truck not look like a Montana cabin. The standard package on the Platinum is the 700A Standard. Beautiful leather seats and wood trim adorn the inside of this truck. The upgrade package is the 701A High. With this, you get a 360-degree camera, tow technology package, and a power tailgate.
Limited
This is the top of the line of all the F-150 trims. You no longer work at a construction company; you own the construction company. The Limited is available only as a SuperCrew with a 5.5’ box. This truck comes standard with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, though the 3.5L V6 PowerBoost hybrid is still an option. You are rolling on 22-inch wheels. The base package in this truck is the 900A Standard. This package contains just about every option from the 701A High on the Platinum trim. The package is so comprehensive that there are no other packages available on the Limited, only individual options. This is a powerful and capable truck, but almost too nice to get dirty. Take the XL to work and take the Limited out to dinner. That is assuming you have any money left for dinner because this truck is going to cost you the better part of $80,000.
Now that you have a basic understanding of F-150 trims, which F-150 is right for you? Let us know which trim level you would choose over on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums.
Photos: Ford.com
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