A 2023 Ford F-150 Trim Guide

July 14th, 2023 by

A silver 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor is shown from the front while off-road.

Ford’s popular F-150 has been making a big impression on buyers with its 2023 model, and we are excited to show it off to curious drivers looking to elevate their truck driving experience. Kelley Blue Book named the full-size truck their “Best Buy” for 2023. Several factors played into the 2023 F-150 winning this accolade, including its incredible configuration options (three cab options, six engines, and eight trim choices, to be exact) and its impressive add-ons.

Many drivers visit us while searching for a Ford F-150 for sale and often want advice on selecting the right trim. Across the lineup, you’ll find great features shared by all, but each trim has its own unique personality and benefits. Our team can help you identify which F-150 is right for your needs, whether you’re after a basic workhorse, a luxury pickup, or an exhilarating off-road vehicle. Before visiting us, you can get an overview of each trim (and which buyer it’s right for) here.

A Quick Look at the Basics

Between the F-150’s many cab options, you can get seating for as few as two passengers and as many as six, making it ready to be a vehicle focused on towing, hauling, or everyday transportation. It gets several engine options, including four V6s offering dynamic power and fuel efficiency figures (one is even a hybrid), a tough V8, and a high-output EcoBoost. No matter which trim you opt for, you’ll enjoy a high-strength steel frame, great standard driver assist features, and selectable drive modes for different terrains.

The Ford F-150 XL

Kicking off the lineup is the base level XL, which is anything but basic. It boasts a suite of great standard driver-assist features like Pre-Collision Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Rear-View Camera. Plus, it comes with an 8-inch touchscreen to utilize navigation, smartphone connectivity, and more. Featuring the lineup’s 3.3L V6, it gets excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its class. If you’re looking for solid capabilities in a no-frills but tough work truck, the XL has you covered.

The Ford F-150 XLT

The XLT takes the XL to a slightly elevated level, featuring most of what the base level trim does while adding the available Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow Coverage. Together, these safety features alert you not only when someone is in your truck’s blind spot but also in your trailer’s blind spot. The XLT also has unique style upgrades, like a two-bar black grille and chrome accents. This trim enjoys impressive fuel economy thanks to its V6 engine. If you like what that XL offers but want a bit more flare and slightly upgraded safety features, the XLT might be for you.

The Ford F-150 Lariat

The Lariat is undeniably for tech lovers. If your busy life doesn’t stop once you get behind the wheel, then consider this trim. It gets a 12-inch Digital Productivity Screen and Ford’s SYNC 4 with enhanced voice recognition so you can easily make calls, change the music, and more without taking your hands off the wheel. The Lariat gets the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and offers a nice mix of mid-range capabilities and notable fuel economy. For this reason, we often recommend this trim to drivers who need to do some heavy lifting but also want a good everyday vehicle that is not exclusively focused on sheer capabilities.

The Ford F-150 King Ranch

Luxury lovers often look to the King Ranch, a trim that makes long drives more enjoyable and long days more tolerable. It has an available B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, boasting a special microphone system that monitors background noise and a generous eight speakers for a truly exceptional music listening experience.

Good for parents, this trim also has a center flow-through console for easily passing items to rear-seat passengers. Still, its leather-trimmed seats give it a distinctly upscale look. Add to that the heated and ventilated 10-way power driver and passenger bucket seats, and you’ll find it’s a breeze to get cozy in this trim. It even has a memory driver’s seat, and second-row passengers get heated seats that boast a 60/40 split. We recommend this trim to busy parents or professionals who alternate between the dusty work site and the corporate office.

The Ford F-150 Platinum

The Platinum trim is a nice mid-range trim with advanced safety features that make it great for those with longer commutes. These include Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, and speed sign recognition to help you avoid costly tickets. It even has evasive steering to avoid accidents and built-in connected navigation to help you get where you’re going. Once you’re at your work site, the powerful V8 engine is up to most challenges, and a 10-speed automatic transmission offers the small steps needed to maintain control over trailered items.

A grey 2022 Ford F-150 Limited is shown from the front while towing a boat after leaving a dealer that has a Ford F-150 for sale.

The Ford F-150 Limited

The Limited offers a unique set of features that make it ideal for road trippers, parents, and professionals alike. First off, we have to mention that this trim has the available hybrid engine option, offering excellent fuel economy for a full-size pickup. If you need a truck that can travel far without much fuel and work hard once it’s arrived, check out this rugged and reliable trim.

This trim also gets a center flow-through console but upgrades the leather trim found on the King Ranch to full leather seats, making it good for drivers craving luxury. Additionally, the seats boast a multi-contour design to reduce fatigue on long trips. The reason we recommend this to road trippers and campers is its Pro Power Onboard generator for powering exterior appliances. Plus, its hybrid V6 engine can tow up to 12,700 lbs and is more than ready to tow that camper.

The Ford F-150 Tremor

The Tremor brings us to the final two trims, which are both appealing to off-road enthusiasts. The tremor gets 18-inch aluminum wheels, added ground clearance, and a wider stance than previous trims. This gives you a better sense of balance on rough terrain while helping you roll over uneven surfaces and obstacles. The Tremor is also designed to offer softer dampening at lower speeds for a smooth ride. It gets a V8 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission for nice small steps when trailering or rapidly changing terrain.

The Ford F-150 Raptor

The Raptor is ready for adventure. It was designed for optimized control and acceleration on uneven terrain, so while the Tremor might be good for those who want to travel more slowly over rough roads, the Raptor allows for speed, too. It gets sport-tuned shock absorbers to provide the best possible dampening on most terrain and improved cooling systems to prevent overheating. We also want to note to those trailering that the Raptor gets extra-long trailing arms for improved axle position. Add to that its great torque and horsepower, and this trim is ready for just about anything.

A red 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is shown from the side while off-road.

Find the Perfect 2023 Ford F-150 Trim With Us Today

It’s clear why the F-150 keeps winning awards. Its trim selection is a flavor for nearly every driver, from the contractor to the camper to the busy parent or professional. The F-150 is nothing if not powerful, so whether you need to transport tons of work materials or tow a small trailer for your family outing, it has you covered. The versatility this truck offers is nearly unbeatable. Between its engine options, you can find great fuel economy, amazing power, or a nice balance of both. There are even some impressive luxury options and cutting-edge tech features.

The F-150 trim lineup continues to evolve, and we continue to love showing off its innovations to our customers. Our team is ready to help you pick out the best 2023 Ford F-150 trim for your needs. We’re passionate about this iconic truck, and we think you’ll find that passion is contagious once you’ve gotten behind the wheel of this legendary pickup. Come in today and let us help you discover the perfect Ford F-150.