Ford F250 Trim XL Vs. XLT Vs. LARIAT – Which Is Right For You?

When choosing a vehicle, it's essential that you get the correct trim for what you need. That could be a trim that focuses more on the vehicle's comfort for daily driving, the performance of the vehicle if you are going to be using your car for more extreme conditions, or a barebone model for work-related activities. The F250 has many different trims, so we have asked automotive experts about the difference between all of them. Here is what we got.

The F250 is very versatile because it has a lot of trims, and all those trims have different styles. For the F250 you get:

  • an XL trim which is a base model trim and is a great working truck,
  • the XLT adds a little bit more comfort features than the XL like upgraded infotainment,
  • and lastly, the LARIAT, which is a more premium trim when compared to the other two. Key features of the LARIAT trim are a B&O sound system and a Baja interior.

The XL and XLT trim come in ten different styles, while the LARIAT has eight styles. For more information about the Ford F250, keep reading below.

Ford F-250 series display at a dealership in snow, Ford F250 Trim XL Vs. XLT Vs. LARIAT - Which Is Right For You?

Ford F250 Towing Capacity

If you find yourself needing to haul a lot of your belongings, you'll need to have a high towing capacity. Thankfully the 2022 Ford F250 has a towing capacity. There are three engines available for the Ford F250. You have a diesel engine and two gas engines, pair that with the optional four-wheel drive, and you have yourself a great work truck. 

The F250 has a 6.7 liter diesel V8 that has a max towing capacity of 35,000 pounds, a 7.3 liter gasoline V8 that has a towing capacity of 21,000 pounds, and a 6.2 liter V8 that has a towing capacity of 16,700 pounds. The F250 is a really good vehicle to use for hauling and carrying large amounts of heavy items.

Is The Ford F250 a Diesel

Ford F250 Super Duty display at a dealership

Ford F250 XL, XLT, and LARIAT vehicles have an option of a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that's pushing out 385hp and 430lb-ft of torque or a 6.7 V8 turbo diesel that has 450 hp and 935 lb-ft of torque.

The F250 also has a 6-speed automatic transmission, and you have an option to choose from a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive as your drivetrain.

Yes, there is an option where you can get your F250 a diesel engine. The diesel engine available for the F250 is a 6.7 liter Power Stroke turbocharged V8 that is pushing out 450 horsepower and 935-lb-ft of torque. The F250's diesel engine comes standard with a 6-speed automatic, but can be replaced with a 10-speed automatic.

The optional 10-speed automatic has selectable drive modes such as normal, slippery, tow, eco, and deep sand or snow. It can also be paired with either a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive drivetrain. 

Some things you must know when planning to get a diesel is it may cost more to refuel and to repair or replace broken components. A diesel engine is great, especially if you are going to use it to haul or carry stuff around, but if you are planning to use your vehicle for daily driving, it's best to stick to a gasoline engine.

Are Diesel Trucks Good Daily Drivers

If you are thinking about getting a diesel truck for your daily driver, you might want to rethink it again. Having a diesel daily driver means you will have to spend a lot more money towards maintaining it.

The only time you should buy a diesel truck is if you will use it to regularly tow or carry heavy items. Other than that, a gasoline truck will be the better option.

Some of the things to know about a diesel truck are:

  • it needs to be warmed up before you hit the road, especially if your diesel engine is turbocharged
  • maintenance will also be costly
  • for most states, diesel could cost more than gasoline.

But unless you always need a vehicle with high towing capability on the regular, you are better off with a gasoline truck.

In comparison, at a quick look, gasoline trucks:

  • are great for daily driving,
  • have cheaper fuel, especially if your truck can take regular fuel,
  • are cheaper to replace or repair parts,
  • and can even be fuel-efficient depending on the truck's model.

Diesel trucks are not bad vehicles; they are just outclassed in performance when compared to gasoline trucks for daily driving.

What's Ford's Best V8 Engine

V8 engine of a new expensive car

The V8 engine got its name because it has a cylinder block that is shaped like a 'V,' and in addition to that, it has a total of eight cylinders. The popularity of the V8 engine started when Ford released the Flathead V8 for mass production back in 1932.

The best performance V8 Ford has made would be the Voodoo V8. The Voodoo is a 5.2 liter V8 that can be found inside the Shelby GT350.

This V8 shares the basic architecture of the Mustang's 5.0 liter Cayote engine but is pushing a lot more horsepower and torque. The power figure of the Voodoo V8 is 526 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 429-pound feet of torque at 4,750 RPM.

For a more utility-oriented Ford V8, the 6.7 liter Power Stroke diesel V8 is one of the best. The Power Stroke V8 diesel engine is strong enough to tow heavy loads and can even handle uphill climbs with ease.

The power figure of the 6.7 liter Power Stroke V8 is 450 horsepower at 2,800 RPM and 935-lb-ft of torque at 1,650 RPM. With that much torque, you have a max towing capacity of 35,000 pounds.

How Many Miles Does A F250 Last

The Ford F250 should last around 600,000 miles. Though the F250's V8 is rated to last around 200,000 miles before giving up with proper maintenance, it can last a lot more. Proper maintenance and regular vehicle inspection are very important to keep track of the condition of your vehicle.  

The 600,000 mile mark can be easily surpassed, especially if you mainly use your F250 for daily driving. With proper maintenance, your vehicle can even reach 800,000 miles. This is pretty common for F250 with proper maintenance. 

Utility Use Mileage

If you use your vehicle for utility purposes, you may get a shorter lifespan out of your engine. Working your truck too hard will put a lot of stress into the component of your vehicle, thus shortening its life span.

Always check for unusual signs of wear and leaks around your vehicle, also try to feel if something is different with the truck's handling and performance. 

Professional car mechanic repairing V8 engine in auto repair shop

If you notice something different, you should have it checked before it might get worse. Note that replacing or repairing components for the V8 diesel will cost a lot more compared to the gasoline-powered V8.

How Much Should I Pay For A F250

Ford F-250 display at a dealership in snow

The Ford F250 has a lot of trims and styles. There are a total of 6 trims, and over 32 styles, the six trims of the F250 are the XL, XLT, Platinum, Limited, LARIAT, and King Ranch. While the trim's style could come as a Regular Cab, Crew Cab, SuperCab.

We have compiled below the lowest and highest price per trim for the F250:

  • XL - 2WD Reg Cab 8' Box $36,495/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $43,095
  • XLT - 2WD Reg Cab 8' Box $41,220/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $48,630
  • LARIAT - 2WD SuperCab 8' Box $49,850/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $55,325
  • Platinum - 4WD Crew Cab 6.75' Box $67,910/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $68,110
  • Limited - 4WD Crew Cab 6.75' Box/ $86,630/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $86,830
  • King Ranch - 4WD Crew Cab 6.75' Box $64,595/ 4WD Crew Cab 8' Box $64,795

Note that these are starting prices, and the price may go up depending on the dealership and what optional add-ons come with the vehicle. The versatility of the F250 is amazing, you can get an F250 with a spec fit for utility work, daily driving, or even off-roading.

Closing

The different trims of the Ford F250 will vary from one another with XL being a base trim, the LXT, which is a slightly upgraded XL, and the LARIAT, which is a more premium trim. Choosing the correct trim and spec is essential since it will help save you money and help you with any activity you need the tuck for.

The 6.7 liter Power Stroke turbocharged V8 diesel of the F250 is an engine, especially if you need to tow heavy equipment or items; it is also great for off-roading because the diesel engine produces a lot more torque than the gasoline V8. Note that if you are planning to get an F250 as a daily driver it's best to get the gasoline V8.

For more automotive topics and tips, check out the following post.

Can You Drive A Ford Mustang In The Winter?

How to Unlock a Ford Truck Without Keys

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