The F-150 is America's default truck for a reason: it handles everything from weekend warrior duty to full-time work. The Lariat trim hits the sweet spot for most buyers — enough luxury to live in daily, enough capability to work hard.
Every available trim — starting price, key features, and who it's for.
| Trim | Starting Price | Key Features & Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| XL | $36,580 | Work truck. Rubber flooring, basic SYNC. Best for fleet and commercial. |
| XLT | $41,110 | Sweet spot. SYNC 4, power windows, most features buyers actually need. |
| Lariat | $50,255 | Most popular premium trim. Leather, 8" SYNC 4, heated seats, Pro Trailer Backup. |
| King Ranch | $59,300 | Texas heritage. Unique leather, running boards, premium audio. |
| Platinum | $64,600 | Near-luxury. B&O audio, panoramic roof, massaging seats. |
| Limited | $79,000 | Max luxury. 22" wheels, every available option standard. |
| Raptor R | $109,145 | 702hp supercharged V8. Extreme off-road. Fox Racing shocks. |
Every cost, reliability, and buying question answered on dedicated pages.
The most searched questions about the F-150 — answered with data.
The Ford F-150 is surprisingly affordable to insure given its size and capability. Average full-coverage insurance is $148/month ($1,776/year) for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record. This is $19/month below the national average for full-size trucks. The F-150's high parts availability and wide dealer network help keep repair costs — and therefore insurance premiums — lower than less common vehicles.
A properly maintained Ford F-150 will last 200,000–300,000 miles. The 5.0L V8 and 2.7L EcoBoost are the most durable powertrains, with many examples exceeding 250,000 miles in commercial use. Regular oil changes (every 7,500 miles with synthetic), transmission service at 60,000 miles, and spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles are the key maintenance items to stay ahead of.
2022–2024 F-150s with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 are the most reliable. The 2.7L was refined over multiple generations and addressed the early EcoBoost oil consumption concerns. Avoid the 2013 F-150 EcoBoost (injector issues), the 2018 (early 10-speed transmission issues), and the first-year 2021 PowerBoost hybrid (fuel pump recall). The sweet spot for used buyers is a 2022+ with the 2.7L.
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is the best all-around engine — adequate power (325hp, 400 lb-ft torque), best fuel economy in the lineup at 24 city/24 hwy, and proven reliability over millions of units. The 5.0L V8 is the choice for towing and those who prefer a naturally aspirated engine with simpler maintenance. Avoid the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid for now if long-term simplicity matters to you.
The XLT is the best-value F-150 for most buyers — it has everything you actually need at $41,110. The Lariat is the most popular premium trim at $50,255, adding leather and more tech. Avoid the XL unless it's a dedicated work truck. The King Ranch and Platinum trims are worth considering used when the premium has already depreciated.
Yes — the F-150 can tow up to 13,000 lb with the Max Trailer Tow package and 3.5L EcoBoost. For boats (up to 10,000 lb), fifth-wheel campers (up to 10,000 lb), and large utility trailers, the F-150 is more than capable. The integrated Pro Trailer Backup Assist is genuinely useful for inexperienced towers. For trailers over 15,000 lb, step up to the F-250 Super Duty.
The F-150 outsells the Silverado by approximately 200,000 units per year. Both trucks have similar reliability scores in J.D. Power studies. The F-150 has a slight edge in payload capacity; the Silverado offers more powertrain options including a better diesel. The F-150 averages $10/month less to insure than an equivalent Silverado trim, likely due to higher parts availability. Most buyers cannot go wrong with either truck.