Shopping around for a new vehicle for my lady and she has been after a new Ford Edge with the V6 but just mentioned that she wouldn't mind a truck as well so now it got me looking for a new F150 crew cab 2wd with the 5.0 V8. I came across some nice looking 2018 XL's with the STX Package for around $30K before TT&L after all rebates. The XLT's are a little more in cost but don't look as nice. Can you fellas fill me in on the difference between an XL with the STX Package compared to a XLT please. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

STX gives you side steps, nice wheels, appearance package, Sync3 8" screen, sport cloth seats. XLT gives power seats, remote start, but a lower-equipped XLT costs more than an STX and usually has the 4" screen too.

make sure if you're going to be towing that the STX you get has some sort of tow package.

I have a '17 STX 3.5 ecoboost 4x4 with tow package and rear locker, and we love it. I've put almost 13k miles on it in 7 months.

 

In addition to below the STX has the full center console and honeycomb grill.
I recently purchased a 2018 stx and I love it. 2.7 w/ 10spd has plenty of power for me and still gets 22 mpg.
I got mine with 3.55 gears to help with towing. IMO stx is better than most XLTs, at a lower cost.

 

don't let the gearing arguments from the old days of the 6sp auto fool you.
3.31's will tow as well on the 10sp as 3.73's did on the old 6sp auto.

 

The STX looks sporty and if you get a 2WD with a 5.0L it runs and sounds like a sports car as well.


Are you sure you picking that combo for your lady or is there a hidden agenda?

 

Well I will be driving the truck as well and I'm sort of biased towards the 5.0 due to my Supercharged Fox Body Mustang. She currently drives a Lincoln MKX but we have been having issues with it here lately so time for something else. She drove my Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 for the first time a couple of days ago and that got her talking about getting into a truck. So the first thing that popped in my head was a F150 with a 5.0 Engine.

 

if you're not going to tow a lot, take a look at the 2.7 ecoboost. surprisingly powerful, and it may be just perfect if she's the one driving it most of the time. better mpg, too.

 

Some stuff on the XLT 302A package that is not included with the XL STX package:

Remote Start
Reverse Sensing System
110v / 400W Outlets
10-way Power driver and passenger seats
HEATED seats
Driver's Door Keypad
Power Sliding Rear Window
LED Box Lighting
Boxlink cleats
"Leather" wrapped steering wheel (depends on your definition of leather)
Carpeted flooring

If you order a truck, you can get it with many, but not all, of the above options. You just have to be willing to pay the price per item. The STX is a great-looking truck - I like it's appearance better than my XLT...

 

My '17 STX came from inventory on the dealer lot with some nice options: backup cam, tow hitch (no electronic brake controller though - I added the factory one), 36 gl fuel tank, rear sliding window, carpets, maybe some other stuff I'm forgetting.

So if you go STX / XLT shopping, be sure to pay close attention to how they are optioned out so you can compare accurately.

I think the STX's are a great buy, I've been very happy with my 2.7, its a lot of fun to drive, although it doesn't have that sweet v8 rumble.

I would be sure to test drive both the 5.0 and the 2.7 models. Good luck, you can't go wrong with these trucks, they are great buys.

 

I have a 2018 302a on order and Box Link isnt part of the 302a was at a dealer today looking at trucks and saw 302a's with no box link.