Looking to purchase a new F150. Trying to decide on the STX vs XLT 302A package. I am a price conscious guy and actually like the looks of the STX package and the value it provides. However, unsure if it wouldn’t be smart to consider the XLT for whatever extra I would get for the additional money. I plan to keep vehicle at least 10 years. What are you guys opinion? I want to make correct choice and only do this once.

Also narrowed down to 3.5 ecoboost or 5.0 I know this is asked a lot but still would love opinions on engine choice as well. Either option is more than enough for my useage just want it to be reliable and hopefully not cause many issues during ownership

 

I traded my 2019 STX 2.7 for my 2021 XLT 302a 5.0 and a new model year so may not be the best comparison. After driving and owning the 2.7, 3.5, and 5.0, it's best to go drive them all and chose for yourself. Honestly, all engines are great. I'm sticking with the 5.0 and would buy the same if I traded up today unless I needed maximum towing capacity, then 3.5. The 5.0 is more fun and sounds better and thus more enjoyable for me. It's a toy so I don't drive it everyday either but that magnaflow exhaust is nice. Good luck.

 

There are countless engine threads, you can find them fairly easily to read all the back and forth, but there isn't a clear winner, each has their pros/cons depending on how you use the truck which is the thing you didn't give us any information on other than you keep them a long time.

If you don't tow and it's mainly for driving and occasional hauling, the 2.7L is a way better option than the 3.5 or 5.0. Better fuel economy, fast, and a stronger block. It's a rock solid engine, and since the 5.0 changes to cylinder deactivation and it being fairly recent, I would trust the 2.7L on reliability at this point (not saying the 5.0 isn't reliable, but cylinder deactivation in the industry has a rocky history and it's still new to the 5.0).

But any of the engines are great, as Fatty said, drive them and pick one.

As for the STX vs XLT, again it largely comes down to what you value. For me, I always find it silly that people spend F-150 levels of money on a vehicle they intend to keep for a long time, but give up features they like under the guise of reliability. I just can't imagine spending even the amount of money the lowest price XL costs and living with it for 10 years thinking, man I wish it had this, and this, and these other things, and having that thought nearly every day of ownership, just to avoid maybe a few days of being without the vehicle over the course of its life if one of the extra features stopped working. I would rather own a vehicle that has the features I want every day and fully enjoy it, and spend the $1600 on a service plan if it bothered me that much.

But again, that's me. As I noted you didn't really tell us what you use the truck for, or even what features of the XLT may be appealing. There are plenty of people on here that buy a base XL and love that it doesn't have more and don't want more. For someone like that I definitely wouldn't be convincing them to get an XLT. But I find some things like keyless entry and auto climate make my everyday use of my vehicle more enjoyable, mainly because they remove small annoyances from the ownership experience. I have never had my auto climate or keyless entry fail, so I would way rather have it.

Sorry it's long, but these trucks are so versatile that people can and do use them for a mountain of things. Family haulers, tow rigs, off-roading, if you want recommendations you need to give us your background. If you were just buying an Escape or something, where basically the only purpose is commuting, then answers about engine and packaging are a lot easier.

 

Nailed it
I'm waiting for my new F150 5.0 to replace my 2011 3.5 that I bought new. They all have the all the power you need and very complex engines but my 2011 just doesn't sound like a truck. Had no issues with the engine but I miss that V8 rumble. I had a bunch of cars and trucks with a V8 before my 2011. I also have to use 89 octane minimum when I'm towing or when its hot weather with the 3.5. The 3.5 gets maybe 1-2 MPG better and slightly more HP than the 5.0 so not a deal breaker for me. Torque is very close to the same but come at different RPMs. Like they say here, you can either have Eco or Boost but not at the same time with the 3.5. You get Eco when cruising normal speed unloaded but when towing the turbos are kicking in full time , you get the Boost and MPGs drop dramatically. You can't go wrong with either. It comes down to your personal preference. Good luck

 

I traded a 2020 xlt 302a for a 2023 stx and I don't miss anything from the 302a package. I went with the 2.7 with 3.73 gears and it suits my towing needs.

 

If it was not for the need to keep the other half happy in the passenger seat the XL would meet all personal requirements over a XLT 302a.

Only tidbit to pass on is with the 2.7EB get the payload package for the higher 6900# GVWR and the 3.73 gearing, you won't be disappointment.

Or go 5.0 with 3.73 gearing and HDPP or Max Tow then your truck will then have it for all of those down the road situations.
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22XLT,302a,2.7EB,payload package

 

I was looking at both and decided on a 302A. Stuff like keyless entry, remote start, push-button start, heated seats, and the bigger screen are things im glad I have. It probably comes down to how much you value that kind of stuff.

motor wise, I have the 5.0 but kinda wish I had gone 3.5, or at least gone 3.73 gearing. I bought it off the lot when shortages were peaking so I didnt have a lot of options. 5.0 is fine, but having driven a 3.5, there's definitely some low-end grunt missing.

 

Life is short and you get one chance to play the game, where a truck can be replaced anytime.

 

If you plan on keeping it that long those extra features will be nice. I would get all the options you can afford.