XLT beats all other options...!!!!

[purdyd]

I think getting a ranger is a win, regardless of trim.

’but a lariat does have a lot of little things, or at least used to, over the fully specced xlt.’

from my very first thread.

it seems to me that an XLT with the 301A and technology packages is a better deal and only missing

“bigger driving digital instrument cluster display
wireless Charging
memory seats
“leather” seats
seat back pockets
projector headlights
running boards. Not on 2025
heat mirrors with turn signal and safety light
Better sound system
running boards
rain sensing wipers
heated steering wheel
leather trimmed steering wheel
homelink
led Top brake light
zone lighting
second glove box
soft dash trim
soft front seat top of door trim
soft shifter trim
push button start
intelligent access (touch handle to open lock) (front doors only)
lighted visor mirrors
18” wheels

which I suppose after writing it down is probably why the difference in cost”

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[Jason B]

Doesn't the XLT only come with the standard LED headlights?

ALL 6G Rangers have LED headlights. Lariat USED TO have projectors, now all are reflector LED.

 

[NASSTY]

Ranger Lariat owners get rooked. F150 Lariats get 4A, but you can't get 4A on Ranger Lariats.

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

ALL 6G Rangers have LED headlights. Lariat USED TO have projectors, now all are reflector LED.

Ah, glad I got the early years then before it got removed. The lariat (and raptor) headlights are worth the price difference alone in my opinion.

 

[Sharpie223]

Have an xlt 2.7 with tow (but not advanced tow, don't need it), fx4, 301 high group, and convenience package.

Kinda wishing I'd have just gotten a base lariat 2.7 instead.

I originally thought fx4 was important to have, but the reality is that I don't need the drive modes, the suspension isn't anything special, and I could easily install a locker myself. A tow hitch and wiring is simple as well. The 301 high group wouldn't matter with a lariat.

What I would have gained with a lariat is push button start, heated mirrors, and (I think, but may be wrong) 360 camera which would be great on trails.

It's all fine, I can retrofit that stuff for a price (more than if I'd just gotten a base lariat, less than swapping vehicles now), but should have thought harder about what actually matters when buying.

 

[Sharpie223]

Ranger Lariat owners get rooked. F150 Lariats get 4A, but you can't get 4A on Ranger Lariats.

Coming from a 4runner with full time 4wd standard, it's always confused me why Ford makes this so difficult to get. Something else that I intend to add after warranty...

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

I went with Lariat in my '24 and I think it's an excellent value with the 2.3L engine. Given the '24s also were before all the decontenting Ford has done to Lariat, not sure if I would make the same trim selection if I were to be buying a '26 model.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

I love the XLT, it definitely has a lot of value, but it’s insane that I couldn’t get heated mirrors from the factory.

In the Midwest, they essential

going to attempt @ShadowDragon24’s retrofit once it’s out of warranty.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/adding-heated-mirrors-to-xlt.27183/

Mine is still in warranty. you dont need to touch the factory wiring to splice anything just buy the pins, pop them in the mirror side plug, and then the connectors to the heater pins, splice those 2 wires togeather, then forscan to enable. all without cutting the factory wiring. I ran the extra pins for the turn and puddle, and ill be getting a set of Diode dynamics dual function rock lights to go under each mirror for turn and puddle lights.

this is on a taco, the molded piece is not out yet for the rangers, but apparently is in development. but gives you the idea on it.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

I ended up going with a 2025 XLT that basically has all the options FX4, Advance Tow / Tech Pkg and 301 or 302? whatever the higher package was. The only thing I wish it had was heated mirrors but I wasn't going to jump to the lariat just for those. If I get annoyed enough I'll figure out how to add them myself. But other than popping in some better speakers in the future it doesn't really need anything IMO.

I already did it. I have a full thread with majority of the part numbers. think im only missing the spade connector part numbers. but thats because I forgot to write then down before I got rid of the packaging, you can just use any female spade connector to grab the spade off the heater on the back of mirror. as long as your truck is pre wired(shown in my thread) you do not have to cut and splice any of the trucks wiring.

 

[Wallowa Ranger]

The XLT definitely hits a lot of the high points for what a truck should have.

When I was looking for a mid-sized truck, I didn't even bother with GM because they were insanely priced and seemed like they were trying to be luxury vehicles rather than utility vehicles. I crossed Toyota off the list the moment I saw prices on the Tacoma. I was looking really closely at the Nissan Frontier, which honestly punches well above its weight with all the features you get for what you pay. I also really like that the Nissan has lots of physical knobs and buttons, rather than converting everything to a touch screen.

I've said this before but if not for the screaming deal I got on my Ranger I'd probably be driving a Frontier right now. My Ranger MSRP'd at $44,000 for a fairly barebones truck. I can go buy an almost totally spec'd out 2026 Frontier for $38,500 today. If I was buying either truck today at MSRP, it's obvious that the Frontier is offering more for less. I can't help but wonder how many people were in my shoes, making similar comparisons, and went with the Frontier over the Ranger.

Just something that popped into mind while watching this video and he mentioned the Ford Ranger is the 2nd worst selling mid-sized truck in the US.

 

[Phoenix5454]

Have an xlt 2.7 with tow (but not advanced tow, don't need it), fx4, 301 high group, and convenience package.

Kinda wishing I'd have just gotten a base lariat 2.7 instead.

I originally thought fx4 was important to have, but the reality is that I don't need the drive modes, the suspension isn't anything special, and I could easily install a locker myself. A tow hitch and wiring is simple as well. The 301 high group wouldn't matter with a lariat.

What I would have gained with a lariat is push button start, heated mirrors, and (I think, but may be wrong) 360 camera which would be great on trails.

It's all fine, I can retrofit that stuff for a price (more than if I'd just gotten a base lariat, less than swapping vehicles now), but should have thought harder about what actually matters when buying.

I have the 360 degree cameras on my XLT I think that's because of the technology package.

 

[Barry Johnson]

I saw this YouTube video and was impressed at the results.
It looks like the XLT folks have some bragging rights:

Ranking Every Ford Ranger Trim From WORST to BEST

Interesting video for sure.

I have the 2024 XLT FX4, seemed the best and towing superior to Raptor. Didnt care for seats in Lariat, but never understood wht they only put the extra glove box in the Lariat. If you could add as an aftermarket or with a kit I would in a heartbeat.

 

[hand-filer]

I have the 2024 XLT FX4, seemed the best and towing superior to Raptor. Didnt care for seats in Lariat, but never understood wht they only put the extra glove box in the Lariat. If you could add as an aftermarket or with a kit I would in a heartbeat.

Lariat is the top trim, hence more content.

 

[TGG!]

When I was looking for a mid-sized truck, I didn't even bother with GM because they were insanely priced and seemed like they were trying to be luxury vehicles rather than utility vehicles. I crossed Toyota off the list the moment I saw prices on the Tacoma. I was looking really closely at the Nissan Frontier, which honestly punches well above its weight with all the features you get for what you pay. I also really like that the Nissan has lots of physical knobs and buttons, rather than converting everything to a touch screen.

I've said this before but if not for the screaming deal I got on my Ranger I'd probably be driving a Frontier right now. My Ranger MSRP'd at $44,000 for a fairly barebones truck. I can go buy an almost totally spec'd out 2026 Frontier for $38,500 today. If I was buying either truck today at MSRP, it's obvious that the Frontier is offering more for less. I can't help but wonder how many people were in my shoes, making similar comparisons, and went with the Frontier over the Ranger.

Just something that popped into mind while watching this video and he mentioned the Ford Ranger is the 2nd worst selling mid-sized truck in the US.

North of the border it's a different story. The Ranger XL (4x4 only) starts at 43000 (before fees & taxes,) the XLT at 46000. the Frontier (PRO 4 is cheapest trim) is over 59000, it's paylooad and towing capacity are a joke (1200 and 6600lbs respectively). Colorado WT starts at 43k in 2 WD, 4wd at 47k. Tacoma is $52k, ridgeline 56k. Ranger is by far the best deal.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

North of the border it's a different story. The Ranger XL (4x4 only) starts at 43000 (before fees & taxes,) the XLT at 46000. the Frontier (PRO 4 is cheapest trim) is over 59000, it's paylooad and towing capacity are a joke (1200 and 6600lbs respectively). Colorado WT starts at 43k in 2 WD, 4wd at 47k. Tacoma is $52k, ridgeline 56k. Ranger is by far the best deal.

yeah I got my 25 xlt 2.3l for 52k msrp, here in Newfoundland (had a few options from factory, spray in bed liner, tow package, rubber floor mats, and the carpet mats, etc) then added a few options, winter tire package, running boards, mud flaps, etc

I was always getting a ranger, but the ranger was the best priced and optioned vehicle. For siggles and ghits I looked at the others just to see. ranger was best hands down.

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