What Are the Differences Between XLT and STX?
by Michael G. Sanchez
Ford's iconic half-ton pickup, the F-150, has dominated the automotive sales charts for over three consecutive decades. 2014 was the final year of production for the 12th generation of this quintessentially American vehicle.
While the 13th-generation model promises such innovations as a significantly lighter aluminum structure and a host of new, fuel-efficient engines, the 2014 F-150 still had a lot going for it. It offered buyers an impressive three cab sizes, three bed lengths, four engines and nine trim levels.
The STX and XLT were both mid-level models. They provided a solid combination of popular features and competitive value. Of the two, the XLT was the more upscale and expensive.
Exterior & Interior Dimensions
The F-150 came in three sizes: regular cab, SuperCab -- extended cab -- and SuperCrew (crew cab). The regular-cab and SuperCab trucks were available with either a 6.6-foot or 8.1-foot cargo bed. SuperCrew models came with a 5.6- or 6.6-foot bed.
The regular-cab F-150 measured either 213.2 or 231.9 inches long, depending on bed length, 79.2 inches wide and 74.8 inches high, with a 125.9- or 144.5-inch wheelbase. The SuperCab truck measured 231.9 or 250.4 inches long, 79.2 inches wide and 75.2 inches high, with a 144.5- or 163.1-inch wheelbase. Finally, the SuperCrew model was 231.9 or 243.9 inches long, 79.2 inches wide and 75 inches high. Its wheelbase was 144.5 or 156.5 inches.
In all three cab styles, the front seats provided 41.0 inches of headroom, 65.9 inches of shoulder room, 60.5 inches of hip room and 41.4 inches of legroom. The SuperCab's rear seat offered 39.6 inches of headroom, 65.7 inches of shoulder room, 65.4 inches of hip room and 33.4 inches of legroom. The SuperCrew's larger rear seat offered 40.3 inches of headroom, 65.5 inches of shoulder room, 64.6 inches of hip room and 43.5 inches of leg room.
Drivetrain
The 2014 F-150's four engines provided a wide range of towing and hauling capabilities. The entry-level option was a 3.7-liter V-6. It produced 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 278 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. Next up was a 5.0-liter V-8. It generated 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 380 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm. The next engine in the F-150's lineup was rather novel for full-size truck: a twin-turbocharged Ecoboost 3.5-liter V-6. The surprisingly muscular mill put out 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and an impressive 420 foot-pounds of torque at a very low 2,500 rpm. Finally, the "top dog" in the truck's lineup was the big 6.2-liter V-8, which produced 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 434 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Like other pickups, the F-150 came standard with rear-wheel drive and offered four-wheel drive as an option. All F-150 models shipped with a six-seed automatic transmission. A manual was not available.
The F-150 had a maximum towing capacity of 11,300 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 3,120 pounds.
STX
The STX was designed to have a sporty feel. Slotting in just above base XL trim, it was also relatively affordable. It came with 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, body-colored exterior trim and a CD sound system with auxiliary audio jack.
XLT
The XLT model included everything that came with the STX, and added foglights, automatic headlights, chrome exterior trim, rear privacy glass, Bluetooth connectivity, a keyless entry keypad and Ford's Sync infotainment system.
Safety
All 2014 F-150s came standard with four-wheel ABS, traction control, stability control, trailer sway control and dual front, front-seat side and full-length side curtain airbags. A rearview camera, rear parking sensors and Ford's Sync system with automatic crash-notification feature -- standard on the XLT -- were available as options on STX and XLT models.
Consumer Data
Equipped with the base, 3.7-liter V-6, the F-150 was rated at 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway with two-wheel drive and 16-21 with four-wheel drive. With the 5.0-liter V-8, the two-wheel-drive model received a 15-21 rating and the four-wheel-drive truck was rated at 14-19. The 3.5-liter, turbocharged V-6-powered F-150 turned in a 16-22 rating with two-wheel drive and a 15-21 rating with four-wheel drive. Finally, with the big, 6.2-liter V-8 under its hood, the truck was rated at 13-18 in two-wheel-drive form and 12-16 with four-wheel drive.
The 2014 F-150 STX had a base price of $28,760, while the more feature-rich XLT started at $30,335.
Writer Bio
Michael G. Sanchez has been a professional writer for over 10 years. A lifelong car enthusiast and former senior mechanic, he has written on a wide range of automotive topics. He holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Castleton State College. Sanchez started writing about cars as a part-time copywriter for a local dealership while still in high school.
