Just as the Ford F-150 Limited bridges the gap between pickups and luxury cars, the STX Appearance Package available on the 2017 Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks spans the divide between price and interior/exterior features.
The F-150 STX is positioned in the middle of the XL and XLT models. It’s distinguished by exterior features such as tinted windows, fog lamps, 20-inch two-tone wheels, and a black billet-style grille. The frame around that, and the front fascia and both bumpers are the same color as the body. Inside, there’s an eight-inch center stack touch screen hooked up to SYNC 3 that provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seats are covered in a unique black sport cloth and the shifter is mounted on the steering column. The STX Appearance Package can only be ordered on SuperCab or SuperCrew F-150s with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 5.0-liter V8, or 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Prices start at $35,615.
For the first time ever, the STX Appearance Package is also available on Super Duty trucks – specifically the F-250 and F-350. There are no restrictions on engine type or cab configuration. Ford starts with the XL trim line, then adds a bright chrome grille, chrome front and rear bumpers, an STX fender vent badge, special wheels, bright hub covers on SRW models, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD/MP3 player. Prices for the F-250 STX start at $34,910; the base price of the F-350 STX is $36,080.
If any of the 2017 STX models looks like the right spot in the truck spectrum for you, cross the distance between you and your phone. Dealers are taking orders for all of them now.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
