OK so after a recent change in career paths I need to get a truck again (currently have an Audi TT quattro). In the past i had a 1999 F150 XL reg cab sport v6 4x2 manual then had a 2001 Ram 1500 extended cab Laramie 4x4 5.9L. I will for sure need a 4x4 and the truck will see a fair amount of highways miles too so any mpg help i can get is good. My budget will not allow a Lariat or FX4 with leather so I'm down to either a loaded XLT or a FX4 with the black cloth seats.

Truck #1
2013 Fx4 Supercrew with 5.0
- black cloth seats
-401a package
-3.55 gears
-18inch wheels

Truck #2
2013 XLT Supercrew with 3.5L Ecoboost
-cloth bucket seats with non-flow trough console
-302a Luxury package
-offroad package with 3.55 gears
-18inch wheels

both have backup sensors and camera, power rear window.

anyone have the black cloth fx4 seats? do they get hot in the summer? i live in texas so that is a concern.

Which would you choose and why?

 

Unlike leather, the black cloth seats do not get hot. To be honest, the thing that would push me toward the FX4 is the floor shift. I prefer that over column. The seats themselves will be exactly the same except for color.

 

FX4 without a doubt. I'll never own a cheap feeling XLT again.

 

please explain how the xlt is cheap feeling

 

Can't say much for the 2009+, but they still look more cheap than the FX4 models.

I had a 2004 XLT, now have a 2007 Lariat. The horrible grey interior, and the junk quality cloth seats made me hate the truck. I just don't like basic model/low level trims. The FX4 is the lowest I would go. good sport appearance, and available with Lariat like features.

 

Also the the FX will come with better shocks and more shid plate coverage, also more aggressive tires.

 

the xlt with off road package will have the same skid plates and shocks as the fx4 and the one i saw at the dealer had goodyear wrangler at/s tires.

 

If you are going to be towing heavy and/or doing a lot of driving in the mountains at high altitude, I'd get the truck with the Ecoboost engine.

 

Go with the FX4. They are just nicer looking, its that simple. Not knocking XLT's, I have had 4 of them, but I have moved on from them and will most likely never go back.

You can't go wrong with either engine choice and the difference in MPG will be very minimal if you drive with common sense. I averaged 18.9 out of my EB for 30k miles and so far it looks like my new 5.0 will do about the same maybe a touch less.

 

Shocks are exactly the same depending upon payload, and exactly the same tires can be had on either model.

 

FX4 all the way. With 401a I think you get a nice chunk of upgrades. Surprised it has cloth seats - that probably means you don't get the AC/Heated seats, is that right?

But I have been happier with my FX2 models over the XLT I previously owned.

 

I won't be doing any towing to speak of.

 

If your not going to be towing the definitely go with the FX4!! If you were going to tow with it then i would say XLT with the Ecoboost.

 

Yep....+1! The FX4 seats are more comfortable for longer drives too.

 

Love my "cheap feeling" XLT! I don't see how ya could go wrong either way. I like that I can fold up my console and have an extra seat. I can seat 6 comfortably. Good luck!