Ford and Chevy drivers are sort of like Coke and Pepsi drinkers, or Red Sox and Yankees fans. We swear by the one we like, and we want nothing to do with the one we don’t. It really does come down to personal preference and how well a particular truck is suited to work. Still, with the 2015 F-150 XLT in the lineup, you can’t blame Ford loyalists for being a little overzealous.
The Aluminum Gambit
A decision that really set the thirteenth generation F series apart back in 2015 was Ford’s choice to use aluminum in the truck body, making Ford the first American automaker to mass-produce aluminum-focused vehicles. At the time this was seen as a huge risk.
Aluminum bodies were more expensive to produce, which meant that if the new trucks weren’t a hit, Ford was sinking a lot of money into the experiment. Fortunately for Ford and Ford drivers, the experiment paid off.
The military-grade aluminum alloy bodies, combined with high-strength steel frames, produced a truck that was 700 pounds lighter than previous models but just as durable. This meant big savings on gas mileage and more towing and hauling power since the truck had less of its own weight to drag around.
On release, the XLT trim level actually had kind of a slow start. The high-end trim levels were popular among car geeks and gearheads who were excited at the prospect of a gadget-loaded aluminum-bodied pickup.
Some car bloggers suggested that the issue with the XLT may have been that it wasn’t for geeks and gearheads; it was for people who just needed a good truck to get the job done. So, the aluminum bodies seemed, to the drivers for whom this particular trim level was designed, like more of a gimmick than a feature.
Whatever the reasons for the XLT’s slow start, over time, drivers caught on, and the XLT has since proven the aluminum body to be a good idea, so the first-year sales of the XLT stand as a clear example of both the risks and rewards of forward-thinking design.
The XLT is one of the larger trim levels, with four doors, six seats, 79.9 inches in width, 209.3 to 250.5 in length, and a cargo capacity of 77.4 cubic feet. It’s a big truck, but no matter the options, it’s lighter than it looks.
Gross vehicle weight for the 2015 models come in at 6010 to 7050 pounds, depending on options, with a curb weight of around 4000 to 5000 pounds, a towing capacity of up to 9000 pounds, and an economical mpg of 19/26 city/highway.
Of course, it doesn’t matter if they can bring the curb weight down to fifty pounds if the engine pulling it isn’t any good. So, let’s take…
A Look Under the Hood
Every 2015 XLT comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Most are built on a 3.5-liter V6 ECOBOOST 282 horsepower engine. If you need something a little more heavy-duty, the 4×4 SuperCrew Cab model is available with an auto-manual transmission and a 385 horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 engine.
Most drivers probably don’t need the V8 model. The Ti V6 ECOBOOST offers more than enough power for most jobs. But, if you want the absolute strongest XLT on the market, or if you just love the feel of a V8, that’s an option.
Step Inside
The XLT’s luxury-inspired interior is a big selling point. This is a working truck, but it’s also a get-around-town truck and a road-trip trick. Four-way driver and passenger seats come standard, split-bench roll-up rear seats come optional, and you’ve got all the modern gadgetry like outside temp gauge, telescoping steering column, voice recognition, power outlets, and remote keyless entry.
The cab is nice and spacious, with 40.8 inches of front headroom. While it’s always better to sit in the front seat of a pickup, the backseats are roomy enough that you shouldn’t get any complaints. It’s cozy back there, it is a pickup truck after all, but it’s not cramped.
Full carpeting, cloth seats, and here’s a neat feature: Pickup cargo box lights. No more dragging the flashlight out of the glove box when you’re working or shopping at night; just flip the switch, and you’re good to go.
For entertainment, you have your AM/FM radio and CD player, four or six speakers, depending on options, with two LCD monitors upfront and a smart-charging USB port with an auxiliary audio input jack. All pretty standard these days, but essential nonetheless.
As nice as the interior is, it’s the leather upholstery of the Lariat and Platinum trim levels that Ford really hopes will draw in the luxury car fans. On that front, it really comes down to what you need the truck for.
Pure Style
If you drive a pickup, chances are your main concern is performance. But, it’s worth noting just how cool the XLT looks. The aluminum paneling lends a sleek appearance accentuated by black door handles, silver-painted wheels, and a chrome grille. The deep-tinted glass and black windshield trim, front fog lamps, and chrome rear step bumper look great, and the front-heavy appearance sets it apart from your standard pickup truck.
Reviewers have mentioned the sound of the truck. That may be a minor consideration, but who doesn’t like hearing the smooth rumble of a powerful engine under the hood? We like our motorcycles to roar, our sports cars to hum, and our trucks to rumble. That’s just part of the appeal.
Now, of course, you buy a truck based on what it can carry, not just how it looks or sounds. But it’s a nice bonus when you can carry it in style.
Driving Safe
Here’s something you’ll like, and your insurance provider will as well: Electronic stability control and roll stability control, anti-lock brake system, driveline traction control, low tire pressure warning, full airbags for the front seats, optional rear child safety locks, and a Mykey System including top speed limiter, low fuel warnings, programmable sound chimes and more. Plus, adaptive cruise control.
So, your truck actually senses when it’s coming up too fast on the car in front of you and slows itself down to prevent an accident.
Safety features might not be the most exciting part of buying a new truck, but it keeps the insurance premiums low. Which brings us to our next subject.
Are You Getting a Good Deal?
Kelley Blue Book puts the fair market range at $24,765 to $30,082. Here’s where we have to consider not just how the truck handles and feels fresh off the lot, but whether the price is a good long-term investment.
That is, if you buy an XLT today, are you still going to be driving it five, ten years from now? At around twenty-five to thirty thousand, that’s a fair price for a good truck, but it’s not exactly chump change. If you’re spending that much, you want to know that you’re not going to be looking to replace it any time soon.
You expect a lot more from your pickup than you do from your car. It’s not just getting from here to there and back again; it’s getting here and there and up and down gravel roads and rocky hills with a load of lumber and all your tools in the back. So what we’re really asking is whether the 2015 XLT is going to hold up to years of hard work.
To that, we’ll defer to the reviewers.
On Vehicle History, at the time of this writing, there are 369 reviews: 95% give the truck four or five stars, 4% give the truck three stars, and 1% give the truck one star. To summarize what the positive reviewers say, it is absolutely a sturdy, dependable truck, totally deserving of that “Built Ford Tough” slogan. Many reviewers rely on it for their family business or businesses. They report that they never have to worry about breakdowns.
Among the negative reviews, one owner said that it required a total engine replacement at 34,000 miles. Between 2015 and 2018, several F-150 models were recalled by Ford due to issues involving the doors and seat belts pre-tensioners. Still, no F-150s have been recalled owing to engine problems. Unfortunately, this reviewer didn’t elaborate much on the problem, so it’s difficult to ascertain precisely what was wrong with their XLT.
Interestingly, many reviews focus on interior features like LCD screens: Either there are too many features or not enough. This seems like a personal preference issue more than anything. You can always remove the features you don’t like or have whatever you like installed in any event. The important thing is that according to the vast majority of reviewers, this is a truck that, with regular maintenance, will go the distance.
Is This the Right Trim Level for You?
Let’s say you have your heart set on an F-150; specifically, a 2015 model F-150, and the XLT sounds great, but… how does it compare to other trim levels? Let’s break it down really quick:
XL
The XL is the standard model F-150. A big difference between the two: The XL won’t take the EcoBoost engine, which means that the horsepower is capped at 282 rather than 325. The XLT also comes with some additional safety features like inflatable rear safety belts and some little bonuses here and there, like the BoxLink pickup box interface, which lets you customize and reconfigure your carrying space. The XL is a fine truck, but when you drive a fully loaded XLT, you’ll feel that extra 43 horsepower.
Lariat
The XLT has a luxury-inspired interior. The Lariat simply has a luxury interior. The Lariat’s standard engine is the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, but you can upgrade that to a 3.5L. There are more gadgets on board than the XLT, too, like a trip computer and an app for towing and off-road use.
King Ranch
The King Ranch comes with a 5.0L V8 standard, boasting 385 horsepower. This is the strongest F-150 of the original lineup. A great work truck, but the mpg is a bit lower than the XL and XLT, and it may be a bit much if you’re looking for something to make grocery trips in.
Platinum
Here’s where Ford is really trying to make the Cadillac of trucks. Satin accents on the upholstery, chrome front bumper, automatic power-deployable running boards, heated steering wheel. An awesome truck if you want the luxury car experience in a pickup, but you probably won’t want to haul lumber in it or climb into the cab wearing greasy overalls after a hard day’s work.
If you’re looking for a dedicated work truck, the King Ranch can’t be beaten. If you want something comfortable to impress your friends with, Platinum is the way to go. If you just want a good all-around truck that can handle the construction site as well as the grocery store, XLT offers a perfect balance of efficiency, power, comfort, and style. And it’s not just the most well-rounded truck in the F-150 lineup; it’s one of the most well-rounded trucks available, period.
Bottom Line:
Are there more powerful trucks out there than the 2015 XLT? Sure. But you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a better full-size pickup if what you’re looking for is a vehicle that can do everything.
There’s room for the family or your crew, it’s powerful enough for work but fuel-efficient enough for trips around town, and it’s built to last, so you don’t need to worry about the wear and tear you’re putting on it by making it your everyday ride. Simply put, this is one of the most capable and versatile mass-produced vehicles available today.
