Considering 2025 Ranger XL w/ 4x4 and Locker, What Am I Losing Out On?

[Former60Driver]

Bottom Line: What am I really missing out on by opting for the much more affordable XL vs. an XLT?

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I am in the market for a new vehicle and am weighing the option of the Ford Ranger XL w/ 4x4, Locking Rear Diff, and tow package vs. a more loaded XLT w/ FX4 (and possibly 2.7 EB V6). My use-case is using the car as a daily driver, as well as camping and going up to ski resorts and some more remote areas. I have no intention of true rock crawling, but more demanding (IE not maintained) forest service trails are definitely on the menu (hence wanting the locking rear diff no matter the trim level). I would add aftermarket skids and sliders to either truck. Historically I have kept my vehicles 7-8 years or to around 180K miles, and depending on life circumstances and reliability I could go passed that without issue.

Features I need: 4x4, locking rear differential, towing wiring, Apple Car Play
Features I want: heated seats, remote start, radar cruise control, in bed lighting

Locally, a left over 2024 XLT FX4 V6 w/ tech is $44.1K, vs. $36.5K for a 2025 XL w/ locker and tow package. I am trying to decide if the niceties on the XLT make it worth the nearly $8K premium over the XL.

Besides available packages such as true FX4 package and tech bundles, and the V6, what am I really missing out on by opting for the much more affordable XL model? The 10" screen doesn't bother me, and as long as I have the locker I don't particularly care for crawl control. I do think I would miss adaptive cruise, but is that worth the thousands extra to get an appropriately equipped vehicle? Same for heated seats, a few hundred dollars in the aftermarket and I can add those.

Can remote start be accomplished on the XL through the Ford App or not? If so, is there a way to program a key fob with remote start to work?

Power plant wise, I was originally dead set on a 2.7 EB if I went Ranger, but that was largely for the direct and port injection for longevity. Now that I'm learning the 2025 and up 2.3 has this feature, I am less convinced of the need.

For those of you that went one way or the other, XL vs XLT, what drove your choice, and are you happy with it? Based on the experiences here, in my situation, what do you feel you would opt for?

Thanks!

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[gtistiffler]

I have the XL 4wd with locker and tow. Paid $38750 otd for a 2024 a couple weeks ago.
You won’t have heated seats, radar cruise or in bed lighting. The lighting could be added aftermarket for <$200 imo.

Yes you can remote start the XL from the app. I just ask Siri to open the app and it’s one slide of the finger from there.

I’ve had adaptive cruise in the past but not for the past few years and missed it for a few months then it wasn’t a big deal and don’t miss it now.

I looked at an XLT but it wasn’t worth it for my needs.

The 2.3 has plenty of power for me. Came from a 5.3 Silverado and the Ranger is definitely more peppy. If I towed more than 4 or 5k lbs a lot I would have gone V6.

 

[superj]

I looked at both but when i wrote down my list of things i actually use versus had on my previous truck, the xl had it all.

And if you really want heated seats, plug in heated seat covers are 35 bucks for both fronts on amazon. My wife wanted that so i got them for the ranger and her wrangler though i never actually turn it on for me

 

[superj]

Oh, and the xl should be less than 34k with 4x4. I got my 2wd for 32.5 and my son got his 4x4 xl with locker for 30. I got mine the day after christmas and he got his about a month, maybe 6 weeks ago.

 

[gtistiffler]

Oh, and the xl should be less than 34k with 4x4. I got my 2wd for 32.5 and my son got his 4x4 xl with locker for 30. I got mine the day after christmas and he got his about a month, maybe 6 weeks ago.

Dang 30 is a heck of a deal! Like 8k off msrp

 

[bulldog36526]

I just bought a 2024 ranger XLT FX4 $6,000 off MSRP. So take 15% off MSRP. The dealership are going to make you work for the savings. Shop around pit one offer against another. I like my vehicle nicely loaded but there are options that I never use .

 

[goober71]

I got my 24 XLT with 301A/FX4/Tow Pkg in March for $41.3K OTD. I wanted the auto climate control, so I had to upgrade to the XLT. But the extra features (power heated seats, bigger screen, power rear window, phone charger) are pluses IMO. Make sure you negotiate! I had to visit 7-8 dealers in the Houston area, to find one with the right options at the right price!

 

[Morningpride]

I have a 24 XL. I absolutely love it, but I’m not a really tech savvy guy. I live in a rural area with lots of state forest, and lots of snow. It came from the factory with 4wd, towing package & OE 31 inch tires. Really, the only downfall is it’s not available with privacy glass. So I had to get the windows tinted on my own. I do tow a lot, so I kinda wish it had the advanced tow package, but I’m hoping they make that available in the future.

 

[dailygrind]

I was in the same boat as you almost and just went with XT with 4x4 and locking diff. I didn’t even get tow package, because base XT still has 4 pin stock, so I just added my own curt hitch for cheaper, as I don’t tow anything that needs 7 pin.

 

[DylanBra]

I got a white xl 4x4 with dif locker and the basic tow package, the biggest things I feel like I dont have is dual climate, heated steering wheel/seat(but its a cloth seat so not a huge deal), radar cruise control. I feel like these days you get alot for the xl still a 10"? screen and a 8"? in the dash. If you want more off road modes just use for scan to add them, ive done that and added the off road screen in the center console screen. Just cant have baja mode which im guessing is a 4A issue? Also id recommend the FPP Tune makes it a lot of fun.

 

[gtistiffler]

I got a white xl 4x4 with dif locker and the basic tow package, the biggest things I feel like I dont have is dual climate, heated steering wheel/seat(but its a cloth seat so not a huge deal), radar cruise control. I feel like these days you get alot for the xl still a 10"? screen and a 8"? in the dash. If you want more off road modes just use for scan to add them, ive done that and added the off road screen in the center console screen. Just cant have baja mode which im guessing is a 4A issue? Also id recommend the FPP Tune makes it a lot of fun.

Can you message me about what’s required to add the additional off-road modes ? Thanks!!

 

[DylanBra]

Can you message me about what’s required to add the additional off-road modes ? Thanks!!

(12) FORScan NA Ranger 6th Gen (2024+) Crowdsourced Spreadsheet | Ranger6G - 2024+ Ranger & Raptor Forum, News, Owners, Community (6th Gen)

check out this thread, but youll need a OBD to USB cable( OBDLink® EX - OBD2 Adapter For ELM327 & FORScan this is the one I got but on amazon, laptop, and a FORSCAN license FORScan Home super easy just input your email and vin I think.

 

[superj]

yup, just get that stuff so you can use forscan to make the changes and you will have way more fun stuff on the less expensive lower trim truck. i did the same thing to mine, even as a 2wd, and love it.

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