There are plenty of reasons why the Ford F-150 has been America’s best-selling truck for more than 40 years. The 2020 Ford F-150 lives up to that history with plenty of technology, luxury options, and a number of engines to pick from. There are seven Ford F-150 trims available and multiple cab sizes, bed lengths, and features. There’s an F-150 to suit every buyer’s needs and wishes, so which one should you buy?

The Ford F-150’s features

The Ford F-150 is defined by how many ways buyers can customize it to meet their personal needs. Buyers can pick from Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew cab sizes as well as 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot bed lengths. However, the shortened bed isn’t available with the regular cab, and the longest bed isn’t available with the SuperCrew cab. There are six engine options, and most come with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The two lowest trims have a standard six-speed transmission with the option to upgrade.

There are plenty of entertainment, safety, and driver-assist features available, plus there’s also a useful feature that makes it easier to back up with a trailer. The touchscreen infotainment system is optional. Six of the trims (not the base XL) come with an 8-inch touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

New for 2020

Not a lot is different in the 2020 Ford F-150. However, the turbodiesel V6 is now available in the XLT trim. The F-150 Lariat trim now comes standard with Co-Pilot360, Ford’s driver-assist suite of safety features.

For the exterior, the STX Sport Appearance package is available for the XL trim. Additionally, a Black Appearance package is available for the XLT and Lariat trims, plus there are three new colors: Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Tinted Clearcoat, and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat.

Available configurations

There are seven trim levels for the new 2020 Ford F-150: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor, Platinum, and Limited. The top-selling trims are the XL, XLT, and Lariat. The King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited are the luxury options, and the Raptor is an off-road, high-performance choice. In addition to cab size and bed length, the configurations have different engine options.

The 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine, which has 290 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, is standard for the XL and XLT. The 2.7-liter V6 engine is standard on the Lariat trim and optional for the XL and XLT. This engine offers 325 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine doesn’t come standard but is optional for the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. It gets 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. This one is the strongest engine option for towing. With it, the F-150 has a best-in-class towing capability of 13,200 pounds.

The 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine, with 395 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, is standard for King Ranch and Platinum but available for the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine, which creates 440 lb.-ft. of torque, is optional for the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims and gets 250 hp and 440 lb.-ft. of torque.

The last engine is the high-output 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is standard on the Raptor and the Limited. This powerful engine gives drivers 450 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.

Kelley Blue Book recommends the 2.7-liter V6, the 3.5-liter V6, or the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine to get the best capabilities without too much extra cost.

Which Ford F-150 trim has the best value?

The Lariat trim comes with a stronger engine than the XL and XLT and is a great choice for buyers looking for value. With its standard 2.7-liter V6 engine, the starting price is $42,500. Edmunds suggests the Lariat SuperCrew with rear-wheel drive and a 5.5-foot bed, which would have a starting price of $44,860. Car and Driver recommends the Lariat SuperCrew 4×4 with a 6.5-foot cargo box. Paying an additional $4,375 for four-wheel drive brings the starting price to $51,525.

This mid-level trim provides a good number of features and a moderate touch of luxury. U.S. News and World Report points out that the Lariat trim has two cab sizes, three bed lengths, and four engines available. The Lariat also comes standard with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. It offers push-button start and satellite radio. It’s also the lowest trim that comes with the 8-inch touchscreen.

For buyers overwhelmed by the many choices available for the 2020 Ford F-150, the Lariat trim is a good starting point that offers great value for your money.