Battle of the Trucks: Ford Ranger XLT vs. F-150 Lariat

It’s a battle of the pickups—Ford Ranger XLT vs. F-150 Lariat—and who knows which will come out on top? Spoiler alert: it depends on what you want from a truck.
Written by Zachary Morgan
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The venerable Ford F-150 just might be the most famous full-size pickup truck to ever hit the market, but it faces some stiff competition from one of its midsize siblings—the 2022 Lariat XLT.
For those who need the utility of a truck but don’t want to spend the extra few thousand for a full-size, a capable mid-size pickup like the Ranger XLT would probably get the job done just fine. However, the F-150 is known all over the world as a seriously powerful machine with unmatched towing capacity, meaning that the competition between the two is going to be fierce.
Here to mediate that competition is
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison app. We’ll compare truck specs, look at strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide which truck would better suit your needs. As a reward for reaching the end, we’ll show you how to lower either your F-150 or
Ford Ranger insurance cost
. Let’s jump in! 

2022 Ford Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: the lowdown

So, what are some of the major differences between the Ford Ranger and
Ford F-150
? Let’s take a look at a few of them now:
  • Size: This one is fairly obvious, but a major difference between these two trucks is the body size. The F-150 is a full-size, chassis-cab truck while the Ranger is midsize and body-on-frame.
  • Trim levels: Although the Ranger is a popular truck, it’s only available in three trim levels, so you have a more limited pool of available features. The F-150, on the other hand, has eight distinct trims to choose from! Plus, even though it’s considered a separate vehicle for marketing purposes, there is an all-electric version of this iconic pickup—the Ford F-150 Lightning.
  • Price: The price range for a 2022 Ranger starts at $27,500 for the base model and goes up to $37,500 for the most premium trim level. The F-150, as a bigger and more powerful truck, is understandably more expensive. The basic XL model starts at around $41,000 and can go as high as $79,000 for the ultra-premium Limited trim.
  • Towing: In this category, the F-150 is almost impossible to defeat with its maximum towing capacity of 9,400 pounds, but the 7,500 max offered by the Ranger is still fairly respectable. 
Of course, these are only a few differences between the Ranger XLT and the F-150 Lariat. Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the major distinctions between these two machines.

2022 Ford Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: power & performance

Naturally, we’ll start with some of the primary specs for a pickup truck: horsepower, efficiency, and powertrain.
The sole Ranger powertrain is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four paired with 10-speed automatic transmission that puts out 270 hp and is exclusively rear-wheel drive. 
Conversely, the F-150’s cup runneth over, because it has a whopping five available powertrains! Take a look at all the different options below:
  • 3.3-liter V6 (290 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque)
  • Turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 (325 hp, 400 lb-ft)
  • 5.0-liter V8 (400 hp, 410 lb-ft)
  • Turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (400 hp, 500 lb-ft)
  • A hybrid powertrain that combines a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor and a battery pack (430 hp, 570 lb-ft)
All of these engines are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and both four- and rear-wheel drive are available (except the
Raptor
engine, which is only 4WD). We’ll compare the two trucks in the table below, but for simplicity’s sake, we’ll only look at the standard 3.3-liter V6 for the F-150.
Model
2022 Ford Ranger XLT
2022 Ford F-150 Lariat
Engine
2.3L EcoBoost inline-four
3.3L V6
Horsepower
270-hp
290-hp
Torque
310 lb-ft
265 lb-ft
Transmission
10-speed automatic
10-speed automatic
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD or 4WD
EPA fuel economy (combined)
23 mpg
25 mpg
MORE: Ford Ranger ground clearance
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2022 Ford Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: interior & storage

Engine options aside, the size difference is one of the major distinctions between these two trucks. Looking at the two, you’ll notice right away because the F-150 is full-size and the Ranger is midsize. As such, the Ranger is a bit more nimble, with a 21 ft turning radius as opposed to 24-26 ft for the F-150.
The available cab options are slightly different between these trucks, as well. There are two available cab configurations for the Ranger: the
Ranger SuperCab
and
Ranger SuperCrew
. You’ll also be able to choose between a five- and six-foot bed, depending on the cab size. 
The F-150 cab options are similar to the Ranger’s, but a third, non-extended configuration is available. You’ll be able to choose between Regular, the
F-150 SuperCab
, and the
F-150 SuperCrew
, plus three different bed lengths between 67 to 96 inches. Whatever you choose, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the roominess, visibility, and intuitive button layout.
Model
2022 Ford Ranger XLT
2022 Ford F-150 Lariat
Wheelbase
126.8 inches
157 inches
Length
210.8 inches
243.5 inches
Bed length
60-72 inches
67, 79, or 96 inches
Bed volume
43.4-51.8 cubic feet
52.8, 62.3, or 77.4 cubic feet
Headroom (front/rear)
41 / 38.3 inches
40.8 / 40.5 inches
Legroom (front/rear)
43.1 / 34.5 inches
43.9 / 43.6 inches
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2022 Ford Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: technology

Cutting-edge tech might not be one of your top priorities if you’re looking for a truck, but Ford threw some in there anyway!
The XLT trim for the Ranger comes standard with: 
  • Keyless entry
  • An 8-inch touchscreen
  • Multiple USB charging ports
  • Sync3 infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Ford Co-Pilot360™ driver’s aid suite, which includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning
On top of these standard XLT features, you’ll have several optional packages to choose from, which can get you the following (and more):
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Sport, Chrome, or Black exterior appearance bundles
  • Remote ignition
  • Navigation system
  • Adaptive cruise control
Not to be outdone, the F-150 Lariat has its own advanced group of tech features, including: 
  • Remote ignition
  • Remote tailgate release
  • A 12-inch touchscreen
  • ProPower Onboard system: Essentially turns your F-150 into a working generator and is available in three power levels: 2.0 kW, 2.4 kW, or 7.2 kW. Perfect for camping trips!
There is a fairly extensive selection of packages and optional add-ons for the F-150, as well, including:
  • Intelligent adaptive cruise control
  • Evasive steering assist
  • Exterior LED lighting 
  • Upgraded sound system
  • Heated steering wheel
MORE: How to build a custom Ford Ranger

2022 Ford Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: towing & off-roading

This is an arena where the F-150 reigns supreme and not just over the Ranger, either. If hauling freight and moving weight is your business, you’re gonna go with the F-150 every time.
The Ranger and the F-150 are both work trucks, sure, but the standard towing capacity for the Ranger is 3,500 pounds, as opposed to 7,600 for the F-150. Of course, you can configure both of them to be able to pull more weight, but the Ranger maxes out at 7,500 pounds and still can’t come close to the 9,400 pounds that the F-150 can haul when properly outfitted.
When it comes to payload capacity, the story is pretty much the same. Although Ranger’s maximum of 1,800 pounds is certainly impressive, a properly kitted-out F-150 can hold as much as 3,270 pounds in the bed.
Off-roading, though, is a bit more competitive. Jerry gave both the Ranger and F-150 an off-road rating of the highest honor: “Trail Boss.” However, the more you look at the specs, the more the F-150 pulls ahead. Take the engine size, for example. The Ranger only has a four-cylinder engine, while the least powerful F-150 engine is still a V6. Neither would be a bad choice, but the ceiling is simply higher for the F-150.

2022 Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: safety

Fortunately, there isn’t that much competition between these two trucks when it comes to safety—both have good driver’s aid features as well as excellent safety ratings. The F-150’s scores are just a little bit higher, though, in case you’re sensing a pattern.
The NHTSA awarded the 2022 F-150 a five-star safety rating, whereas the Ranger earned four stars. Furthermore, they were both given a majority of “Good” ratings from the IIHS, although it was noted that the headlights and seat belt reminders were sorely lacking for both. 

2022 Ranger XLT vs. 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat: reliability

We’ve finally reached a category where the 2022 Ranger can take the prize because its predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports is an impressive 4 out of 5
That’s a pretty significant edge over the estimated 2 out of 5 for the 2022 F-150, which is partly a result of longstanding engine problems for this particular truck. Nevertheless, the F-150 has been one of the top-selling vehicles in the US for decades now, and despite the low reliability, CR reports that the owner satisfaction score is a whopping 89/100!

Which is better: Ranger or F-150?

Alright, we’ve given you a full rundown of the differences between the 2022 XLT Ranger and the 2022 F-150 Lariat, so only one question remains—which one is better?
On paper, the F-150 roundly beats the Ranger, thanks to its multiple engine options, unbelievable towing capacity, and top-ranking safety features. Put quite simply, the F-150 excels at pretty much everything you’d expect from a truck, so it’s hard to recommend the Ranger in its place.
However, if you don’t have to tow quite so much weight, don’t mind saving thousands of dollars, and want a truck that has a much higher reliability rating, the Ranger won’t let you down. At the end of the day, only one person knows what to look for in the ideal pickup truck—you.

How to find cheap auto insurance for your Ford

The annual Ford F-150 car insurance cost is around $400-$500 cheaper than a Ranger’s, but it all depends on a multitude of factors. Everything from the trim level, your personal driving history, and the location where you live will affect what you can expect to pay for insurance.
Regardless of where you live or which truck you’re driving, you can save a lot of money on car insurance by downloading
Jerry
.
Using Jerry is the easiest way to shop for quotes online. After you download the
trusted super app
and enter your information, Jerry will scan quotes from the nation’s leading insurance providers to find the best possible rates. In less than a minute, we’ll give you a list of quotes personalized for you and your specific needs!
We want insurance shopping to be easy and headache-free, so we’ll never spam you with calls or emails. If you find a policy you like, our team of experts can help you finalize your new plan. We can even help you cancel your old policy.
The best part? Jerry customers average over $800 a year in savings on their car insurance!
Jerry
was easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” —Johannes T.
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