The F-150 is back and better than ever for 2024. A mid-cycle refresh sees Ford's hottest truck introduce a range of new styling, tech, and convenience features that help to modernize the 14th-generation model. Redesigned grilles, wheels, headlights, and taillights keep the F-150 ahead of the curve, but it's the newly standard 12.0-inch infotainment display and the expansion of some key optional features that make the 2024 model worth a second look. Ford's Pro Access Tailgate expands the pickup's worksite resume while the brand's Blue Cruise hands-free driving feature and an available heads-up display enter the fray for the first time.
Ford has also revived the off-road-focused Tremor model for 2024, but the value-packed STX trim deserves just as much attention. Previously offered as an optional appearance package, the STX becomes a full-fledged trim for the 2024 model year. While the STX package was originally an appearance-focused add-on, Ford has also included a few safety and convenience upgrades to round out the trim. These improvements, combined with a long list of optional equipment and appearance packages, give drivers an affordable option that won't break the bank. Read on as we explore everything the new STX trim has to offer and see why it's a worthy addition to the award-winning lineup. When you're looking for a Ford F-150 for sale in Rhinebeck, visit us at Ruge's Ford to find yours.
STX-Exclusive Gear
The most obvious improvement when it comes to the STX trim would probably have to be the truck's expansive grille. The coast-to-coast design stretches across the front of the F-150, fully surrounding the truck's LED headlights and giving the STX a wholly unique appearance. While it might not be quite as imposing as the massive grilles that grace the King Ranch and Platinum trims, the STX's design is easily the most distinctive you'll find on the lower half of the trim ladder. The grille isn't the only enhancement you'll find on the front end of the STX. The trim also comes standard with body-colored bumpers and redesigned LED reflector headlights, but it's the STX's LED cornering lamps that really set the pickup apart from the crowd. These cutting-edge lights are able to essentially turn in tandem with the wheels themselves, illuminating dark corners and making for an all-around safer ride.
The LED cornering lamps are just one of the lighting-related tricks the STX has up its sleeve. The pickup comes with Zone Lighting, a feature that turns it into a four-wheeled lamp capable of illuminating campsites, job sites, or wherever else you're in need of a little extra light. The feature can also make it easier to find the truck in the crowded parking lot, a common problem when it comes to America's best-selling vehicle. The trim is also packed with a few enhancements focused on the F-150's rear window. Ford has swapped out the standard design for a version that uses privacy glass to thwart prying eyes and provide some UV protection and even packed the window with a defroster that'll help to shed any ice or snow that might be blocking your view.
Ford has also graced the STX with a little splash of color that goes a long way toward differentiating the trim from the rest of its siblings in the F-150 lineup. The F-150's side fender vent proudly bears the STX name, but it's the Electric Lime accent that's really sure to draw some attention. This fluorescent flourish rounds out the STX's sporty profile and is complimented on the interior by the identical Electric Lime stitching bordering the pickup's sports cloth upholstery. Whether you're venturing out for a hike in Ferncliff Forest or taking in a baseball game on a warm summer night, the STX's singular styling is sure to turn some heads wherever you go.
A Leader in Performance
The STX doesn't just have its good looks. The trim also provides all the power and performance drivers have come to expect from the F-150 over its nearly 50 years on the market. Pop the hood, and you'll find one of two potent powertrains: a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 or––for those who prefer a little extra brawn––the 5.0-liter V8. The V6 leverages a little forced induction to offer drivers 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, while the V8 ups the ante in the horsepower department with 400 ponies to its name. That's plenty of muscle to handle most truck-worthy tasks, but the STX's engines offer a lot more than pure power.
Ford has paired both the 2.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission and its innovative Auto Start-Stop technology. Designed to improve fuel economy and reduce the F-150's carbon emissions, the feature automatically deactivates the engine when the truck comes to a stop during the course of normal city driving. Simply apply the brakes and the Auto Start-Stop feature kicks into action, powering down the engine and illuminating a handy light on the F-150's 12-inch Digital Productivity Screen. As soon as you let off the brakes, the engine kicks right back into action, quickly revving up for a seamless driving experience that's just a little bit easier on the planet, not to mention your wallet. This constant stopping and starting can put undue stress on a vehicle's battery and starter, but Ford has engineered around this issue by replacing both components with heavy-duty alternatives. The Auto Start-Stop is smart enough to know when you're running the heating or air conditioning and won't activate when these climate controls are in use.
The most compelling case for the Auto Start-Stop technology would have to be the F-150 EPA-estimated fuel economy. The turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 offers an impressive 19 MPG in the city and up to 25 MPG on the highway, while the 5.0-liter V8 provides 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. While both engines fall short of the high bar set by the available hybrid version that squeezes 22 MPG in the city and 24 on the highway out of its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor, it's still a strong showing for pure internal combustion. A standard 23-gallon fuel tank or available 36-gallon version gives the STX plenty of range, allowing you to cruise down to NYC on the Taconic State Parkway with minimal pit stops.
A Package for Every Pickup
Ford is also offering three additional equipment packages for 2024 that transform the looks, utility, and convenience of legendary pickup. We'll start with the STX Black Appearance package, which gives the STX a slick overhaul that'll instantly separates it from your standard F-150. True to its name, the moody makeover includes a full complement of blacked-out elements such as six-inch black running boards and 20-inch gloss black-painted aluminum wheels. The most aesthetically pleasing addition would have to be the black exterior badging, which sees the classic blue Ford logo replaced with a black version that ties the whole truck together. The Black Appearance Package might not add any performance-related goodies, but it does impart the truck with an undeniable sense of sportiness that harkens back to Ford's long history of thrilling street trucks.
The versatility of the modern full-size pickup makes the segment one of the most practical corners of today's market. Trucks like the F-150 STX are often called on to serve as everything from daily drivers and family vehicles to dedicated work trucks and towing and hauling specialists, a fact Ford has acknowledged with the introduction of two clever packages. The first is the Mobile Office package that turns the STX into a handy workspace. The package includes a set of 400-watt outlets in the cab and bed, which are perfect for charging power tools, laptops, and whatever else you might need for a long day out on the job. The Mobile Office package also features a convenient work surface that folds out from the center console, giving drivers plenty of space to plant their laptop or tablet as they catch up on emails or review invoices.
No F-150 would be complete without an optional tow package. The STX already punches well above its modest starting price to offer up to either 8,400 or 12,900 pounds of towing capacity, depending on the engine, but the Tow/Haul Package complements this ample pulling power with a useful set of features that should go a long way towards improving the towing experience. An Integrated Trailer Brake Controller will help to keep even the heaviest load in check by automatically applying the trailer brakes when the F-150's brakes are activated, while an electronic-locking rear axle has a noticeable impact on traction. This electronic-locking rear axle can make all the difference when it comes to getting a good start and is a must-have addition for any driver who expects to put in a little work.
The F-150 STX for All Your Driving Needs
The Ford F-150 STX might only rank one rung higher than the entry-level XL model on the 2024 trim ladder, but it represents a massive improvement in terms of both style and functionality. From features like a rear window defroster and rear privacy glass to the LED cornering lamps and Zone Lighting, the STX elevates the everyday driving experience by prioritizing convenience. The trim's full suite of styling upgrades speaks to the STX's legacy as an appearance-related package with the one-of-a-kind grille, body-colored bumpers, and Electric Lime accents all combined to add a little flash to the equation. The STX provides a great starting point to create the pickup of your dreams, especially when you start factoring in all the optional equipment packages. The truck's two available engines strike a satisfying balance between performance and efficiency, while the Black Appearance, Mobile Office, and Tow/Haul packages can each take the pickup in a different direction. We've touched on a few highlights of the 2024 Ford F-150 STX, but there's always more to discover when you make the trip down to Ruge's Ford.
