2027 Ford F‑150 Secret Cuts: What Features Are Buyers Getting Robbed Of?

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2027 Ford F‑150 Secret Cuts: What Features Are Buyers Getting Robbed Of?

A dark ford pickup truck driving on a dusty field
Photo by ftodne on Unsplash

The Ford F-150 enters the 2027 model year with a significant mid-cycle refresh that streamlines ordering complexity for dealership inventory and prospective buyers. While Ford has added new options and expanded certain engine choices, a leaked order guide reveals that several long-standing equipment packages and options have been discontinued. From engine swaps to entire equipment groups vanishing off the order sheet, the changes touch nearly every trim level in the lineup.

Understanding what features and equipment groups have been dropped helps buyers navigate the updated trim structure and make informed purchasing decisions. From discontinued base engines to deleted top-tier equipment groups on popular trims, here is a detailed breakdown of the major equipment changes for the 2027 Ford F-150.

The engine of a car parked in a parking lot
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1. The 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V6 Engine

Ford has officially announced discontinuation of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and replaced it with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 as a standard option in the XL, STX, and XLT trims. The discontinued 2.7-liter engine had been in use since the 2015 model year. Initially it delivered 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque; after some time the torque output was upgraded to 410 lb-ft. For more than a decade the 2.7-liter engine became the workhorse of the Ford fleet as a power source for a huge number of entry- and mid-level trucks.

2.7L EcoBoost Exit Details:

  • In service since 2015
  • Replaced by 3.0L EcoBoost
  • Originally 325 horsepower rated
  • Later torque bump to 410
  • Standard on XL, STX, XLT

The engine replacement changes the standard powertrain of the F-150 for most of its buyers. Also, there are rumors that the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine will disappear from the lineup of the Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco soon after being discontinued in the F-150. If this happens, it will become the end of the career of the popular V6 engine from the Ford family of vehicles.

2. The STX FX4 201A Equipment Group

According to the official order guide, the STX FX4 201A equipment group has been completely discontinued for the upcoming 2027 model year. Prior to this update, this particular equipment group had to be ordered by customers who wanted to order STX appearance with off-road capabilities. The requirement to select the particular equipment group made the ordering much harder for customers as the customer had to pay extra for the particular group just to receive the off-road equipment on the particular trim level.

STX FX4 201A Changes:

  • Group fully deleted 2027
  • Previously bundled off-road hardware
  • FX4 package now standalone
  • Added to STX 200A group
  • Simplifies off-road ordering path

However, despite the removal of the particular equipment group, the off-road equipment has not disappeared altogether as Ford has made it possible to add the FX4 Off-Road Package directly to the standard STX 200A equipment group. Such approach allows the buyers to order their desired equipment and appearance more conveniently.

3. The XLT 303A High Equipment Group

For the sake of simplification of the ordering procedure, Ford has discontinued the high equipment group of the XLT trim. This decision has resulted in reducing the number of trim tiers in the XLT trim level to three. As the XLT is one of the highest-volume selling trims in the F-150, the change is likely to influence significantly on the ordering process at dealerships across the country.

XLT 303A Package Shift:

  • Top-tier 303A fully eliminated
  • XLT now three-tier structure
  • 302A Mid gains standard tech
  • Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard
  • Body-color bumpers now standard

With the elimination of the high equipment group, Ford has added some standard features to the mid-tier package. For example, the XLT 302A now comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 system with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and 360-degree camera, along with standard body color bumpers.

white suv on dirt road during daytime
Photo by Jon Couch on Unsplash

4. The Lariat 500A 157-Inch Wheelbase Group

One of the noteworthy equipment changes described in the leaked order guide is the discontinuation of the equipment group Lariat 500A. This group is used in conjunction with the 157-inch wheelbase configuration of the Lariat. This wheelbase configuration will be discontinued in 2027 model year as a part of the lineup streamlining process.

Lariat 500A Wheelbase Cut:

  • 157-inch wheelbase configuration gone
  • Applies to Lariat 500A
  • Cannot be ordered anymore
  • Part of lineup streamlining
  • Fewer long-wheelbase choices remain

The discontinuation of this equipment group and wheelbase configuration reflects the new Ford strategy of removing less popular and low-volume options in order to simplify factory ordering process. Now, the customers willing to buy the particular body configuration will have to order the remaining equipment groups.

A white pickup truck parked at a dusty construction site during an overcast day.
Photo by 04iraq on Pexels

5. The STX FX4 Special Trim

Among the removed appearance and utility packages, one should mention the discontinued special trim of STX named STX FX4 Special Trim. This removal is consistent with other changes mentioned above Ford discontinues the equipment package in order to limit the number of different variants of particular trim and simplify the ordering process.

STX FX4 Special Trim Cut:

  • Special trim fully discontinued
  • Targeted entry-level off-road buyers
  • Distinct aesthetic features removed
  • FX4 package now standalone add
  • Reduces ordering complexity overall

By dropping this dedicated trim variant, Ford continues its effort to reduce ordering complexity across the model lineup. Buyers seeking off-road capability within the STX line must now rely on adding the standalone FX4 Off-Road Package to standard STX models. This shift mirrors the broader move away from rigid, pre-packaged trim variants toward a more modular a-la-carte ordering structure.

6. The STX Black Appearance Package

As one of the major changes for 2027 model year, the STX Black Appearance Package has been officially discontinued. It had become quite popular among budget-minded buyers, who wanted a cheap way to obtain the blacked-out styling of the vehicle. With the new order procedure, such appearance package will not be available to customers anymore.

STX Black Package Removal:

  • Blacked-out look no longer available
  • Was popular on entry-level trucks
  • Removed specifically from STX trim
  • Black styling remains on XLT
  • Also available on Lariat trim

While STX buyers lose this factory blacked-out aesthetic option, Ford has not abandoned the appearance trend entirely across the board. Black-appearance styling packages remain active and available on higher trim tiers like the XLT and Lariat, encouraging visual customization at slightly higher price points. This effectively pushes buyers who want the aggressive dark look toward a higher trim and larger overall purchase price.

7. Standard Comfort Content on Entry-Level Tremor 400A

When it comes to the new more affordable Tremor 400A equipment group, off-road enthusiasts will notice that it has lost some of the comfort features. Along with other changes, the base level Tremor 400A does not come with the power seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control system, power-sliding rear window, Bang & Olufsen audio system, and Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0. Also, the 5.0-liter V8 engine is not available on the 400A level and becomes an optional feature of the 401A equipment group.

Tremor 400A Feature Trade-Offs:

  • Power seats no longer standard
  • Heated seats also removed
  • Dual-zone climate control gone
  • Bang & Olufsen audio dropped
  • 5.0L V8 requires 401A

The removal of these comfort and luxury features has allowed Ford to lower the entry price to the Tremor lineup while keeping its main off-road functionality. Thus, the 400A retains its key off-road features including 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, Super Crew 4×4 configuration, and suspension system.

The XLT 303A High Equipment Group
Foto de stock gratuita sobre acristalado, aparcado, aros, Photo by pexels.com, is licensed under CC CC0 1.0

8. Premium Amenities on the New Raptor 800A

Just like with the Tremor, the new Raptor 800A has dropped several high-end features available on more expensive trim levels. In comparison with returning 801A trim, the new 800A does not have a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, head-up display, heated rear seats, and 2-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard. The new trim level uses only 400-watt Pro Power Onboard.

Raptor 800A Removed Luxuries:

  • 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen dropped
  • Head-up display not included
  • Heated rear seats removed
  • Pro Power reduced to 400W
  • Core off-road hardware retained

The removal of these features has not affected the off-road capabilities of the particular trim as Ford has preserved its high off-road capabilities using its High Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, Fox Live Valve Suspension System, 35-inch tires, and distinctive Raptor body styling along with the luxurious heated and ventilated front seats in leather upholstery.

The STX Black Appearance Package
2013 Ford F150 FX4 EcoBoost w/ Appearance Pkg | Traded in my… | Flickr, Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY 4.0

9. Tow/Haul Package Pairing with the 3.0-Liter EcoBoost

Another mechanical restriction has appeared as a result of the latest update to the order sheet and involves the combination of Tow/Haul Package with the base engine. The factory Tow/Haul Package is no longer available on the new standard 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine used in XL, STX, and XLT trims. This restriction will surprise many buyers as usually; these features can be ordered together in any trim configuration of any engine type.

Tow/Haul Pairing Restriction:

  • Unavailable with 3.0L EcoBoost
  • Applies to XL, STX, XLT
  • Trailer brake controller still available
  • STX Lobo requires 5.0L V8
  • Lobo blocks Tow/Haul and FX4

The official reason for this decision is unknown to the public; however, buyers who want to order the Tow/Haul Package with 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine can still order an integrated trailer brake controller as a separate package. Also, buyers selecting the performance oriented STX Lobo trim are restricted in the same way because they need to have the 5.0-liter V8 engine and can not select the Tow/Haul or FX4 Off-Road packages.

blue Ford pickup truck
Photo by Caleb White on Unsplash

10. Antimatter Blue, Argon Blue, and Avalanche Paint Colors

The exterior color palette of the 2027 Ford F-150 sees a direct update that consists of the removal of three traditional colors from the color offerings. The colors of Antimatter Blue Metallic, Argon Blue Metallic, and Avalanche are all officially discontinued throughout the model lineup. Color discontinuations occur frequently within the automotive industry, and discontinuing three colors at once marks a rather significant change for the appearance of the truck itself.

2027 Paint Color Swap:

  • Antimatter Blue Metallic retired
  • Argon Blue Metallic retired
  • Avalanche shade also retired
  • Birch Sand replaces outgoing colors
  • Neptune Blue and Wild Green added

For 2027, the colors that are currently being offered get replaced with three new ones: Birch Sand for most trims, Neptune Blue for all trims, and Wild Green for select models. At the same time, the company is making efforts to simplify package and option offerings by eliminating low volume options and configurations.

John Faulkner is Road Test Editor at Clean Fleet Report. He has more than 30 years’ experience branding, launching and marketing automobiles. He has worked with General Motors (all Divisions), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Eagle), Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota on consumer events and sales training programs. His interest in automobiles is broad and deep, beginning as a child riding in the back seat of his parent’s 1950 Studebaker. He is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.

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