2026 Ford Maverick® XLT vs. Lariat®: The Differences Go Beyond Equipment

If you're shopping for a new Ford Explorer in Ypsilanti, MI, you’ve made a great choice. But now you need to figure out what trim works best for you. Let’s take a look at the Explorer’s Active and ST Line trim levels. Both trims offer a lot to love, but there are differences between the two trims. Understanding what sets them apart can help you decide which one is right for you before you visit our Ford dealership. Ford Explorer Active vs. ST Line – What They Share Both The Explorer Active and ST Line are powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 engine producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Inside the cabin, both models come standard with the 13.2-in Ford Digital Experience touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and a 12.3-in digital driver cluster. What Makes the Active Different Designed as a practical and comfortable foundation, the Active features 18-in Sparkle Silver aluminum wheels, a dark gray grille with chrome bars,  heated 10-way power front seats, and a power liftgate—making it ideal for daily commuting and weekend family road trips. How the ST Line Sets Itself Apart The ST Line takes a different approach. It emphasizes athletic styling. It upgrades to 20-in Ebony-painted aluminum wheels, blacked-out exterior accents, a black honeycomb grille, dark tint headlamps/taillamps, red interior contrast stitching, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, a 10-speaker B&O® Sound System, and available BlueCruise® hands-free highway driving. Think of the ST Line as the Explorer that turns heads in the city while still being perfectly capable for drivers in Ypsilanti, MI, who want something that feels energetic and comfortable on the daily commute. Interior and Feature Differences Both trims come well-equipped, but their interior priorities differ. The Active emphasizes durability and daily practicality with cloth sea ts, a heated 10-way power driver seat, a 4-way power passenger seat, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The ST-Line adds ActiveX® seats featuring red contrast stitching, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and a 10-speaker B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen. Practical space is identical across both configurations, with 16.3 cu ft of cargo volume behind the third row, 46 cu ft behind the second row, and up to 85.8 cu ft of maximum cargo capacity with all rear seats folded flat. Both trims anchor their cabin tech around a standard 13.2-in Ford Digital Experience touchscreen with Google built-in and a 12.3-in digital instrument cluster. They also come standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360® driver-assist suite—including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Visit Gene Butman Ford Sales to Explore Both Trims The best way to feel the difference is to see both trims in person. The team at Gene Butman Ford Sales is ready to walk you through every detail and help you find the Explorer that fits your life. Stop by or browse our current Ford Explorer inventory online and learn more.

At first glance, there isn't a great mechanical gulf between the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport ® Big Bend® and Outer Banks®. Both use the same turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, the same 8-speed automatic transmission, and standard 4x4, while their principal displays are identical. The differences emerge in the details: Big Bend® provides the simpler specification with several routes into additional off-road equipment, while Outer Banks® brings more comfort as standard and can make a substantial mechanical leap through the available Sasquatch® Outer Banks® Package. For Ypsilanti, MI drivers dealing with winter roads as well as weekend travel, it's worth examining the equipment beneath the trim badges. The Standard Mechanical Package Is Identical Both models use a 1.5L EcoBoost® 3-cylinder producing 180 hp and 200 lbs. ft. of torque, connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4x4. Ford's Terrain Management System™ provides 5 G.O.A.T. Modes®—Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Off-Road—and standard ground clearance is 7.8 inches. EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Fit the available Class II Trailer Tow Package and either trim can provide up to 2,200 lbs. of towing capacity. In standard form, then, neither model holds a meaningful performance advantage over the other. Big Bend® Leaves Space to Choose Your Equipment Big Bend® uses 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum wheels and HOSS 1.0 off-road-tuned suspension, an appropriate combination for a compact SUV expected to encounter broken surfaces, dirt roads, snow, and lighter trails. Its technology specification is hardly basic: a 13.2-inch SYNC® 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility accompanies an 8-inch digital cluster display. Buyers wanting more trail equipment can add the available Black Diamond® Off-Road Package. Ford also offers new Bronze and Bronze + Black Diamond® Off-Road packages for 2026, expanding the ways Big Bend® can be configured without moving to Outer Banks®. Outer Banks® Concentrates on Everyday Comfort Outer Banks® doesn't alter the standard powertrain, but it changes the environment around the occupants. Its 18-inch machined-face Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels and Shadow Black-painted roof create a different exterior character, joined by LED fog lamps and heated power side mirrors. Inside are an auto-dimming rearview mirror and dual-zone automatic climate control. Crucially, the move up the range doesn't bring a larger standard touchscreen. Outer Banks® retains the same 13.2-inch SYNC® 4 display and 8-inch digital cluster found in Big Bend®, so the additional equipment is concentrated elsewhere. Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 is available for drivers seeking further assistance on longer journeys. Sasquatch® Changes More Than the Appearance The available Sasquatch® Outer Banks® Package is the point at which this comparison becomes mechanically more interesting. It adds Advanced 4x4 with a twin-clutch rear drive unit, giving Outer Banks® more specialized hardware for demanding terrain. There are consequences to that extra capability: EPA-estimated fuel economy changes to 23 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The package also replaces the standard 8-inch cluster with a 12.3-inch display. This creates a clear distinction from Big Bend® and its available Black Diamond® equipment, making the package selection at least as important as the trim selection for drivers planning regular trail use. Choose the Specification, Not Just the Badge Big Bend® makes a persuasive case if standard 4x4, HOSS 1.0 suspension, the 13.2-inch touchscreen, and access to additional off-road packages cover the intended use. Outer Banks® suits drivers who value its added climate, mirror, lighting, and exterior equipment before options enter the picture. Add the Sasquatch® Outer Banks® Package, though, and the discussion changes from cabin amenities to more specialized 4x4 hardware. That's why comparing the finished configurations is more revealing than treating Outer Banks® as simply a better-equipped Big Bend®. Compare Bronco Sport® Trims at Gene Butman Ford Sales Visit Gene Butman Ford Sales in Ypsilanti, MI to compare 2026 Ford Bronco Sport® Big Bend® and Outer Banks® models, including their available off-road packages and technology. Schedule a test drive to experience the 4x4 system, cabin equipment, and driving characteristics firsthand before choosing the Bronco Sport® specification that suits your plans.

XLT and Lariat® occupy an appealing bit of the 2026 Ford F-150® range. Neither is the basic work truck, and Lariat® hasn't yet wandered into the territory occupied by the luxury-focused trims farther up the ladder. The result is a choice between two trucks with plenty of capability and technology, but different attitudes toward standard equipment. XLT lets Ypsilanti, MI buyers do more of the choosing themselves. Lariat® arrives with much of the comfort kit already fitted. There Is Plenty of Choice Before You Reach the Cabin Available F-150® powertrains include a 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 producing 325 hp and 400 lbs. ft. of torque, a 5.0L V8 with 400 hp and 410 lbs. ft. of torque, and a 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 producing 382 hp and 500 lbs. ft. of torque. The available 3.5L PowerBoost® Full Hybrid V6 tops those figures with 420 hp and 570 lbs. ft. of torque. Every engine is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Properly configured, the 2026 F-150® can provide up to 13,500 lbs. of towing capacity and 2,440 lbs. of payload capacity, but cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, engine, and equipment all affect the final numbers. XLT Covers the Essentials Without Feeling Basic A 12-inch SYNC® 4 touchscreen and 12-inch digital productivity screen are standard on XLT, accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and Ford Co-Pilot360® technology. That's an important starting point because the displays don't suddenly grow when you move to Lariat®. Chrome bumpers and additional exterior detailing distinguish XLT from the work-focused XL, while available packages allow buyers to spend their money on the equipment that suits the truck's job, including towing, off-road, and cabin upgrades. Lariat® Makes the Interior the Main Event Climb into Lariat® and the reason for moving up becomes much clearer. ActiveX®-trimmed seating is standard, along with heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The audio system becomes an 8-speaker B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with a subwoofer. The 12-inch SYNC® 4 touchscreen and 12-inch digital productivity screen remain, so you're paying for a richer environment around the technology instead of a larger slab of glass. For drivers spending long days in their F-150®, those seemingly small additions can become the features noticed most often. The 4WD Difference Deserves Attention There is also a mechanical distinction worth noting. Lariat® comes standard with a 2-speed automatic 4WD system, while 4x4 equipment on XLT depends on the configuration selected. That's worth examining closely for Michigan drivers dealing with changing road conditions or owners expecting regular work away from pavement. It also illustrates why comparing individual trucks is important: two F-150® models parked beside one another can have considerably different hardware despite sharing much of the same bodywork. Both Can Add Some Clever Working Tools Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™ can help with maneuvering and connecting compatible trailers. Pro Power Onboard™ can supply electricity for compatible tools, electronics, and equipment, with output determined by powertrain; PowerBoost® configurations can provide up to 7.2 kW. BlueCruise® hands-free highway driving is also available on properly equipped 2026 F-150® models. BlueCruise® with Towing, however, belongs to the newer 2027 model and isn't part of the 2026 feature set. XLT or Lariat® Comes Down to Where You Spend the Money XLT suits buyers who enjoy specifying a truck around their own priorities. It already has substantial screen technology and can be configured with additional equipment for towing, off-road driving, or comfort. Lariat® makes the stronger case for drivers who already know they want heated and ventilated seats, upgraded audio, additional climate equipment, and standard 2-speed automatic 4WD. Neither badge determines towing capability on its own, so anyone buying around a specific trailer or payload should check the ratings of the exact configuration. Drive Both F-150® Trims at Gene Butman Ford Sales Visit Gene Butman Ford Sales in Ypsilanti to compare 2026 Ford F-150® XLT and Lariat® models with the powertrains, drivetrains, and packages you're considering. Schedule a test drive to see how their cabin equipment and driving experience differ before choosing the F-150® specification that fits your work and travel.