Which engine should you choose for the Ford F-150? V6 EcoBoost or V8?
What engine would you choose for a Ford F-150?
I'm torn between the turbo V6 EcoBoost and the 5-liter V8.
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Hello Simon,
If I understand correctly, you're hesitating between the 3.5-liter V6 Ecoboost and the V8. It's important to note that there are three V6 engine options for the F-150, two of which are called “Ecoboost.” First off, I would advise you to forget about the Powerboost (hybrid), as its fuel economy is not sufficient to justify the purchase price, and also because its reliability is questionable.
Next, I would advise against the V8 engine, which, despite its age, has shown some reliability issues, particularly in terms of excessive oil consumption. It also has the disadvantage of consuming significantly more fuel, especially in urban areas, and you have to pay an annual tax of $118 on the engine displacement, which is symbolic, but still money down the drain.
Therefore, you need to consider how you will be using your truck and choose between the 2.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower or the 3.5-liter V6 with 400 horsepower. The former is limited to a towing capacity of 8,400 lbs but will save you about 10% in fuel, while the latter can pull loads of up to 13,500 lbs.
Obviously, if you need to tow such loads on a regular basis, it's better to go for a Super Duty model. That said, if this is just an everyday vehicle that you'll rarely use for towing, and at most for loads of 7,000 or 7,500 lb, I would opt for the smaller of the two EcoBoost V6 engines (2.7 liters). It's reliable, pleasant to drive and one of the most fuel-efficient engines available in the full-size pickup truck industry.
