Ford F150 2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Which Engine Should You Choose?
Ford F150 is undoubtedly the king of full-sized trucks and is loved by enthusiasts all over the world. It is also the top-selling truck in the U.S, thanks to its brutal power and unprecedented capabilities.
Ford F150 comes with different powertrain options and onboard equipment that you can choose to have. Let’s go through the different engine options that Ford offers with its mighty truck and which engine should you pick in the battle of Ford 2.7 vs 3.5 vs 5.0 for your next off-roading adventure.
Ford F150 2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0- Which Engine is the Best Choice?
All three different engines in Ford F150 serve different purposes and have their own pros and cons. But overall, the 3.5 V6 EcoBoost engine is the best choice and makes an ideal powertrain for all-purpose driving.
Ford had big plans with their F150 truck when launched a few decades ago but even they didn’t expect such a meteoric rise of their product. It was loved by everyone, and people just kept buying it in huge numbers.
Soon, Ford realized that the F150 was more than just an off-roader, and a buyer of every segment was going for it. They had to expand the powertrain portfolio and offer it in different trims to meet the exact needs of everyone.
F150 now comes with three different engine options, namely 2.7, 3.5, and 5.0, each with different specs. Although all of these engines have different performance, economy, and emission figures, the 3.5 V6 EcoBoost is the best and makes an ideal choice.
It has more horsepower, dependable fuel economy, and the best-in-class towing capability, and comes equipped with generous features to keep your ownership experience adrenaline-filled and top-class.
2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Towing
All three engines come with very capable towing capacity and you’d never have to cut down on your luggage or camping gear when towing your trailer with a Ford F150.
| Engine | Towing Capacity |
| 2.7L | 9,100 lbs |
| 3.5L | 13,200 lbs |
| 5.0L | 11,600 lbs |
Despite the 5.0 V8 being the biggest engine, it doesn’t have the highest towing capacity. The 3.5L V8 EcoBoost has the highest towing capacity and takes anything to those amazing camping locations that you have been scouting.
2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Performance
Being a rugged off-road truck, it doesn’t matter which engine your Ford F150 boasts, it is going to be a monster. Yet, there is a difference in performance and power figures for all three engines with a very surprising overall winner, the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine.
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| 2.7L | 325 | 400 |
| 3.5L | 375 | 470 |
| 5.0L | 395 | 430 |
Despite being a smaller engine than 5.0 V8 Coyote, the 3.5L V6 engine produces a massive 470 lb-ft of torque, these are sports car figures. This engine can launch from nothing to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, and offer massive off-roading capabilities. It also comes with a top speed of 150+ mph and readily available low-end torque.
2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Fuel Consumption
Who even worries about miles per gallon when driving a heavy-duty machine like the Ford F150, it still matters and makes a difference in ownership costs and experience!
| Engine | Fuel Consumption |
| 2.7L | 20/26 MPG |
| 3.5L | 18/25 MPG |
| 5.0L | 16/23 MPG |
2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Reliability
All three powertrains by Ford are highly reliable, although the engine longevity is defined by how carefully it is used, how well it is maintained, and how often the faulty parts are repaired. But let’s talk about general engine longevity here;
| Engine | Longevity/Reliability |
| 2.7L | 200,000 miles |
| 3.5L | 250,000 miles |
| 5.0L | 200,000 miles |
These figures are based on the general serviceability of engines and how often one breaks down or needs repair. Most of these facts are based on consumer reports and figures from workshops.
2.7 vs. 3.5 vs. 5.0: Sound
There’s no competition in this department and when it’s the granger of the engine that is under discussion, the 5.0 V8 Coyote has no match. When you push the gas pedal, this mighty engine growls like a wild bear and really gets the driver hyped up for what’s coming!
You can also upgrade to sports exhaust and get that magic exhaust note to get everybody’s attention on the weekend meetup or scare the animals away on the off-road trail.
When Should You Choose 2.7 Engine?
The 2.7 engine is an ideal option for those who want a truck for day-to-day usage, and not some rugged towing or crazy off-roading in the wilderness. Though it won’t have any problems doing all that, it is ideal for routine off-road and urban usage.
The 2.7l EcoBoost engine produces a very generous 325 horsepower and offers up to 26 MPG of fuel economy. This means it is great for daily driving, weekend chores, and routine off-roading.
Whether you need to go to work that’s located off the grid, travel to tougher locations, or tow regular payload, the 2.7 EcoBoost makes an ideal choice. It outperforms every other competitor and still remains light on your pocket.
You should choose the 2.7L engine when you’re not looking for hardcore off-roading or rallying in the wild, and you’re looking for a dependable daily driver that’s capable enough of getting off the road when required.
When Should You Choose 3.7 Engine?
The 3.5L engine is ideal for anything that comes to your mind. Whether it’s daily driving, outright trucking, off-roading, Overlanding, or heavy-duty towing, the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine meets all these requirements.
This is the most sought-after powertrain option in the new Ford F150 and there are obvious reasons for that. It is super powerful, highly reliable, and does everything you only dreamt of a few years ago.
Boasting a 475 lb-ft of torque, there are not many machines faster than Ford F150 equipped with the 3.5L turbocharged engine. it has all the unique features and advanced driver assistance features as well, making your on-road and off-road life easier and more comfortable.
Whether it’s heavy-duty towing, payload carriage, rugged off-roading, or commercial duties, this engine would not nudge at any challenge and let you conquer all those obstacles seamlessly.
When Should You Choose 5.0 Engine?
The 5.0L V8 Coyote engine is an ideal choice for truck lovers and off-road enthusiasts who love to enjoy raw power and don’t believe in turbocharging. It is an ideal option for payload carriage, towing, off-roading, and other tough jobs that not all trucks can take head-on.
The 5.0 V8 offers ultimate off-road performance, raw power, and top-class reliability for years to come. The V8 has the best exhaust note, rugged stability on tough terrains, and offers peace of mind with its long-term durability.
The 5.0 V8 engine is an ideal choice for all those people who want to enjoy rugged off-roading, Overlanding, towing heavy payloads, and heavy-duty commercial jobs. Not only this, but it is also a hot favorite among rally enthusiasts and tuners, thanks to its amazing potential for massive power upgrades and outright performance.
Verdict
Ford F150 is a rugged off-road machine that has grown to become the most favorite truck among enthusiasts. Its rise has been meteoric and there are no surprises here, it’s superbly well-built, packs tons of features, and is highly reliable.
It comes with different engine options and among all the available powertrains, 3.5L makes the best choice as it has dependable fuel economy, maximum torque, and the best-in-class capability that doesn’t have many competitors in the market right now.
So, if you’re looking for a reliable and robust truck, Ford F150 with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine is the best choice among the three available.
