If you take a peak at the new F-150s lately, you’ll notice it’s hard to find one with a V8. In fact, recent reports estimate that at any given time, on average, less than 20% of all new F-150’s on a dealership lot have the 5.0 V8 in them, and overall sales reflect that.
Esentially, the main motor option is the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and the 5.0 V8’s are becoming increasingly more difficult to find. The dealer salesman are telling us how amazing the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 is, how it dominates the class in MPG, acceleration, performance and power.
However, for those who think critically about our larger purchases, and for those who want the plain truth, no toppings – you will see that EcoBoost owners are actually getting worse MPG then the 5.0 V8 motor, and it’s especially noticeable compared to GM’s 6.2L Vortec V8.
For example, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade weighs 5,815 lbs, much heavier then the all-aluminum F-150.
It has a 420-HP, 460 lb-ft torque, 6.2L Vortec V8.
The 3-ton Escalade gets 23-25 MPG on the freeway.
The 5,815 lb Escalade does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, which is obviously much faster then the EcoBoost V6, with a 2,000 lb weight disadvantage.
This same motor is found in the Silverado 1500, which does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.
Both the Escalade and Silverado get better real world MPG then the 3.5L EcoBoost motor, and they make more power and are faster.
Why is it that Ford has an all-aluminum F-150 with the EcoBoost 3.5L V6, and has much worse performance and worse gas mileage then the V8?
Even the 390-Horsepower 5.0 V8 that ford offers in the F-150 gets slightly better MPG and is just as powerful as the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 – and they both have nearly identical 0-60 times.
Then you add in the fact that the EcoBoost turbos are prone to failure and generally are a higher-maintenance motor then the NA V8 5.0. And don’t even think about turning up the boost unless you want a new truck with no warranty.
Towing figures are also identical, with a slight edge to the 5.0 V8 (when towing 5,500 lbs, the V8 has the edge with MPG and 0-60 times).
But why do so many people claim that the V6 EcoBoost is the way of the future and is revolutionary, etc? GM produces a more powerful, faster and more efficient 6.2L V8 – and even with something like the new Escalade, which should not even be comparable at all considering the 6,000 lb weight of the Escalade.
And keep in mind that you can not even get the V8 anymore in the new Expedition, or the new F-150 Raptor.
Literally speaking, in the entire Ford lineup, you can only get a V8 in the Mustang and F-Series truck. Even Ford’s ‘luxury’ brand (Lincoln) does not offer a V8, at all.
Now, some will say that smaller displacement motors are the future, but why not have a small displacement V8? And if the EcoBoost V6 is such a ‘green’ and ‘progressive’ motor, why is that GM has a big 6.2L V8 that outperforms in on every level from performance to MPG – and in much heavier vehicles, I might add.
And obviously the flagship halo supercar, the Ford GT – only has a EcoBoost V6.
I would understand if the EcoBoost really was an efficient motor that made big power while preserving or increasing fuel mileage, but it’s literally worse then it’s V8 counterpart.
And people are just eating it all up. EcoBoost this, EcoBoost that, Ford is ‘progressive’, etc ,etc. But I feel as if great gas mileage is greater then the amount of cylinders a motor has. Just because it’s a “V8” doesn’t make it counter-progressive.
Our theory is that Ford has marketed the EcoBoost so well to reflect the image of a ‘greener’ company, knowing that the average person won’t realize the discrepancy in numbers compared to the V8…and they certainly don’t want you to know that GM has built a NA V8 that is far more efficient and more powerful.
Good riddance.
Joe, the 3.5 ecoboost or powerboast is definitely as fast as 6.2 v8 and has more torque. Go look at the numbers. Motortrend tested one that did o-60 in 5.3 seconds. That’s not even the power boost motor. The only reason the Chevy gets better gas mileage is because of active fuel management which has its own issues.
I don’t look at stats; I speak from experience. Before buying my 3rd late model V8 Lariat, I drove a ’22 3.5 turbo V6 “ecobust”, and yeah, its quick, but it has a 1-2 second lag when you stomp on it. Trust, that will definitely get you killed if you need power quickly. I also had a ’22 3.5 hybrid loaner for a week; it’s very very quick but there’s that issue of battery fire and high replacement cost when you need a new battery. NA V8’s do not lag. Also, many people have reported that the mileage plummets more with the turbos than the Coyote or the 6.2 Boss when doing heavy towing. If Ford wasn’t so woke they would have simply made an improved V8 and kept the steel like others did. Great article Joe.