We know Ford has been evaluating the performance of a diesel engine in an F-150, but one power plant that’s already in the half-ton has already passed a big test. An F-150 with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 was the named the winner of PickupTrucks.com’s Texas Truck Showdown Max MPG challenge.
According to the EPA, in a 4X2 F-150, the truck’s entry-level EcoBoost engine (which features gas-saving Auto Start-Stop technology) is good for 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg. PickupTrucks.com‘s evaluation was more demanding. It tested the 2.7-liter-equipped F-150 against the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3-liter V8, the Toyota Tundra with the 4.6-liter V8, and the Ram 1500 with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 in terms of head-to-head mpg while driving, accelerating, and braking, loaded and unloaded. Characteristics such as seating comfort, ergonomics, infotainment, ride quality, visibility, and value also factored into the final results. (Hit this link for the full run-down of tests and outcomes.)
Although the 325-horsepower/375-lb.-ft. Blue Oval didn’t beat the Ram’s fuel economy or range, it came out on top over all. Its 0-60 mph and quarter mile times were particularly strong. Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com, said, “In the end, we were impressed with the F-150 for its capability, fuel efficiency and composure when pushed hard. For a small V-6 engine, it’s very impressive how well it almost eliminates the typical compromises half-ton customers have become accustomed to.”
F-150 EcoBoost engines as a whole are doing well. Sixty percent of the trucks sold have a 2.7-liter or a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine under their hoods.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
