I am shopping for a new 2016 F150 in Southern California. Most models are equipped with V6 engines. This is fine for my needs. Light hauling and light towing. The question I have is which engine should I choose? The 2.7 Ecoboost gives me one more mpg than the non-turbo 3.5L and I presume more horsepower. But, will the turbocharged engine be as reliable? I tend to keep vehicles a long time and am wincing at the idea of paying for turbo repair/replacement. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, Jag

 

How many miles do you anticipate per year? What does owning for a really long time mean? Like 5 yrs or 10+ years?


biz

 

There are no issues cropping up with the 2.7, but it is still a young engine. I didn't test drive the NA v6, but the 2.7 is a blast to drive around town. I'm willing to bet if your try both you'll like the 2.7. I wouldn't let the 1mpg sway you. That's just the govt test cycle; "actual results may vary".

 

I think the 2.7L EB is too young to really give any accurate indications on long-term reliability. But if it's big brother 3.5L offers any clue, the turbos should be just fine. I've run across two folks with 2011 EcoBoost trucks with over 300,000 miles on them. Normal engine maintenance for the two of them, and neither replaced the turbos.

Obviously the 2.7L uses a different turbo, but I haven't yet seen anything to make me think they're any less robust than the 3.5L's turbos.

 

I usually drive less than 10K/year. And I usually keep may vehicles at least 10 years. I finally found the Ford ratings for hp and torque. The 3.5 has 40 more hp and more torque than the 2.7L. For those of you that have driven one, does the performance of the turbo give you quicker acceleration than the na engine? It sounds like I'm going to need to go for at least two test drives! Jag

 

Test driving both is a great idea. The 2.7L EB is significantly faster than the 3.5L N/A engine. It's even faster than the 3.5L EB! ...every comparison I've read shows the 2.7L to be as fast, or in some cases faster, than the turbo 3.5L. Doesn't make much sense, but it's more than one source.

2015 Ford F-150 2.7 EcoBoost 4x4 Test ? Review ? Car and Driver

2015 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Test ? Review ? Car and Driver

The 2.7-Liter EcoBoost Is The Best Ford F-150 Engine

 

Definitely test drive them. I have the 2.7 as it ended up fitting my current needs, so didn't test drive the 3.5EB.

I did however drive the aspirated 3.5, then the 2.7. I was actually really impressed with the acceleration of the aspirated 3.5 compared to many other six cylinders I have driven.

Then we parked that one and got in the 2.7. Wow! I felt at least as much acceleration oomph as I did from the 6.4 turbodiesel I was downsizing from. I continue to be amazed at the performance of this little engine.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 2.7 engine. I would have bought one in a minute if Ford would have allowed you to get the 2.7 with the Lariat 502A package.

 

IMHO...sounds like either engine will serve you well. Enjoy those test drives!!


2.7L EcoBoost V6
325 hp
375 lb.ft

^^^^^^^^^^^

3.5L Ti-VCT V6
282 hp
253 lb.ft

===========


biz

 

The 2.7L EB is a real head turner. I've driven both, and I personally think the 3.5L EB is more powerful.

I will tell you one difference that we've noticed between the two. If you do any off-road driving up/down steep hills, the compression braking in the 2.7L EB leaves a lot to be desired. Descending steep hills with my 3.5, I don't have to touch the brakes at all. With the 2.7, it appears there is almost no holding back; brakes are mandatory.

 

The EB like to be pushed pretty hard. Tom made an excellent point about the some older 3.5L EB's with higher miles on them. That didn't happen by making short trips around town. These trucks were no doubt pushed hard, pulled something and were run at highway speeds and temps for long durations. I'd have another EB engine for sure but I wouldn't buy one again without first testing the N/A 3.5L and the 5.0L. My ecoboost has only cost me a plug and boot change and a #2 coil replacement in 5 1/2 years / 70K miles. That's a lot of enjoyment with little pay out.

 

To correct a misconception the OP posted, the 2.7 is significantly more powerful than the 3.5 NA. It doesn't sound the the OP is even considering the 3.5EB and he even seems to assume that the V8 would be more powerful still (surprise, it's not!) With the added rebate for the 2.7 I'd be hard pressed NOT to select that on a personal truck for myself given your needs. As stated, the 2.7 is an all new motor. It doesn't share all that much with the 3.5, so other than saying that "Ford seems to know what it's doing with gas turbo motors" I don't believe too much can be gained from the 3.5 EB record. That being said, I don't remember seeing major early failures of the new design. My self torturing desire for simplicity would make me consider the 3.5 NA, but there is no actual valid reason to make that choice IMO.

 

I've had my 2.7L for a little over a week and like it a lot. It seems much quicker than my old 5.4. The indicated mileage and hand figured mileage is just under 25 MPG. This is with a lot of stop and go with the auto stop start feature on and AC on all the time. Yeah, I do drive like an old man.

 

Thanks for the input Frantz. I did not even consider the 3.5EB because it is not on any of the clearance 2016 models. I am only seeing the 2.7EB, the 3.5NA, and the V8. I would take one for a test drive if it were available. 😎 Jag

 

I have a 2015 2.7 with 3.73's and love it. I traded in my 04 5.4 and was hesitant in buying a 2.7. I actually went to look at a 3.5EB and now after 1 year and 17,000 mi I couldn't be happier. My father and father in law have both driven it and couldn't believe it was a 2.7. MPG's around 23/24 on the highway maybe slightly lower than a 2.7 with the 3.55.