Which one of the Ford turbocharged engines is the one to get for your towing needs? How does the 2015 Ford F-150 2.7L V6 EcoBoost compare to its larger and older brother, the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost?
Putting aside the fact that we have not been able to test Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 in the F-150, how do the two turbo powered pickups handle towing the same load up the Ike Gauntlet?
The two trucks are not as evenly matched as we would have liked. It’s the lighter Super Cab 2.7L versus the Super Crew 3.5L. The axle ratios are also not the same as you see in the table below. The 3.5L is loaded up with most optional features. It has the luxurious King Ranch package and the FX4 off-road package. It even has the heated, cooled, and massaging front seats.
The smaller EcoBoost makes 325 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm and maximum torque of 375 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm. The 3.5L does not need to rev as high for maximum power. It produces 365 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm. Both use the 6-speed automatic transmission and both can run on regular unleaded fuel.
Check out the data and the video below!
| 2015 Ford F-150 2.7L | 2015 Ford F-150 3.5L | ||
| Model | SuperCab Lariat 4×4 | SuperCrew King Ranch 4×4 | |
| Estimated $ | $47,020 | $61,175 | |
| Engine | 2.7-liter V6 | 3.5-liter V6 | |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 325 / 375 | 365 / 420 | |
| Payload (lbs) | 1,740 | 2,020 | |
| Tow Rating (lbs) | 7,600 (3.55 axle) | 10,700 (3.31 axle) | |
| Test Load (trailer + cargo + ppl) | 7,700 lbs | 8,000 lbs | |
| Suspension Sag | 2 in | 2.5 in | |
| Ambient Temp F | 36F | 70F | |
| Relative Humidity | Low (30%) | Low (25%) | |
| Barometric Pressure (at top) | 19.76 inHg | 19.76 inHg | |
| Calculated Power Loss | N / A | N / A | |
| Up: Time | 7:38.17 | 7:42 | |
| Up: MPG | 4.3 | 3.3 | |
| Up: Interior dB | N / A | N / A | |
| Up: Transmission Temp | normal | normal | |
Get all the information in this new TFLtruck Ike Gauntlet virtual comparison video.
