Is it worth buying a new 2024 Ford F-250 Power Stroke 6.7L V8 high-output turbo-diesel over a new 7.3L gas V8 for $12,495? This is why Nathan and I are taking these two new heavy-duty pickup trucks on our Denver 100 mpg loop. We want to know exactly how efficient each one is and how much we have to pay for fuel. Let’s go!
Denver 100 MPG Loop
The Denver 100 loop is a ring highway around Denver, Colorado. We start at the Sinclair fuel station in Boulder, Colorado, follow the tollway around Denver, and return to the same station 111 miles later. We can maintain consistent highway speeds on this loop and there is not much elevation change.
Power Stroke Diesel V8
Ford has introduced a new high-output version of the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 for the 2023 model year. The standard 6.7L Power Stroke V8 is still there (475 hp / 1,050 lb-ft of torque). The new high-output version has a new water-cooled turbocharger and the latest fuel system. The result is 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to a 10R140 10-speed automatic transmission. The F-250 Platinum Tremor 4×4 we have here is equipped with a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio. Although, this truck has a factory suspension lift and large 35-inch all-terrain tires – it should still be relatively efficient for a big and heavy diesel pickup.
“Godzilla” Gas V8
The 7.3L “Godzilla” gas V8 was first introduced for the 2020 model year. It receives an update for 2023+ model with a rating of 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. It’s also mated to the heavy-duty 10R140 10-speed automatic transmission. This F-250 XLT 4×4 we have for this test is equipped with a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio. This is not the most efficient rear axle ratio, but this truck needs it to provide a useful towing & hauling experience and capability.
The result was eye-opening.
Spoiler Alert: I was able to get 16.6 mpg from the 7.3L V8-equipped F-250. Nathan got a much better 19.6 mpg from the Power Stroke H.O. This is a significant difference in efficiency, but we paid about the same amount for our fuel because gasoline is that much cheaper.
