What’s the most efficient new pickup truck engine? Let’s run this new Ford F-150 with a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 on the Denver 100 MPG loop and compare it against the competition. Let’s go!
Denver 100 MPG: Defining the loop
The Denver 100 MPG loop is a 111-mile highway route around Denver, Colorado. The average speed of this loop is close to 60 MPH, although it includes long stretches of a toll road with a speed limit of 75 MPH.
F-150 2.7L EcoBoost V6
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is the base engine in the F-150 lineup. It’s rated at 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This test truck is equipped with a 3.55-to-1 rear axle ratio. This rear axle is a fine compromise between towing capability, acceleration, and efficiency.
The primary goal of this test is to see how this base engine compares to other popular truck engines. This particular route was a bit longer than normal because I needed to go to a different gas station. I drove 117.6-miles during this Denver 100 MPG loop.
Here are the results.
- 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (This Test): 24.1 MPG (actual/calculated)
- Comparison to other F-150 Engines:
- 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid: 29.7 MPG (actual/calculated)
- 3.5L EcoBoost V6: 23.75 MPG (actual/calculated)
- 5.0L Coyote V8: 22.7 MPG (actual/calculated)
- Comparison against the Competitors:
- Toyota Tundra (3.4L i-FORCE V6): 24.0 MPG (actual/calculated)
- Chevy Silverado 1500 (2.7L 4-Cyl TurboMax): 23.1 MPG (actual/calculated)
- Ram 1500 (3.0L Hurricane I6): 23.0 MPG (actual/calculated)
Conclusion
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 proved to be more efficient than the standard V8 and the larger 3.5L EcoBoostV6, as well as its direct 4-cylinder competitor from Chevrolet. The only “non-diesel” engine that is better than this smaller EcoBoost V6 is the F-150 Hybrid.
Please join me in the video below for all the details.
