I’m looking for the best F-150 powertrain for mostly highway driving at 70-80 mph. I want to consider longevity, reliability, and repair costs. What’s your experience with these engines, and which would you pick for a daily driver?
I drive a 2021 Powerboost, and it’s great, but for heavy highway use, I’d go with the 2.7. The Powerboost shines in the 45-60 mph range, not as much at highway speeds. Plus, the 2.7 is the most reliable of the Ecoboost engines and has the best highway MPG. The Powerboost’s generator is awesome if you need it, but if that’s not a factor, the 2.7 is the better pick.
@Valentine
Agree on the 2.7, especially with the 3.31 or 3.55 rear end.
I’ve had a 2.7 for a couple of years now, and it’s perfect for highway and city driving. It’s quick, comfortable, and reliable. If I towed a lot, I’d probably go for a 5.0 or an F-250 diesel, but for your use case, the 2.7 is ideal.
The 2.7 is great for highway MPG and reliability, followed by the 3.5. The Powerboost is better for city driving or towing because the electric motor helps more at lower speeds. If you’re doing mostly highway, the 2.7 is a solid pick, but the 3.5 also does well and has more power if you ever need it. The 5.0 is nice for that V8 feel but doesn’t have the efficiency of the others.
@Noble
I’ve been leaning towards the 5.0 for that traditional V8 feel, but the fuel efficiency of the 2.7 is hard to ignore.
I get better MPG on the highway with my 5.0 compared to my old 3.5. The 5.0 doesn’t need to hit boost at those speeds, so it just cruises. Cylinder deactivation also helps a bit.
Atlas said:
I get better MPG on the highway with my 5.0 compared to my old 3.5. The 5.0 doesn’t need to hit boost at those speeds, so it just cruises. Cylinder deactivation also helps a bit.
That’s an interesting point. The 5.0 could be a good highway engine if it doesn’t have to work as hard at those speeds.
I’ve owned a 5.0, a 3.5, and now a Powerboost. For highway driving, the Powerboost isn’t as beneficial since the electric motor doesn’t do much at high speeds. The 3.5 and Powerboost are very similar for MPG at highway speeds. If you want simplicity and proven reliability, the 5.0 is hard to beat. If you want torque and towing ability, the 3.5 is great.
I just bought a 2024 2.7 XLT with the 36-gallon tank. It’s hands down the best highway truck I’ve owned—amazing range and MPG.
I’ve driven both the 5.0 and the 3.5 extensively. The 5.0 has that classic V8 sound and feel, while the 3.5 has incredible torque and power. Both are solid choices, so it really depends on what matters most to you—efficiency and power or the V8 experience.
I’ve got a 2020 3.5 with 132k miles and it’s been great for highway driving. I get around 18-22 MPG depending on the conditions. The power is fantastic for passing or merging.
Ira said:
I’ve got a 2020 3.5 with 132k miles and it’s been great for highway driving. I get around 18-22 MPG depending on the conditions. The power is fantastic for passing or merging.
Those numbers are pretty solid for a 3.5. Do you feel like the power is worth the slightly lower efficiency?
I’d pick the 5.0 for simplicity and longevity. The Powerboost is cool and efficient, but hybrids add complexity. If you’re not towing heavy loads, the 2.7 is worth considering too.
2.7 for fuel economy and light hauling. Personally, I went with the 5.0 because… V8 sounds.
If you’re towing or want peace of mind for long-term reliability, I’d go 5.0. I like my Powerboost, but the hybrid setup adds a lot of complexity. Unless you need the generator or the hybrid features, it might not be worth the extra cost.
Go 5.0 or go broke.
Don’t sleep on the 2.7—it’s a sleeper engine with great MPG and solid reliability.
Ask yourself this: Do you want the worst-sounding engine (3.5/2.7) or the best-sounding engine (5.0)?
Sonny said:
Ask yourself this: Do you want the worst-sounding engine (3.5/2.7) or the best-sounding engine (5.0)?
Fair point! But I’ve already got an ‘04 Terminator for great engine sounds, so I’m covered there.