I’m in a rush to get a new truck since my old car’s repair costs were crazy high. I’m stuck between the 3.5 and the 5.0 engines for an F150. Some people recommend the 3.5 for better fuel efficiency, while others say the 5.0 has that nice sound and potential for more power upgrades later on. Other than sound, what are the pros and cons of these two engines?
If sound is what you want, go with the 5.0. If you’re planning to tow, go with the 3.5. But honestly, the 2.7 is a great middle ground and very reliable—just as quick as the others when it’s not loaded up.
I used to have a 5.0 and now drive a 2.7. Don’t miss the 5.0 at all—the 2.7 is awesome, no complaints.
Jo said:
The PowerBoost has been amazing for me—averaging 23-25 mpg and getting up to 700 miles on a tank (30 gallons). Plus, it’s really fast and has lots of torque.
I drive mine a bit harder and get about 21 mpg overall. Around town, it’s closer to 23-24.
Both engines are reliable overall, but you’ll hear more complaints about the 3.5, mostly because if there’s a turbo issue, it can be expensive to fix. The 5.0 is probably cheaper to repair if something goes wrong. 3.5 has more power right out of the box, while the 5.0 has more potential for power upgrades if you’re willing to spend. Can’t go wrong with either—just find the truck you like and go with it.
The 2.7 has been solid for me.
If these engines weren’t reliable, they wouldn’t sell them in the millions. Maintenance is key, though. If you’re not planning on strict upkeep, the V8 might handle some neglect better than the 3.5.
Lex said:
If these engines weren’t reliable, they wouldn’t sell them in the millions. Maintenance is key, though. If you’re not planning on strict upkeep, the V8 might handle some neglect better than the 3.5.
I keep up with maintenance. My last car was a Cadillac SRX 3.6 with 214k miles. Had a mechanic mess up during a timing chain replacement, leading to engine issues. A Ford tech told me they see more 3.5 EcoBoosts than 5.0s for repairs, though the truck 5.0s are different from the Mustang’s due to oil pressure issues.
@Vic
Can’t argue with a Ford tech, but keep in mind the 3.5 outsells the 5.0, so it could be a numbers thing. Lots of people have great or terrible experiences with both.
Lex said:
@Vic
Can’t argue with a Ford tech, but keep in mind the 3.5 outsells the 5.0, so it could be a numbers thing. Lots of people have great or terrible experiences with both.
True. I’m 21 and need a daily driver that’ll last as long as I keep up with maintenance.
@Vic
At 21, maybe go for an older, simpler truck. Insurance will be lower, and if you’re doing your own maintenance, you might find it more fun and affordable.
Lex said:
@Vic
At 21, maybe go for an older, simpler truck. Insurance will be lower, and if you’re doing your own maintenance, you might find it more fun and affordable.
Good point, I’ll get a quote and check options. Thanks for the advice.
Lex said:
If these engines weren’t reliable, they wouldn’t sell them in the millions. Maintenance is key, though. If you’re not planning on strict upkeep, the V8 might handle some neglect better than the 3.5.
What maintenance should I be doing on a V8 besides oil changes?
@Dex
Cut the oil change intervals in half from what the manual says, and have the transmission fluid changed regularly depending on the year. Otherwise, follow the recommended service intervals.
If you’re not towing much, go for the 2.7. It’s well-built, reliable, and designed like a small diesel engine. Even if you’re towing, it’s still a solid choice. 3.5 only has slightly better towing numbers, but if you need that much, maybe go for a 3/4-ton truck instead. After that, I’d go with the 5.0.
@Ash
You’d probably run out of payload capacity before reaching towing limits on a half-ton truck.
Zen said:
@Ash
You’d probably run out of payload capacity before reaching towing limits on a half-ton truck.
Exactly.
@Ash
I have an ‘04 6.0 I use for towing, so this will mostly be a daily driver. Just want something reliable overall.