What are the best F-150 engines… and which ones to avoid?

Hey everyone, I’m looking to buy a 2014-2019 truck soon and I’m curious which engines in the Ford F-150 I should go for or stay away from. This is my first truck purchase, and I want to make sure it’s something that will last me for years.

Here’s how I plan to use it:

I’ve heard good things about the 3.5L EcoBoost, but I’d like to know if any of the other engine options might be better for me. What do you all think?

The first-generation EcoBoost engines had a couple of issues like carbon buildup and timing chain problems, but they were redesigned around 2017 for the 3.5L and 2018 for the 2.7L. They added a 10-speed transmission too, which really helped. I’d say look for a newer EcoBoost model, especially one with a good maintenance record. The turbos can be more vulnerable if they’re not well taken care of.

The 2.7L EcoBoost is a good mix of power and fuel economy. It’s great for daily driving and can tow smaller trailers. If you plan to tow often or go for a bigger trailer in the future, you might want to look at the other engines.

The 3.5L EcoBoost has a lot of torque and is perfect for towing. It’s really strong and doesn’t feel like it’s working too hard, even during daily driving.

The 5.0 V8 has the most horsepower and sounds the best. If turbos make you nervous, this might be the best option for you.

There’s also a diesel option, but it’s more expensive and doesn’t really shine in any specific area. The 2.7L gets nearly the same MPG, and the 3.5L has more torque.

I’d test drive each one and see which feels right to you.

@Toni
I’ve never had a vehicle with a turbo before. Is there any specific maintenance I should be aware of? My only concern with the 2.7L was the towing capacity, but since I’d only be towing the camper a few times a year, maybe it’s not a big deal. I always thought trucks needed big V8s for towing, but it sounds like that’s not always the case.

@Dustin
The maintenance schedule is the same as the V8, but turbos can be more sensitive to poor maintenance. Most people do oil changes more frequently (around 5k-7k miles instead of 10k) and use full synthetic oil. The EcoBoost engines get a little extra performance with premium fuel, but they can run on regular gas too, it just might feel a bit different.

I bought my truck for towing a horse trailer. Everyone told me to get a V8, but after driving the 3.5L EcoBoost, I was sold on the torque. Your camper is only a few thousand pounds, so any F-150 can tow it easily. I’d say test drive the 2.7L, 3.5L, and 5.0L and pick the one that feels the best. If you think you might want to tow something bigger down the line, then look more at the 5.0L or 3.5L.

@Toni
Thanks so much for the info! I’m planning to go to some dealerships this Friday to test drive a few trucks. There’s a 2015 2.7L EcoBoost with 80k miles that I’m interested in. I’m hoping to find a 3.5L to test drive too, but the V8s seem a bit out of my budget for now.

@Dustin
The 2.7L has a towing capacity of over 7,500 lbs, depending on the model year. Your trailer maxes out at about 2,500-3,000 lbs fully loaded, so any F-150 should be able to handle it. You won’t be setting any speed records, but it’ll tow fine.

@Alton
That’s good to hear! I haven’t towed anything before, so I was a little worried about it.

I’ve driven both the 5.0L and 3.5L EcoBoost for work, but I own a 2.7L EcoBoost personally. The 2.7L would work great for what you need. Your pop-up camper could be towed without any issues. If you want more power, go for the 3.5L, but if you’re looking for better gas mileage while still having plenty of power, the 2.7L is the way to go.

The 5.0L is also a solid engine, but it had some oil consumption issues in more recent years (around 2018-2020). I’ve towed with my 2.7L, and it handles really well. Plus, I get around 24-25 MPG on the highway with 4x4 when I’m not towing.

@Julian
That’s some pretty impressive gas mileage for a truck! I’m glad I posted here because I was leaning away from the 2.7L thinking it wouldn’t have enough power. It’s good to know it could work for me since those models seem to fit my budget better. How long have you had yours, and have you had any issues?

@Dustin
I’ve had mine since 2017, and I’m at 43,000 miles with no issues. Our 3.5L work trucks regularly hit 100,000 miles without problems, just regular maintenance.

The 2.7L is a very strong engine. It’s surprisingly powerful for its size. Go test drive one, and you’ll feel it. I’ve towed a 6x12’ trailer from Texas to Montana, going up and down hills, and it never felt like it was lacking power.

I did a lot of research before buying mine, and I’d still pick the 2.7L over my current work truck, which is a 2019 Ram 1500 with a 5.7L HEMI. The HEMI is good, but I prefer the torque on the 2.7L. The 3.5L tows even better, but it depends on what you need.

@Julian
I’m thinking of switching to a 2.7L from my 5.0L Coyote. I’ve heard about some fuel dilution issues with the 2.7L. Any thoughts?

Gary said:
@Julian
I’m thinking of switching to a 2.7L from my 5.0L Coyote. I’ve heard about some fuel dilution issues with the 2.7L. Any thoughts?

I haven’t experienced that with mine. I’d recommend doing some research on it. I’ve used the 2.7L under many conditions, and at 43k miles, it’s been trouble-free. The 5.0L is a great engine too, but it does have some known oil consumption problems in certain years.

@Julian
I found a good deal on a 2019 2.7L, and my 2011 5.0L has been having some electrical issues with no-starts, so I’m thinking of making the switch.

Gary said:
@Julian
I found a good deal on a 2019 2.7L, and my 2011 5.0L has been having some electrical issues with no-starts, so I’m thinking of making the switch.

That’s frustrating, sorry to hear that. From my experience, I can say the 2.7L has been really reliable for me. The 5.0L is solid too, except for the oil issue in recent years. Either way, both engines are good choices.

@Julian
Thanks! Have you had to change the oil more frequently with the 2.7L?

Gary said:
@Julian
Thanks! Have you had to change the oil more frequently with the 2.7L?

Nope, I just stick with full synthetic and change it every 7,500 miles. The oil looks fine, and I haven’t noticed any unusual consumption.

I’d go with either the regular V6 or the 2.7L EcoBoost. Since you’re not towing heavy loads, both will give you better fuel economy as a daily driver. They’ll still have enough power for your camper and other hauling.

EcoBoost engines don’t get the best fuel economy while towing, but since you’re only towing occasionally, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

I drive a 4-cylinder Tacoma and do similar stuff to what you’re planning. It works fine for me and was cheaper overall.

@Jocelyn
That’s good to know, thanks! I’ve been looking at the V6 and 2.7L models since they’re more in my price range. I wasn’t sure if they’d be enough for towing the camper, but it sounds like they’ll do the job. I had also considered a Tacoma, but the towing capacity worried me, and the Tundras are a bit too expensive for me.

@Dustin
Yeah, the 2.7L EcoBoost has plenty of power. I’ve driven it in some heavy vehicles, and it handles really well. The Tacomas are great for getting around, but they’re not the most comfortable for road trips, and the used prices are a bit high.

I’m a fan of forced induction, so I naturally lean toward the EcoBoost engines. They’ve proven to be pretty reliable too. And don’t forget, electric trucks are coming to the market soon.