We’ve had a lot of different variety Ford F-150s come and go around the MotorWeek lot over the years. But our latest version is a Ford F-150 Lariat with a very big difference. 

Rather than a traditional V8, this truck comes with Ford’s 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine. Adapted from the Ford Taurus, this twin-turbo and intercooled, direct injected engine, boasts 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. That’s more powerful than the 5.0-liter V8 and a class best. With the standard 6-speed automatic transmission, Ecoboost gives the Ford F-150 Fuel Economy Ratings of 16 city and 22 highway, that’s also best in class. 

BEN DAVIS: The Ecoboost does an incredible job in the F150.  Throttle response is crisp and there’s plenty of power off of a dead stop.  It really makes the truck fun to drive. 

JOHN DAVIS: But the reason anyone buys a full-size pick-up in the first place is because they have some work to do, even if it’s just on the weekends. The Ecoboost V6 gives the Ford F-150 a best in class towing capacity of 11,300 pounds. That’s no V6 pickup we’ve ever heard of, so we just had to see check out Ecoboost towing for ourselves. We hitched up a trailer and took to the road. Our F 150 had no problems with this rig, which is built to carry a car for a max weight of 7500 pounds. Apparently this message on capability has gotten through to customers too, as Ford now sells more V6 F150s than V8s.

A Ford F-150 in Lariat trim with the Ecoboost V6 option starts at just under $36,000.  

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6
  • Horsepower: 365
  • Torque: 420 lb-ft
  • EPA: 16 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
  • Price: Just under $36,000