3.5L ecoboost vs. 5.0 Liter engine?

[Pv63]

I have been trying to find a 2021 F-150 and finally found two for sale. Trying to decide on which engine option makes the most sense for me for long term reliability. The 3.5 L eco-boost or the 5.0 liter engine.
Truck will do some towing, lot of highway driving and minimal off road. I would be interested in any feedback you may have on criteria you used for your decision.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Sponsored

 

[Mehchock]

Coming from a loyal 5.0 guy since 2011. The 3.5 is noticeably more powerful but if u plan on towing any load its a gas guzzler in comparison to the v8. I wish I would have known prior to purchasing. The main reason I got out of the v8 was the deceleration Rattle otherwise that engine in my opinion has enough power to tow while being way more fuel efficient than the 3.5.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I'm on my 2nd Ecoboost (now Powerboost). Towed with the Ecoboost regularly (24 ft enclosed car trailer) and didn't find gas mileage much different than when towing with gasser V-8's.

 

[ZOSICK]

I'm on my 2nd Ecoboost (now Powerboost). Towed with the Ecoboost regularly (24 ft enclosed car trailer) and didn't find gas mileage much different than when towing with gasser V-8's.

Awesome rig and trailer! What MPG are you getting? I two a little smaller trailer (5,000lbs) and I get 9-10 in my 5.3 GMC Sierra.

For the OP, I've owned a 2.7 and 3.5 EB and can't wait to get another 3.5. I currently have a GMC Sierra (5.3L) and I really wish it had more overall power and get up and go. My last EB (2018 3.5) didn't have any mechanical issues when I sold it with 44,000 miles. I think the EB has been around long enough to get a good sample size of issues. If you're not towing all the time, I would personally go with the 3.5. Hell, I tow every single weekend and I'm still going with the EB. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about the turbos getting too hot when towing but it is what it is. I may opt for a longer warranty just for peace of mind. I think the passing power really makes the driving experience better. At least for me. I think the 5.0 is really being maxed out in my opinion. Ford is really trying to squeeze everything out of that little engine. My truck seems like it's working hard when towing. Our posted speed limits are 75 MPH. At times, I need to pass slower traffic going uphill and my truck doesn't pull like my 3.5 EB did. One of the main reasons I'm switching back. I think you will be happy with either truck, however, I think you will like the EB more in everyday driving.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Awesome rig and trailer! What MPG are you getting? I two a little smaller trailer (5,000lbs) and I get 9-10 in my 5.3 GMC Sierra.

For the OP, I've owned a 2.7 and 3.5 EB and can't wait to get another 3.5. I currently have a GMC Sierra (5.3L) and I really wish it had more overall power and get up and go. My last EB (2018 3.5) didn't have any mechanical issues when I sold it with 44,000 miles. I think the EB has been around long enough to get a good sample size of issues. If you're not towing all the time, I would personally go with the 3.5. Hell, I tow every single weekend and I'm still going with the EB. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about the turbos getting too hot when towing but it is what it is. I may opt for a longer warranty just for peace of mind. I think the passing power really makes the driving experience better. At least for me. I think the 5.0 is really being maxed out in my opinion. Ford is really trying to squeeze everything out of that little engine. My truck seems like it's working hard when towing. Our posted speed limits are 75 MPH. At times, I need to pass slower traffic going uphill and my truck doesn't pull like my 3.5 EB did. One of the main reasons I'm switching back. I think you will be happy with either truck, however, I think you will like the EB more in everyday driving.

I haven't towed with the Powerboost. It'll tow this for a couple of times. This boat's for sale and I won't be trailering anymore. The new boat is 39' so it won't get moved with a pickup. I got rid of my old cars when I moved north.

As far as towing mpg. All of my gassers seemed to be between 8.5 and 10 mpg. I towed the pictured trailer with a 2500 Ram Cummins too. That got about 11 towing. The Ram 1500 pictured was in the 9's.

 

[pkinneb]

I'm on my 2nd Ecoboost (now Powerboost). Towed with the Ecoboost regularly (24 ft enclosed car trailer) and didn't find gas mileage much different than when towing with gasser V-8's.

What are the wheels on you truck?

 

[Jus Cruisin]

What are the wheels on you truck?

That was my 2016 F150 King Ranch 3.5l Ecoboost. Stock King Ranch rims.

 

[Detroit87]

I have been trying to find a 2021 F-150 and finally found two for sale. Trying to decide on which engine option makes the most sense for me for long term reliability. The 3.5 L eco-boost or the 5.0 liter engine.
Truck will do some towing, lot of highway driving and minimal off road. I would be interested in any feedback you may have on criteria you used for your decision.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

This won't help much but...I got a 2019 5.0 and just ordered a 22 5.0. call me old school but I love the sound and feel of V8. 5.0 has good power, probably not as good of tow engine as 3.5. feel like v8s will be gone soon so I wanna enjoy while I can.

 

[Graygoose2021]

I wanted the V8 sound, opted for the 5.0

 

[fishpick]

I ordered the 3.5... for one big reason... the incessant desire to put a Whipple on the coyote would have eventually won out and then I'd have pissed even more money away... "I can't mod the 3.5" - (shut up, I know)

 

[Graygoose2021]

LOL...the wife saw me watching Whipple 5.0's on Youtube....she said, let me guess, you found something for your truck...I was like YUP...give me $10K LOL

 

[Detroit87]

I ordered the 3.5... for one big reason... the incessant desire to put a Whipple on the coyote would have eventually won out and then I'd have pissed even more money away... "I can't mod the 3.5" - (shut up, I know)

Do you know how different priorities get assigned? I see yours is a 10. Mine is a 19 which I think is the worst?

 

[Franger]

If you plan on doing absolutely anything at altitude (above 5k ft), it’s a no-brainer, get the ecoboost. I crush naturally aspirated engines on the regular both unladen and towing/hauling in CO.

 

[fishpick]

Do you know how different priorities get assigned? I see yours is a 10. Mine is a 19 which I think is the worst?

Dealer assigns priority at the time they place the order. And yes - a 10 is as good as you can get from a dealership without the regional folks getting involved.

 

[Dsmenardvt]

I ordered the 3.5... for one big reason... the incessant desire to put a Whipple on the coyote would have eventually won out and then I'd have pissed even more money away... "I can't mod the 3.5" - (shut up, I know)

+1 on your logic, I was kicking myself for ordering a powerboost, but then I realized it's almost certain to be a better daily driver than the Whipple option...

Sponsored