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Ford is renowned for building trucks and SUVs with powerful engines, with the EcoBoost often regarded as the best of the automaker's engine lineup. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 provides the acceleration and raw power needed to get the job done in your work truck, take on a trail on your weekend adventure, or enjoy highway driving in Texas.
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about one of Ford's favorite V-6 engines, put together by our vehicle experts at Planet Ford Dallas. If you have any questions that aren't answered here, call us at (844) 990-1942.
Ford's largest V-6 is a twin-turbocharged engine that has been a fixture under the hoods of trucks and large SUVs for over a decade. When production began in 2009, Ford brought to the market a V-6 engine that provided as much power but consumed far less fuel than a 6.0-liter V-8. The twin-turbocharged V-6 also quickly gained a reputation as a durable engine with its aluminum block and steel components.
The turbocharger in the 3.5-liter EcoBoost can be adjusted depending on the engine's application. Its turbochargers consist of two parallel-mounted Borg Warner K03 turbos in a truck. For other vehicles, Ford opts for Garrett GT15 turbos, which are smaller and lighter and, therefore, better suited to powering an SUV.
The 3.5-liter V-6 started as a direct fuel injection engine when it debuted in Ford vehicles in 2010. But for the 2017 and later model years, Ford redesigned the 3.5-liter EcoBoost to improve its performance. One critical introduction in this revamp was the multi-port fuel injection technology. The compression ratio was also increased from 10.0:1 to 10.5:1, though the Ford Raptor's engine retained the original compression ratio.
Another important upgrade was adding a dual-chain design to the engine's cam drive system. This modification allowed separate chains to drive each cylinder bank, further reinforcing the engine's durability.
Ford has used the 3.5-liter EcoBoost for more than ten years to power a wide range of crossovers and trucks. These vehicles range from its luxury Lincoln lineup to brawny work trucks.
We reckon the 3.5-liter EcoBoost's popularity among Ford owners and its longevity in Ford automobiles is that it powers Ford's best-selling vehicle: the F-150 pickup. The 3.5-liter V-6 supplies immense power, turning the F-150 into a towing machine with a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds. That's a significant jump from the towing capacity of 9,100 pounds available with Fords using the smaller 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6.
Moreover, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost churns out an impressive 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque in the Ford F-150. It is available in all F-150 trims apart from the Raptor.
Ford's largest SUV, the Expedition, also sees a performance boost with the 3.5-liter V-6. The twin-turbocharged V-6 is the standard engine throughout the lineup and outputs 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque in most trims. An upgraded version of the same engine generates 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque in the range-topping Platinum trim.
The Expedition's 3.5-liter EcoBoost also gives it an edge over its competitors regarding gas mileage because many other large SUVs still run on V-8s. The truck achieves an impressive 23 mpg on the highway. Its towing capacity is another outstanding feature, coming in at 9,300 pounds.
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost is also under the hood of the Lincoln Navigator, a luxury three-row SUV. It offers 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque for Lincoln's largest SUV to accelerate easily while carrying its maximum number of passengers. In the Navigator's hybrid configuration, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost cranks out 430 hp with the help of an electric motor.
The Navigator also gets some outstanding towing figures thanks to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost. This SUV can tow up to 8,700 pounds, which is more than enough for a large camping trailer.
The 3.5-liter V-6 isn't the only Ford EcoBoost engine. The automaker has developed an entire spectrum of EcoBoost engines to power cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Other than the 3.5-liter V-6, two of the best-known EcoBoost engines are the 2.7-liter Nano and 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost. Both engines are closely related, with Ford largely using the blueprint for the 2.7-liter Nano to produce the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit in 2016.
The 2.7-liter Nano features alongside the 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford F-150's versatile engine lineup. Although it is smaller than the 3.5-liter V-6, the 2.7-liter Nano still provides enough power for decent towing and hauling capabilities. It is preferred by drivers looking for better fuel efficiency without sacrificing towing capacity.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 is an optional upgrade in the three-row Ford Explorer SUV, supplying 440 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The added power enables this seven-seater Ford to tow up to 5,600 pounds. That's more than enough to haul a mid-sized camper out of town for a family weekend trip.
The 3.0-liter EcoBoost is also offered as part of a hybrid powertrain in the mid-sized luxury Lincoln Aviator SUV. This development perhaps points to the direction Ford's EcoBoost would take in the coming years, particularly as automakers attempt to cut carbon emissions.
We hope our 3.5-liter EcoBoost guide has convinced you of the great things this engine is capable of. The bottom line is that despite the twin-turbocharged V-6 offering significant savings on fuel, it does not compromise power or performance.
If you'd like to find out more about the vehicles in our showroom powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost, check out our selection of new Ford vehicles. Alternatively, drop by our Dallas dealership to talk to one of our staff members about configuring your new F-150 for the job site or your family's needs.
