2015 Ford F-150: 2.7L vs 3.5L EcoBoost [Ike Gauntlet Video Comparison]

2015 ford f-150 ecoboost v6 towing comparison ike gauntlet
2015 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost vs. 3.5L EcoBoost

Which one of the Ford turbocharged engines is the one to get for your towing needs? How does the 2015 Ford F-150 2.7L V6 EcoBoost compare to its larger and older brother, the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost?

Putting aside the fact that we have not been able to test Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 in the F-150, how do the two turbo powered pickups handle towing the same load up the Ike Gauntlet?

LED Headlights on the KIng Ranch F-150
LED Headlights on the KIng Ranch F-150

The two trucks are not as evenly matched as we would have liked. It’s the lighter Super Cab 2.7L versus the Super Crew 3.5L. The axle ratios are also not the same as you see in the table below. The 3.5L is loaded up with most optional features. It has the luxurious King Ranch package and the FX4 off-road package. It even has the heated, cooled, and massaging front seats.

2015-ford-f150-ecoboost-towing-bronco

The smaller EcoBoost makes 325 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm and maximum torque of 375 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm. The 3.5L does not need to rev as high for maximum power. It produces 365 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm. Both use the 6-speed automatic transmission and both can run on regular unleaded fuel.

Check out the data and the video below!

2015 Ford F-150 2.7L  2015 Ford F-150 3.5L
Model SuperCab Lariat 4×4 SuperCrew King Ranch 4×4
Estimated $ $47,020 $61,175
Engine 2.7-liter V6  3.5-liter V6
Transmission 6-speed 6-speed
Power (hp / lb-ft) 325 / 375 365 / 420
Payload (lbs) 1,740 2,020
Tow Rating (lbs) 7,600 (3.55 axle) 10,700 (3.31 axle)
Test Load (trailer + cargo + ppl) 7,700 lbs 8,000 lbs
Suspension Sag 2 in  2.5 in
Ambient Temp F 36F  70F
Relative Humidity Low (30%) Low (25%)
Barometric Pressure (at top) 19.76 inHg 19.76 inHg
Calculated Power Loss N / A N / A
Up: Time 7:38.17 7:42
Up: MPG 4.3 3.3
Up: Interior dB N / A N / A
Up: Transmission Temp normal normal

Get all the information in this new TFLtruck Ike Gauntlet virtual comparison video.