IF A Vehicle's Smaller Engined Offering Is FASTER And Gets BETTER MPG, Do YOU Still Go For The BIG Engine?

This isn't a situation you see everyday in the automotive world.

Consumer Reports recently bought not one, but two, Ford F-150 pick-up trucks. If you've been following AutoSpies, you'd know by now that Agent 001 also added one to his fleet and he's in love.

CR picked up the 2.7-liter EcoBoost F-150 as well as the 3.5-liter EcoBoost F-150. As you'd expect, the smaller motor puts out 325 horsepower and the larger mill churns out 365 horsepower.

But, here's where things get interesting...

According to CR's testing, the 2.7-liter has a faster zero to 60 time by .2 seconds and it also scores one more point better mpg.

So, what does this mean exactly? Well, unless you're going to be doing some towing, essentially by opting for the 3.5-liter engine you're actually slower, drinking more fuel AND paying MORE for that privilege.

That said, we have to ask: if you're car shopping and you come across a vehicle that has a smaller engined variant that's faster and earns a better MPG, do you STILL opt for the BIG motor'd sibling?

What say you, Spies?

TomM - 5/1/2015 7:36:20 AM

+2 Boost

For the average buyer who only occasionally uses the vehicle as a truck - the Smaller engine would be the choice

However - it is still a truck - and the purpose of a Truck is NOT speed (nor is the difference significant between the two engines) - the real purpose is the ability to do work - carry things. What was not tested are Fully loaded trucks - and One would think that is how TRUCKS Should have been tested as well. Again - this is just another example of a magazine failing to take into consideration the actual purpose of the vehicles being tested - and stressing all out speed.

MarathonBob - 5/1/2015 1:05:06 PM

+2 Boost

Countless Ford "EcoBoost" reviews including ones for the 2.7 turbo have highlighted that it doesn't come near the EPA mileage listed. It often makes sense to select the higher displacement non FI engines.

MDarringer - 5/1/2015 9:11:52 PM

+1 Boost

Yes if it's naturally aspirated and I am keeping it long-term.