For the 2026 Ford F-150, the regular 3.5L EcoBoost makes 382 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, compared with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft for the regular 2.7L. Ford lists maximum available towing at 13,500 lb for the 3.5L and 8,400 lb for the 2.7L—a 5,100-lb difference when each truck has the qualifying configuration and equipment.
Those are advertised maximums, not universal ratings. Cab style, drivetrain, axle, packages, passengers, cargo and accessories can change the number on an individual truck. Fuel economy also has no universal winner; compare the EPA rating for the exact body, drivetrain and equipment combination.
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3.5L EcoBoost vs. 2.7L EcoBoost: the short answer
The regular 3.5L EcoBoost is the better choice when you need the F-150’s highest conventional towing and stronger acceleration under load. In Ford’s 2026 towing guide it has 57 more horsepower, 100 more lb-ft of torque and a 5,100-lb higher maximum available tow rating than the regular 2.7L EcoBoost.
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The 2.7L is not a low-capability engine. Its 8,400-lb maximum available tow rating covers many boats, utility trailers, campers and equipment trailers. It can also be the sensible choice when your trailer is comfortably below that limit and you do not need the 3.5L’s additional capacity.
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Do not choose solely by displacement or by an anecdotal fuel-economy result. Ford’s ratings apply to specific configurations, and the EPA assigns fuel economy to the complete vehicle rather than to an engine in isolation.
Which engines this comparison covers
This article compares the regular, non-hybrid Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost V6 with the regular 3.5L EcoBoost V6. It does not include the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid or the high-output 3.5L EcoBoost used in the Raptor. Those variants have different powertrains, outputs and equipment, so their figures should not be substituted for the regular 3.5L.
Always identify the model year before comparing specifications. Ford changed the published horsepower for the regular 3.5L between the 2025 and 2026 guides even though the published torque and maximum tow figures remained the same.
2026 F-150 specifications side by side
| Regular EcoBoost engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum available towing | Maximum available payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L V6 | 325 hp at 5,500 rpm | 400 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm | 8,400 lb | 1,775 lb |
| 3.5L V6 | 382 hp at 5,250 rpm | 500 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm | 13,500 lb | 2,440 lb |
Source: Ford’s 2026 F-150 Towing Information. The guide says the horsepower and torque ratings are based on premium fuel under the SAE J1349 standard. It also says towing and payload vary with configuration and equipment.
The table is useful for comparing the engines’ published ceilings, but it is not a promise that every 2.7L reaches 8,400 lb or every 3.5L reaches 13,500 lb. The exact cab, four-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive system, axle ratio, wheel and tire package, cooling equipment, hitch equipment and other options determine the rating for a particular truck.
Power and torque: what the numbers mean
The 3.5L’s output advantage
At the 2026 model-year ratings, the 3.5L produces 382 hp versus 325 hp for the 2.7L. That is a 57-hp advantage. Its 500 lb-ft of torque exceeds the 2.7L’s 400 lb-ft by 100 lb-ft, with both peak-torque figures listed at 3,500 rpm.
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More torque gives the 3.5L greater reserve when a trailer is attached, when the truck is climbing or when a driver needs to merge while carrying a heavy load. More horsepower helps sustain speed as road grade, trailer weight and aerodynamic drag increase. The difference is most noticeable as the load approaches the truck’s rated limits, not necessarily during an empty commute.
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The 2.7L’s 325 hp and 400 lb-ft are substantial outputs for a half-ton pickup. If the actual trailer, passengers and cargo remain well below the truck’s certified limits, the smaller engine can provide ample performance. The important question is not whether 2.7L sounds small; it is whether the specific truck’s tow and payload ratings exceed your planned load with a suitable margin.
Premium-fuel qualification
Ford’s guide specifies that the quoted horsepower and torque ratings are based on premium fuel and the SAE J1349 test standard. Treat the figures as Ford’s published ratings under that test condition, not as a guarantee that every fuel grade, temperature or operating condition will produce identical results.
Towing: does the 3.5 EcoBoost tow more?
Yes. For 2026, Ford lists maximum available towing of 13,500 lb for a properly equipped regular 3.5L EcoBoost F-150 and 8,400 lb for a properly equipped regular 2.7L. The published difference is 5,100 lb.
The 13,500-lb number belongs to qualifying 3.5L configurations and packages. It is not the rating of every 3.5L truck. Likewise, an 8,400-lb maximum does not mean every 2.7L F-150 is rated that high.
Why the maximum does not tell you what your truck can tow
Ford describes horsepower, torque, payload and towing as independent attributes that may not be achieved simultaneously. A truck can have a high tow rating but a payload limit that is reached first once people, luggage, tools and trailer tongue weight are added.
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For the truck you are buying or already own, use the door-jamb payload label and the rating for that exact cab, drivetrain, axle and package combination. The payload label is specific to the vehicle; the headline maximum in a brochure is not.
How to check a planned trailer
- Find the trailer’s actual loaded weight, not just its empty or advertised dry weight. Include water, propane, batteries, cargo and any equipment carried inside.
- Check the F-150’s tow rating for the exact vehicle configuration in Ford’s towing guide. Do not copy the rating from a truck with a different cab, axle, drivetrain or package.
- Read the truck’s door-jamb payload label. Subtract the driver, passengers, luggage, tools, hitch hardware and trailer tongue weight from the listed payload.
- Confirm that the hitch receiver, ball mount, trailer brakes, wiring and weight-distribution equipment are rated for the actual trailer. Verify fitment and ratings for the specific truck rather than assuming that a component advertised for another F-150 is suitable.
- Leave a practical margin instead of planning to operate continuously at a brochure maximum. Terrain, heat, wind, trailer balance and cargo changes can all increase the demands on the truck.
When the 3.5L’s extra capacity matters most
- Large travel trailers or enclosed equipment trailers whose loaded weight is near the 2.7L’s ceiling.
- Frequent mountain driving, where sustained grades put more demand on the engine and cooling system.
- Regular trips with several passengers, a full bed or heavy tools that consume payload before the trailer is attached.
- Owners who want more headroom for future trailer upgrades, provided the chosen truck’s payload and axle ratings also support that plan.
When the 2.7L may be enough
- A trailer comfortably below 8,400 lb and a payload calculation that remains within the door-jamb limit.
- Occasional towing where the truck is not routinely loaded with a large crew and heavy bed cargo.
- Buyers who value the capability they need without selecting the higher-output engine solely for its maximum rating.
Payload is a separate limit
Ford’s 2026 guide lists maximum available payload of 1,775 lb for the 2.7L and 2,440 lb for the regular 3.5L. Those are configuration-dependent maxima, just like the tow figures.
Payload is the weight the truck carries itself. It includes occupants, luggage, tools, accessories and the portion of the trailer’s weight carried through the hitch. A trailer can be below the tow rating while the truck is over its payload limit, especially with a large tongue weight and a full passenger compartment.
Do not add the 2.7L’s maximum payload and maximum towing together as if both values are available in one truck. Ford expressly cautions that these attributes may not be achieved simultaneously. Use the door-jamb label and the actual load calculation for the individual vehicle.
2025 versus 2026: do not mix the figures
Ford’s model-year guides show why the year matters:
| Model year and engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum available towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 2.7L EcoBoost | 325 hp | 400 lb-ft | 8,400 lb |
| 2025 regular 3.5L EcoBoost | 400 hp | 500 lb-ft | 13,500 lb |
| 2026 2.7L EcoBoost | 325 hp | 400 lb-ft | 8,400 lb |
| 2026 regular 3.5L EcoBoost | 382 hp | 500 lb-ft | 13,500 lb |
Sources: Ford’s 2025 F-150 Towing Information and Ford’s 2026 F-150 Towing Information. The 2025 guide lists 400 hp for the regular 3.5L, while the 2026 guide lists 382 hp. Do not carry one year’s output into another year without checking the applicable guide and the truck’s certification information.
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Fuel economy: which engine gets better gas mileage?
There is no defensible universal answer from the available official information. The EPA assigns fuel-economy ratings to a vehicle configuration, and Ford’s cab, drivetrain and equipment combinations can change the result. The EPA directs shoppers to FuelEconomy.gov to compare exact vehicles.
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Two Ford Direct window-sticker examples illustrate why engine-only assumptions are unsafe. A specific 2025 2.7L 4×4 SuperCrew shown on the 2.7L window sticker is rated at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined mpg. A different specific 2025 3.5L V6 EcoBoost truck shown on the 3.5L window sticker carries the same 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined figures.
Those matching labels describe only those two VIN-specific trucks. They do not establish that every 2.7L and 3.5L has identical fuel economy, nor do they prove that one engine always wins. Body style, two- or four-wheel drive, axle and wheel-and-tire choices can produce different EPA results.
How to make a valid MPG comparison
- Record the model year and the exact engine variant. Make sure the 3.5L is the regular EcoBoost if that is the comparison you intend.
- Match cab and bed configuration, drivetrain and major equipment as closely as possible.
- Read each truck’s EPA window sticker or search its exact configuration on FuelEconomy.gov.
- Compare city, highway and combined ratings separately. Choose the measure that reflects your driving rather than relying only on combined mpg.
- Account for your real use: trailer towing, payload, terrain, weather, speed and tire choice can all change fuel consumption from the laboratory rating.
Which F-150 EcoBoost is better for your use?
Choose the regular 3.5L when towing is the priority
Select the 3.5L when your trailer is heavy, you tow often, or you need the greatest available conventional F-150 tow rating. Its additional 100 lb-ft of torque and 57 hp provide more reserve, and Ford’s maximum available tow rating is 5,100 lb higher than the 2.7L’s. Confirm that the particular truck has the required package and that its payload label supports your passengers and tongue weight.
Choose the 2.7L for moderate towing within the certified limits
The 2.7L is appropriate when your loaded trailer and truck payload fit comfortably within its exact ratings. It supplies 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, so the decision should be based on the load you actually carry rather than on displacement alone.
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Two F-150s with the same engine can have different tow and payload ratings because of configuration and equipment. A well-equipped 2.7L with a lower-rated configuration may not compare directly with a 3.5L configured for maximum towing. Conversely, a 3.5L without the qualifying equipment does not automatically receive the 13,500-lb rating.
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A buyer’s verification checklist
- Model year: use the guide for the year on the truck’s title and window sticker.
- Engine variant: distinguish the regular 3.5L from the PowerBoost hybrid and Raptor high-output versions.
- Configuration: match cab, bed, drivetrain, axle, wheels, tires and factory packages.
- Tow rating: use the exact combination in Ford’s towing guide, not a general engine maximum.
- Payload: read the vehicle-specific door-jamb label and subtract occupants, cargo, accessories and tongue weight.
- Fuel economy: compare the EPA label or FuelEconomy.gov record for the exact configuration.
- Equipment: verify hitch, wiring, trailer-brake and weight-distribution ratings for the truck and trailer together.
- Operating margin: consider grade, heat, wind, trailer balance and future cargo rather than planning around a bare maximum.
Common comparison mistakes
Treating 13,500 lb as every 3.5L’s tow rating
The figure is a maximum available rating for qualifying equipment and configuration. It is not a blanket rating for every regular 3.5L F-150.
Assuming a larger engine automatically uses more or less fuel
Displacement alone cannot answer the MPG question. The EPA rating belongs to the complete vehicle, and the exact 2.7L and 3.5L configurations must be matched before drawing a conclusion.
Using the 2025 3.5L output for a 2026 truck
Ford’s guides list 400 hp for the regular 2025 3.5L and 382 hp for the regular 2026 3.5L. Check the model-year guide instead of copying figures from an older listing.
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Passengers, bed cargo and trailer tongue weight can consume payload first. A tow calculation that omits those loads is incomplete.
Combining maximum tow and maximum payload as simultaneous values
Ford states that horsepower, torque, payload and towing are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. Use the truck-specific labels and ratings together.
Bottom line for the 2026 comparison
The regular 3.5L EcoBoost is the capability leader: 382 hp, 500 lb-ft and up to 13,500 lb of available towing versus 325 hp, 400 lb-ft and up to 8,400 lb for the regular 2.7L. The 2.7L remains a valid choice for a trailer and payload that fit its certified limits. For either engine, the correct purchase decision comes from the exact truck’s model year, configuration, door-jamb payload label and EPA fuel-economy record—not from engine displacement or a headline maximum alone.
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