What’s The Best Engine Option for the 2022 Ford F-150?

Drivers are drawn to trucks for a number of reasons: power, cargo room, towing, and more. As such, it’s important for automakers to design vehicles that are just as diverse as the people who drive them. This can be a difficult trick to pull off, but when it works, the results are often worth the effort. As Ford’s flagship pickup, there’s a lot riding on the F-150’s chrome-plated shoulders. Not only must the truck deliver on its reputation as one of the hardest-working, most rugged pickups on the market, it also has to cater to the ever-changing demands of customers searching for a “Ford truck dealer near me.”

While there was once a time when manufacturers could focus their efforts on raw power and towing prowess, factors such as rising fuel costs, the advent of hybrid and electric vehicles, and an increasingly eco-conscious consumer base have changed the game for good. Ford has responded by introducing a number of distinct trim and engine offerings, giving every driver the opportunity to craft a truly custom pickup. While the trim options are fairly distinctive, things can get a little murkier when you dive under the hood. Are you wondering what the best F-150 engine on offer for 2022 is? The answer is: whatever one allows you to build the F-150 of your dreams. Let’s start by exploring some of these options, how they differ and what roles they’re best suited for.

For the 2022 model year, engine options break down into three categories: Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing), EcoBoost, and PowerBoost. The first covers your standard V6 and V8 options, while the latter two are only available in a turbocharged V6 configuration. Today, we’ve broken down two of our favorite engine options for 2022, exploring what gives them the edge and what roles they’re particularly well-suited to. We’ve also compiled a little research on the remaining three options, giving you all the information you need to ensure you start the search for your next F-150 off on the right foot.

The Best Engine For Everyday Use: 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6

Until recently, it was difficult to avoid the trade-off between power and efficiency, but with the advent of full-electric and hybrid electric powertrain options, that’s all changing. While we could spend hours extolling the virtues of the new all-electric F-150 Lightning, that model truly deserves its own post. For now, let’s focus on the next best thing: a new hybrid engine option from Ford. Debuting in 2021, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 saw the automaker integrate some exciting new technology into its legendary pickup. The efficiency of the 3.5-liter hybrid doesn’t come at the cost of performance, making PowerBoost-equipped F-150s a particularly good choice for everyday driving and allowing drivers to get up to a wide variety of truck antics without paying for it at the pump.

Drivers yearning for the traditional V8 engine will be pleasantly surprised by the PowerBoost V6. While fewer cylinders are generally thought to equate to less power, the PowerBoost is here to bust all those old stereotypes. In fact, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost engine offers more horsepower than the 5.0-liter V8 and bests it in terms of torque. Thanks in part to its 35 kW electric motor, the PowerBoost engine is able to generate a lineup-leading 570 pound-feet of torque along with a fuel-economy rating that might cause you to question whether you’re in a truck at all. All that torque allows the pickup to post an impressive zero-to-60 time of just 5.3 seconds, while the hybrid setup gives the PowerBoost a 23 MPG combined rating, with Ford citing a maximum range of 700 miles.

The PowerBoost engine doesn’t typically spend too much time in electric-only mode, but the “boost” offered by the hybrid technology goes a long way in improving overall efficiency. Speeds need to be kept very low for the F-150 to operate entirely on electric power, but a recent test by The Drive provides a good look at how the mileage typically breaks down. Over the course of a weekend-long test drive, the reviewer traversed 708-miles on a single tank of gas, averaging 24 MPG, with 37 of those miles accrued without any help from fossil fuels. The PowerBoost is no slouch in terms of towing or payload capacity either, falling right in the middle of the pack at 14,000 pounds and 2,120 pounds, respectively.

The pickup’s hybrid construction brings one other big advantage: extra onboard power. Ford’s ProPower Onboard is essentially a vehicle-based generator that allows drivers to tap into the truck’s electrical power should the job––or tailgate party––call for a little extra juice. There are two options available for PowerBoost: a basic 2.4 kW system and a 7.2 kW option. The former powers two 120-volt outlets at 20 amps each, while the latter ups the game with an impressive four 120-volt outlets and a single 240-volt, 30-amp plug. This isn’t some cosmetic addition from Ford; drivers can now power all the tools, accessories, and electronics they’d need in a pinch without hauling around a portable generator.

The Best Engine For Towing: 3.5-liter EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6

Ford’s EcoBoost engines have earned a reputation for delivering unprecedented power without undermining a vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency. First introduced in 2009, with displacements ranging from 1.0-liters to 3.0-liters, these direct-injection turbocharged engines are the ideal complement to a pickup like the 2022 Ford F-150. These attributes make the 3.5-liter EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged V6 the ideal choice for any driver looking to do some serious towing and allow the pickup to hit the sweet spot between power and efficiency. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost is the undisputed king of towing on the 2022 F-150, with an astounding 14,000-pound max tow rating and 3,250 pounds of max payload.

What makes the EcoBoost so ideal for towing? It all comes down to its unique construction. Turbocharging allows an engine to punch well above its nominal displacement, forcing extra air into the combustion chamber to improve power without increasing overall size. Direct injection performs a similar trick, allowing for optimal fuel delivery and upping overall efficiency. Working in tandem, these two technologies can not only outperform similar sized V6 engines, but V8s as well. In fact, the F-150’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost offers an additional 90 pound-feet of torque over the 5.0-liter V8 and bests it in towing capacity by 1,000 pounds.

In total, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost outputs 400 horsepower and 500-pound-feet of torque which, thanks to the dual turbochargers, is delivered with almost none of the lag one traditionally expects from a traditional turbo. Of course, EcoBoost is all about the balance between power and efficiency, so the engine’s MPG ratings are no afterthought; the 3.5-liter EcoBoost-equipped F-150 is rated at 20 MPG combined, which is more than fair when one considers the pickup’s considerable towing prowess.

Drivers looking to get the most out of their 2022 F0150 should consider the addition of Ford’s Trailer Tow Package or Max Trailer Tow Package. The base-level package includes Class IV trailer hitch, wiring harness, engine oil cooler, front stabilizer bar, transmission oil cooler, and tailgate LED. The Max Trailer Tow Packages includes all of the above, as well as an upgraded electronic-locking rear axle with improved gear ratio, larger fuel tank, and integrated trailer brake controller. In addition to these hardware upgrades, the packages also include two unique pieces of software that will pay dividends when it comes time to tow: Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Trailer Tow Connector.

Other F-150 Engine Options

The entry-level 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 is the least powerful on offer for the 2022 model year, with 290 horsepower and 265-pound-feet of torque. Available on the XL and XLT trims, the engine also has the lowest tow rating and payload capacity, though it outperforms the V8 and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost in terms of fuel efficiency. A well-rounded option for those looking to keep costs down, the engine represents great value for the price.

The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 represents a step up from the base model V6, offering 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost is a marked improvement over the 3.3-liter V6 in terms of towing, with 10,100 pounds of max towing capacity and up to 2,480 pounds of payload. It also takes the title of the second-most efficient F-150 engine, netting 22 MPG combined. If you have the option, we’d recommend spending a little extra to opt for this choice over the 3.3-liter V6 engine.

The largest engine option for the 2022 F-150 is the 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8. A great choice for those looking to maximize power, the V8 can match the 3.5-liter EcoBoost when it comes to horsepower, churning out an impressive 400 horsepower. It also rates second in towing capacity with the ability to haul up to 13,000 pounds and carry a 3,325-pound payload, but the one drawback here is that the 5.0-liter V8 can’t really compete when it comes to efficiency. Rated for 20 MPG combined, the V8 is a little thirstier than other models, but for drivers who value power over fuel savings, it’s a fair trade-off.

Which F-150 Engine Is Right For You?

With so many engines, trim and accessory packages to choose from, it’s easier than ever to build your own F-150 from the ground up. Whether you’re a tradesperson looking to haul heavy equipment around the job site and power your tools, a weekend warrior with a boat in tow, or a city driver looking to take advantage of the comfort and ride height offered by a pickup, there’s an F-150 out there for you. Ford has made a concerted effort to make the 2022 version of its flagship pickup the most versatile to date, and the results speak for themselves.

From the powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to the feature-packed PowerBoost full hybrid with ProPower Onboard, each engine option provides its own unique advantages and perks. Still not sure which F-150 engine is right for you? Visit The Faricy Boys Ford today to learn more. Our friendly, knowledgeable sales staff will be able to share their expertise and point you in the direction of their own favorite models, and the all-important test drive will quickly answer any remaining questions. Stop by today and see for yourself how the 2022 Ford F-150 is the most capable and customizable truck in its class.