2018 Ford F-150 Drag Race Showdown: Ecoboost vs. Coyote

Lining up Ford’s latest V6 and V8 pickups leads to some very interesting results!

Nothing, and we mean nothing, starts an argument faster than debating the merits of Ford’s Ecoboost V6 range. Old school truck guys absolutely hate them, regardless of their impressive power and fuel economy figures. Anything less than a V8 in a truck is total blasphemy, they say. And we’ve seen a million comparison tests revolving around towing and everyday driveability. But the real question is, which 2018 Ford F-150 engine is faster in a drag race?

For whatever reason, no one has attempted to find out. Until now. Because the awesome guys at Kunes Country Ford snagged two otherwise identical 2018 Ford F-150 SuperCab trucks and set out to find a winner. On paper, you might think this is a lopsided fight. The 2nd gen 3.5-liter Ecoboost is rated at 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter Coyote, on the other hand, packs 395 hp and only 400 lb-ft of torque.

Sure, the Ecoboost carries a significant torque advantage. And the fact that it achieves peak torque at 2,500 rpm, versus 3,850 rpm for the V8, only adds to the perceived advantage. Both trucks are otherwise identical, including their respective 10-speed transmissions. So with a seemingly equal footing, Kunes lined ’em up in a variety of modes to see if the V6 could steal the V8’s longstanding glory.

The first race, in 2wd Sport mode, isn’t much of a race. The 5.0 gaps the 3.5 easily and carries that lead all the way to the finish line. Next, the drivers switch to 4wd Sport mode. This time, there’s virtually no tire spin. And the finish is so close that it’s nearly impossible to figure out who wins. So Kunes switched drivers for round three, and the Ecoboost nosed out the Coyote.

With one final driver switch, the Ecoboost once again edged out the old school 5.0, making it the overall winner. But the results are a great reminder of how much driver skill figures into these sorts of things. So don’t give up hope just yet, old school V8 fans!

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.