Well boys and girls, I just finished my test drive in a brand new 2011 F-150 King Ranch / Super Crew / 4x4 with the new EcoBoost engine in it. Before I tell you how it went, here’s my point of reference. I currently drive a 2010 F-150 XLT regular cab / short box / 4x4 with the 3 valve 4.6 and the 6 speed automatic with a 3.73 LS rear. My last 5 Ford trucks have been virtually identical, but with various forms of the 5.4 and 4 speed automatics with 3.55 LS rears.

So how was the “itty bitty” (as some of you have called it) V6 with all of the latest stuff? Flat out awesome! Keep in mind that we’d just gotten 3” of wet snow, so finding some roads that were only wet was an issue. Adding to that, traction was poor enough that it just lit the rears up or kicked in the traction / stability control if I left it in 2wd from a stop. So, I put this truck that probably weighed a good 800 pounds more than mine into 4Hi and whomped on it. It just flat out hooked up and flew! Even hammering it at 60 MPH (in 2wd) planted the three of us right back in the seats. Incredible. Oh, and did I mention that it was silky smooth no matter what I did to it?

When we got back to my house, I was flipping through the information screens on the dash and checked the miles and mileage. The truck only had a bit over 850 miles on it, so the engine was probably still pretty tight. More amazing was the mileage – 15.6 MPG. And the very nice driver informed me that everybody else before me had pretty much done what I did – mat the damn thing. Even more amazing.

So, for all of you guys that still believe that there’s no replacement for displacement, get ready to eat your words. This new drive train is just plain awesome. It’s everything Ford had promised us it would be and more. Get ready to stand in line for these things. Nice work Ford!

 

Awesome!

Another great review by another regular joe who got to test drive one!

Can't wait for the EB naysayers to eat it when this engine hits the streets! Just sad my plans have changed and I'll be picking up an MKZ Hybrid rather than another F-150 in about 5-6 months. Still, awesome to hear how everyone loves the EB as these test drives are happening more 'n more! Hooray, Ford!

Now, just make the darn thing lighter (eg: MPG), throw in some more tech (MyTouch, HID's, LED's, etc), and fix the maddening NHV issues and you've got a perfect pickup!

 

My 2007 SuperCrew XLT 5.4 3v will be payed off this comming year! According to KBB its worth $19,975! I would really like to trade it for one of these...however more truck payments?.....decisions!!!.....(LOL)

 

Let me make your decision even easier. This new engine will flat out run away and hide from your 5.4. It's not even close and you have to drive one to believe it. And for those who might think it doesn't have any torque, 420 ft lbs. is pretty darn impressive - no matter how many cubic inches it's coming out of.

 

The 5.0 will too! Ford really stepped it up this year!


I can't wait to test out the EB when they arrive!

 

great review!

 

I do a test drive on Dec 18th and will also drop my two cents

 

Very cool. Thanks for posting. They're going to be here on the 7th and 8th. I haven't decided if I should sign up for a drive or not.

 

I can't get past the low end torque curve. Absolutely unheard of for any v6.

 

I'd love to hear more reviews of the 5.0.

My last full size truck was a 2000 F-150 with the 260hp/350 ft/lb 5.4 liter V8.

I don't doubt the performance of the new EB V6 but I still prefer a V8.

Greg

 

Honestly, if I didn't know what was under the hood of that truck, then drove it and had somebody ask which motor was in it, I would have guessed maybe the 5.0, but more likely the 6.2. This engine is a game changer.

 

X2 ^

Weight has got to be next (and I dearly hope it isn't via the FridgeLine route).

But - Led's and HID's is 'Tech'? You kill me, buddy! Led's and gas-discharge lighting have existed before you were even born ! LMAO!

I'd rather they keep the existing stuff and put the money towards a good dietary program that will still allow the truck to retain the ratings it now has.

As for NVH - all reports so far indicate these new ones are smoooooth ....

Now... where'd I leave my hand crank - gotta get to work ....


And OP - thanks for that - love reading reports like this



MGD

 

I am really excited about this EcoBoost. I will most likely be in the market for a new truck very soon, and I am afraid the Eco won't be available yet. Time will tell. These types of reports are very comforting.

 

This engine sounds insane... if it does as well as it seems, I may look at one after school. I never ever thought I'd say I'd drive a v6 truck, but this sounds nuts

 

It is fast but it appears the 5.0 is still better, Tan-5.0, blue-EB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyQ2W...eature=related

and just to show how much better EB is then the 5.4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npJpD...eature=related

So any way you look at it..all the new engines are better than the old 5.4L