The Ford F-150 has long stood as the benchmark in the pickup truck segment, maintaining its position as one of Canada’s best-selling vehicles year after year. Ford continues to offer a diverse range of powertrain options that cater to varying needs, from everyday work applications to high-performance off-road adventures. 

Engine Options: Power for Every Purpose

The Ford F-150 continues with the powertrain lineup that was refined in the previous model year, offering a range of options that balance power, efficiency, and capability in different measures. Each engine has distinct characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications, from daily commuting to heavy towing and off-road performance.

2.7L EcoBoost V6: The Efficient Performer

At the entry point of the F-150 engine lineup sits the 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6, a twin-turbocharged powerplant that delivers impressive capability in a relatively small package. This engine produces 325 horsepower and 400 Newton-metres of torque, providing a balance of power and efficiency that makes it ideal for drivers who use their truck for daily transportation and lighter-duty work.

The 2.7L EcoBoost achieves this performance through several key technologies:

• Twin turbochargers that provide responsive power across the rpm range
• Direct injection for precise fuel delivery and improved combustion efficiency
• Variable cam timing that optimizes performance based on driving conditions

Fuel economy for the 2.7L EcoBoost in rear-wheel drive configuration stands at 12.0 L/100 km in city driving, 9.2 L/100 km on the highway, and a combined rating of 10.7 L/100 km, making it the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid option in the F-150 lineup.

5.0L V8: Traditional Power

For drivers who prefer the character and proven reliability of a naturally aspirated V8, the 5.0-litre “Coyote” engine remains a popular choice in the F-150 range. This engine delivers 400 horsepower and 410 Newton-metres of torque, offering strong acceleration and a distinctive V8 exhaust note that many truck enthusiasts prefer.

The 5.0L V8 features:

• Dual overhead camshafts with variable cam timing
• High-flow cylinder heads for improved breathing
• Robust bottom end designed for durability under high-load conditions

Fuel consumption for the V8 is 14.1 L/100 km city, 10.2 L/100 km highway, and 12.4 L/100 km combined with rear-wheel drive.

3.5L EcoBoost V6: The Workhorse

The standard 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 is the go-to engine for drivers who regularly tow heavy loads or carry substantial payloads. With 400 horsepower and an impressive 500 Newton-metres of torque, this twin-turbocharged powerplant delivers V8-beating performance with better fuel efficiency.

Key features of the 3.5L EcoBoost include:

• Twin turbochargers with improved responsiveness compared to earlier generations
• Enhanced cooling systems for sustained performance under load
• Optimized fuel injection mapping for towing applications

Fuel economy figures for the 3.5L EcoBoost in rear-wheel drive form are 13.4 L/100 km city, 10.2 L/100 km highway, and 12.0A L/100 km combined.

3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6: The Efficient Powerhouse

The 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid powertrain represents the Ford commitment to combining capability with efficiency. This system pairs the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 with a 35-kilowatt electric motor integrated into the transmission and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The result is a combined output of 430 horsepower and 570 Newton-metres of torque—the most torque ever offered in an F-150.

Beyond its impressive power figures, the PowerBoost system delivers:

• Exceptional fuel economy rated at 10.1 L/100 km city, 10.1 L/100 km highway, and 10.1 L/100 km combined in rear-wheel drive configuration
• Available Pro Power Onboard system that can deliver up to 7.2 kilowatts of exportable power for tools, appliances, and other electrical needs
• Regenerative braking that captures energy during deceleration to recharge the battery

The PowerBoost powertrain has proven particularly popular in Canada, with sales increasing significantly as more customers recognize the benefits of hybrid technology in a full-size truck.

Raptor Performance Engines: Off-Road Dominance

The F-150 Raptor and Raptor R models feature specialized high-performance engines explicitly designed for high-speed off-road use.

The standard Raptor comes equipped with a high-output version of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, tuned to produce 450 horsepower and 510 Newton-metres of torque. This engine features enhanced cooling, modified turbochargers, and a unique calibration to withstand the demands of desert running and other extreme off-road conditions.

For those seeking the ultimate performance, the Raptor R boasts a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 engine that generates an astonishing 720 horsepower and 640 Newton-metres of torque. This powerplant, derived from the Mustang Shelby GT500, features a 2.65-litre Roots-type supercharger and numerous durability enhancements to handle off-road punishment.

Transmission Technology: The 10-Speed Advantage

Every F-150 engine option comes paired with the Ford 10-speed automatic transmission, a sophisticated gearbox developed to maximize performance and efficiency. The transmission features:

Advanced Shift Mapping

The 10-speed transmission’s control system constantly monitors dozens of variables, including throttle position, vehicle load, and driving conditions, to optimize shift timing and quality. Different drive modes alter the shift characteristics to suit specific conditions:

• Normal mode for everyday driving
• Sport mode for more aggressive acceleration and delayed upshifts
• Tow/Haul mode that holds gears longer when pulling a load
• Eco mode that upshifts earlier to maximize fuel efficiency

SelectShift® Capability

All F-150 models feature SelectShift® functionality, which allows drivers to manually select and hold gears using steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters or the shifter-mounted button. This feature is handy when towing on hills or driving in challenging off-road situations where maintaining a specific gear is advantageous.

Specialized Hybrid Transmission

The PowerBoost hybrid system uses a modified version of the 10-speed automatic that incorporates a 35-kilowatt electric motor within the transmission housing. This integrated design allows for seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power without sacrificing the gearing advantages of the 10-speed transmission.

Four-Wheel Drive Systems: Capability for All Conditions

Most F-150 models are available with a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations, with the 4×4 systems falling into two main categories to suit different needs and budgets.

Basic Shift-on-the-Fly System

The standard four-wheel drive system featured in XL, STX, and XLT trims offers:

• Electronic shift-on-the-fly functionality that allows drivers to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive at speeds up to 88 km/h
• A mechanically locked 4×4 High mode for slippery conditions
• A low-range transfer case (4×4 Low) for maximum torque multiplication in challenging off-road situations

This system is designed primarily for occasional off-road use and adverse weather conditions rather than constant four-wheel drive operation.

Advanced Automatic 4×4 System

Higher trim levels like Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum offer a more sophisticated four-wheel drive system that adds an automatic mode for enhanced versatility:

• The 4×4 Auto setting continuously monitors traction conditions and automatically distributes power between the front and rear axles as needed
• Electronic locking rear differential for improved traction in severe conditions
• Available Trail Control, which functions as a low-speed off-road cruise control

This system provides the convenience of full-time four-wheel drive capability without requiring driver intervention to engage or disengage the system as conditions change.

Raptor-Specific Transfer Case

The Raptor and Raptor R models feature a unique transfer case with enhanced durability and additional drive modes specifically designed for high-performance off-road use:

• A Terrain Management System with seven drive modes, including Baja setting for high-speed desert running
• A higher-capacity transfer case with improved cooling
• Advanced 4×4 software calibrations specific to off-road performance

Performance Metrics: Putting Power to Work

The accurate measure of a truck’s powertrain is how effectively it converts engine output into usable capability. The F-150 lineup demonstrates impressive performance across several key metrics.

Towing Capacity

The F-150 towing capabilities vary by engine and configuration:

• The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with the Max Trailer Tow Package leads the lineup with up to 6,123 kilograms of maximum towing capacity in properly equipped 4×4 models
• PowerBoost hybrid models can tow up to 5,760 kilograms when properly equipped
• Even the base 2.7L EcoBoost offers a respectable 3,357 kilograms of towing capacity

Payload Capacity

Maximum payload capacity reaches up to 1,109 kilograms in properly configured models, allowing the F-150 to carry substantial loads in its cargo bed. This capability varies based on engine choice and other equipment factors.

Acceleration Performance

While Ford doesn’t officially publish acceleration figures for the F-150, independent testing has shown impressive performance across the range:

• The PowerBoost hybrid can accelerate from 0-96 km/h in approximately 5.4 seconds
• The high-output Raptor R, with its supercharged V8, cuts that time to around 4.0 seconds, making it one of the quickest production trucks available

Future Powertrain Developments

While the F-150 carries over its powertrain lineup from the previous model year, Ford has indicated that significant developments are on the horizon:

• Enhanced range-extended electric vehicle (EREV) powertrains for future truck models
• Continued refinement of the PowerBoost hybrid system
• Potential expansion of fully electric options beyond the Lightning model

These upcoming technologies suggest the Ford commitment to evolving the F-150 powertrain options to meet changing regulatory requirements and customer preferences while maintaining the capability that has defined the truck for generations.

2025 Ford F-150: Powertrain Versatility for Every Need

The diverse powertrain lineup of the Ford F-150 demonstrates the brand’s understanding that pickup truck customers have widely varying needs and priorities. From the efficient 2.7L EcoBoost to the brutally powerful Raptor R’s supercharged V8, including the increasingly popular PowerBoost hybrid, there’s an F-150 powertrain configuration suited to virtually any application.

This variety, combined with continuous refinement of existing technologies and development of new powertrain solutions, ensures that the F-150 remains at the forefront of the pickup truck segment. As environmental regulations evolve and customer expectations for efficiency and capability increase, the Ford approach to powertrain development positions the F-150 to maintain its leadership position in the Canadian market for years.

The success of the PowerBoost hybrid system in particular, which has become the best-selling electrified truck in Canada, indicates that truck buyers are increasingly receptive to alternative powertrain technologies when they deliver tangible benefits without compromising capability. This trend suggests a bright future for continued powertrain innovation in the Ford flagship truck line.