Are you planning to purchase a Ford F-150 and you are considering going for a PowerBoost vs PowerStroke? If that’s the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, there will be a lot to cover when it comes to these two types of engines.
- PowerBoost?
- How Hybrid Works
- Pros And Cons
- PowerStroke?
- How Diesel Works?
- Pros And Cons
- Which Is Better?
- Conclusion
- F.A.Q
Performing the proper research before you go out there on the market and purchase a new vehicle is really important. Why I’m saying this? Well, because this is the truth, whenever you decide on purchasing something this big and important, researching should be one of your top priorities.
And especially in this case when you choose between a diesel and a gasoline-powered engine. Although both are internal combustion engines, fundamentally they’re really different in their ways of work and also in their performance. So, when it comes to trucks and you need towing power, then you know that diesel performs better. But more on that and a lot more we are going to cover later in the article.
First, we are going to learn what is PowerBoost, then we will cover how a gas-powered hybrid engine works and what are the pros and cons of having a gas-powered engine. Then we will cover Ford’s PowerBoost engine in detail. Later on, we will focus on diesel engines and learn what PowerStroke is and the pros and cons of running a diesel. Finally, we will compare PowerBoost vs PowerStroke and learn which is the best option for you.
What Is A PowerBoost
Before we start comparing PowerBoost vs PowerStroke, let’s discuss more about what PowerBoost is in general. Knowing this stuff will help you to determine if you need this option or not and also learn the difference between EcoBoost and PowerBoost in the process since this also confuses a ton of people out there. So, what is a Ford PowerBoost?
Well, PowerBoost is a simple trademark by Ford Motor Company used to name their hybrid vehicles. Which in this case is the F-150 hybrid version. So, technically, any F-150 hybrid that is produced recently is a PowerBoost model. Simple as that.
What is unfortunate is that this name confuses a ton of people with the EcoBoost engines and they think that this is the same thing. Which actually isn’t the case. But why? Let us explain.
EcoBoost is a line of gas-powered engines that is produced by Ford. So, an EcoBoost can be the 2.7L V6 or the 3.5L V6. So, when choosing 2.7 vs 3.5 EcoBoost make sure that you have the PowerBoost name if you want to be a hybrid.
Because PowerBoost refers to specific models that have one of these engines that we mentioned and the model that these engines are used in is hybridized. This means that the truck has a gas-powered engine that works in pair with an electric motor and this is known as a hybrid.
For now, what is important is that you shouldn’t confuse these terms. The important thing that you should know is to learn how this hybrid system works and that’s what we are going to explain next before we cover PowerBoost VS PowerStroke.
How Hybrid Gas Engine Works
Now before we compare PowerBoost vs PoweStroke, let’s learn more about how a hybrid engine works. Knowing this will be really essential for you to know if you plan to purchase a hybrid vehicle. It doesn’t matter if it’s a car or a truck.
The idea of a hybrid is not something new. And I think that this is the closest that we can get to clean energy. People will say, hey we have an electric vehicle. Yes, we have, but these vehicles have a ton of downsides.
They cannot tow, their range degrades quite rapidly under very heavy loads. Secondly, the charging takes too long, as well as the problems with the impact on the environment from these vehicles. Since electricity needs to be produced from something.
And these power sources are coal, natural gas, or nuclear power. Green energy producers are only a fraction of the market right now. So, you get the point why hybrid power is probably the best that we can get right now.
And if we focus more on these vehicles, I think that we will achieve more for the environment than with any other technology.
Nevertheless, the hybrid is basically an electric motor that is paired with a gasoline engine. The electric engine serves the purpose to help out the internal combustion engine whenever there is a necessity to do so.
Another thing to add is that the electric motor is powered by a small battery pack that is constantly charged up from the energy generated under braking and the energy created from the internal combustion engine.
This small electric motor delivers unmatched performance when it comes to towing. But more on that later on when we will compare PowerBoost VS PowerStroke.
Pros And Cons Of Having A Hybrid
Now before we compare the PowerBoost VS PowerStroke, let’s learn more about the pros and cons of owning a hybrid vehicle. As you probably know everything has pros and cons and so is the case with having a hybrid.
In the following two chapters, we are going to list the pros and cons that are when it comes to these types of engines and after that, we are going to learn more about the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine that is built by Ford and used in the hybrid PowerBoost version of the F-150 pickup truck. So, let’s get into it.
Pros Of A Hybrid PowerBoost (Versus A PowerStroke)
Now let’s discuss first the pros of owning a PowerBoost truck before we learn about the PowerBoost VS PowerStroke. What are the pros of owning a hybrid vehicle? Let’s elaborate more on this topic.
When it comes to hybrid vehicles, the pros are abundant. These vehicles are basically better than anything out there sold right now.
Their most important selling point is the fuel economy that they deliver. The fuel economy is pretty much excellent on every hybrid vehicle sold. And that is also the case with the F-150 PowerBoost as well. The EPA ratings for the PowerBoost model of the F-150 are 25 mpg combined. And frankly, considering that this is a truck, these numbers are excellent numbers.
You will simply not get any close numbers with any competitor pickup truck out there if you are asking me. Period.
Another thing that is really good with the hybrids or the PowerBoost is the sheer amount of torque. This model has a torque of 575 lb-ft. And this is almost a RAM TRX territory. If you didn’t know the TRX is producing 650lb-ft of torque. Only 75lb-ft of torque is more than this PowerBoost truck by Ford.
And all this torque is really important if you tow and especially if you want to tow on a budget. With this truck, you can tow 12,700lbs. And these numbers are absolutely crazy for a truck of this size and a V6 engine.
So, if you are a guy who wants to tow a lot and tow heavy stuff in the process, this truck will be perfect for you. But what about the comparison between the PowerBoost VS PowerStroke? We will get to that in a moment, let’s first discuss more on the cons of owning a hybrid vehicle.
Cons Of A Hybrid PowerBoost (Versus A PowerStroke)
As with everything out there, there are pros and cons. And hybrids also have some small cons that are worth covering before we discuss more about the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke.
The biggest con of having a hybrid is the price point. Hybrid vehicles tend to be considerably more expensive than standard gas-powered engines. This is why not a lot of people have tried them and made a decision to purchase them.
And I personally think that this is the aspect on which car companies need to work on and figure out how to bring the pricing down a bit in order so people could afford these vehicles in the first place.
For example, the PowerBoost option is worth about $4,000 extra on lower-tier models of the F-150. While on more expensive ones it is cheaper at $1,900. Still, this is not a small amount of money nowadays when everything is getting more and more expensive.
Another con that is worth mentioning on the PowerBoost hybrid vehicles is the longevity of the battery pack. This model has a 1.5 kWh battery pack. Fairly small in size but what is bad with these battery packs is that after 8 or 10 years, they tend to fail.
I’m not talking precisely about the PowerBoost but in general. These battery packs fail eventually and you have to replace them. Replacing them is rather expensive. $1,000 to $3,000 on average.
So, keep this in mind when purchasing a used hybrid. Watch out for the battery life. And now before we cover the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke, let’s cover the engine that is used in the PowerBoost model.
Ford 3.5 PowerBoost
Now before we cover the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke, let’s first learn more about the engine that is used in this model.
This is the same Ford 3.5 EcoBoost but hybridized version. This means that these two engines are not interchangeable even though the core is pretty much the same.
This engine is a 3.5L in displacement and is running forced induction. More precisely, it is turbocharged. This helps the engine to produce 394hp and 492lb-ft of torque. The electric motor on the other hand produces 44hp and 221lb-ft of torque.
Together these two in combination make about 430hp and 570lb-ft of torque, which is quite respectable.
The engine runs a double overhead camshaft design with 24 valves and variable valve timing to maximize fuel efficiency.
The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic produced by Ford which delivers extremely smooth shifts and achieves 0 to 60 on this model in only 5.3 seconds. While the average fuel economy is 25 mpg. But what about the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke? More on that we will cover in a bit.
What Is A PowerStroke
Another really important topic that we need to cover before we dive into the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke is the topic of what is PowerStroke in general. I bet that there are not a lot of people out there who know what this name means. So, in this chapter, we will try to explain them and help them learn more about it.
Nevertheless, PowerStroke, similar to PowerBoost is a trademark used by Ford. Ford uses this name for their lineup of diesel engines.
So, when someone says Ford PowerStroke engine, you know that this is a diesel model by Ford. The PowerStroke lineup of engines is big and they are used in a variety of different applications.
The displacement of these engines varies from 3.0L to 7.3L and they also come in different configurations. Namely, inline-5, V6, and V8 configs.
But the size and configuration that is important to us is the 3.0L V6 PowerStroke engine produced by Ford. This was the engine that was used on the F-150 before this engine was replaced with the PowerBoost from 2021 onward.
So, you slowly start to understand the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke battle and how these two engines are connected. Basically one of them has replaced the other in the Ford F-150 lineup. But what is good is that you can still get a PowerStroke diesel engine if you want.
There are still probably some left on some dealerships across the country or possibly as a second-hand option. But more on this, we are going to cover later on. Now let’s cover how diesel works in general.
How Diesel Engine Works
Now before we learn which is better when it comes to PowerBoost vs PowerStroke, let’s first explain what is a diesel engine and how a diesel engine works in general. You still need to have a proper general understanding of how this type of engine works before you decide to purchase, right? Now let’s elaborate.
Diesel engines are not something new, they are with us for decades and they will still serve for many decades to come in the future. There is hardly anything that can replace diesel power. Why so?
Well, because diesel fuel is not like gas. Even though diesel is less flammable and burns slower. It is rather more energy dense than gasoline. So, with the same amount of diesel, you get more power than with standard gasoline.
Diesel engines are also different. These engines do not rely on a spark to ignite. Igniting diesel with a spark plug is almost impossible because this fuel doesn’t ignite fast. And what diesel engines do, is that they ignite the fuel with help of compression.
You probably heard about high-compression engines. Well, every diesel is a high compression engine. It is really essential to have a high level of compression in order so the ignition process to begin. But what about PowerBoost vs PowerStroke? We will get to that in a bit.
Pros And Cons Of Having A Diesel Engine
Now let’s cover another topic before we compare the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke. And that is the pros and cons of running a diesel engine. Everything has pros and cons, and so is the case with diesel engines. So, let’s elaborate more on them before we dive into more complex topics.
Pros Of A PowerStroke Diesel (Versus A PowerBoost)
The first thing that we are going to discuss before we dive into the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke is the pros of owning a diesel. And frankly, similar to the hybrid PowerBoost, there are plenty of them.
The biggest pro of having a diesel engine is the towing ability. With this engine, you have a lot of low-end torque. And this torque is really important if you want to tow heavy stuff with the truck. This basically will allow you to accelerate better and the truck will not struggle at all.
The second pro that we would want to discuss is fuel efficiency. Similar to hybrids, diesel engines are crazy efficient. This truck specifically, the PowerStroke F-150 was more efficient with the diesel engine than with the hybrid. The PowerStroke easily gets about 30 mpg combined.
And the last pro that we are going to cover before we cover more on the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke is engine life. Engine life on diesel is a lot better.
Cons Of A PowerStroke Diesel (Versus A PowerBoost)
When it comes to cons, we are going to list them real quick. The biggest con is probably the affordability. Diesel engines tend to be more expensive to afford when new.
The second con is that diesel fuel is also more expensive at the pump than your standard regular gas. And the last con is the more expensive repairs. These engines fail really rarely but they can have expensive repairs. Namely, turbine failures and injector and fuel pump failures.
Ford PowerStroke 3.0L Diesel
Now let’s cover our last topic for today before we learn whether to get a PowerBoost vs PowerStroke and that is the 3.0L engine that is used in the Ford F-150 PowerStroke. This engine was the entry-level engine when it comes to Ford diesel engines.
What is worth noting is that this is a turbocharged V6 diesel engine with 3.0L in displacement. This engine was designed by Ford to compete with the Ram 1500 V6 EcoDiesel. But what is worth noting is that it failed to do so. Mainly because there wasn’t a big interest. But more on this, we are going to cover it in a bit.
What is important about this engine is that it generates 250hp and 440lb-ft of torque. Considerably less than the PowerBoost. This engine is paired with the same 10-speed automatic transmission and is able to tow about 11,440 lbs. But what about PowerBoost vs PowerStroke? More on that we are going to learn next.
PowerBoost VS PowerStroke
Now let’s get to business and see which is the better engine out of the two. Which is the winner when it comes to PowerBoost vs PowerStroke? Let’s elaborate.
In this duel, the clear winner if you are asking me is the PowerBoost. Why is it so? Well, because this is a more powerful engine.
Even though gas-powered engines tend to be weak when towing. We can give props to Ford for creating this engine and allowing the standard 3.5l EcoBoost to gain a good kick by the electric motor and increase the torque for more than 220lb-ft. This upgrade has allowed the 3.5L to make 570lb-ft and tow more than 12,000lbs.
These are really respectable numbers if you are asking me. So, if I was planning to get a new truck, I would go for the PowerBoost F-150 anytime. So, a clear winner in this situation when it comes to the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke is the Ford PowerBoost.
Unfortunately, you cannot get them both new. The PowerStroke 3.0L since last year was discontinued and replaced with the hybrid PowerBoost. Now let’s conclude this article.
Facts about the Discontinuation of Power Stroke Diesel Engine in Ford F-150 and Alternatives
- The Power Stroke diesel engine option in Ford F-150 is being discontinued.
- The discontinuation of the diesel engine is due to the overwhelming orders for the EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine.
- The discontinuation of the diesel engine was reported by a leaked dealer bulletin, and the deadline for ordering is until July 16, 2021.
- The F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid is considered the ideal option for maximum towing torque, offering a combination of power, capability, and fuel efficiency.
- The PowerBoost Hybrid features a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine and an electric motor that generates 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, which is more powerful than the Power Stroke diesel engine.
- The F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid is cheaper than the Power Stroke diesel engine by $500.
- The PowerBoost Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined and a range of up to 700 miles on a single tank of gas.
- The Pro Power Onboard generator, which provides 2.4 kilowatts of exportable power, is standard on the PowerBoost F-150.
- The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, which has a starting price of about $39,974, offers an alternative to the Power Stroke diesel engine with a more environmentally friendly lineup.
- The F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,000 lbs, and it offers an EPA-estimated 230-mile range with the standard battery and 300-mile range with the extended range battery.
Conclusion To PowerBoost vs PowerStroke
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the PowerBoost vs PowerStroke. First, we learned what these terms mean.
Then we further elaborated on hybrids and diesel engines. We learned their main characteristics and their method of action, their pros and cons, and elaborated more on the engines used by Ford. Then lastly, we compared PowerBoost vs PowerStroke and gave you our recommendation for which of these two you should go after.
F.A.Q To PowerBoost vs PowerStroke
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Is A Ford PowerBoost
Ford PowerBoost is Ford’s marketing name for their lineup of hybrid powertrains. More precisely, the powertrain used on the F-150 combines the standard 3.5l V6 gas engine and an electric motor for better performance and efficiency.
Who Makes PowerStroke
PowerStroke is a name used by Ford to market their diesel engines. So, the answer to the question of who makes PowerStroke is simply Ford Motor Company.
What Diesel Engine Does Ford Use
Ford uses their own lineup of PowerStroke engines. These are engines that come in a variety of configurations and displacements. Starting from 3.0L to 7.3L of displacement
Who Makes Ford Diesel Engines
In general, Ford is making their own engines both gas and diesel options. But diesel ones are marketed under the PowerStroke badge. While the gas engines are under the name EcoBoost. While the hybrids are under the name PowerBoost.
Is The Ford 3.5 V6 A Good Engine
In general, this is a pretty decent engine. This design is so versatile that is even used on the Ford GT. So, you get the point why it is so popular.
When Did Ford Stop Making The 7.3
The 7.3 engine production was stopped in 2003. This was the year when it got replaced by the 6.0L engine. Production was stopped because this engine wasn’t able to meet the California noise regulations.
