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When Driving is about Lifestyle, Car Life Nation is the Answer

When Driving is about Lifestyle, Car Life Nation is the Answer

A blue 2025 Ford Mustang parked at a Ford dealer.

Get to Know the Ford EcoBoost Family

When it comes to the engines that reside under the hoods of famous Ford vehicles, to say that there are many options may just be the understatement of the century. There’s pretty much everything you can think of powering these vehicles forward, from durable diesels to zippy four-cylinders, exciting V8s to eclectic electric powertrains, making it easy for any driver imaginable to find a way to move from Point A to Point B.

You may have seen the EcoBoost badge on some of the vehicles cruising past you and wondered just how many different EcoBoost options Ford offers. I’m here to tell you that in true Ford fashion, it’s a lot. The next time you pass by your local Ford dealer and are wondering just what goes on under the hood of these impressive machines, chances are it’s raw EcoBoost power. Let’s meet the EcoBoost family, shall we?

What Is an EcoBoost?

Optimization is the name of the game for Ford and its EcoBoost family of engines. Focusing on the perfect blend of performance and efficiency, EcoBoost engines combined several technologies to ensure the best quality ride possible.

You may have noticed that the Ford you’re driving has Ti-VCT, and many drivers don’t even know where to start deciphering that. If you are a car guru, however, you probably already know that this stands for Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing. This means that the intake and the exhaust valves continuously adjust their opening and closing rates while the engine is in operation.

This technology ensures maximum torque and power while prioritizing fuel usage, delivering that ideal level of capability and efficiency that is hard to find in rivals, meaning that you’re able to work hard and travel with more gusto without having to worry about your gas gauge plummeting.

EcoBoost engines also feature turbocharging, which utilizes a turbine to pressurize the air going into the engine, resulting in more power when you step on the gas. You’ll also find that the EcoBoost family utilizes direct fuel injection, which more precisely injects fuel to help create a ride that’s as powerful as possible.

All of this means that the EcoBoost lineup is more powerful and exciting than other types of engines, all without sacrificing fuel efficiency and overall ride quality. These engines are utilized in a variety of Ford models across the board, so let’s get to know a little bit more about them.

A white 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands parked off-road.

Small EcoBoost Engines

The smallest EcoBoost engines power the smallest Ford models, but don’t think that these small-sized travelers can’t pack a punch when it comes to the daily ride. In fact, they’re not just great on gas and easy to maneuver around town; they’re exciting to drive and provide drivers with just the right amount of pizzazz as they take to the streets on their way to work each day.

1.5L EcoBoost I-3

This small EcoBoost engine is found in compact travelers like the Bronco Sport and Escape, which offer their own unique take on the daily ride. The Bronco Sport is effortlessly able to roll from the pavement to the trails in an instant, offering a bold, rugged persona in a small and easy-to-handle package. The Escape is a longtime Ford favorite, perfect for daily commuters and those seeking out ultimate practicality in a compact SUV.

Armed with the 1.5L EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder, these models surge forward with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque in the Escape or 200 lb-ft of torque in the Bronco Sport. With this engine, the 2025 Bronco Sport can tow up to 2,200 lbs while offering an EPA-estimated 30 MPG on the highway, while the 2025 Escape can tow up to 2,000 lbs and gets 34 MPG on the highway.

2.0L EcoBoost I-4

Opting for the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands trim allows adventurous drivers to take advantage of even more power through the 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, which makes 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

While the Escape offers the same engine option and the same amount of power, it can tow a bit more than the Bronco Sport, offering a 3,500 lb maximum towing capacity, compared to the Bronco Sport’s 2,700 lb tow rating.

Both small-sized travelers still offer a nice amount of efficiency with this more powerful engine, with the Bronco Sport getting an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway and the Escape getting 34 MPG on the highway.

The Maverick compact pickup truck also includes this particular EcoBoost powertrain as its entry-level engine. It surges forward with 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, able to tow up to 4,000 lbs and get up to 30 MPG on the highway.

Mid-Level EcoBoost Engines

Moving up the lineup, you’ll find that the powerhouse Ford nameplates seem to prefer the mid-level EcoBoost selection, which intensifies the journey in ways that only these icons can. From sports cars and pickup trucks to family-friendly options and adventurers, the mid-level EcoBoost engines can be found in some of the biggest names in the industry.

2.3L EcoBoost I-4

From the adrenaline-enhanced Mustang to the go-anywhere Bronco, the 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder can be enjoyed in many ways.

The 2025 Mustang offers this as its entry-level powertrain, making 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque for an absolutely thrilling ride right off the line. It also offers a pleasant level of efficiency as it saunters around town, getting an EPA-estimated 33 MPG on the highway.

The midsize Ranger pickup is another Ford that opts for this powertrain as its entry-level option, making 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to tow up to 7,500 lbs and carry up to 1,788 lbs of payload.

The rugged and ready for anything Bronco also has this powertrain as its base option, rumbling forward with 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, with the ability to tow up to 3,500 lbs. The Bronco stands out as the only model to pair this engine with a seven-speed manual transmission in addition to Ford’s 10-speed automatic.

Another rugged adventurer that is geared toward accommodating families is the Explorer. Its 2.3L EcoBoost engine makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and achieving an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway, making it a great adventure mate, family shuttle, and everyday driver.

2.7L EcoBoost V6

America’s favorite F-150 full-size truck comes standard with this lively engine, which makes 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque in 2025 models. You’ll find that it exhibits ample power, able to tow up to 8,400 lbs and handle up to 1,775 lbs of payload while getting an EPA-estimated 25 MPG on the highway.

This engine is also an upgrade on the Bronco and the Ranger to amplify the quality of any adventure to new levels. The Bronco’s version is the most powerful at 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.

A blue 2025 Ford Maverick driving to a Ford dealer.

Large EcoBoost Engines

When the going gets tough, these Ford favorites step up to the plate, delivering unmatched power and capability to make for one awe-inspiring ride. The larger EcoBoost engines don’t disappoint, making them perfect for drivers who demand more out of their vehicles.

3.0L EcoBoost V6

As the sole engine choice for the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor models, this exhilarating powertrain makes any trip better than ever.

The Ranger Raptor is able to surge forward with 405 horses at the reins and 430 lb-ft of torque to make any off-road adventure more thrilling, while also offering a towing capacity of 5,510 lbs, perfect to pull trailers full of ATVs off the beaten path.

The Bronco Raptor takes this power a step further, moving forward with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, taking any off-road adventure to the extreme.

You will also find that this particular EcoBoost option is present in the top-level Explorer trims, such as the Explorer ST and Platinum, where it makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque for a more inspiring ride.

3.5L EcoBoost V6

The family-toting Expedition’s entry-level powertrain is this bad boy, which allows any driver to achieve any goal, whether they’re heading to the campsite with the family or just running errands around town. Making 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, the Expedition is a beast wherever it travels, offering a towing capacity of 9,600 lbs to help pull campers, trailers, and anything else you can think of behind it with ease.

This engine is also an option on the F-150, where it makes 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to tow up to 13,500 lbs and take on up to 2,440 lbs of payload.

3.5L High Output EcoBoost V6

A more intense High Output version of the 3.5L EcoBoost is available on the F-150 Raptor and higher-trim Expedition models. The F-150 Raptor soars forward with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, while the Expedition Tremor and Platinum produce 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque to take their occupants to all their uncharted destinations without hesitation.

An Engine for Every Ford

With seven members in the EcoBoost family, Ford makes it easy to see that there’s an EcoBoost engine designed for every driver in existence. All of these options prioritize performance, efficiency, and capability, but the exact blend is up to drivers. Whether you prefer the efficiency of the 1.5L inline-three, the raw power of the 3.5L High Output V6, or the balance of both in the 2.3L inline-four, the EcoBoost has what you’re looking for.

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