Shopping for an F-150 and wondering about real-world fuel costs? You’re asking the right question. Ford’s lineup offers everything from efficiency-focused hybrids to power-hungry V8s, and picking the wrong engine could cost you thousands at the pump. Let’s cut through the marketing hype and show you what each powertrain actually delivers.
Understanding the 2025 F-150 Engine Lineup
Ford doesn’t give you just one F-150. You’re looking at five distinct powertrains, each engineered for different jobs.
The 2025 F-150 ditched the old 3.3L V6 base engine and replaced it with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 as standard. That’s a big deal—you’re getting 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque right off the dealer lot, with fuel economy numbers that don’t make you wince.
Here’s what’s available:
2.7L EcoBoost V6 – The new standard. It’s turbocharged, relatively efficient, and packs enough punch for most truck duties. If you’re not towing massive trailers weekly, this is probably all you need.
3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 – The efficiency champion on paper. It combines a 3.5L EcoBoost with a 47-hp electric motor for a combined 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. It’s also the only powertrain offering Pro Power Onboard, turning your truck into a mobile generator.
3.5L EcoBoost V6 – The max-towing workhorse. With 500 lb-ft of torque, it’s what you need if you’re regularly pulling heavy trailers.
5.0L Ti-VCT V8 – The traditionalist’s choice. Naturally aspirated, no turbos, just a classic V8 sound and linear power delivery.
Performance variants – The Tremor, Raptor, and Raptor R sacrifice efficiency for capability. These aren’t fuel-sippers, and that’s the point.
EPA Ratings: The Official Numbers
Let’s start with what Ford advertises. These are EPA-estimated ratings, tested in a lab under controlled conditions. Your real-world results? We’ll get to that.
| Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 4×2 | 20 | 26 | 22 |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 4×4 | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid | 4×2 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid | 4×4 | 22 | 24 | 23 |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 4×2 | 17 | 25 | 20 |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 4×4 | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| 5.0L V8 | 4×2 | 17 | 24 | 19 |
| 5.0L V8 | 4×4 | 16 | 22 | 18 |
The pattern is clear. The PowerBoost dominates the charts, especially in city driving. The 2.7L EcoBoost offers the best gasoline-only fuel economy. The V8 trails the pack.
But here’s where it gets interesting—these numbers don’t tell the whole story.
The PowerBoost Paradox: Why Hybrid Owners Are Disappointed
The 3.5L PowerBoost should be the obvious choice, right? EPA estimates up to 26 MPG combined. In reality, owner forums are filled with frustrated buyers.
One 2024 PowerBoost owner reported “averaging 14-15 mpg city and 18 highway.” Another stated they’re “disappointed with the mpg” at 19.6 MPG. Some report getting worse mileage than their previous non-hybrid truck.
But wait—other owners are thrilled. One reports 23.5 MPG on their 2025 model. A long-term owner with 33,000 miles averaged 24.6 MPG manually calculated.
What gives?
The PowerBoost is a “two-faced” powertrain. It’s optimized for stop-and-go traffic where regenerative braking and electric-only propulsion shine. That’s where you’ll hit those impressive numbers. But on the highway, especially at 75 mph, Car and Driver’s testing showed it delivered only 20 MPG—below its official city rating.
If you drive aggressively or spend most of your time on highways at high speeds, you won’t see the benefits. The 570 lb-ft of torque is intoxicating, but mashing the throttle kills efficiency. The hybrid system can’t help when you’re demanding max power.
The satisfied owners? They’re driving in dense suburban traffic, using light throttle inputs, and letting the truck’s momentum do the work. One owner nailed it: “Unlike most gas-powered vehicles, this truck actually gets better mileage in the city.”
What 2.7L EcoBoost Owners Actually Get
The 2.7L EcoBoost is now the standard engine, and it’s earning respect for consistency.
With an EPA combined rating of 20-22 MPG depending on drivetrain, owners are reporting results that align closer to expectations. One suburban driver got 17.2 MPG in pure city driving—slightly below the 18 MPG city rating, but reasonable. Others report 21-22 MPG in mixed use.
Where this engine shines is the highway. Owners regularly see 24-27 MPG on road trips. That’s impressive for a full-size truck packing 400 lb-ft of torque.
The 2.7L is considered the “top dog for fuel economy when you’re not towing”. It’s the Goldilocks engine—not too thirsty, not underpowered, just right for most buyers.
The V8 Reality Check
The 5.0L V8 carries an EPA combined rating of 18-19 MPG for 4WD models. Real-world testing suggests it underperforms those estimates.
One owner conducted a direct comparison between a 3.5L EcoBoost and a 5.0L V8 on the same route. The 3.5L returned 19 MPG. The 5.0L? Only 14.5 MPG.
Why the gap? The naturally aspirated V8 must rev higher to produce the same acceleration you’d get from a turbocharged EcoBoost. If you’re used to effortless low-end torque, you’ll unconsciously work the V8 harder, which “kills the fuel economy”.
The V8 isn’t a rational choice for efficiency. It’s an emotional one—you’re paying for the sound, the simplicity, and the satisfaction of old-school American V8 power.
How Your Driving Style Affects Ford F150 Gas Mileage
The driver is the single biggest variable in fuel economy. Ford’s own guidance states aggressive driving “can lower gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds.”
Think about the name: EcoBoost. Driven gently, the turbo stays spooled down and you’re in “Eco” mode. Mat the throttle and you get the “Boost”—along with a significant fuel penalty.
This applies to every engine. The PowerBoost’s 570 lb-ft is wasted fuel if you’re constantly accelerating hard. The 2.7L’s efficiency disappears when you treat every stoplight like a drag strip. Even the V8, which already struggles, becomes a fuel furnace when revved aggressively.
If you want good ford f150 gas mileage, you need to drive like it. Smooth throttle inputs, anticipate stops, and resist the urge to show off that torque curve.
Configuration Choices That Kill Your MPG
No two F-150s are identical. Modifications and options directly impact your fuel consumption.
Tires matter more than you think. One owner documented that adding more aggressive all-terrain tires cost 1 MPG. That’s an immediate, permanent penalty. Another owner confirmed under-inflated tires tanked their numbers.
Axle ratios create unexpected results. You’d think a “taller” 3.31 rear gear would beat a 3.73 towing gear for economy. Real-world testing proved otherwise. The 3.73 gear kept the engine in its optimal powerband, while the 3.31 caused the engine to “lug” and hunt for the right gear, forcing more downshifts and higher-RPM operation.
Aerodynamic add-ons cut both ways. Tow mirrors: minus 1 MPG. Tonneau cover: plus 1 MPG. A 2-inch leveling kit doesn’t hurt much, but wider tires and aggressive tread patterns will.
This explains why the Tremor and Raptor models have such poor EPA ratings. They come from the factory with lift kits, aggressive tires, and wider bodies—all proven efficiency killers.
City vs. Highway: Which F-150 Fits Your Commute?
The 2025 F-150 lineup flips the traditional truck efficiency equation.
The PowerBoost is a city truck. It “really shines in stop-and-go traffic” where regenerative braking and electric-only propulsion make a difference. But on the highway? It can perform worse than its EPA city rating.
The 2.7L EcoBoost is a highway truck. Owners lament its suburban performance but praise its ability to deliver 24-27 MPG on steady-state cruising.
Your commute matters. If you’re crawling through urban gridlock daily, the PowerBoost makes sense—assuming you drive it gently. If you’re racking up interstate miles, the 2.7L EcoBoost delivers better real-world results despite lower EPA city numbers.
Historical Context: How F-150 Efficiency Has Evolved
The current powertrain lineup has been remarkably stable since the 2021 redesign. But there have been strategic shifts worth noting.
Ford discontinued the 3.0L Power Stroke diesel after 2021. It achieved an impressive 20 city / 27 highway MPG, but the PowerBoost hybrid has effectively replaced its role as the high-efficiency, high-torque option.
The 3.3L V6 base engine was dropped for 2025. It produced 290 hp and 265 lb-ft. The new standard 2.7L EcoBoost delivers 325 hp and 400 lb-ft—a massive upgrade in capability for virtually identical fuel economy.
The 2024 refresh introduced peculiar rating changes. The 5.0L V8 gained 2 MPG on the highway but lost 1 MPG in the city. The PowerBoost showed a similar pattern. This suggests Ford deliberately traded city efficiency for improved highway cruising numbers.
Which Engine Should You Actually Buy?
There’s no single “best” ford f150 gas mileage answer. It depends entirely on how you’ll use the truck.
If you’re a daily commuter in suburban/urban traffic: Get the 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid. You’re the only buyer profile who’ll consistently hit those EPA estimates. The stop-and-go driving that frustrates other engines is where this one excels. Plus, you get the Pro Power Onboard generator as a bonus.
If you’re an all-around user with highway commutes and family hauling: The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is the smart choice. It offers the best gasoline-only fuel economy with the most consistent real-world results. Its 325 hp and 400 lb-ft handle everything most owners throw at it.
If you’re frequently towing heavy trailers: The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is non-negotiable. Its 500 lb-ft of torque is required for max towing capacity. Real-world data also suggests it’s more efficient than the 5.0L V8 in daily driving, making it the superior all-around power option.
If you want a V8 because you want a V8: Buy the 5.0L and accept the fuel penalty. It’s objectively less efficient than the 3.5L EcoBoost, and real-world testing shows it may deliver the worst mixed-driving economy of the standard engines. But you’re not buying on spreadsheets—you’re buying for the sound and the experience.
If you’re going off-road: The Tremor accepts a 17-18 MPG combined reality. The factory lift and aggressive tires guarantee that number. At least you’re not guessing about aftermarket MPG losses.
The Bottom Line on Ford F150 Gas Mileage
Ford f150 gas mileage isn’t a single number—it’s a complex equation of engine choice, driving style, configuration, and environment.
The PowerBoost offers the highest EPA ratings but only delivers them under specific conditions. The 2.7L EcoBoost provides the most consistent real-world efficiency for gasoline engines. The V8 is a passion purchase, not a practical one.
Choose your powertrain based on where and how you drive, not just what the window sticker promises. And remember: how you drive matters more than what you drive. Gentle throttle inputs and proper maintenance will do more for your MPG than agonizing over 1-2 EPA rating differences.
The best ford f150 gas mileage is the one you can actually achieve in your daily life, not the one printed on the dealer’s spec sheet.
