Ford Announces Improved Hauling and Long Haul Economy for the 2018 F-150

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

As promised, Ford is updating the engine lineup in the company’s best-selling F-150 for the 2018 model year, providing improved fuel economy and maximum towing capacity across the board.

While it’s always a good idea to hold out a bit of skepticism until review time, Ford previously low-balled its economy estimates for the F-Series — as such, we’re working with some previously existing good faith.

News has been trickling out regarding Ford’s upcoming styling tweaks, advanced safety tech, and a powerful new diesel engine for the 2018 model. We also knew the F-150’s gas engines would be getting upgraded specs and, while some alterations are minor, there are a few big numbers worth disclosing.

And they have little to do with the 5.0-liter V8.

Ford’s V8-equipped pickup maintains its impressive 3,270-pound payload capacity, but advanced dual port and direct-injection technology add 10 more horsepower and an additional 13 lb-ft. of torque.

The 5.0-liter also gets modest improvements in economy for both rear- and four-wheel-drive variants. According to the manufacturer, four-wheel-drive V8s now average 16 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway, while rear-drive models manage one better in both areas. While only a single extra mile of range per gallon, it’s not terrible for a motor with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.

It’s a similar story with the V6s. Boasting a combined average improvement of 1 mpg apiece, the new base 3.3-liter yields 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway; the 2.7-liter Ecoboost hits 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Obviously those numbers shrink a bit when outfitted with four-wheel drive, but still represent an overall improvement from 2017.

The 2.7-liter also receives an uptick in torque, now generating 400 foot-pounds at 2,750 rpm. Meanwhile, the 3.3-liter represents an 8-horsepower, 12 lb-ft of torque improvement over the old naturally aspirated 3.5-liter. Total output is 290 hp and 265 lb-ft.

The upgraded economy rating is primarily down to auto start-stop and the expanded availability of Ford’s 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which now appears on everything but the base model, including the all-new 3.0-liter V6 Power Stroke turbo diesel.

Sadly, the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 doesn’t benefit from any such economy improvements. But it does possess a new maximum tow rating of 13,200 pounds. Weirdly, Ford didn’t advertise this as a 1,000 pound increase in capacity, but that’s exactly what you’re getting. The 2017 model was specified as possessing a 12,200 max haul, which was already enough to bring the F-150 into comparable range of the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s 12,500 pound limit (with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 and applicable package).

Now, the F-150’s tow rating bests every competitor, including Ford’s V8 F-150, and is the best you can expect from a pickup without optioning for a super duty.

[Images: Ford Motor Co.]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Dchturbo Dchturbo on Aug 11, 2017

    I have an immense hatred for auto start/stop function on about 99% of vehicles. Some, it's a noticeable delay between foot off brake and engine start to vehicle moving. My 2016 has it, and initially I was concerned, but honestly it's so fast that I can't really beat my foot to the gas over the motor starting. It doesn't bother me in day to day use. The only time I get annoyed is at maybe a drive-thru, where I'm inching forwards. It's only one button to hit to turn it off, so it's not hard. Some cars you can't, so I understand that frustration. It's going to be on almost all vehicles at some point, so get used to it.

  • RS RS on Aug 11, 2017

    Seems like waiting for the "dual port and direct-injection technology" is the thing to do instead of looking at 2017 F150's without it. I've been a bit leery of Ford's turbo motors, but these updates may change that. Did they change their water pump location in the V6's? That is the other change I'd like to see.

  • Varezhka Of all the countries to complain about WTO rules violation, especially that related to battery business…
  • Carson D At 1:24 AM, the voyage data recorder (VDR) stopped recording the vessel’s system data, but it was able to continue taping audio. At 1:26 AM, the VDR resumed recording vessel system data. Three minutes later, the Dali collided with the bridge. Nothing suspicious at all. Let's go get some booster shots!
  • Darren Mertz Where's the heater control? Where's the Radio control? Where the bloody speedometer?? In a menu I suppose. How safe is that??? Volvo....
  • Lorenzo Are they calling it a K4? That's a mountain in the Himalayas! Stick with names!
  • MaintenanceCosts It's going to have to go downmarket a bit not to step on the Land Cruiser's toes.
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