Ford vehicles come with a plethora of options. From body types and colors to accessories and upgrades, there are so many varieties to choose from that you're bound to find one that suits your taste.
One of the more debated options, especially among Ford trucks and performance cars, is the engine type. Ford offers several different engine types, and two of the most popular are the EcoBoost V-6 and the naturally aspirated V-8. We compare these two engines below to help you determine which one may be the best choice for your needs.
What Is the EcoBoost V-6 Engine?
EcoBoost is Ford's proprietary turbocharged direct-injection engine. There are two features of this engine that are worth delving into: turbocharge and direct injection.
Let's first examine turbocharged engines. A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the engine in order to produce more power. As an analogy, think of a turbocharger like a bellows that you might use to blow air on the fire in your fireplace to pump up the flames. The more air that you can push into the engine, the quicker the fuel will burn, and the more power it'll generate.
Now, let's take a look at direct-injection engines. In a standard engine, fuel travels from the gas tank to an intake manifold. The intake manifold is like a waiting room, where the gasoline is briefly held before it's sucked through a valve into the combustion chamber and burned for use. In a direct-injection engine, the gasoline bypasses this waiting room and travels directly into the combustion chamber (hence the name). Basically, a direct-injection engine is a slightly more efficient way of delivering gasoline to the appropriate part of the car.
EcoBoost is an engine designed by Ford that features both turbo and direct-injection technology. Ford released the EcoBoost for select models in 2009. Currently, every new Ford model comes with the EcoBoost as either a standard or optional engine. EcoBoost V-6 engines typically range from 2.7 liters to 3.5 liters in displacement.
Lastly, V-6 refers to the six cylinders that are present in the engine's combustion chamber. These cylinders house the pistons that move up and down to create the energy that the car needs in order to move.
What Is the Naturally Aspirated V-8?
Shelby Mustang GT350 V8 Engine by priceman 141 is licensed with CC BY 2.0
A naturally aspirated engine has the opposite features of the EcoBoost. Instead of using a turbocharger to force air into the engine, a naturally aspirated engine relies on atmospheric pressure to accomplish the same thing. Instead of receiving assistance pushing air into the engine, the air is sucked in.
A naturally aspirated engine doesn't use direct-injection technology either. Instead, the gasoline waits in the manifold until it's ready to be sucked into the combustion chamber and burned.
V-8 refers to the eight cylinders that are responsible for housing the pistons that move up and down to power the engine. Ford's naturally aspirated V-8 engines can reach up to 5 liters in displacement.
Naturally aspirated engines are beginning to become a little less common than their direct-injection counterparts, and the naturally aspirated V-8 is not as widely available in today's Ford vehicles as the EcoBoost V-6. However, high-performance cars, such as the Ford Mustang, still use a naturally aspirated V-8 as the upgraded option, and these engines remain a staple of classic Ford muscle cars of the past, such as the Ford Shelby Cobra.
How Does the EcoBoost V-6 Compare To the Naturally Aspirated V-8?
Because it's turbocharged, the EcoBoost means you can pack a little more power under the hood without having to upgrade to a larger engine, such as a V-8. From a design stance, that means less weight and less space. Further, thanks to its direct-injection nature, the EcoBoost provides better gas mileage and lower CO2 emissions when you're zipping around Springville, Alabama, than its naturally aspirated V-8 counterpart.
In contrast, a naturally aspirated V-8 engine needs less maintenance and typically doesn't require more expensive synthetic oil and premium gas, unlike many turbocharged engines. A V-8 will also often have a higher towing capacity than a V-6, particularly when hauling for long periods at a time. Although the direct-injection EcoBoost emits lower levels of CO2, a naturally aspirated V-8 will emit lower levels of climate-warming black carbon.
Which Engine Type Is Right for You?
If you like a little pep in your car's step, the EcoBoost may be for you. The turbocharged design of the EcoBoost allows for quick acceleration and high top speeds. For an example of the type of zip the EcoBoost is capable of, look no further than the Ford GT MK II. This is Ford's fastest-ever grand touring car, and it delivers more than 700 horsepower from a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine.
However, if your Ford is more of a workhorse, the naturally aspirated V-8 engine might be a better choice for you. V-8 engines traditionally offer better towing and payload capacities than a V-6, especially for sustained periods of time, such as during a long trip. However, the EcoBoost technology has closed the gap between the V-6 and the V-8, and in certain models, the EcoBoost can actually out-muscle a naturally aspirated V-8.
This is especially true with Ford's High-Output EcoBoost engine, which is essentially an upgraded version of the standard EcoBoost and available on select models.
The best way to determine which type of Ford engine is best for your needs is to visit our All American Ford dealership in Springville, Alabama, and speak to our highly knowledgeable and experienced team. We can discuss your driving style and preferences and go over all the nuances of the EcoBoost V-6 and the naturally aspirated V-8 with you to help you determine which option is better suited to you.
Browse through our new car inventory and compare each model's specifications when equipped with the EcoBoost V-6 or a naturally aspirated V-8 . See how factors such as horsepower, torque, towing capacity, payload, fuel economy, and more differ between these two engine types. Don't hesitate to contact us online, call us at 888-686-7128, or visit us on Mustang Avenue in Springville to try these two engines out and decide which one to call your own.