2018 Lariat with V8 or V6 (3.5L)
 

Hi All. Considering both of these Engine options. Anyone have strong opinions on either and why? Would love to hear some arguments. Was initially only looking at the V6 bit am seeing some V8s with the options and packages I want.

thanks for your feedback in advance.

I'm happy with my 3.5L! Easy towing vs my tundra with the 5.7L.

I’m happy with my V8. I think unless you are going to be towing 10,000 lbs often you’ll be fine with any of the motors. You do know that you are going to stir up a lot of opinions. Happy reading.

1. Search. Probably 10% of the forum is V8 vs Turbo, uh, discussion

2. Test drive both

3. Don't buy a 2.7 until you understand the GVWR/payload implications and won't be limited by them. If payload won't be limiting to you, consider the 2.7 also. And drive one

What options and packages do you want?

If you'll be towing 10k lbs often you should be in a Super Duty anyway, not because of a need for pulling power though

If towing is not a concern, do as you wish, I'd probably go 2.7, I hear they are peppy. If V8 noise all the time is what you want, go with the 5.0, I chose the 3.5 because I wanted maxtow option. One nice feature I LOVE about my truck is the 36g gas tank. It's an option you should add to your wish list.

Yes, if the 36 gallon tank isn't already on your list of "options and packages" wanted, it needs to be added.

Things you need to be sure you are okay with before you buy are

1. Fuel tank size
2. Payload sticker
3. Rear axle ratio

Those things may not be immediately obvious as 'things to know' or whatever. Engine is obviously a thing to choose between, and color, and trim level is pretty obvious too, but those three above can fly under the radar and later on you find out and are like, damn

I personally prefer the v8. I owned a 2018 3.5 which was a fantastic truck. I loved it so much, I wanted almost the exact truck. The 3.5 was the fun easy to find option. I chose the v8 due to the simplicity of the drive train. I want to keep this truck long term and not having the turbos, intercooler, piping, silicone charge pipes, and other stuff needed for boost just made it the better option.
My 5.0 with 3.55 gears gets better gas mileage than my 3.5 with 3.31s.

I'm going to let you in on a big secret...you CAN tow with a V8 5.0 :thumbup:
400hp and 410 ft lb torque

I tow 5 different trailers up to 8000#

I also get way better fuel mileage with my V8 5.0 than with my 3.5 eco.

If I couldn't get a V8, I'd probably go diesel...but no e-kabooms for me anymore! :no:

You've come to the wrong place if you want strong opinions or want arguments on the different motors. We're too civilized here

I have had both engines configured with optimal gearing plus both trucks were nearly the same with cab, drive, and features. Both trucks were XLT Crew Cab 4WD with tow packages and 36 gallon gas tanks. 2016 had tow package and 5.0L, 6 speed transmission, and 3.73 rear end where 2019 is a 3.5L Eco, 10 speed transmission, and 3.55 rear end. both weight within 60 lbs of each other.

2016 5.0L was more linear when accelerating with immediate response. 2019 acceleration isn't as linear due to having to be in the turbo and also isn't as responsive once again due to the turbo.

On the flip side. the power difference is like night and day. The 2019 3.5L is so much stronger everywhere from 5000 rpm and below. It throws in you into the back of the seat and feels like an old school muscle car with all of it's low end torque. It's much quicker and more powerful than the 2016 5.0L and a tons more fun to drive. The 2016 5.0L is more over 5000 rpms but only by 10 horsepower that's insignificant. The newer 18's use the new 5.0L with 20 more horsepower over 5000 rpms, but still only makes up for the greater torque and horsepower that the 3.5L Eco has from 5000 rpms and lower. You'll have to redline the 5.0L to get and feel all of it's power. You'll only have to go to 5000 rpms to feel all of the 3.5L Eco's power.

I much prefer the Eco, it's so much funer to drive and to tow with. I feel like a have a true sports truck now. Also consider the 2018 5.0L had the oil consumption issue. Make sure the previous owner had that fixed, and that it was actually fixed as some of the TSBs supposedly reported here, didn't correct it.

BTW, I also get better fuel economy with the 3.5L Eco. About 1.5 to 2 better than the 5.0L. When using 93 octane on the 3.5L Eco, I get another 1 mpg opposed to the 5.0L using 87 octane. I also gain about another 20 hp documented by others with dynos and tests. Most likely why Ford recommends 93 octane when towing for the Ecoboost engines.

Good luck in your decision.

Here's my 5.0L V8 trucks (top right and bottom, left is 5.4L) towing my previous house on wheels:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...5889c80034.jpg
Got sick of maintaining the house on wheels and all of it's expense. I went back to a very large pop up camper which wasn't felt by either truck with either engine. Like it wasn't even there. That pop up was over 3000 lbs loaded and is a 14' box with a large slide out.

2019 with 3.5L Eco
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...80f9afaf5e.jpg
2016 with 5.0L
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...7d277138c1.jpg