HCFX2013

I recently got a chance to drive the new 3.5 Eco/10 speed combo in the new non-Raptor F-150.

On the whole, the new drivetrain is awesome and well-sorted but there are a few things to note that I noticed. First of all, with almost 500ft lbs of torque it is quite a handful in 2WD. I was driving XLT's and Lariats with the base 18" goodyears and it was pretty cold outside, but no F-150 I've ever driven in similar conditions was as eager to kick the rear end out than this new 3.5. At speeds up to 50mph it will haze the rear tires and kick the rear out if you're not careful. It's a blast.

Second of all, the difference between Normal, Sport & Tow Haul is much more distinctive than it has ever been. Normal mode might as well be an Eco mode as it acts very much like the old 6 speed. From a stop accelerating normally, it will skip gears. 1-3, 3-5, 5-7 until you are at 55mph ish, when you typically let off the throttle. Then it will carry on through 7,8,9 and 10. 10th gear comes earlier than I expected, around 55mph in some cases it will kick into 10th. During this time the engine lugs just a bit, but it will downshift seamlessly if you need more power. One thing I did notice is that the initial 1-3 shift during normal acceleration is a little slow, however I was driving brand new trucks so I imagine it should smooth itself out once it gets to know you.

Sport mode is where the fun starts. In sport, Start-stop is disabled automatically and the transmission will run quickly through all of it's gears. This transmission seems happier when your foot is buried in the carpet vs normal driving as it shifts very quickly and holds the engine in it's ideal powerband. Just as before, it holds revs and downshifts when you slow down. Plant your foot and the transmission is eager, but the laggy electronic throttle response still lives on. Note that in all modes the transmission does have some minor torque limiting in the lower few gears, but it's barely noticeable and doesn't kick you in the *** with torque in 4th gear like the '17 SD diesel does.

Manual mode for spirited driving is essentially useless as the response from the rocker buttons is not fast enough to effectively shift through all 10 gears quick enough, so use sport mode for sporty driving and manual mode for downshifting for downhill grades and towing.

The 3.5L itself feels much the same but of course more lively, it seems more eager to rev. Just as smooth as before, and with the dual injection it is very quiet at idle. The start-stop system is just the same as it is in the 2.7, one of the best out there.

I can't speak for mileage as I was having way too much fun, but in the short time I reset it it was pulling around 22mpg with regular city/highway driving.

I'm glad I went with the 3.5 and not the 2.7 on my 2017 order, now I'm eagerly waiting for mine to arrive! Lol

Chris70

Thanks for the review, look forward to hearing more after you put a few more miles on her.

Question, you mentioned the tire spinning and kicking the rear end out, was this only in sport mode or with traction control turned off ?

WTF150

No offense but I call as far as spinning the tires from a 50 mph roll

HCFX2013

Any mode, with traction control on it will let you kick it out just a tad before it intervenes.

HCFX2013

I have no reason to lie.

ChefBorOzzy

I don't see why not.. My 5.0 with 3.31 did it last night at about 35mph. Have to remember, it may also be fairly cold outside where he's at.

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

Whys that, my 12-3.5EB, would do it(stock no tune)! Did it a handful of times, when cruising, and then jumping on it to pass someone!

HCFX2013

Temps lately have been around -15c (-5F) so it is certainly not ideal grip temperatures for tires. That, mixed with them being brand new tires not broken in yet, it was a handful.

srb1194

Thanks for the review. That's exactly what I've been waiting on. Do you know what gear ratio the truck has?

Mike Up

Yeh, I kicked it down, and it spun about 45 mph with pretty much ease. To much ease IMO, but that's with cold streets (not ice) and cold tires.

I do have the 5.0L with 3.73 but like I said, hardly any throttle.