I've got the 2.7 engine in my 2020 F150 STX, and I'm completely satisfied with the engine. It easily tows my 24' 4,500 pound Bennington tritoon boat that's got the aerodynamics of a big brick. My only complaint is when towing the boat and going over a railroad track or some bridges. The OEM rear shocks are very weak and a new set of shock absorbers is warranted.

I get 22 mpg in local driving and as much as 25.5 mpg on the open road at speed limits. The truck is surprisingly fast in Sport Mode--faster than I ever drive it. I've rented 2 F150's with the 5.0 Coyote, and fuel mileage wasn't anything to write home about in town. I got about 21 mpg on the open road. The 3.5 E/B seems to get about 1 mpg better than the V-8 on the open road.

 

I rarely use 4WD but it was mandatory for my intended use as a dirtbike hauler and gentleman’s farm truck. I have an unpaved track up a hill that my former 1WD GMC Sonoma would have had to be rescued with a tractor. My Subaru and F-150 have no trouble.

Bothered me that LSD was not available but find the e-locker serves at least as well without need for possible 75,000 mile rebuild to replace clutch plates.

PowerBoost was not available when I bought but I agree the 7.2kW option is mandatory if you get PowerBost. It may be years before you need it for home power outages. Murphy teaches if you have a genset then you will not need a genset. It will greatly increase resale value to any RVer. As would 4WD, as many camp in grass fields and other unimproved sites.

 

A little bit of common sense and driving skills, and its never needed on the road.
I just drove through 8" of snow this morning.
There were days when 4wd pickups were in the minority. Many more had 2wd and did just fine.
For a daily driver, A little bit of weight in the bed right over the axle is all thats needed to avoid the $4000 option.

 

And when you are at work and the snow comes down, and by the time you get to to 80/94 and it's one lane when the snow is almost 14 inches, and then you have to take a back road to finish your normally 1 hour commute which has now taken 3 and a half hours long?

Been there, done that, Thank God I was in a Jeep wrangler.

 

My 2.7 has really shocked me with its power and capability.Fuel milage is decent until I want to tow. Hwy mpg unloaded is 20 ish at 70-80 mph. With my 16 ft enclosed trailer about 13 mpg. Not great, but it never runs out of power and I don't tow frequently. I admit I was skeptical at first, but Ford did their homework.

 

Huh? Even the least equipped F150 can tow 5,000 lbs. A 2.7 F150 with the class 4 hitch will be rated for at least 6,000 towing.

Thats more than just gas mileage.

 

I've driven 2wd pickups through 20 inches of snow. Its really not that hard. But if I didnt have the weight in my truck and decent tires, it wouldnt go through much of any snow.

On the other hand , I dont know too many people besides me that even go to work with a snow storm of 14 inches predicted.

 

Wasn't predicted to be that bad, but it was.
I respectfully disagree with your position.

 

BTDT. Then there is the moment it doesn't work.

I do not engage 4x4 in slippery conditions on the road until the last moment. Does nothing for ability to turn or brake. 1WD mode (that is the supposed 2WD mode without LSD) provides early warning slip, a feel for conditions, and is good enough so long as it keeps you moving. Has the advantage of spinning only 1 tire so the other 3 can maintain direction.

Off-road? Engage 4H or 4L immediately.

 

agree that common sense (Arguable if good sense is common ) and skill is of paramount importance. But to say 4X4 is never needed on the road is, IMO naive and ridiculous. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

Believe the ‘market’ (majority) in areas with serious and regular winters disagrees with you. 2wd trucks in those areas are extremely difficult to sell.