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The Ford F-150 is America’s best selling vehicle, and has been for years. Ram Trucks (don’t call them Dodge) have been clawing their way up from the bottom of the truck sales list. To stay competitive, both manufacturers offer a fuel efficient alternative to a traditional V8 engine that also offers good towing capacity.

Ford calls their turbocharged V6 an EcoBoost engine. This engine makes more power and torque than the 5.0L V8 engine that comes standard with many F-150s.

Ram introduced a V6 diesel engine to their 1500 lineup. Called EcoDiesel, the engine makes more torque than the Hemi V8 that comes with many 1500s.

Both engines are turbo, but they run on different types of fuel. Both are also a unique way each brand is trying to capture new customers from the rest of the competition.

READ: What You Need to Know About MPG Claims

If you are looking at a new truck, which engine option should you look at? If you aren’t already sold on the particular brand, these economical engine options might sway you one way or the other. We take a look at both company’s offerings and recommend what we think is best. Read on to find out.

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[tps_title]Ford F-150 EcoBoost[/tps_title]

ecoboost v ecodiesel

The Ford F-150 equipped with an EcoBoost engine.

Ford’s approach to providing better fuel economy while not sacrificing capability comes in the form of an EcoBoost V6 engine. It makes 365 hp and 420 lbs/ft of torque. Aside from the gas guzzling 6.2L V8 that Ford offers, the EcoBoost V6 makes the most torque in the F-150 line of vehicles. The EcoBoost is a $2,395 option on the Ford F-150.

The turbo V6 gets 22 highway mpg. The mileage is decent, but where the EcoBoost engine shines is with towing capacity. An EcoBoost equipped F-150 has a towing capacity of 11,300 lbs.

Turbo engines are fuel efficient when the driver isn’t working the engine hard. Towing, or rapid acceleration, can dramatically lower the fuel economy of a turbo. When Car and Driver reviewed an EcoBoost F-150, they got 12 mpg.

Turbo engines make a lot of torque, which helps with the towing capacity. Since trucks are usually work tools, extra towing capacity outweighs fuel economy in many buyers’ minds.

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