Ford F-150 vs F-250

It’s time to buy a new truck, and if you’re smart about this, you’ll go with a Ford truck. Ford has been making the toughest trucks on the market for generations. Today’s F-series trucks have powerful engine options, plenty of style inside and out, and the latest tech to keep you connected and safe. But which F-series should you get, the Ford F-150 or F-250? That’s why we’ve created this head-to-head guide to help you decide which will be the best fit for you.

F-150 Engine Options

Image via Flickr by mblouir

Image via Flickr by mblouir

Ford offers five engines on the F-150, beginning with the 3.3-liter V-6 engine with twin-independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) and port-fuel direct injection (PFDI) technology. This powertrain puts out 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque for impressive power on demand at any RPM.

A 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine with dual overhead cams and PFDI technology puts out 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, impressive numbers for such small displacement. Ford’s legendary 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8 variable displacement engine (VDE) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission lives up to its heritage with 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. VDE technology shuts down half the cylinders when full power isn’t needed, improving fuel economy.

You can opt for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine with twin inter-cooled turbochargers and PFDI. This powertrain pumps out 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel engine blends power and efficiency to perfection as it puts out 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.

Ford continues to push boundaries, offering the only full-hybrid V-6 engine in its class with its 3.5-liter PowerBoost. This engine gives you 430 horsepower and a monstrous 570 pound-feet of torque.

F-250 Engine Options

Three engines are available on the F-250 lineup. The base model uses a 6.2-liter flex-fuel V-8 engine that puts out 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. A 7.3-liter pushrod V-8 engine with overhead valves and port fuel injection is built for heavy-duty work. This engine gives you 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful gas V-8 engine.

Ford offers the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel engine with a 36,000-psi fuel-injection system that atomizes fuel up to eight times per stroke. The Power Stroke impresses with 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque.

Towing and Payload Capacities

The F-150 with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine has a 10,000-pound towing capacity and 2,025-pound payload rating, while the 3.3-liter V-6 engine can tow up to 8,200 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,905 pounds when properly equipped. Ford’s 5.0-liter Ti-VCT powertrain rates out at a 13,000-pound tow rating and 3,010-pound payload capacity. 

Ford’s 3.6-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, when paired with the F-150’s heavy-duty tow package, can tow up to 13,800 pounds and can haul up to 2,980 pounds. A 12,100-pound tow rating and a 1,840-pound payload capacity come with the Power Stroke diesel engine. The full-hybrid 3.5-liter PowerBoost V-6 holds its own with a 12,400-pound tow rating and can haul up to 2,120 pounds.

The F-250’s 6.3-liter and 7.3-liter V-8 engines have a tow rating of 15,000 pounds. The Power Stroke diesel engine tows up to 20,000 pounds when properly equipped. A gooseneck trailer configuration ups the towing capacity to 19,300 on the gas engines and 22,000 pounds on the diesel powertrain.

Trim Levels

The F-150 comes in seven trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor. Key features on the XL include an 8-inch touch screen with Sync 4 for connecting all your smart devices. The XL comes with the 3.3-liter V-6 engine and a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist to help guide your ball to the trailer hitch.

The XLT comes nicely styled with a two-bar black grille with chrome surround and black exterior accents.  You can customize your XLT with access to option packages like the FX4 Off-Road package and the Max Trailer Package that include BLIS (blind spot information system) with trailer coverage. The Lariat trim features a 12-inch driver information screen and a 12-inch center stack screen with split-screen capability. The powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine comes in the Lariat along with selectable drive modes to tailor your truck to match the terrain.

Ford’s King Ranch offers signature interior style with a flow-through center console with a leather top with the King Ranch logo proudly embossed on it. Comfort is king in the King Ranch’s heated and ventilated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather shift knob. The 60/40 rear seat flips up and heats, offering convenience and comfort. Under the hood, you get the 5.0-liter V-8 engine.

The Platinum and Limited trims feature all the luxury appointments you love and the powertrain to get the job done. Ford’s Raptor is built to conquer anything with its 33-inch all-terrain tires and a bevy of off-road equipment.

The Ford F-250 comes with the same trims by name and features as the F-150, with the exception of the Raptor, which isn’t offered. As one might expect, pricing on the F-250 runs higher than the F-150. The base model XL starts at $28,940 and $34,230 respectively. Pricing runs around $3,000-$5,000 more for the F-250 on the middle trims. The F-250 marks the largest gap of nearly $14,000 higher than its F-150 counterpart.

Which F-Series Is Right for You?

The F-150 and F-250 are more than capable, tough trucks with plenty of power. If you plan on towing heavy loads and working your truck hard, day in and day out, the F-250 provides the muscle to get the job done and the toughness to handle it over time. 

If your anticipated workload falls into the occasional towing of your boat or trailer, the F-150 has plenty of power and then some. If it’s price that matters most, the F-150 offers the lower price point while still offering the same comfort and convenience features.

At Oxmoor Ford, we know trucks. We have the largest inventory of F-150 and F-250 trucks in the region. We invite you to browse our inventory online or visit our showroom. One of our professional team members will be happy to show you the different features of both F-Series trucks and let you test drive your favorite.

We know how important your truck is to you and your busy life. That’s why our state-of-the-art service center’s technicians receive factory training, and we use only Ford OEM parts and repair techniques to keep your truck running like the day you drove it off the lot.