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Should Your Next Pickup Truck Have a V6 or a V8?

Author: Doug DemuroByDoug Demuro
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Should Your Next Pickup Truck Have a V6 or a V8?

If you’re interested in a new full-size pickup truck, you might be wondering whether you should choose a V6 engine or a V8. For years, most shoppers wouldn’t even consider a full-size pickup without a V8, but modern technological advances (and modern gas prices) have made V6s far more appealing than they ever have been in the past. So which one should you go for? We have some tips to help you decide. Find a truck for sale near you

V6 or Turbocharged V6?

Most truck shoppers who wouldn’t consider a V6-powered full-size pickup probably base their opinions on past V6 engines, which were slow, noisy and — most importantly — not as capable as their V8 counterparts.

But times have changed, largely thanks to turbocharging. Two modern full-size pickups use turbocharged V6 engines: the Ford F-150, with its EcoBoost powerplant, and the RAM 1500, which offers a turbodiesel V6. In both cases, the V6s put up impressive numbers: The F-150’s EcoBoost powerplant produces 365 horsepower and an impressive 420 lb-ft of torque, while the RAM is rated at 240 horses and 420 lb-ft.

Interestingly, those numbers are stronger than V8 versions of the same pickups, especially when it comes to torque, which is important for towing. The 5.0-liter V8-powered F-150 only puts out 360 horses and 380 lb-ft, while even the RAM’s muscular HEMI V8 only makes 410 lb-ft. In essence, turbocharging has proven that a V6 doesn’t need to be a disability in the world of full-size trucks.

Better for Towing?

While some pickup shoppers are won over to the realm of the V6 as soon as they hear the power and torque figures of the Ford EcoBoost V6 or the RAM’s turbodiesel powerplant, many still prefer V8 engines. One reason is that many shoppers still think V8s are better for towing. So, is that true? Not quite.

For example, Ford’s EcoBoost V6 is rated to tow up to 11,300 pounds in any configuration: regular cab, extended cab or crew cab. The brand’s 5.0-liter V8 can’t crack 10,000 pounds. And even the muscular 6.2-liter V8, which returns 411 hp and 434 lb-ft, can only match — but not beat — the EcoBoost when it comes to towing capacity.

It’s a similar situation when you consider the RAM. Although a HEMI-powered RAM pickup truck does indeed out-tow the EcoDiesel, the gap isn’t as big as you might expect: Properly equipped V8-powered RAM models can pull up to 10,400 pounds, while the EcoDiesel can tow a respectable 9,100 pounds.

Fuel Economy

Another benefit offered by V6 engines in today’s full-size pickup trucks is fuel economy. No, the RAM EcoDiesel can’t quite out-tow the HEMI, but its 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway far outshine the HEMI’s 14 mpg city/20 mpg hwy. Not surprisingly, it’s the same story with just about any V6-powered truck, whether you choose the EcoBoost F-150 or the newly redesigned Chevrolet Silverado, which doesn’t use diesel or turbocharged technology. In the Silverado, the all-new 4.3-liter V6, which makes a respectable 285 hp and 305 lb-ft, manages to beat the 5.3-liter V8’s gas mileage by 2 mpg in the city and 1 mpg on the highway.

When Should You Get the V8?

We primarily advocate choosing V6 engines in pickups when you’re focused on fuel economy, city driving or light-duty use, which is the way that most shoppers use their pickups. Even then, drivers who use their trucks for more substantial chores might benefit from V6 power, as we’ve seen with the towing capacity and torque numbers from the F-150’s EcoBoost engine and the RAM’s EcoDiesel.

But even in spite of big advances in V6 power, torque, gas mileage and towing capacity, we would still recommend choosing a V8 some of the time. Primarily, we’d choose a V8 if you often tow and haul and if the truck you’re considering doesn’t offer a turbocharged or diesel engine option. This is true of the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra. A V8 is also often the only way to go if you’re interested in certain high-end trim levels, such as the Silverado High Country, the Sierra Denali or the Tundra Platinum.

But while we concede that a V8 is the better choice for some pickup-truck shoppers, we strongly suggest that you don’t count out a V6 just because it doesn’t have as many cylinders as a V8.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.

Author: Doug Demuro

Doug Demuro

Doug DeMuro writes articles and makes videos, mainly about cars. Doug was born in Denver, Colorado, and received an economics degree from Emory University in Atlanta. After graduation, Doug spent three years working for Porsche Cars North America. Eventually, he quit his job to become a writer, largely because it meant that he no longer had to wear pants. Doug’s work has been featured in a… Read more about Doug Demuro

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16 COMMENTS

  1. my brother-in-law has a twin turbo charge. V6 Ford F150 I have a 2003 Chevrolet 5.3 Silverado pulling the same size trailer 16 foot trailer empty he only gets 11 miles to the gallon when we go across a place that’s very hilly while I still get 18. You can’t tell me a V6 is that good they fall apart he had put two motors in his truck, and he does not drive hard or fast and maintains it very well. You could not give me a V6 Consequences

  2. Wow alot of the folks posting negatively against the V6’s really need to spend some time reading up on them and watching the videos or just test driving them.  The EcoBoost puts out diesel like torque in a diesel like power band.  The videos of them testing it are impressive.  The ran it full out with a 10k trailer on an indy track and for 24 hours straight and the turbos turned cherry.  No problems even after that.  They put that engine into an baja 1000 racer and it used like half the gas of the normal engine.  I bought a Ram 1500 V8 and was extremely disappointed with gas mileage 11-13mpg for any trip involving city driving.  Only got 20mpg when I did 100% freeway.  Even though the power was impressive, I would have preferred the EcoBoost v6.

  3. The turbocharged v6s are a nice experiment but id rather have a naturally aspirated v8. Turbos eventually go and when they do it can be very expensive.

  4. These numbers are peak power. V8 will pull harder at low rpms than any turbo v6. V8= good low end torque. Also very reliable. Turbo motors inherently have issues. You’re forcing air into the combustion chamber. The bottom line is the higher displacement the engine the stronger it is. That’s why a 2.0 Honda making 500 horsepower will sooner throw a rod through the block while the gt500 motors love making 600+ horsepower and can do so with a factory warranty

    • Sorry, I disagree with that statement. Fords 2.7 ecoboost is now putting out 325hp and 400lbft of torque. 100% of the torque is delivered at 2700 rpm. Chevy 5.3 ford 5.0 and ram HEMI can’t deliver that type or torque in that rpm range. I had a 2015 ecoboost now a ram 5.7 and that small v6 no lie will run circles around just about any v8 pickup I ever driven. Make a long story short I traded that truck in for a few things I didn’t like. But next truck I’m definetly going back to a turbo v6 that truck in the hills going to Florida never broke a sweat and didn’t have to downshift to climb some of the steepest hills. What to you think highway trucks use? Heavy duty inline six cylinder turbo diesels

  6. This whole article is irrelevant, i hauled a kubota svl90 with my 5.0 and that weights 10k alone! I’ll pull that side by side with any ecoboost! My uncle has a ecoboast and it can keep up with a 18ft boat 

  9. another factor you very possibly did not consider is how OFTEN you’ll be doing the towing. I feel like a V8 could take much more sustained stress, and as such I’d like to see some sort of comparison in that category as well

  10. I am considering the Silverado 4 door crew cab 4.3 Ecotec V6. Is this not a good choice for a full size truck having a V6?

    • Hey, Alanh, 

      We bought a 2016 Silverado LT 4.3 Ecotec V6 4×4 just a few months ago. It can tow 7000 lbs. We can pull a boat easily. That V6 is an awesome engine. Compared to a V8- I have achieved over 500 miles on a full tank regular 87 octane. We traveled to Detroit MI from Charlotte NC and only had to refuel once in Columbus OH, and that was me driving with the truck bed fully loaded with gear. WE LOVE THIS TRUCK. I was worried that I would miss the V8. I don’t. Yes, the V8 has more power, but not much more. I drove a 5.3L V8 and this 4.3L V6 back to back before deciding to go with the V6. There was a very slight difference in the power. The V6 is lighter than the V8. Not by much, but the V6 is derived from that very V8 from what I was told. We have 17,000 miles on the truck already because we travel so much, to the shore, all over the place. Nothing but compliments. The V6 is QUIET! We have to check to make sure the truck is on sometimes, and often, it is the fan coming on and cooling the engine- that is the giveaway. The fuel economy is ridiculously awesome. Sure you can purchase a Ford F150 Ecoboost or Dodge Ram 1500 Diesel and get better fuel economy. But you will need to get the extended warranty and be prepared for the severe loss of value. I was leery about returning to Chevrolet after a bad experience with a 2009 Impala LT. The piston rod blew through the engine 2000 miles after the warranty expired. I thought never again. Chevy has improved their product drastically. My last car was the 2015 Chevrolet SS. I traded it for the truck only because my three teens got bigger. Believe me I will replace that high performance monster with another high performance monster- the 2017 Camaro ZL1. But we won’t be getting rid of the Chevy. I have Smart Care Free Maintenance up to 45,000 miles or 4 years, 24-7 Roadside Assistance for 100,000 Miles or 6 years, I have a Full Powertrain and Bumper to Bumper Warranty for 6 Years or 100,000 miles, our truck has OnStar for 5 years, we have all the creature comforts, Navigation, Apple CarPlay, and best of all- 4G LTE Wifi that is incredibly strong and reliable. No one else can beat that, I checked. Not Mercedes, not Audi, not Ford, and certainly not Chrysler. We drove so many vehicles, including a 2016 BMW X5 M, to find the right all around SUV or Utility Vehicle. This Silverado does all we need it to do and so much more. We don’t regret it. You won’t either. The two to three miles per gallon you gain over a V8 add up quickly over 21 gallons of gas each fill up with all the traveling we do. And the maintenance, beyond the warranty, won’t be so bad. Best of all, I checked the value of our Silverado LT. With the current mileage, if we sold it privately, we would get back more than we paid for it- thanks to Chevrolet Hidden Tag and strong dealer incentives that allowed us to get a far more loaded truck and save about eight grand. We bought a well equipped $49,000 Silverado for about $40,000. It came with chrome step bars, All Star Package, Convenience package, Black Edition (Black badges, blacked out LED headlights) full LED driving and fogs, a household outlet just below the dash, dual climate control, power everything, tinted windows, trailering package with hitch included, and lots of peace of mind. It is a sexy truck. Go get one. Hurry up before Chevy stops their current promotions. And no I was not paid to write this. I am shocked that the Silverado is as good as it is. No truck drives like that, and personally, I am not a truck fan, I love sports cars. The Silverado handles like a car. And when you get on the gas and have to accelerate, it isn’t the 6.2Liter V8- which is the one to get if you are gonna go V8- but it does move admirably. I asked my wife is she wanted to trade up, knowing I will be forking out just under sixty grand on a 6.2L LTZ, I don’t like the saddle color interior of the High Country. My wife said, “For what? I like what we have.” I said, “More power.” She said, “For what? We don’t own a camper, and we aren’t getting one.” If you want to make your Silverado V6 faster, wait till after the warranty, and I know someone from Hellion in New Jersey who would gladly boost that thing for you with a twin turbo set up- to well over 500 horsepower. They are good tuners for Chevy’s. Maybe I will do it in a few years if I can convince my wife to let me make it a play truck. LOL.

  11. Good article. Very informative when I make my choice. I’ll keep researching but based partly on this article, I’m leaning to the V6 Turbo EcoDiesel. Problem is at least in SoCal, they’re very hard to find.

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