Ford Engine And Fuel Types Explained


ford fuel and engine options explained

The lineup of Ford engine options includes something for everyone: an affordable gas engine, a fun and efficient EcoBoost engine, silent electric driving, hybrids that blend traditional benefits and future-looking efficiency, and a diesel that can tow just about anything. Learn about the Ford engine options below, and experience them with test drives at Lake Keowee Ford.

Gas: Easy and Traditional

Not much needs to be said about this member of the Ford fuel options, as we’ve all experienced it before. While affordable and powerful, a gasoline engine can be exceeded by other engine types in several areas, most notably fuel efficiency and torque delivery.

But, they typically are the most reliable, as their engineering can be more straightforward and time-tested, making a gas-engine Ford vehicle regain ground in other ways, too. The Mustang is a notable example, as its gas V-8 is a matter of thrills and durability. A naturally aspirated gas-fed V-8 has performance characteristics that just can’t be simulated; it’s an adrenaline-pumping experience everyone should try.


EcoBoost: Turbocharged Fun and Efficiency

EcoBoost: Turbocharged Fun and Efficiency

This is technically a gas engine and a sibling to the previous Ford engine options. However, an EcoBoost engine does things differently. Namely, EcoBoost engines gain power and more fuel efficiency by cramming compressed air into the cylinders via a turbocharger, which essentially is a mini jet engine.

Exhaust gases leaving the engine flow into the turbocharger and spin up a turbine, which drives an impeller that generates high-pressure airflow and sends it into the engine. The compressed air is directed into the engine, where it combines with technology like twin-independent variable camshaft timing, thus increasing the fuel’s combustion potency. With an EcoBoost engine, the F-150 achieves a 13,500-pound maximum towing capacity1 and the Mustang delivers an EPA-estimated 22/33/26 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).2

EcoBoost engines are available on the Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport, Edge, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Maverick, and Mustang. When you want to balance affordability, reliability, power, efficiency, and fun, an EcoBoost engine will be the most satisfying of all Ford engine options. If you’re interested in specific Ford SUV models and their engine performance, check out our Ford SUV comparison page.

Electric: Quiet, Quick, and Eco-Friendly

Electric: Quiet, Quick, and Eco-Friendly

There are two examples of this future-looking member of the Ford fuel types for sale: the Ford F-150 Lightning truck and the Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV. These models combine iconic Ford vehicle benefits, like durability, style, advanced technology, and comfort, with the future of driving.

Ford electric vehicles are competitive performers. You can get the Mustang Mach-E and enjoy a 0-60 mph time as fast as 3.5 seconds or up to an EPA-estimated 312 miles of range.3 With EV trucks, the F-150 Lightning is among the only models to combine the familiar truck driving experience with all-electric benefits, offering up to an EPA-estimated 320 miles of range3 and a 10,000-pound maximum towing capacity.1

This newest example of the Ford engine options is making its way into more models. There’s the commercial-use all-electric Ford E-Transit van and, while currently limited to overseas sales at the time of this writing, an all-electric 2025 Ford Explorer SUV.4

Hybrid: Balanced and Versatile Efficiency

Hybrid: Balanced and Versatile Efficiency

Hybrids are some of the most popular Ford engine options, and for good reason. They begin with a traditional gas engine powertrain, offering the quick-fueling ease and reliable and affordable engineering drivers have become accustomed to. However, they add electrification through a battery-and-motor system to enhance fuel efficiency and make the familiar gas-engine benefits more competitive.

The motor is often integrated directly into the engine. It kicks in and eases the mechanical load when the gasoline engine would normally be operating at its least efficient point, like when accelerating off the line. This lets models like the Ford F-150 configured with the PowerBoost hybrid engine deliver an 11,200-pound maximum towing capacity.1

Other Ford hybrid vehicles include the Ford Escape and Maverick. Both are affordable to buy and own, thanks to their enhanced efficiency and dependable power.

Plug-In Hybrid: The Best of All Worlds

Plug-In Hybrid: The Best of All Worlds

The only plug-in hybrid Ford vehicle that resides in the 2024 Ford SUV lineup is the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid.

The basics are almost identical to hybrids. Both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle combine a gasoline engine with an electric powertrain system to become extra fuel-efficient Ford vehicles. However, a standard hybrid cannot be separately recharged and does not send its power directly to the wheels.

Plug-in hybrids essentially have two separate powertrains, and the electric one can directly drive the wheels. Plug-in hybrids can drive on all-electric power for short distances, add more power to the wheels, and can be separately recharged, making them an attractive blend of what the other Ford engine options can offer.


Diesel: For the True Tow Champions

There is no debate here: Diesel engines are the unmatched kings of towing amongst the other Ford engine options. It’s made possible by a diesel engine’s inherent characteristics.

Typically, a diesel engine’s high-compression cylinders, long piston stroke, high-pressure turbocharger, and pressure-reliant fuel ignition system mean that every instance of internal combustion hits extra hard, producing more torque than almost any gasoline engine could dream of achieving. Additionally, diesel engines have a much tighter rev range than gas engines, letting them make all of their power at lower RPMs to get the largest loads moving off the line.

For example, the High-Output Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine can make an earth-moving 1,200 pound-feet of torque, letting the Super Duty lineup tow up to 40,000 pounds.1 When tough jobs arrive, conquer them with a diesel engine from the Ford engine lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Ford vehicles are plug-in hybrids?

Currently, only one new Ford vehicle is a plug-in hybrid: the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. There are several other hybrid Ford vehicles, though, including the Ford F-150 with the PowerBoost Full-Hybrid V-6, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and the Ford Maverick Hybrid. The Ford Explorer was available with a hybrid engine in 2023, but this is no longer available for the 2024 model year.

Does Ford have an all-electric truck?

Yes, the 2024 Ford truck lineup has an all-electric truck: the F-150 Lightning. This EV truck offers the traditional combustion-powered F-150 truck’s style, features, and engineering but with the future-forward driving of an all-electric powertrain. Discover the model’s maximum EPA-estimated range of 320 miles,3 maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds,1 and more today at Lake Keowee Ford.

Which Ford SUVs are all-electric?

Currently, the Mustang Mach-E is the only all-electric Ford SUV model. However, the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid is capable of driving on electric power for comparably short distances. The other Ford electric vehicles are the F-150 Lightning, which blends the traditional gasoline or diesel F-150 model with the benefits of all-electric driving, and the E-Transit, which is an all-electric commercial van.

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1Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers.

2EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

3Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and state of health.

4For details, see: https://www.ford.co.uk/cars/electric-explorer

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