Is GM's V8 vs EcoBoost V6 claim accurate?

"WhiskeyGolf" (whiskeygolf)
09/23/2014 at 20:36 • Filed to: None

Auto companies love to advertise during sporting events and during tonight's preseason hockey game, GM's ad for the Sierra and Silverado has aired a few times. One of the claims made is that GM's V8 beats Ford's EcoBoost in fuel efficiency but is that accurate? Is it a straight apples-to-apples comparison or is GM doing what manufacturers love to do and comparing an unloaded Sierra to a towing F150?

Baja EcoBoost for yo' troubles.

DISCUSSION (20)

Jedidiah > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:38

Manufacturers are always biased with their tests and statistics.

Unless you test it yourself, I'd call BS for anything companies say.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:41

From what I know GM's trucks have cylinder deactivation. So for all you know you have a 4 cylinder engine with your V8. So I'm guessing thats where the high numbers are coming from.

Sweet Trav > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:42

From what I have heard ecoboost F150 owners are extremely displeased with the economy of their engines.

That's just what I've heard from ford tech at the largest ford dealership in Texas.

Alex from Toronto > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:45

I think it might be a curate since gm's full size trucks are getting 8 speeds now. Could be wrong.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:49

I think they're going off EPA numbers. Ecoboost is 16/22 while Chevy is rated at 16/23 both in 2WD trim. In 4WD trim it's basically the same 15/21 for Ford and 16/22 for Chevy.

HammerheadFistpunch > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/23/2014 at 20:54

this. 100% although i know the eb is particularly thirsty towing

GhostZ > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 20:55

It's difficult to compare engine-to-engine fuel economy, but that's largely a function of throttle mapping, cam profile, and internal resistance. The question is: Does the V8's single cam create less resistance than the added weight of larger pistons, conrods, and 2 more of each? Do the turbos cause more inefficiency at the low end, or improve it?

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean anything in the real world, because vehicle weight, transmission gearing, tire size, driving style, drag coefficient, etc. are all much more of an influence than engine resistance for most cars.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > HammerheadFistpunch
09/23/2014 at 20:56

ecoboost also gets VERY thirsty if you put your foot to it, as people here in Texas are known to do. I think the fuel economy was probably tuned to 65 or so, but when you have 80MPH speed limits across wide stretches of highway fuel economy predictably suffers, and more so in the ecoboost than in the old V8s.

As for towing, I'm not sure the 5.0 Coyote is much better I borrowed my roommate's FX-4 to tow my lemons car (~5000 lbs with trailer) and I think I was getting around 11mpg on flat ground. You're gonna get shit fuel economy towing anything with a half ton.

HammerheadFistpunch > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/23/2014 at 20:58

same here in utah. My buddy gets 19 highway unloaded and about 14 towing a popup trailer that we both own. I get about 14 pulling that trailer too and my highway mileage is 15 unloaded

ranwhenparked > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 21:01

Could be, EcoBoost isn't that efficient, the new 4-cylinder Mustang gets about the same fuel economy as the old V6. Of course, it does come with improved weight distribution.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Alex from Toronto
09/23/2014 at 21:24

I didn't think they were yet. It's the Ram's that have the 8 speeds.

Alex from Toronto > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/23/2014 at 21:36

I think ford and gm is developing a 10 speed.

Dusty Ventures > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/23/2014 at 22:23

I wonder if that's the current/previous Ecoboost 150 or the new aluminum one

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Dusty Ventures
09/23/2014 at 22:24

Current I'm sure. Have numbers been announced for the new one yet?

Dusty Ventures > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/23/2014 at 22:53

No idea. I'm just wondering if the new F150 will ruin Chevy's claim.

handsoff > WhiskeyGolf
09/23/2014 at 22:59

Gm uses their 3.08-geared trucks to make that claim, which nobody wants if theyactually use their truck as a truck. I think Ford's using their more realistic 3.55 ratio in their EB trucks.

GM's not selling the 8-speed Silverado/Sierra yet, that will be a 2015-2015.5 change

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Dusty Ventures
09/23/2014 at 23:00

Probably, but in reality pickup truck fuel economy is determined almost entirely on how you drive, much more so in my experience than regular sedans.

Dusty Ventures > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/23/2014 at 23:05

Very true

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > WhiskeyGolf
09/24/2014 at 09:51

The Ecoboost is no revolution as far as MPG's are concerned. Hopefully it will be when coupled with the new aluminum body. I consider it roughly on-par with V8's.

Where I think it is GREAT is the fact that for ~$600 to one of many reputable tuners you can reliably get a TON of extra power , something that would take you like $5,000 to do to an N/A V8.

...and if you are disciplined the tuned trucks will get better fuel economy, haha.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/24/2014 at 09:53

At least that's better than my cousins '08 F-150 4x4 5.4, we got 11 mpg, if that, towing a couple of 300-400 pound jetski's.