Is the V8 still America’s truck engine? it’s hard to say. Ram brought back the Hemi after being discontinued a year ago, and General Motors is preparing a new generation of small-blocks. Meanwhile, Ford is keeping its 5.0-liter Coyote while selling more EcoBoost V6s. This trend will certainly continue for the Blue Oval automaker, as it has dropped the V8 from its high-volume top-trim pickups.
you can see it yourself Ford’s online configuratorAlthough it was first seen carb. The only engine options for the F-150 King Ranch and Platinum are the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and Hybrid PowerBoost variants. If you want a V8, you’re left with XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, and Tremor to choose from.
On paper it makes sense to offer the highest performance engines on your highest priced models. For reference, the 5.0-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost makes the same hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, while the PowerBoost takes it to 430 hp and 578 lb-ft. But sometimes, people prefer the larger displacement and naturally aspirated engine features more than just power. (Calling the gen-four Coyote “simple” would be a stretch, given that it still has a modern dual-overhead cam engine.)
drive Ford was contacted for comment on this decision, and a spokesperson confirmed that the V8 is no longer offered on the King Ranch and Platinum. However, he avoided giving any clarification.
I wrote an in-depth story about pickup truck engines last year, analyzing the industry’s shift toward six-cylinders. Ford explained to me that each engine offering represents a mostly equal sales split, and the manufacturer offers multiple V6 options and only one V8 in the regular F-150, which may reveal which configuration wins. Data from S&P Global supports this, as V8 models accounted for just 38% of half-ton truck registrations in 2024 – down significantly from 64.6% in 2020.
Although there are plenty of truck customers who care what engine is under the hood of a pickup, the reality is that many don’t care. At the same time, manufacturers have faced massive regulatory pressure to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy (even if that pressure remains very low). So is the shift away from V8s customer-driven? Maybe yes, maybe no. Whatever the case, it is much more subtle than most people realize.
Updated on 6/24/2026 at 2:30 pm ET: This story now includes Ford’s confirmation that the V8 is only available on F-150 models below the King Ranch and Platinum.
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