Ford Eliminates V8 Engine Option from High-End F-150 King Ranch and Platinum Models.

      Ford

      The latest in car news and reviews, no nonsense.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter to receive the most important stories directly in your inbox every weekday.

      Is the V8 still considered America's truck engine? It's a tough question to answer. Ram has reintroduced the Hemi after dropping it just a year ago, while General Motors is launching a new generation of small-block engines. Meanwhile, Ford continues to offer its 5.0-liter Coyote engine but sells significantly more EcoBoost V6 models. This trend looks set to persist for Ford, as they have now removed the V8 option from their high-volume top-tier pickups.

      You can verify this on Ford's online configurator, though it was initially reported by CarBuzz. The available engine options for the F-150 King Ranch and Platinum are now limited to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the hybrid PowerBoost variant. If you're looking for a V8, you'll need to choose from the XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, or Tremor.

      It seems logical to offer your most powerful engines in your most expensive models. For comparison, the 5.0-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5-liter EcoBoost matches the horsepower and outperforms with 500 lb-ft of torque. The PowerBoost engine increases output to 430 hp and 578 lb-ft of torque. However, some buyers may value larger displacement and the unique traits of a naturally aspirated engine over raw power. (Describing the fourth-generation Coyote as “simple” would be misleading since it remains a modern dual-overhead cam engine.)

      The Drive contacted Ford for their insights on this change, and a representative confirmed that the V8 will no longer be available for the King Ranch and Platinum trims. However, they did not provide further explanation.

      Here’s confirmation in the configurator that the King Ranch and Platinum do not offer a V8.

      Last year, I wrote a detailed piece on pickup truck engines, examining the industry's gradual shift towards six-cylinder engines. Ford explained that each engine option tends to have a roughly equal sales distribution, and given that the manufacturer offers multiple V6 choices and only one V8 in the standard F-150, it illustrates which configuration dominates sales. Data from S&P Global supports this, showing that V8 models represented just 38% of half-ton truck registrations in 2024, a notable drop from 64.6% in 2020.

      While many truck buyers do care about what's under the hood, the reality is that many do not. At the same time, manufacturers have been under significant regulatory pressure to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, though that pressure is not as intense currently. So, is the shift away from V8s driven by consumer demand? Perhaps, or perhaps not. In any case, the situation is more complex than most assume.

      Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET on 6/24/2026: This article now includes Ford’s confirmation that the V8 is only available in F-150 models below the King Ranch and Platinum.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly at caleb@thedrive.com.