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

      Ford

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      Is the V8 still regarded as America’s truck engine? It's difficult to determine. Ram reintroduced the Hemi after just a year of discontinuation, and General Motors is presenting a new generation of small-block engines. Meanwhile, Ford continues to offer its 5.0-liter Coyote while substantially increasing sales of EcoBoost V6s. This trend seems set to persist for Ford, as it has removed the V8 option from its high-selling top-trim pickups.

      You can verify this through Ford’s online configurator, although it was initially noted by CarBuzz. The only engine choices for the F-150 King Ranch and Platinum are the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the hybrid PowerBoost variant. If you're looking for a V8, your options are limited to the XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, and Tremor.

      Logically, it makes sense to pair your top-performing engines with your most expensive models. For context, the 5.0-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost matches the horsepower and offers 500 lb-ft of torque, while the PowerBoost boosts it to 430 hp and 578 lb-ft. Nevertheless, some consumers may prioritize the larger displacement and qualities of a naturally aspirated engine rather than sheer power. (Describing the gen-four Coyote as “simple” would be misleading, considering it remains a contemporary dual-overhead cam engine.)

      The Drive reached out to Ford for a response to this decision, and a representative confirmed that the V8 is no longer available in the King Ranch and Platinum trims. However, they refrained from providing further explanation.

      Here’s evidence in the configurator showing that the King Ranch and Platinum are not offering a V8.

      Last year, I wrote a detailed article examining pickup truck engines and the industry's shift toward six-cylinder options. Ford mentioned that each engine offering sees a relatively equal share of sales, and since the manufacturer provides multiple V6 options but only one V8 in the standard F-150, it illustrates which configuration is more popular. Data from S&P Global supports this, as V8 models made up just 38% of half-ton truck registrations in 2024—down significantly from 64.6% in 2020.

      While there are many truck buyers who care about the engine type in a pickup, the truth is that many do not. Additionally, manufacturers are under immense regulatory pressure to reduce emissions and enhance fuel economy (although that pressure is currently less intense). So, is the move away from V8s driven by customer preferences? Possibly, or possibly not. Regardless, the situation is far more complex than many people think.

      Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET on 6/24/2026: This article 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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