2025 XLT, which engine?

[Helimech]

Good evening,

New to the forum. I'm going to be buying a 2025 XLT early in 2027 to replace my subaru crosstrek, the last Ranger I owned was a 1998 XLT with the 4.0L. Things have changed quite a bit drivetrainwise since then and I wanted some opinions on the two different available engines. I mostly drive about 25K a year, (80% highway) and perhaps 10 times a year or so I will be towing my Tracker Tournament V18 bass boat (up to 500 miles per trip). It comes in around 2200 lbs. I've read all about the towing capabilities of both drivetrains and they both seem more than adequate. Is it worth the slight loss in MPG for the higher HP/torque of the V6 vs. the inline 4? Obviously the additional power means less wear and tear on the engine in the long run. But as I stated above my experience was with the 4.0 which far outperformed the '89 XLT I had with the 2.9L 4 cylinder. Is the 4 cylinder high revving, does it sound/feel like it struggles compared to the 6. Any comments would be appreciated.

Joel

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[OxygenMask]

I'm sure the 2.3 owners will chime in, but for your situation I would absolutely get the 2.3. It's an exceptionally good engine and fights well above its weight. Turbo is a game changer!
Look at the power numbers, 20 years ago that was v8 power! Lots of stories on here about road trips towing seriously big trailers just fine.

Also the highway mileage is a lot better than the 2.7, not just a little bit.

And then, 2027 will drop the 2.7 and will be a 3.0 v6. Details not well known. Not a fan of being an early adopter, especially with Ford....

 

[GEN3SKI]

I'm sure the 2.3 owners will chime in, but for your situation I would absolutely get the 2.3. It's an exceptionally good engine and fights well above its weight. Turbo is a game changer!
Look at the power numbers, 20 years ago that was v8 power! Lots of stories on here about road trips towing seriously big trailers just fine.

Also the highway mileage is a lot better than the 2.7, not just a little bit.

And then, 2027 will drop the 2.7 and will be a 3.0 v6. Details not well known. Not a fan of being an early adopter, especially with Ford....

except the ford ranger already has a 3.0 option. And it’s a very known engine.

 

[got3fords]

With any amount of towing in the forecast, I would totally opt for the V6. The 3.0L is not a new engine and is well-proven. And with a tune, it will really come to life.

 

[OxygenMask]

except the ford ranger already has a 3.0 option. And it’s a very known engine.

Wrong engine. The standard Rangers won't be getting the RR engine. Everything I've seen points to a 3.0 version of the 2.7. Even so, if it is merely a lower performance version of the RR 3.0, how many bugs will likely need to be worked out? Ford has a poor track record on stuff like that...

 

[surfstar]

2.3L is plenty [HP] and the 2025 is the updated one with port and DI.

If you find a deal on the right truck, buy it; with either engine. Buying used is more about finding the right truck - price, miles, maintenance, etc that you want and being flexible on items that you can go either way on.

 

[surfstar]

Psst - there is no 3.0 non-RR in 2025. OP says he wants to buy a 2025 in 2027 - not a 2027 Ranger!

Reading comprehension people!

 

[artvarck]

As the owner of a 2.3, I say go for the V-6. I haven't towed, and the 2.3 does have plenty of around town "omph*, but the small MPG difference isn't worth the loss of low end grunt.

 

[emjay24l]

@Helimech
IMO, either engine will do what you need. For towing 2,200 lbs ten times a year the 2.3L can do it without a sweat as can the 3.0L. Also, I would bet th e farm that Ford underrates the hp number for both engines. I have seen many dyno run numbers for stock 2.3L engines that run between 250-260 hp with 93 octane fuel. Typical drive train losses for hp is 15% which would result in a dydno run of 230 rwhp. Using an average of 255 rwhp means the 2.3L is actually putting out around 300 hp at the crank and not the 270 hp ford claims. Peak torque is also better. This is close to the hp number for the 2.3L engines in the Mustang. My bet is that Ford is using the Mustang engine in the Ranger.

If the $2,300 extra for the V6, somewhat worse gasmileage and more expensive engine repairs out of warranty isn't important to you then get the 3.0L V6. You might want to consider that the 2.3L has duel port fuel injection where the 3.0L V6 does not. This means the V6 will likely have issues with carbon buildup on the intake valves at around 100k miles where the 2.3L engine won't until well over 200k miles. Any non warranty work on the 2.3L engine will be a lot less expensive than on the V6. This is due to the 2.3L having one turbo, cylinder head, ect. and a much less compicated design. Lastly, there is so much empty space in the engine bay with the 2.3L that doing any number of repairs is far easier than it would be with the V6. One example is replacing cam phasers on the V6 is a cab-off-frame job where with the 2.3L it is a walk in the park.

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