The GM vs. Ford rivalry is an old and familiar one, but four-cylinder engines aren’t normally associated with these American car industry titans. Although they may both be more world-renowned for their iconic V8 engines, turbocharged four-cylinder mills power many of the vehicles in both of their respective product portfolios.
Today, we’re comparing what might be the most similar General Motors and Ford turbo-four engines: GM’s 2.5L I4 LK0 versus Ford’s EcoBoost 2.3L I4. Let’s start with the brass tacks and look at the numbers. We calculated assuming premium fuel for both engines, but you can use regular 87-octane gas in both.
| GM Turbo 2.5L I4 LK0 | Ford EcoBoost 2.3L I4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power (horsepower @ rpm) | 328 @ 5,500 | 300 @ 5,500 |
| Torque (pound-feet @ rpm) | 326 @ 3,500 | 310 @ 3,500 |
| Max Tow Capacity (pounds) | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| FWD/RWD City/Highway/Combined (mpg) | 20/27/23 | 20/29/24 |
| AWD City/Highway/Combined (mpg) | 19/24/21 | 20/27/23 |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular | Regular |
These numbers represent the most apples-to-apples comparison: the four-cylinder engines that come standard in the Chevy Traverse and Ford Explorer. As the numbers make clear, the GM engine has a little more power and torque, while Ford’s mill is slightly more fuel-efficient.
It’s worth pointing out that different tunings of the same EcoBoost engine power different Ford models. With this engine, the Bronco makes 300 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque, the Ranger produces 270 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque, and, predictably, the Mustang has the sportiest tuning with 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of twist. For what it’s worth, this engine also powered the Ford Focus RS with 350 hp and 350 pound-feet of torque.
GM’s LK0 engine, on the other hand, only powers The General’s three-row crossovers that ride on the C1 platform. These include the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave. However, it’s a relative of the 2.7L I4 L3B found under the hood of the Cadillac CT4-V, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Chevy Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500. It wears the TurboMax moniker in the trucks.
These engines are pretty evenly matched on paper. We’re impressed with how much power, torque, and towing muscle General Motors has squeezed out of the LK0. But we can’t deny that Ford made a solid and versatile engine in its EcoBoost 2.3L I4 that can satisfactorily power a family-friendly crossover, an off-road SUV, a midsize pickup, and an entry-level sports car.
We know our readers tend to have a pro-GM bias, but which engine do you think is better?
Comments
The GM for power and fuel economy.
The Ford is using the numbers posted from nearly 6 years ago that were during a more friendly EPA cycle. The Chevy is using numbers from last year, last administration that wanted nothing but EV’s. Look at Fuelly and the GM is more fuel friendly in a bigger vehicle.
Its simple, Ford is the most recalled OEM in the world after Tesla (to be fair, is mostly software updates) Any motor Ford makes will have endless recalls on it. Ask the F150 owners with the 2.7L EcoBoost. Or the Bronco owners. Or the Explorer owners, It just never ends.
and the 2.7 eco boost is better than the 3.5
Both engines suck. Stop with the turbo’s and 4 bangers.
Exactly!
Piston insecurity?, just get the larger engine and/or vehicle. I’d go with the Ecoboost and that wasn’t an easy choice…
I like the V6 the best
I own a 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir that I have driven from the east coast to the west coast last November for a three week trip through all kinds of weather and road conditions through mountains and valleys, with high temperatures and cold weather and then again a round trip fully loaded with luggage this March driving from Ohio to the southern most tip of Florida and back, I was a die hard V-8 guy until this purchase and to say the least I’ve been totally impressed with the quality and performance of this vehicle. My combination driving city/highway I seen an average of 27.9 mpg’s and keeping it under 65 mpg’s I seen a low of 28 mpg’s and a high of 32.4 mpg’s. My congratulations to GM for building this vehicle and would hope they will build more like this on American soil like this one. Who needs an EV when you get this kind of mileage with no range anxiety. Oh by the way I drive my neighbors explorer and it doesn’t even hold a candle to my Buick’s ride and he was not satisfied at all with his gas mileage on his eco boost he said only getting around 19-23 mpg’s.
Majority of the buying public doesn’t want either one. They will never live the 200,000 to 300,000 miles that a V8 will.
Too soon to tell.
Yes, the owner’s manual lists 87 octane as acceptable in my son’s 2025 Explorer 2.3 ecoboost.
At the Ford website however, the 300 hp has a disclaimer saying that the rating is with premium fuel.
The only time I keep any MPG is on a trip. I have a 2017 Camaro with a V6 and usually average 33 to 34 MPG. In some areas it’s lower and others it’s higher. I’ve been making the same trip for 8 years and the MPG stays pretty steady, and I drive the speed limit which is 70 to 80 in the west. I had a 4, the problem it couldn’t get out of its own way to pass. The V6 offers what is needed on non interstate highways.
I have the 2.7 litre version in my Silverado, as I did in my previous Silverado. Aside from a bit of Turbo lag, there’s really nothing to criticize: powerful, smooth, and very fuel efficient if you lay off the turbos. I only tow up to 3,000 lb, well under the rating, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it tows that much effortlessly. Apparently they are proving more reliable than the 8-cylinder alternatives surprisingly.
My company switched from Ford to Chevy and it’s been awful, I’ll take the Ford 2.7 over these chevy 2.7 or the 5.3 any day. The chevy v8 has no low end torque, they only run good opened up. Most of the 2.7’s have to go back within a month. The tech at the dealer say its a line a mile long, we had a few issues with the ford but nothing like this.
How about making a good quality car for the rest of us who don’t wants a large truck to haul around air! Go on any Buick lot and nearly all the smaller vehicles are made in Korea or China, and they try to hide it! GM use to be a great company. They need to replace Mary Barry, she has destroyed GM. Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundia are sure doing quite well selling nice looking cars where I live ( this use to be a GM area, they have given it all away! ) So sad!
Toyotas have their own issues. As do other makers.
Toyota today is no longer the same of the past….unless you want a fuel efficient sedan , they have 4 cylinder 4R s selling at ridiculous rates…
I for one cannot afford them