More Than Just Good Fuel Economy

An efficient and capable truck

The 2025 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid has proven to be one of the most utilitarian pickup trucks Ford has built. Not only is it just as capable as most non-hybrid pickup trucks, but it also packs efficiency and the ability to use it as a generator, along with incredible performance. Reportedly, 0 to 60 mph times are a smidge above 5 seconds.

As I mentioned before, it is very utilitarian, thanks in part to the Pro Power on-board system. With the ability to use either the 2.4 kW or 7.2 kW system, you can power everything from campsites, power tools, houses, and even charge an EV. Yes, you’ll need the optional 7.2 kW system to power many of these things, but it’s a popular option that costs less than $900. With that setup, you can even plug into its 220V outlet and power a building during an emergency.

I’m a big fan of the PowerBoost system, and I know how capable these trucks are. Still, it’s not perfect, and this powertrain option is very expensive. Other competitors offer a more compelling kit, with many offering nicer digs for the money, too. As such, I wanted to talk about the basics and about my experience driving it long-range.

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What’s new for 2025?

There’s not a lot of news for the 2025 model year, as a lot happened in 2024. One of the big upgrades from last year was the new ProAccess tailgate, which features a conventionally swinging insert in the center, similar to a regular door, allowing access to the cargo even when towing. Close the center section, and the rest of the tailgate can be used conventionally.

Ford made the 12-inch touch-screen infotainment setup standard across the board and ditched the old, anemic non-turbo V6 for the much more powerful 2.7-liter V6 as the base engine. While some welcome the extra power, it has to be said that others felt that the old V6 was more reliable. Regardless, the PowerBoost Hybrid is still the same powerplant as the previous year.

This powertrain is a wizard

If you want even more capability, four-wheel drive (4WD) is an option as well, and it adds a 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 47-horsepower motor to the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. This, in turn, gives you 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor is crammed between the gas engine and the transmission, and it serves as an aid to the engine, a starter, and a generator, as well. Other than slow-speed movement, you won’t even notice the electric motor is being used.

According to Ford, this powertrain is capable of over 700 miles of total range. I suspect this is why Ford got rid of their 3.0-liter diesel option a few years back. A full tank will give the 2.4 kW PowerBoost Hybrid system a run time of up to 85 hours, while the more powerful 7.2 kW generator has a maximum run time of 32 hours.

During my long-distance drive, I averaged 25 mpg on the highway, and that was before I realized that I wasn’t in “Eco” mode. This is a truck that can fly from 0 to 60 mph in well under 6 seconds, so power was never an issue. If anything, the powertrain was the highlight.

Life isn’t perfect, and neither is the F-150 Hybrid

With an MSRP of $70,760 (including some factory discounts), you would think this is a luxury-laden pickup truck. You would be wrong. It’s an XLT 4×4 with a few options and the FX4 off-road package. That’s hovering around the same price for an outstanding, base model RAM 1500 RHO. Frankly, most competing vehicles in this price range have nicer interiors. My tester had a denim-like interior with front heated seats that wasn’t horrible, but it lacked a premium feel.

If you get the FX4 package on a F-150, you’ll get Pirelli Scorpion tires, which simply won’t do it off-road. They are fine for regular use, but make little sense on an off-road package. Yes, you get a rear locker and beefier shocks, but the tires kind of let the other additions down.

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Final thoughts

What you’re paying for is the PowerBoost with Pro Power on board setup. That alone, with few options on a base model XLT, will run you about $60,000. That’s a much more workable price, and you’ll be driving a technically advanced (if poorly optioned) pickup truck. It truly is an impressive powertrain.

Currently, no one else can match this setup either. Sure, there are other hybrid pickup trucks, but none of them can do what the PowerBoost can do. There are many EV pickups that can also function as a generator, but they lack a gas engine that can top off the battery. I find this odd, as many competitors can plainly see the success Ford is having with this system, but have yet to build a direct competitor.

All of that could change in the very near future. Both Ram and Scout will have plug-in hybrids with range-extending gas engines that will likely be able to use their powertrains as generators. We’ll see if they pose a threat to the mighty F-150 PowerBoost in the coming months!