Ford has been designing and manufacturing America’s favorite trucks for decades. The F-150 is known for its dependability, capability, and innovation, but Ford continues to raise the bar, offering owners engine options on the 2019 Ford F-150 like never before. One of its latest diesel engines might just be the best yet.

The 2019 Ford F-150’s best engine choice is one of the best engines of the year

WardsAuto does extensive research in naming its 10 Best Engines of each vehicle model year. And the 2019 Ford F-150’s turbodiesel engine didn’t just catch the eye of experts at WardsAuto to be the best choice among F-150 engines, but as one of the 10 Best Engines of the year as well. According to the Wards judges, the 2019 Ford F-150′s 3.0-liter DOHC Turbodiesel V6 engine clinches the title with “the best fuel economy we’ve ever seen in a full-size pickup.”

Truck giant Ford has been developing lighter and more fuel-efficient trucks than ever before while still maintaining the F-150’s capabilities it is well-known for. The turbodiesel V6 can make 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, managing an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. But this lighter and more fuel-efficient engine still allows the F-150 to tow up to 11,400 lbs and carry up to 2,020 lbs of payload.

The judges at Wards praise Ford’s updates to the turbodiesel engine, calling it “smooth, quiet,” with a “workman-like disposition, eager to do a good job without complaint.” The new and improved 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine has a compacted graphite iron block, forged steel crankshaft, a 29,000-psi direct-injection fueling system, and a “selective catalytic reduction system designed to limit nitrogen-oxide emissions.”

What the experts have to say about the Ford F-150’s 3.0-liter diesel engine

The 2019 model year is the first year in which Ford has offered a diesel variant of the F-150, according to MotorTrend, and that wasn’t a mistake. The F-150 diesel was chosen as one of MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year Finalists, applauded for its exceptional fuel-economy and light, quiet ride.

In fact, in MotorTrend’s real-life tests, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel excelled. Not only did the F-150 exceed ratings of any competitor, but “it performed better than its EPA rating” as well. Though experts feel its acceleration and performance under towing pressure could be better, the diesel engine is a feat for Ford.

Engine choices for 2019 are numerous

In total, the 2019 Ford F-150 is available with six different engine options, according to TFL Truck. But the F-150 is the only half-ton in the U.S. with an available turbodiesel V6 engine. Aside from the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, the following engine choices are available on the 2019 Ford F-150:

• 2.7-liter V6 turbo: this EcoBoost engine has two turbochargers and makes 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.3-liter V6: this engine is the standard option with the F-150 and is also the most affordable. It makes 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.5-liter V6 turbo: this EcoBoost engine is the bigger sibling of the 2.7-liter, but with more power. It generates 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.5-liter V6 turbo (high-output): this unique, twin-turbo engine is arguably the fastest out of all engines, with internal components designed to deliver extra power. The high-output V6 kicks out 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque
• 5.0-liter V8: this engine is the only V8 available, pumping out 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.