What GM motor and transmission? They have been getting beat up over both since covid
Pickup Trucks
- Thread starter Jampy00
- Start date
Priller
Well-known member
2.7 turbo four and 8 speed auto. What I've read about the former is it's been pretty solid, and the latter had major issues but has been sorted out, mostly (current one is an 8L80 MFC). Always hard to tell with truck info, especially out of the US, as everyone has their brand.
The Ford 2.7 is apparently also relatively bulletproof, after some teething issues, and is mostly the same as the one in about a billion F-150s. Apparently the 10 speed auto isn't quite as robust, but has sorted the issues with creeping bushings that plagued the previous unit up to 2022, and is much smoother than the GM unit.
It's all a bit of a crap shoot when stuff is still relatively new and doesn't have the service history. We could look at the Nissan Frontier for something with old but tested components, but their payload numbers can be hilariously low and is a dealbreaker. And I'm not paying the Tacoma tax. Had one, still think it's the most overrated vehicle on the road.
The Lariat is a huge step up in features/tech/luxury over the XLT so I'd compare that one against the GMC (not just on paper, driver both back to back on the same day to compare).
The 2.7 in the Ford is a stud and gets exceptional fuel mileage (yes you're correct that the 10-speed issues appear to have been sorted).
I think they're both equally good looking trucks. I'd check with actual owners to see what kind of mileage they're actually getting (I can speak for the Ford 2.7, but not the GM). My neighbour has the Canyon Denali which is nice.
The Ford has a fantastic app that's free and the Carplay/AA works great. Verify those on the GM.
Lots of leftover '25's in either brand so expect rates/pricing to be in your favour as we enter '26 in a few days.
Priller
Well-known member
All adds up. Just left the Ford dealership, comparing the Lariat to a well equipped Elevation trim Canyon.
Basic takeaway is the Ford motor is better, and by a lot. The 2.7 V6 is fantastic, way faster than the GM 2.7 despite similar claimed power and more torque for the I4. By all accounts gets better mileage, too, though how much better is hard to pin down. The GM motor feels very diesel-like, pulls on torque, but without much urgency. Still fine, but not the rocketship that the Ford is.
But the GMC is much more nicely put together, is a nicer place to sit, has a marginally longer box (only by a few inches, but that's the difference between being able to use a bed extender with the RC51 vs the tire at the very back of the tailgate), and looks better to my eyes, at least in black. It feels more like a well-appointed semi-luxury vehicle, as opposed to the Ford's work truck aesthetic. Nothing wrong with work trucks, I think they're super cool, but this is our only vehicle. Also don't like the Lariat pleather upholstery, would rather stick with cloth and nicer seat covers.
In the end, looks like we're going with the GMC. The Ford dealer tried really hard to make something work, and gave up way more in dealer deductions. But the GMC is cheaper to start with, and we're financing a good chunk, so their massive advantage in rate (3.99 vs 5.99) made the deal, even over five years. If Ford was as aggressive with the Ranger rates as they are with the F-150, the deal would have swung the other way...
Still have until Monday to change my mind, though! Have flip-flopped about a hundred times on this one, and the margins were very fine. Calculating for our fuel use against real-world data (Ford advantage), consumables (draw), maintenance (draw), significantly higher insurance for the GMC, etc., the difference came down to a microscopic $648 margin to the Ford over five years, functionally identical considering the variables. I've never been more tortured about making a vehicle purchase choice before...
I am curious what you think after you get it if the transmission issues are fixed I may take a look at a canyon in the near future. I have heard they are good now. Funny I have heard from multiple people that the Ford trucks have more aggressive programming as they feel faster than the gm equivalent. It is probably just ap programming difference in the torque control and throttle input Ford must be dialing in more throttle early to make them seem faster. I actually prefer the other way when towing etc to avoid wheelspin and prolong tire life.
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Gaoler
Well-known member
F150 fan boy here...
I just can't get my head around that 2.7 in a pickup...
Purely anecdotal, but I know one guy with the 2.7 thats 80000km in with no issues and another guy with one thats blown one engine and appears to be ready to blow another.
If i ever buy another F150... It'll be the crew cab. 6.5' box with the 5litre engine.
I just can't get my head around that 2.7 in a pickup...
Purely anecdotal, but I know one guy with the 2.7 thats 80000km in with no issues and another guy with one thats blown one engine and appears to be ready to blow another.
If i ever buy another F150... It'll be the crew cab. 6.5' box with the 5litre engine.
Priller
Well-known member
The clearest measurement I've seen to highlight how different each motor feels is the 50-70 mph (roughly 80-110 km/h) testing that Car & Driver does. The Ranger 2.7 blows the GM out of the water, doing it in 3.8 seconds to 5.2 seconds. Considering that's what you'd do to pass someone on a two-lane highway, it's a useful metric and probably the place where oomph matters most to me. That matches my butt dyno feeling from driving both.
Agreed, but ideally it'd be all the zoot for normal driving, then an adjusted map when you're in tow/haul mode to limit spin. The GM motor feels downright lazy compared to the Ford. The two trucks have dozens of hair splitting pros and cons in either direction, but the motor is by far the biggest advantage to the Ford.
To a certain extent, you're showing your age. I'm with you, a 2.7 feels like a ridiculously small motor for a quarter ton. But looking at the numbers, it makes 325 HP and 400 lb-ft, most of which comes low in the rev range. That's more than much bigger V8's from not that long ago, and far more efficient to boot. It's a lot stronger than the 5.4 Triton I had in a 2006 work truck way back when, for example.
And the Coyote motor isn't any more reliable, apparently. Lots of issues with the cylinder deactivation and oil consumption, at least up to a few years ago. It is obviously more powerful, and would be a better choice for someone who hauls a lot. But for daily driving, the 2.7 is realistically all you need, especially when you consider equivalent F-150s weigh ~500lbs less now than they did in 2006...
I didn't see the extended warranty mentioned. Now is the time to negotiate price of one.
In normal driving the 5.0 feels downright slow compared to the 2.7TT in the F150. Dyno graphs show why as the boosted motor makes all that power down low whereas you've got to get deep into the throttle every time to make the 5.0 feel as strong (that goes for the GM 5.3/6.2 and Dodge 5.7 as well). That 2.7TT is overbuilt and is making seriously conservative power (also has the turbo's mounted directly to the block to reduce turbo lag).
Priller
Well-known member
I'm extremely skeptical of extended warranties. Have been burned in the past with rejected claims, and am eating the bulk of the cost of one on the Hyundai by trading well before it even kicks in. Was going in assuming I'd buy the GAP coverage and that's it...
That said, were fairly heavy users by mileage, and are averaging between 27-30k per year over the past few years (commuting to Toronto from Hamilton doesn't help). I'm focusing on the price, including trade value, for now, but will reconsider as needed.
Any advice gladly received...
I bought an extended warranty once. The vehicle was known for having the hpfp puke which generated a five figure repair bill as the entire fuel system needed replacing. It was $3K. I used it to replace AC compressor which saved me $1.2K and was painless. I was planning on keeping the vehicle for a long time and it might have paid off over time but circumstances changed and the car was traded in. Overall, $2K lost. Insurance is rarely free.
Gaoler
Well-known member
'Meet me outside, we can yell at clouds...
That’s is a lot of mileage but I’d still ask about ext warranty just to see what’s offered. I average 10,000km/yr and I paid 1/3rd the MSRP price on a 8yr/180km warranty and what a replacement headlight costs is more than I paid for the ext warranty so I was fine with the cost but alas it’s personal preference and will differ based on mileage, etc.
Fwiw I’ve heard nothing but good reviews on Ford honouring warranty on F150 claims.
I would also look at deals they’ll give on factory ordering a ‘26 if you can wait a few months for delivery. Might end up cheaper. I shopped late-December ‘23 hoping for a late-season deal on a truck and was given average deals but was offered to factory order a ‘24 with a $16k discount along with 0% finance as well. Ended up being thousands less than taking a same-option ‘23 off the lot. Delivered in 3mo as well.
By February I had the same dealers I shopped at calling me begging to make a deal on the leftover trucks I had priced out.
I know a number of people who have been burned on 3rd party extended warranties.
Long approval times with vehicle sitting, waiting, extensive documentation reviews looking for 100% strict compliant to recommended service, review of accessories added to see if any might support denying a claim. Generally speaking a bad experience.
Maybe an OEM extended warranty is administered differently.
Long approval times with vehicle sitting, waiting, extensive documentation reviews looking for 100% strict compliant to recommended service, review of accessories added to see if any might support denying a claim. Generally speaking a bad experience.
Maybe an OEM extended warranty is administered differently.
Ext warranties weren’t worth the paper they were written on. The lair of exceptions was way longer than what was included. Plus they have teams of people just itching to not pay out.
I’ve never had an issue with OEM extended warranties.
Recommend OEM ext warranty 100%. 10000% better than third party.
I’ve never had an issue with OEM extended warranties.
Recommend OEM ext warranty 100%. 10000% better than third party.
Priller
Well-known member
For sure would only get an OEM warranty. Going 3rd party like First Canadian might as well just flush the money down the toilet. Those magic rust proofing boxes are better value.
Have looked at some '26 offers with GMC, and no dice. Price is the price, and the rate is a half point higher.
Midsize truck pricing schemes are far less aggressive than full-size. By comparison, Ford is offering $8-10k off a new F-150 at 1.99% for many trims, while it's $1.5k off and 5.99% fixed for the Ranger. The research I've done suggests that doesn't change much through the year. When we were pricing out the Lariat at the dealer, the sales guy did a lot of muttering about how many Rangers he could sell if Ford gave him the same rates as they did the 150 when he was doing the usual 84-month biweekly payment calculations. Ford seems to be chasing the Tacoma magic money of never discounting to keep used values high, but without the reputation...
I've also flip flopped yet again and am leaning back towards the Ford. It's a better truck by all metrics except looks. The only thing the GMC has that's meaningfully better is a larger fuel tank for longer trips, especially with a trailer. We'd end up paying more interest to the bank with Ford, but we've discovered the insurance on the GMC is significantly higher, which cancels that out.
What really pushed me back was digging up the dealer cost on Unhaggle.com. The Ford guy is basically selling to me at barely above cost, while the GMC guy is standing firm on a $5000 margin. I don't mind them turning a reasonable profit, but that's a bit much, even with overhead. Have emailed another dealer who has a similarly equipped '25 on the lot with a take-it-or-leave-it offer. If they don't take it, we might be buying a Ford tomorrow...
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Just had a great discussion with a friend who manages a municipal roads fleet. They have 30 pickups, replace 6 each year.
They use open tenders and buy at lowest price, so dealers quote smaller engine pickups and models they can’t move because it’s a price game.
They track days down and total maintenance cost for each vehicle. As of 2025, they excluded Ford Ecoboost anything outright in their tenders and require 160k warranty on any bids with turbos.
These aren’t grocery getters, they are light duty work trucks.
410001661
Well-known member
The issue with a car/trailer is storing the trailer and taking something you cannot get wet in Feb when there is rain and snow everywhere. Backing up a trailer is not for everyone - just observe some of the people next time you are at a boat launch. Seriously amazed!!
Have had many pick up trucks - from my days managing an electrical contractor service technicians, to sales company vehicles and I can honestly say I am not a fan of the new F-150 ~ I swore off V6's in pickups since my last Ford EcoFart back in 2013.
My last three trucks have been Dodge RAM 1500's (two rebels and my present truck is a 2023 Longhorn) - All 5.7 HEMI's and all have been bullet proof. I tow a fishing boat (16' Renegade with a 90 ETECH), and sometimes a trailer and 2 quads for deer hunting, and I can hardly tell it is behind my truck. Now I do not keep vehicles past 5 years or 150k due to tax implications but i have never laid a wrench to them other than tires and oil changes. I looked into the new 2025 RAM 1500 with the new 3.0L Hurricane Inline-6 twin-turbo engine - this thing puts out 308Hp and the HO version puts out 540Hp but everyone I speak to is telling me to avoid like the plague and stick with the HEMI.
......and yes get the extended warranty! I always get the 6/160 for peace of mind as it helps when I trade it it and it still have some factory warranty left on it.
Have had many pick up trucks - from my days managing an electrical contractor service technicians, to sales company vehicles and I can honestly say I am not a fan of the new F-150 ~ I swore off V6's in pickups since my last Ford EcoFart back in 2013.
My last three trucks have been Dodge RAM 1500's (two rebels and my present truck is a 2023 Longhorn) - All 5.7 HEMI's and all have been bullet proof. I tow a fishing boat (16' Renegade with a 90 ETECH), and sometimes a trailer and 2 quads for deer hunting, and I can hardly tell it is behind my truck. Now I do not keep vehicles past 5 years or 150k due to tax implications but i have never laid a wrench to them other than tires and oil changes. I looked into the new 2025 RAM 1500 with the new 3.0L Hurricane Inline-6 twin-turbo engine - this thing puts out 308Hp and the HO version puts out 540Hp but everyone I speak to is telling me to avoid like the plague and stick with the HEMI.
......and yes get the extended warranty! I always get the 6/160 for peace of mind as it helps when I trade it it and it still have some factory warranty left on it.
Dodge makes an inline 6??? Well I’ll be dipped in butter…
