F-150 PowerBoost: Our Third Wards 10 Best Win, A Testament to Teamwork

It's always a special feeling when good news comes in, but hearing that the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid has once again earned a spot on Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems list for 2025 feels particularly gratifying. For me, and for so many of us on the powertrain team at Ford, this isn't just another trophy; it's a validation of years of hard work, countless hours of problem-solving, and a shared vision to deliver something truly innovative for our customers. This marks the third time our PowerBoost hybrid system has received this prestigious recognition.

I remember the early days, sketching out ideas and debating concepts. Trucks, by their very nature, are about capability - towing, hauling, enduring the toughest conditions. Hybrids, at the time, were often perceived as being about efficiency at the expense of power. Our challenge was to combine the best of both worlds, without compromise. We weren't just building a hybrid; we were building a Built Ford Tough hybrid.

The cornerstone was our proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, an engine already revered for its power and torque. The real magic, and the real engineering puzzle, was integrating the hybrid system - the 35 kW electric motor, the 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery - seamlessly into that robust truck architecture. It wasn't enough for it to work; it had to work flawlessly, transparently, and reliably under the demanding conditions our F-150 owners face every day. We wanted to create a powertrain that drivers wouldn't have to think about, one that simply delivered power and efficiency when needed.

One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring that transition between gasoline and electric power was unnoticeable. We needed a refined powertrain for this vehicle that's supposed to be a workhorse and a comfortable family hauler. We spent countless hours calibrating and fine-tuning the software that orchestrates the dance between the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, and the 10-speed automatic transmission. Wards judges have consistently highlighted this smooth integration and excellent noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) management as key strengths of the PowerBoost, and that feedback means the world to us because it confirms our efforts paid off.

Wards 10 Best Judge Dave Zoia told me they selected the PowerBoost hybrid in the F-150 again "because the Ford powertrain outshines most others in the full-size pickup segment. It's powerful, smooth and quiet, and it is stunningly efficient for a vehicle its size." We are so thankful for this recognition.

But PowerBoost was never just about moving the truck. From the outset, we envisioned it as a mobile power solution. That's where Pro Power Onboard came in. This feature, which turns the F-150 into a generator on wheels, was a true game-changer. We saw it as unlocking entirely new possibilities for our customers - whether powering tools at a remote job site, providing electricity for a campsite, or, as we've seen in heartwarming stories, even keeping appliances running during power outages. I still get a sense of immense pride when I hear about an F-150 PowerBoost literally saving the day for a family during a storm, as they did for many in Texas during winter storms and in Louisiana after Hurricane Ida. That's where the real impact of the broader team's work becomes clear.

Even after its initial success and first Wards award in 2021, we didn't rest on our laurels. We're engineers; we're always looking for ways to make things better. For the 2024 model year, for instance, we implemented over 300 software enhancements and even eliminated the integrated starter generator, using the hybrid motor and flywheel starter motor for engine pull ups instead. For the 2025 model, we had even more hybrid software enhancements and calibration refinements while integrating new brake system software. These might seem like small details, but they contribute to an even more refined, smoother, and more durable experience for the customer. It's this commitment to continuous improvement that I believe Wards recognizes year after year. They look for new or significantly improved propulsion systems, and we strive to deliver.

Receiving an award like Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems is a tremendous honor for the entire team. It's a testament to the collaborative spirit that thrives at Ford, from the initial concept designers to the engineers who meticulously craft every component, and the manufacturing teams who bring it all to life. We're a diverse group, each bringing our unique expertise, but we're united by a common goal: to build the best vehicles for our customers.

Ultimately, while the accolades are nice, the most rewarding part of my job is knowing that the F-150 PowerBoost is making a real difference in people's lives. It's helping them work smarter, play harder, and have peace of mind knowing they have reliable power at their fingertips. As the automotive industry continues its exciting journey towards electrification, we're motivated by this recognition to keep pushing the boundaries, developing propulsion systems that not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of our customers. We're excited to see what innovations the future holds, and we'll keep working hard to make sure Ford is at the forefront.

Kenneth Leisenring is chief engineer for Vehicle Propulsion Systems Engineering.