Ford Super Duty 7.3L Gas vs 6.7L Diesel
Ford Super Duty · Engines · 2027
7.3L gas vs 6.7L High Output diesel: which Super Duty engine?
For 2027 Ford trimmed the Super Duty to two engines. Here's what each one tows and carries, what the diesel costs, what it costs to fuel in Wisconsin, and which one fits how you'll use the truck.
Short answer
The short answer
Get the 7.3L gas if you plow, tow under about 15,000 lb now and then, or drive mostly short trips. It costs $12,495 less, carries more payload and costs less to fuel at today's prices.
Get the 6.7L High Output diesel if you tow heavy, often or far: big fifth-wheels, goosenecks, livestock or equipment. It's the only way to the top tow ratings, up to 38,000 lb on an F-350 dually and 40,000 lb on an F-450.[1][2]
Ford 2027 specs
7.3L gas vs 6.7L diesel side by side
| Spec | 7.3L gas V8 | 6.7L High Output diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 420 hp at 5,350 rpm | 500 hp at 2,600 rpm |
| Torque | 445 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm | 1,200 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm |
| Availability | Standard on F-250 and F-350; not on F-450 | $12,495 option on F-250 and F-350; standard on F-450 |
| Fuel | 87-octane regular; not E85 | Diesel (B20 capable) plus DEF |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Max towing | 22,500 lb | 40,000 lb (F-450 gooseneck) |
| Max payload | 7,900 lb (F-350 DRW) | 6,935 lb (F-350 DRW) |
| F-250 max payload | 4,175 lb | 3,903 lb |
| Fuel tank, 176-in wheelbase | 48 gal | 48 gal |
ford.com 2027 Super Duty specs; maximums need specific configurations.[1][2][3] Diesel price from Ford's 2027 price list.[5]
Towing
How much more the diesel tows, by model
| Model | Gas conventional | Diesel conventional | Gas gooseneck | Diesel gooseneck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-250 | 18,200 lb | 22,000 lb | 19,500 lb | 23,000 lb |
| F-350 SRW | 19,500 lb | 25,000 lb | 22,400 lb | 27,600 lb |
| F-350 DRW | 22,000 lb | 28,000 lb | 22,500 lb | 38,000 lb |
| F-450 | Not offered | 30,000 lb | Not offered | 40,000 lb |
Maximum ratings from ford.com; each needs a specific axle ratio, cab and GCWR.[1][2] Compare F-250, F-350 and F-450.
The numbers only tell part of it. The diesel's torque arrives at 1,600 rpm, so it pulls a heavy trailer up a long grade without revving hard, and its engine exhaust braking helps hold speed on the way down. The gas engine makes its power higher in the rev range. It does the job, just louder and thirstier under a heavy load.
Cost to own
What the diesel costs, up front and at the pump
$12,495 up front
The 2027 price of the 6.7L High Output on an F-250 or F-350. You'll pay sales tax on it too, and finance it if you finance the truck.
Diesel costs more per gallon
Nationally, diesel averaged $6.29 a gallon in September 2026, an all-time high, against $4.36 for regular.[6] At those prices the diesel's better mileage doesn't make up the gap.
Maintenance runs higher
Diesels take more oil per change, need fuel filters and use DEF. Super Duty maintenance schedule
Example, Wisconsin late October 2026
At $4.33 regular and $6.22 diesel, a 15-MPG gas truck and a 19-MPG diesel driven 15,000 miles a year: the diesel costs about $656 more a year in fuel and DEF. The MPG figures are examples, not ratings; heavy-duty pickups don't get EPA ratings.
Which one
Which engine fits how you'll use it
| If you mostly… | 7.3L gas | 6.7L diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Plow snow | ✓ | – |
| Drive short trips and commute | ✓ | – |
| Tow a boat, utility or bumper-pull camper now and then | ✓ | – |
| Haul heavy in the bed (max payload) | ✓ | – |
| Tow a big fifth-wheel or gooseneck often | – | ✓ |
| Tow long highway distances or grades | – | ✓ |
| Need more than about 22,500 lb of towing | – | ✓ |
Up north
Gas vs diesel in a Wisconsin winter
Cold starts
The 7.3L gas starts easily on cold mornings and heats the cab quickly. The diesel starts fine with winter-blend fuel; plug in the engine block heater on subzero nights. Ford offers the block heater (41H) on every trim.[4]
Fuel and DEF
Wisconsin stations switch to winter-blend diesel in the cold months. DEF can freeze, and the truck's DEF heater thaws it after startup. Diesel truck winter tips
Real trucks in Barron
Gas and diesel Super Duties on our lot
| Truck | Engine | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 F-350 SRW XLT | 7.3L gas | $72,840 |
| 2027 F-250 Lariat | 7.3L gas | $76,645 |
| 2027 F-350 SRW XL (STX) | 6.7L HO diesel | $76,045 |
| 2027 F-350 SRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | $91,005 |
| 2027 F-450 DRW Lariat | 6.7L HO diesel | $99,445 |
Swant Graber Ford new inventory on October 30, 2026. See current inventory. Ask to drive a gas and a diesel back to back.
Tow and payload figures are Ford maximums for a properly equipped truck. Your truck’s actual limits depend on cab, bed, axle, engine and options — confirm with Ford’s 2027 Super Duty towing guide and the door-jamb label before you hitch up.
More engine questions
What are the 7.3L “Godzilla” V8 numbers?
Ford.com lists 420 hp and 445 lb-ft for 2027. The 430 hp / 475–485 lb-ft figures you’ll see online are older ratings for earlier model years — use the 2027 rating when you’re comparing new trucks.
Is the diesel worth the extra cost over gas?
If you tow heavy, often or far, usually yes: the top Super Duty tow ratings (35,000 lb fifth-wheel, 40,000 lb gooseneck per ford.com) are diesel-only, and ford.com caps the 7.3L at 22,500 lb. If you plow, haul a slide-in camper or tow under about 15,000 lb on weekends, the gas 7.3L usually wins on purchase price, payload, maintenance cost and cold starts. The diesel option price is on the sticker; we don’t guess it here. Exact equipment and price are on the window sticker of the truck you’re looking at — ask us for it.
What transmission does the Super Duty use?
A TorqShift 10-speed automatic behind both engines (ford.com). Tow/Haul mode holds gears longer and adds engine braking on descents.
6.8L vs 7.3L gas: what’s the difference?
For 2027 there is no 6.8L — the 7.3L is standard. On a 2026 or older truck, the 6.8L was the lower-cost work engine with lower tow and payload ratings than the 7.3L. If a 2026 is on the lot, check which gas engine it has before comparing prices.
Does the diesel use DEF?
Yes. The 6.7L Power Stroke uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid with a level gauge in the cluster. Keep a jug in the shop; DEF can freeze in a Barron January, and the system is designed to thaw it, but don’t let it run low before a long tow.
What MPG does a diesel F-250 or F-350 get?
Heavy-duty pickups this size aren’t EPA-rated, so there is no official number. Owners commonly report mid-to-high teens unloaded on the highway and roughly 9–12 mpg pulling heavy — treat that as owner-reported, not a Ford figure. Winter-blend diesel and long idling lower it.
Does the Super Duty have an exhaust brake?
Yes, the 6.7L Power Stroke has a driver-selectable exhaust brake to hold speed on long grades. Gas trucks rely on Tow/Haul downshifting for engine braking.
What maintenance does the 6.7L diesel need?
Follow the intelligent oil-life monitor and the owner’s-manual schedule for oil, fuel filters and DEF. Fuel-filter intervals in particular depend on severe-service use, so we point you to the schedule rather than one mileage number. Full list: diesel ownership, warranty and used years.
Frequently asked questions
Does the diesel use DEF?
Yes. The 6.7L Power Stroke uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid with a level gauge in the cluster. Keep a jug in the shop; DEF can freeze in a Barron January, and the system is designed to thaw it, but don’t let it run low before a long tow.
What MPG does a diesel F-250 or F-350 get?
Heavy-duty pickups this size aren’t EPA-rated, so there is no official number. Owners commonly report mid-to-high teens unloaded on the highway and roughly 9–12 mpg pulling heavy — treat that as owner-reported, not a Ford figure. Winter-blend diesel and long idling lower it.
Does the Super Duty have an exhaust brake?
Yes, the 6.7L Power Stroke has a driver-selectable exhaust brake to hold speed on long grades. Gas trucks rely on Tow/Haul downshifting for engine braking.
Which engines does the 2027 Super Duty offer?
Two. The 7.3L gas V8 (420 hp, 445 lb-ft) is standard on F-250 and F-350, and the 6.7L High Output Power Stroke diesel (500 hp, 1,200 lb-ft) is optional on F-250 and F-350 and standard on F-450. Ford dropped the 6.8L gas V8 and the standard-output 6.7L diesel for 2027.
How much is the diesel on a 2027 F-250 or F-350?
$12,495 on Ford's 2027 price list, which is $1,000 less than the High Output diesel cost on a 2026. It's included on the F-450.
Is the diesel cheaper to run?
Not at fall 2026 fuel prices. With Wisconsin averaging $4.33 for regular and $6.22 for diesel in late October, our example diesel truck costs about $656 a year more in fuel and DEF at 15,000 miles. Run your own numbers in our gas vs diesel calculator.
Does the 7.3L gas engine need premium fuel?
No. Ford specifies 87-octane regular. It is not E85 compatible. For 2027, CNG/propane gaseous engine prep is standard on the 7.3L.
Which engine is better for plowing?
Many plow buyers choose the 7.3L gas. The diesel weighs more, and that weight sits on the front axle a plow also needs. Ford sets plow limits by configuration, so tell us the plow and we will check it against the order guide.
Which engine is better in a Wisconsin winter?
The gas engine starts easily and warms the cab faster on short trips. The diesel is fine in the cold with winter-blend fuel and the block heater plugged in on subzero nights, but it barely reaches temperature on short runs.
Why does the diesel have less payload?
The diesel engine is heavier, so less of the truck's weight rating is left for cargo. On a 2027 F-250 Regular Cab 4x2, max payload is 4,175 lb with the 7.3L and 3,903 lb with the diesel.
Can I still buy a standard-output diesel?
Not on a 2027. Some 2026 trucks still on dealer lots have the 475-hp standard-output 6.7L. Check the engine line on the window sticker.
Two stores, one street
Talk with a Super Duty specialist in Barron
Drive a gas and a diesel Super Duty back to back, and bring your trailer weights. Call ahead and we will have the vehicle pulled up, warmed up and priced out the door.
Swant Graber Ford
1697 East Division Avenue, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-9500
Swant Graber Motors
Chevrolet · Dodge · Ram
1690 East Division Avenue, Barron, WI 54812
715-537-5657
More Super Duty guides
- Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (2026–2027)
- F-250 vs F-350 vs F-450: which one do you need?
- Super Duty order codes explained (600A–773A)
- Fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing setup
- Axle ratios and the High-Capacity Axle
- 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package
- Super Duty trims and packages, explained
- 360° camera, XL Driver Assist and XLT Premium
- Ford towing and work packages: worth it?
- Camper and snowplow/camper packages
- Super Duty appearance packages
- Tremor Off-Road Package explained
- Super Duty maintenance schedule
- Used Super Duty recalls by year
- Super Duty Chassis Cab guide
- Shop new Super Duty in Barron
Drive both engines in Barron
Shop Super Duty in stock, or order the exact engine, axle and packages you need. We work with national and local lenders.
Sources
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty specifications, engines, towing and payload: ford.com
- Ford, 2027 F-350 specifications: ford.com; 2027 F-250 specifications: ford.com
- Work Truck, Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide (Oct. 23, 2026): fuel requirements and fuel tank sizes: worktruckonline.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty Pickup Order Guide (order banks opened 05/08/26): option availability, including 41H block heater and standard CNG/propane prep on the 7.3L: ford-trucks.com
- Ford, 2027 Super Duty price list (09/17/26). Ford Authority on the 2027 engine changes: fordauthority.com
- U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Motor Fuel Prices, September 2026: bts.gov. Wisconsin averages from AAA (Oct. 23, 2026), via our gas vs diesel calculator.
Updated October 30, 2026. Specs, package content and prices are subject to change by Ford. The window sticker and door-jamb labels on the vehicle are final. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company.