Edmunds raceI found this test to be interesting. I am surprised with how much lighter the GMC is than the Ford or Ram. But even with nearly as much rated power as the Ford and the 600lb weight advantage the PowerBoost clearly got enough power to the ground to outperform the GMC. The Ram really wasn't even in the race at any time. I am not a hot rod and they would all be plenty quick for me empty but I am interested in their performance when towing near rated capacity.I am really curious as to why the Ford had such bad launches. Was it traction control, turbo lag or something else? Whatever it was once they got rolling the PowerBoost really turned it on. But that raises the question of how long can the PowerBoost sustain its boost. Is it as effective with a heavy trailer in tow or does it give out of juice too quickly?Also, what fuel was used? I believe that the GMC requires premium while the PowerBoost only requires regular unleaded. That could make quite a difference in fuel cost over the years.I am really looking forward to some more thorough testing that includes towing and areas where the hybrid function is effective. I am also interested in air conditioner performance in the hybrid since it seems to be electrically powered.

Looks to me like horsepower and gears wins the day. No surprise from my point of view. It probably takes a few seconds to spool up the turbo when the Ford just took off.Not sure but I think that GM only recommends premium fuel, but it is not required. I would imagine that horsepower would take a small hit on regular.I agree--they are all plenty quick.

Glad I could scroll to the results. Interesting, I would have thought the Eco/Power Boost would have had lower ETs and beat the 6.2 by a healthier margin. But the coolest part is ALL of the new factory 1/2 tons are capable of basically sub 6 sec 0-60 and high 13s in the quarter mile, with only very slight tweaks! We are all very lucky to be living in the second age of true muscle cars! These were heavy loaded crew cabs as well. Basically LS6 chevelle performance equivalent out of something that is 4wd, seats 5-6 people in luxury and can tow 5 ton trailers all day long in the Rockies or Death Valley!

I found this in the 2021 GMC manual"Premium unleaded gasoline meeting ASTMspecification D4814 with a posted octanerating of 93 — (R+M)/2 — is highlyrecommended for best performance and fueleconomy. Unleaded gasoline with an octanerated as low as 87 can be used. Usingunleaded gasoline rated below 93 octane,however, will lead to reduced accelerationand fuel economy. If knocking occurs, use agasoline rated at 93 octane as soon aspossible, otherwise, the engine could bedamaged. "That sounds to me like a very strong endorsement of 93 octane fuel whereas the Ford spec sheet simply says regular unleaded.On my 2016 Ecoboost I have never been able to discern turbo lag. It certainly isn't as much as any diesel that I have driven and not over a few tenths of a second. The main problem I have is avoiding spinning the tires when starting off with a heavy trailer.

Makes me think of my drag racing days at Englishtown raceway in NJ. Ran 100% stock class and my 2004 Dakota with a 4.7 would beat the hemis every time. Had them complain to tech many times to no avail. Even when they took everything out including seats they could not come close. One guy offered a hundred dollars for my secret! Well, took him up on it and told him "I have a standard transmission that shifts when I tell it to and you have an automatic that is programmed to shift when it wants to". Maybe the transmissions in the test were programmed differently as they were different makes and each make has an idea they think is best.

They should have raced a Ram TRX against anything the other manufacturers wanted to offer!

Edmunds half ton drag race | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

ssthrd
Explorer
Dec 24, 2020
Durb wrote:
They should have raced a Ram TRX against anything the other manufacturers wanted to offer!

For sure. That's an insane rig. Wilder than the Viper version. Remember the Lil Red Truck? Pretty tame compared to the TRX.

Sidetracked again..........
Reisender
Nomad
Dec 24, 2020
What. No Tesla Cybertruck?. Maybe next year. :).
FishOnOne
Nomad
Dec 24, 2020
I got to say these new F150's look really good. I would pass on the PowerBoost though.
Durb
Explorer
Dec 24, 2020
They should have raced a Ram TRX against anything the other manufacturers wanted to offer!
QCMan
Nomad III
Dec 24, 2020
Makes me think of my drag racing days at Englishtown raceway in NJ. Ran 100% stock class and my 2004 Dakota with a 4.7 would beat the hemis every time. Had them complain to tech many times to no avail. Even when they took everything out including seats they could not come close. One guy offered a hundred dollars for my secret! Well, took him up on it and told him "I have a standard transmission that shifts when I tell it to and you have an automatic that is programmed to shift when it wants to". Maybe the transmissions in the test were programmed differently as they were different makes and each make has an idea they think is best.
Groover
Explorer II
Dec 24, 2020
I found this in the 2021 GMC manual

"Premium unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted octane
rating of 93 — (R+M)/2 — is highly
recommended for best performance and fuel
economy. Unleaded gasoline with an octane
rated as low as 87 can be used. Using
unleaded gasoline rated below 93 octane,
however, will lead to reduced acceleration
and fuel economy. If knocking occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 93 octane as soon as
possible, otherwise, the engine could be
damaged. "

That sounds to me like a very strong endorsement of 93 octane fuel whereas the Ford spec sheet simply says regular unleaded.

On my 2016 Ecoboost I have never been able to discern turbo lag. It certainly isn't as much as any diesel that I have driven and not over a few tenths of a second. The main problem I have is avoiding spinning the tires when starting off with a heavy trailer.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Dec 24, 2020
Glad I could scroll to the results.
Interesting, I would have thought the Eco/Power Boost would have had lower ETs and beat the 6.2 by a healthier margin.
But the coolest part is ALL of the new factory 1/2 tons are capable of basically sub 6 sec 0-60 and high 13s in the quarter mile, with only very slight tweaks!
We are all very lucky to be living in the second age of true muscle cars!
These were heavy loaded crew cabs as well. Basically LS6 chevelle performance equivalent out of something that is 4wd, seats 5-6 people in luxury and can tow 5 ton trailers all day long in the Rockies or Death Valley!
ssthrd
Explorer
Dec 24, 2020
Looks to me like horsepower and gears wins the day. No surprise from my point of view. It probably takes a few seconds to spool up the turbo when the Ford just took off.

Not sure but I think that GM only recommends premium fuel, but it is not required. I would imagine that horsepower would take a small hit on regular.

I agree--they are all plenty quick.

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Edmunds half ton drag race

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