Ford Ecoboost 2.3
- Thread starter willbur
- Start date
I have one, low miles though but I like it. From what I’ve seen group think here tends to believe the 2.3 and the 2.7 are the best Ecoboosts. Lots of Ford threads on here dig around a bit you will find some good information.
You’ll need to put your filter glasses on though Ford is a popular whipping boy on here despite many satisfied owners.
You’ll need to put your filter glasses on though Ford is a popular whipping boy on here despite many satisfied owners.
I've got a Ranger with a 2.3 EB with nearly 50k miles. Overall I like the engine, it's more than enough to move the truck along briskly. The engine/transmission package is quite tunable, and in stock form it can burn regular gas, although I usually burn midgrade. Some owners claim performance will step up with higher octane, although I haven't noticed it.
On the downside, in January I took the truck in for an engine code and the service guy informed me I needed a new turbo. From what I've read on a Ranger forum, the problem isn't the turbo itself but the wastegate actuator or the control unit. Under warranty, Ford just replaced the whole turbo.
On the downside, in January I took the truck in for an engine code and the service guy informed me I needed a new turbo. From what I've read on a Ranger forum, the problem isn't the turbo itself but the wastegate actuator or the control unit. Under warranty, Ford just replaced the whole turbo.
2021 Explorer with the 2.3. We've got 58k miles on it now. The engine has plenty of oomph and mated to the 10 speed it pretty much always has the "right" gear. We are averaging over 22.5 mpg in our driving. Not bad for a three row SUV. (For comparison, this explorer replaced an '07 Explorer with the 4.6 V8 that got 14.5 mpg in the same duty.). Really the only thing I don't like is the sound - its a bit raspy/rattly for my tastes...
Also, I believe the 2.3 has been redone/revamped from the previous generation. May not be exactly the same engine anymore...
Also, I believe the 2.3 has been redone/revamped from the previous generation. May not be exactly the same engine anymore...
Having driven both the 2.3 Eco and the current Toyota 4T in the Tacoma, I’ll say that the ford variant is a much more elegant power plant in terms of refinement and NVH. Supposedly the 10R80 past 2021 has also been corrected a degree, though I read mixed reports on that on this forum. If you like the Bronco, I’d say give it a shot. The engine should be fine and a good experience to live with. If you have transmission issues, they tend to show up within the warranty period and you’ve got opportunities to deal with it that way if there are problems. Bronco has great style.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
I has the 2.3 in a rental Explorer. I really liked it. Motivated that vehicle pretty well!
Ive had a leased 2020 and bought 2022 explorer. I love these 2.3 turbos paired with the 10 speed. Reliable and powerful.
2.3 & 10r80 is a pretty fiesty combination, at least in the Mustang. I had two pre-revision 10r80s in Mustangs, so ended up hating the cars, but with a 2025, you'll be fine. Run 93 in it, I promise it makes a difference.
Bringing this thread back, but the 25 is a completely new 2.3 in the explorer vs the 24 down. They implemented the new 2.3 in 24 for the mustang, I think 25 for the bronco but not 100%.
I have had an explorer with the 2.3 in the following model years: 17, 21, 2025.
The new 2.3 is a "MPC" engine, modular power cylinder, instead of the old Mazda design.
I enjoyed all of them, a decent motor for the explorer in my opinion. The 17 struggled with transmission downshifting, a tuning issue between the 6 speed and the turbo engine I guess.
The 21 had some undesirable shifting behavior from the 10 speed in my opinion, but good power and performance.
The 25 seems to really have the tuning down, and drives nicely in drive. Ford got rid of the paddle shifters for 25 with the 2.3, which I resent. I found that, especially when towing or tooling around, the paddles were nice.
The 25 is quieter running, will run lower rpm for a given situation, and noticably (slightly) more powerful on super vs regular gas.
Car will get 30mpg (AWD) with four people and luggage on 90 ethanol free, running 55mph roads between 50-70mph. Average mpg over 23 for the last 7500 miles. 17 was about 19mpg, 21 was about 20.5. I assume the 25 will lower a bit, but that number includes some light towing as well (~2500 lbs). The 25 gets about 16 mpg towing that, with a short low drag trailer.
I noticed that the new 2.3 MPC became more powerful as it broke in, much more so than any other modern engine I've driven from new. First few thousand miles it seemed like a dog compared to the old 2.3, now I'd rate it about the same.
My second 2.3 had fuel contamination in the oil, ever on a 5k interval it was noticable. The new one seems to have none.
I have had an explorer with the 2.3 in the following model years: 17, 21, 2025.
The new 2.3 is a "MPC" engine, modular power cylinder, instead of the old Mazda design.
I enjoyed all of them, a decent motor for the explorer in my opinion. The 17 struggled with transmission downshifting, a tuning issue between the 6 speed and the turbo engine I guess.
The 21 had some undesirable shifting behavior from the 10 speed in my opinion, but good power and performance.
The 25 seems to really have the tuning down, and drives nicely in drive. Ford got rid of the paddle shifters for 25 with the 2.3, which I resent. I found that, especially when towing or tooling around, the paddles were nice.
The 25 is quieter running, will run lower rpm for a given situation, and noticably (slightly) more powerful on super vs regular gas.
Car will get 30mpg (AWD) with four people and luggage on 90 ethanol free, running 55mph roads between 50-70mph. Average mpg over 23 for the last 7500 miles. 17 was about 19mpg, 21 was about 20.5. I assume the 25 will lower a bit, but that number includes some light towing as well (~2500 lbs). The 25 gets about 16 mpg towing that, with a short low drag trailer.
I noticed that the new 2.3 MPC became more powerful as it broke in, much more so than any other modern engine I've driven from new. First few thousand miles it seemed like a dog compared to the old 2.3, now I'd rate it about the same.
My second 2.3 had fuel contamination in the oil, ever on a 5k interval it was noticable. The new one seems to have none.
I have a friend with the 2.3 Turbo in a 2024 Bronco sport I noticed it sounded a bit “ clacky. This is the first 4 cylinder with direct injection that I have listened to. I take it this is normal.
The 2025 Bronco can also be had with the 2.3 turbo. The Bronco and Explorer are pretty much the same weight depending on options. Both start at 4300 or 4400 pounds.
Apparently the Bronco Sport does not get the 2.3. The base engine is a three cylinder 1.5 turbo and and the upgrade is a 2.0 four cylinder turbo.
I like the 2.3 except it's sound.
I can't stand the 10 speed 10r40 I think it is. I always use sport mode so it doesn't lug
I can't stand the 10 speed 10r40 I think it is. I always use sport mode so it doesn't lug
