You’ve heard it said that less is more? That’s not usually the case when it comes to the size of an engine, especially in a pickup truck. However, Ford’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost V-6 is smaller than the 5.0-litre V-8 but it delivers more horsepower, 365, and more torque, 420 pound-feet. And it does so at 2,500 rpm instead of 4,250 rpm.

More brawn at lower rpm is just what truckers need because torque is the force that does the work, and trucks, after all, are made to work, even if many of them don’t see any duty heavier than hauling bags of peat moss or sheets of plywood.

Fuel economy for a two-wheel-drive model is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. A comparable 5.0-litre V-8 is rated at 15 city and 21 highway. Four-wheel drive drops EcoBoost mileage to 15 and 21.

The EcoBoost V-6 is livelier than the V-8 in normal driving because the turbochargers, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing deliver quick throttle response, and the extra torque makes it easier to climb hills or tow heavy loads.

Last year, Ford put this new engine through several torture trials. One engine underwent the equivalent of 150,000 miles of driving on a dynamometer. It was then shipped to Kansas City, Mo., where it was installed in an F-150 that was used as a to haul logs in Oregon. The same truck towed an 11,300-pound trailer at high speed around a NASCAR track. After that, the engine was installed in a race truck for the Baja 1000 off-road race. The race truck finished the off-road race in 38 hours, 20 minutes. The engine was torn down in front of the public at the Detroit auto show.

All Ford trucks have a 6-speed automatic transmission, and it is the ideal companion for the V-6. The SelectShift option allows customers to manually change gears. The tow/haul mode provides better control when hauling a heavy load or towing a trailer, especially when descending grades.

Electronic power steering adds to efficiency but it also has excellent feel.

A trailer brake controller is standard. Maximum towing capacity is 11,300 pounds.

Designing a pickup truck for heavy work while maintaining a smooth ride, lack of noise and upscale interior is quite a challenge. Ford has succeeded in both areas.

The four-wheel-drive F-150 sits a little high, so the optional side step was welcome for me. The front bucket seats could be heated or cooled and were quite comfortable.

The saddle leather on the King Ranch model is most inviting. The light-coloured welting contrasts nicely with the dark brown leather that looks as if it came directly from a saddle shop. The cabin was accented with brushed silver trim and dark wood grain sections.

Rear-seat legroom is generous, and the flat rear floor means you can fold the rear seat and have a large weatherproof storage space.

The centre stack’s LCD screen is used for the navigation and radio systems. The screen also displays information related to fuel economy, towing performance and off-roading. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel.

The rear view camera can be zoomed in or out, which is very handy for backing up to a trailer.

The new truck rides on a high-strength, lightweight chassis that has a fully boxed frame and hydroformed side rails. Torsional rigidity has been increased 10 percent.

Vehicle stability control is standard, and it contains a trailer-sway control function. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are part of the package as well.