Unpopular opinion: Am I the only one who enjoys the sound of the EcoBoost I-3? What's your thoughts on the 1.5L?

[Jake10080Guy]

I know the 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 isn't generally preferred to most people, because of the fact that it's a 3-cylinder engine.

It's the exact same motor that debuts in the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST, just de-tuned and without the sporty engine cover
But oh boy, it really has a unique sound, there's sadly not too many WOT runs/videos of the Bronco Sport with the I3.


Whether it's stock, or has exhaust modifications, I would love to explore more of the Bronco Sport performance run with the I3.


181-HP @ 6000 RPM
190 LB-FT @ 3000 RPM From the 1.5-Litre 3-Cylinder isn't bad at all from what it is. (Especially when you consider the engine produces more in the ST)

To me it could be one of the best Modern 3-cylinders, sound-wise and performance wise in my opinion.
How are you guys enjoying your Bronco with the Turbo-3? I used to be one to think that this would be an engine to fail prematurely, but I feel it's solid.

Sponsored

 

[Bucko]

So far, I'm happy with it. If you kept the hood shut, no one (unless they own one or read about Bronco sports) would know there's a 3 cylinder under the hood. Plenty of pep and torque for the size of this vehicle.

And I like the size of the "peashooter" exhaust pipes!

 

[o0260o]

3 cylinders sound better than 4, all else equal. Just like the VAG 5 cyl, odd number is quirky and interesting.
The new GR Corolla sounds amazing.

 

[tjbronco]

I have a 69 Triumph Trident 750cc three cylinder motorcycle that I have had for almost 40 years - one of the better sounding cycles of it's era. I don't run my Bronco sport very hard - mostly commuting for my 70 mile round trip to work - but every now and then if I have to get on it, I can hear a bit of the same ripping noise that my old Triumph makes. The Bronco engine is actually only twice as big as the old Triumph engine. Three cylinders are unique - being a 4 stroke with 3 cylinders, they tend not to have evenly spread out power pulses. We also have a Subaru - flat four - which also has it's own weirdness. So I agree, it is sort of refreshing driving something that does not sound like everything else.

 

[SportWest]

'What's your thoughts on the 1.5L?'

Pretty good for a 1.5L three-banger. But at the end of the day, it is a 1.5L three-banger. So I think it's a cool piece of engineering to get the performance that it does, but I still prefer the sportiness of the 2.0L running premium fuel.

 

[SeaJay]

Yeah, My Outer Banks won’t get challenged off road much but I kinda like the feral growl it has.

 

[jkeaton]

It's ok for what it is. I wish it would get better gas mileage.

 

[Jake10080Guy]

Add in the plus's to this motor.


It has a timing chain + twin injection = ease of maintaince and no carbon cleaning
+ A Metal valve cover gasket.

it seems like Ford made this 3-Cyl moee durable and reliable in some aspects rather than their other engines interestingly.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

I really wish their was a BOV option to open up some more turbo sounds. I can sporadically get the "stututu" sound buts its so quiet

 

[Mark S.]

I have a 69 Triumph Trident 750cc three cylinder motorcycle that I have had for almost 40 years -

TRIUMPH RIDERS UNITE! I rode a Tiger 1050 for seven years before trading up to the S1000XR I currently ride. I put almost 40K miles on it commuting to work and blasting around the local area in the summer. Up until the BMW, it was by far the best motorcycle I ever owned. Lightweight, powerful, agile, supremely comfortable, and owing to the factory "race" exhaust system a GREAT soundtrack. I often miss that bike, but alas, the House Appropriations Committee Chairperson will not approve ownership of more than one motorcycle at a time. *sigh*

 

[tjbronco]

TRIUMPH RIDERS UNITE! I rode a Tiger 1050 for seven years before trading up to the S1000XR I currently ride. I put almost 40K miles on it commuting to work and blasting around the local area in the summer. Up until the BMW, it was by far the best motorcycle I ever owned. Lightweight, powerful, agile, supremely comfortable, and owing to the factory "race" exhaust system a GREAT soundtrack. I often miss that bike, but alas, the House Appropriations Committee Chairperson will not approve ownership of more than one motorcycle at a time. *sigh*

I have not rode any of the newer Triumphs yet (since they re-organized) - maybe will buy one when my kids are out of the house. I am guessing they don't leak as much oil as the old ones...

 

[Bronco Blue]

Idk I was fine with it until the fire recall for it. If I had the option to go back, I probably would’ve spent a little more money on getting the Badlands just to have the reliable 2.0 liter turbo 4 tbh.

 

[Hot Rod Mike]

At 70yo I have had over a 110 cars and trucks. all Ranging from 400,500,600 horsepower. i have not one complaint with the performance of my 2023 1.5 liter Big Bend. If you want something with some poop buy a car with 400-500 horsepower

 

[davidg4781]

I'm good with it. It has a bit more HP than my old '06 Accord 2.4 cylinder. It's using maybe less gas. I THINK I'm getting a little bit better in town but cannot get up above 26 mpg.

But it's got a nice growl. Hopefully it's the engine and not sounds pumped into the cabin. I think I read that Ford has that, at least in Sport mode.

 

[Jake10080Guy]

Check this out, There's just something really enjoyable about the sound of the 1.5L EcoBoost at first. Although we all may have different tastes.