Probably a Dumb 318 Question

Variable camshaft timing, 4 valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection, low tension piston rings, lightweight rotating assembly, advanced combustion chamber design, are just a few of the advantages the Coyote has over the LA series engines. A 318 can make that level of power, sure, but the cost to get there and the end result in terms of drivability make it kind of pointless.
I had a 2013 Mustang GT with the Coyote that was an absolute blast to drive at any speed, extremely reliable, and still got 30 mpg cruising at 80 mph. I could never say that any of my Mopars, while a blast to drive, would ever get that kind of fuel economy while delivering that level of power and performance. Apples to oranges.