Now in its second model yr, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning nonetheless exists in a sparse part {of electrical} pickup autos that in the meanwhile solely consists of the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and Rivian R1T. Every are additional space of curiosity and expensive than the Lightning, and neither appeals to the core truck viewers in pretty the equivalent technique; they’re life-style autos for people who want a Tesla Model X Plaid and F-150 Raptor in a single vehicle. The Lightning is a singular story, offering the equivalent choices householders already love regarding the F-150, merely with {an electrical} drivetrain – and until the GMC Sierra EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV arrive, it’s the resolve of the bunch for lots of.

Ford already had the best-selling pickup truck on the earth, and it isn’t far behind with its electrical truck. Demand is so extreme, Ford not too way back needed to deploy further staff to its Rouge Electrical Car Center to assemble additional. No matter some early hiccups affecting manufacturing, the F-150 Lightning stays one among Ford’s most compelling merchandise. It affords as a lot as 580 horsepower, 320 miles of range, and 10,000 kilos of towing functionality, all with out burning a single drop of gasoline. DrivingOnRoad spent each week in a 2023 F-150 Lightning Lariat to hunt out out whether it is nonetheless the simplest all-around electrical truck money can buy.

Exterior: Staying Acquainted

Other than the closed-off grille and blue lettering on the mattress, it’s highly effective to tell this truck other than its gas-powered equal. In a universe the place totally different automakers want their electrical autos to look as in the event that they belong in a movie a couple of post-apocalyptic future, we anticipate Ford made the becoming decision to play it safe with the styling. The grille changes a bit counting on trim stage, and stepping as a lot because the XLT supplies a associated headlight bar that runs the width of the truck. Go one trim previous to the Lariat, and the taillights are moreover associated.

The tester Ford despatched us didn’t rock the boat with its Iconic Silver Metallic Paint, a color that appeared additional visually spectacular on the Mustang Mach-E’s curvy physique. We moreover weren’t a very powerful followers of the Lariat’s mono-tone 20-inch grey wheels. The smaller 18-inch wheels on the underside XLT look additional rugged, and the Platinum’s 22-inch wheels are additional premium wanting.

Inside: Massive Tech

Much like the surface, the Lightning’s cabin will look acquainted to anyone who’s pushed a model new F-150… with one notable exception. Skilled and XLT trims get the equivalent 12-inch infotainment show display current in upper-level gasoline F-150 fashions, nonetheless the Lariat and Platinum undertake the 15.5-inch present from the Mach-E and Expedition. We initially appreciated this setup on account of it prominently presents the quantity knob correct on the show display. Together with controlling the quantity, now you possibly can click on on on the temperature, seat heating/air movement, or fan velocity to manage these capabilities using the knob. It’s barely additional distracting than bodily controls, nonetheless not by quite a bit.

It’d lack luxuries identical to the therapeutic therapeutic massage seats found solely on the Platinum, nonetheless the Lariat comes with lots of the choices well-to-do autos householders would possibly ever want. Heated/ventilated entrance seats come customary, as does an eight-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, wi-fi charging pad, a 360-degree digicam, and additional. Elective extras embody hands-free BlueCruise and a panoramic moonroof.

Powertrain: Goes Like Lightning

There are two strategies to order an F-150 Lightning: a Customary Differ with a 91-kWh battery pack and an Extended Differ with a 131-kWh pack. The earlier is the one alternative on the Skilled trim and comes customary on XLT and Lariat fashions. Ford solely affords the Extended Differ battery on XLT and above and as customary on the Platinum.

All Lightning fashions have two electrical motors, nonetheless the output changes counting on the battery measurement. Customary Differ fashions produce 452 horsepower, whereas fashions outfitted with the Extended Differ get bumped to 580 hp. Every variations ship 775 lb-ft of torque. These autos are aptly named on account of they go like lightning, hitting 60 mph in spherical 4 seconds, although some have claimed lower figures nonetheless. That isn’t far off a supercharged Raptor R.

In the case of range, the Customary Differ can solely deal with spherical 240 miles on a full value. The Extended Differ takes that as a lot as a additional acceptable 320 miles, or spherical 300 on the Platinum. It would presumably tow as a lot as 10,000 kilos, nonetheless anticipate the driving range to take a hit of spherical 50% if you do, which is identical effectivity hit as a gas-powered truck.

Ford says the Lightning can recharge at as a lot as 155 kW on a DC fast charger, nonetheless we seen the truck hit over 160 kW when plugged proper right into a 350 kW charger. Even with no preconditioned battery at spherical 45%, the truck shortly ramped as a lot as its peak velocity and held it until the associated fee reached 80%. It then dropped to spherical 50 kW, which stays to be spectacular. It may not have basically essentially the most spectacular value velocity within the market, nonetheless a continuing value curve helps the Lightning go from 15-80% battery in as little as 44 minutes. In our testing, we went from 45-90% in 40 minutes.

Driving Impressions: Improved By Batteries

The die-hard ICE followers who must be buried with their V8 engines would possibly take additional convincing, nonetheless the widespread truck proprietor could possibly be blown away by a test drive inside the Lightning. This issue locations any truck that doesn’t have a Hummer or Rivian badge to shame. No gas-powered truck will get off the street identical to the Lightning, along with supercharged behemoths identical to the Raptor R and Ram TRX. That speedy torque hits like a gut punch, and there’s no transmission shifts to delay the acceleration.

Given that battery is mounted low inside the floor, the Lightning moreover handles increased than its gas-powered sibling. There’s a bigger sense of confidence that you could be take a high-speed nook with out flipping over, due to the low center of gravity. It nonetheless feels very similar to an F-150 from behind the wheel, nonetheless the absence of an engine improves the experience in every technique (moreover it doesn’t make any growly V8 noises).

Our solely criticism is that the Lightning’s turning circle is the scale of Texas, and parking it is a chore even with the 360-degree digicam. The Hummer’s rear-wheel steering would do wonders proper right here.

Practicality: Electrical Flexibility

All F-150s are smart on account of their pickup physique sort, nonetheless the Lightning takes it to a model new stage. Together with the same old 5.5-foot mattress, the Lightning moreover contains a gigantic 14.1 cubic ft “frunk” the place the engine would normally sit. This house contains a cargo web, grocery hooks, 110-volt retailers, USB ports, lighting, and underfloor storage with a drain (making it good to retailer ice all through a tailgate social gathering). The mattress is pretty clever, too, with Ford’s ProPower Onboard generator which will vitality an entire residence for as a lot as 10 days.

The cabin will also be usable due to collapsable storage beneath the rear seats and a great deal of little cubbies up entrance. There’s moreover a folding shifter design that allows a flat workspace to flip out from the armrest. It’s good for a laptop computer laptop or a drive-thru meal.

Pricing & Verdict: The Truck Of Correct Now

The Lightning was a screaming deal when it debuted for decrease than $40k, nonetheless the truck has seen various value will improve as a result of it first went on sale. Probably the most reasonably priced Lightning Skilled now costs $59,974, spherical $20,000 higher than when it arrived within the market. Stepping as a lot because the XLT brings the worth to $63,474 ($80,974 for the Extended Differ), and the Lariat begins at $75,974 ($85,974 for Extended Differ). Going all-in on the Platinum brings the worth to only about six figures at $98,074. These prices exclude the $1,895 provide costs and any selections.

Clearly, the Lightning is just not meant for the worker who wants bare-bones transportation with a mattress – not at these prices. Nevertheless if you check out product sales data for 2022, most F-Sequence truck patrons spent upwards of $60k on their autos anyway, so the Lightning’s sticker value is just not exterior the realm of likelihood for lots of truck patrons.

It’s worth evaluating the Lightning to what else is obtainable. Probably the most reasonably priced Rivian RT1 with a dual-motor setup costs $73,000, and GMC not too way back launched its Hummer EV Pickup 3X trim, which costs a whopping $106,645. Every of these autos present additional vitality and superior range, nonetheless at a value. Upcoming electrical autos identical to the Chevy Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and Ram 1500 REV will drawback the Lightning on value and range, nonetheless they aren’t proper right here merely however. By the purpose they arrive, Ford may need an substitute ready to remain aggressive.

For now, The F-150 Lightning is basically essentially the most well-rounded electrical truck money can buy.