7 Minutes
Ford F-150 Lightning Review: Electric Truck Tested by Real Owners and Experts
The Ford F-150 Lightning is at the forefront of the electric pickup revolution, but is it a "real truck" in the eyes of long-time F-150 owners and automotive experts? After extensive testing by the team at Edmunds Cars, the answer is a resounding yes—though the story isn’t quite so simple when comparing the all-electric Lightning to its internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid siblings. Let’s break down what makes the Lightning stand out, where it falls short, and how it measures up in the competitive electric truck landscape.
Power and Performance: Lightning Lives Up to Its Name
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat, acquired by Edmunds for $80,000, has been put through years of rigorous real-world use—everything from daily driving to heavy hauling, off-roading, and more. When comparing the Lightning's performance, the editorial team ranked its dual-motor, four-wheel-drive (4WD) powertrain above every other F-150 variant—from the traditional V6 and V8 engines to the high-performance Raptor models.
Delivering 580 horsepower and a formidable 775 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) of torque, this electric truck launches with standout acceleration, particularly for a vehicle weighing over 6,780 pounds (3,075 kg). Whether you’re cruising through city streets or flooring the accelerator for a quick merge, the Lightning's instant torque ensures exhilarating responsiveness. That heft is ever-present, though—you’ll definitely feel the bulk when navigating tight turns or bumpy roads, which slightly diminishes the sense of agility.
Towing Capability and Practicality: Built for Real Work
With nearly 800 lb-ft of torque channeled to all four wheels, the F-150 Lightning excels in towing scenarios. Thanks to its extended-range battery and user-friendly trailer weight input via the center console, drivers can more accurately manage range and efficiency on the job. For example, while hauling a 7,700-pound (3,493 kg) trailer, real-world tests saw the truck’s estimated range drop from the official 320 miles (515 km) to a still-usable 150 miles (241 km).
Crucially, many truck enthusiasts will appreciate features like large, practical side mirrors and the ability to input trailer details for optimized energy use—advantages that influenced testers to prefer the Ford over the likes of the Rivian R1T.
In terms of cargo, the Lightning’s bed easily fits oversize items (even queen mattresses), and its foldable rear seats are perfect for taller loads. The chassis remains planted even when loaded with a 1,000-pound (454 kg) payload, underscoring its hardworking heritage.
Electric Range: Competitive, But Chased by Rivals
The Lightning’s range remains solid for its segment. Testers routinely achieved up to 345 miles (555 km) on a single battery charge under optimal conditions. However, the bar for electric truck range is rapidly rising. The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali leads the segment with an Edmunds-tested figure of 507 miles (816 km), surpassing both the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Range (505 miles/813 km actual, 520 miles/837 km claimed) and the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST (484 miles/779 km real-world, outperforming its 450-mile/724 km expectation).
While the Lightning can’t match these figures, it offers sufficient range for most daily uses and moderate towing needs.
Interior, Infotainment, and Owner Satisfaction
Behind the wheel, testers praised the Lightning’s inviting and modern cabin. Standout features include its user-friendly infotainment suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Over years of comparative testing with rivals like the Tesla Cybertruck, Silverado EV, and Rivian R1T, the Edmunds team consistently preferred the Ford’s blend of price, features, and on-road comfort, even if it didn’t claim victory in every single test category.
Weaknesses: Weight, Ride Quality, and Towing Range
The F-150 Lightning isn’t without drawbacks. Its considerable weight (roughly 1,000 pounds more than the hybrid F-150) is felt in everyday maneuvering and especially on uneven surfaces. Highway cruising can turn uncomfortably bouncy, and the driving dynamics are less nimble than some rivals.
Charging times were noted as lengthy, particularly for the extended-range battery, and the Lightning’s towing capabilities result in less than half the range of the F-150 Hybrid—a critical consideration for those regularly hauling over long distances. For road trips with trailers, the 3.5-liter hybrid PowerBoost (430 hp, 570 lb-ft/773 Nm) is the clear winner, with superior long-term quietness and fewer maintenance issues—even after 50,000 hard-driven miles.
Owners also reported the 360-degree camera system’s software can depict misleading proportions, making parking more challenging than expected if you rely heavily on camera views.
Reliability and Depreciation: The Real Cost of Ownership
Over the course of 22,000 miles (35,405 km), the Lightning Lariat faced just a handful of minor issues—parking sensors, the hatch control module, battery monitoring, the windshield wiper motor, a dash mat, rear lightbar, and the high-voltage battery module were all repaired during two dealership visits. While these are relatively minor faults, what stings more is the depreciation. The original $80,000 F-150 Lightning Lariat is now worth about $40,000, a 50% drop in under three years. For comparison, the previous F-150 Hybrid from 2021 saw a similar depreciation curve, falling from $66,000 to $33,000.
Model Lineup, Trims, and Market Positioning
The F-150 Lightning comes in five variants to suit various budgets and needs:
- F-150 Lightning Pro: $54,780 (536 or 580 hp)
- Lightning XLT: $63,345 (452 hp)
- Lightning Flash: $69,995 (536 hp)
- Lightning Lariat: $76,995 (580 hp)
- Lightning Platinum: $84,995 (580 hp)
For those who prefer traditional power, Ford’s gas-powered F-150 offers eight trims, ranging from the affordable XL ($38,810) to the high-end Raptor R ($113,820) equipped with a thunderous 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that churns out 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft (868 Nm) of torque. The PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine—good for 430 hp and 570 lb-ft (773 Nm)—is available in the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum grades.
The broad selection means there’s an F-150 for just about every kind of truck buyer, whether your priority is raw power, towing, luxury, or electrification.
Ford F-150 Lightning Compared to EV and Hybrid Rivals
When positioned against electric competition (Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, GMC Sierra EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV), the Ford F-150 Lightning consistently impresses with its real-truck capabilities, refined interior, and superior infotainment. Still, some buyers may be swayed by the even greater range—or unique brand experiences—offered by GMC, Chevrolet, and Tesla.
Meanwhile, the F-150 Hybrid remains a favorite for truck enthusiasts who demand long-range towing and proven reliability over time, thanks in part to its overall efficiency and reduced cabin noise under strenuous use.
Verdict: Is the Ford F-150 Lightning the Future of Pickup Trucks?
After thousands of miles, tough side-by-side tests, and real-world ownership, the consensus among Edmunds experts is clear: the Ford F-150 Lightning is a genuine truck—fast, capable, and built to work. However, for those prioritizing maximum towing range, lower running costs, and fewer stops at fast chargers, the hybrid powertrain is still the go-to choice nine out of ten times.
That said, if cutting-edge technology, zero emissions, and instant torque are high on your list, the F-150 Lightning sets a new benchmark in the evolving electric truck segment.
What’s Next for Long-Term Automotive Testing?
The F-150 Lightning’s exhaustive review is just one piece of an ongoing series from Edmunds Cars, which has previously included iconic vehicles like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Corvette Stingray, Tesla Model Y Performance, Lucid Air, Rivian R1T, and more. Their hands-on, data-driven evaluations offer enthusiasts and buyers alike the essential insights needed when choosing the next ride. Stay tuned for what’s next—if past reviews are any indication, the journey will be as thrilling as the vehicles themselves.
Source: autoevolution
Comments