The Ford F-150 was the best-selling car in America final 12 months – once more, for the forty first consecutive time. So when Ford launched the Lightning, the corporate knew that its first electrical pickup did not have to stray removed from the identical fundamental system that is labored for greater than 4 many years.
The Lightning has an understated however interesting design, identical to its gasoline counterpart, and a well-known but upscale cabin. It nonetheless has all of the capabilities you need off a traditional F-150, like spectacular towing and hauling, however with zero emissions. Actually, the one grievance you possibly can lob towards the F-150 Lightning is that it would not have the identical flash as a number of the alternate options. Certain, the GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T can do all kinds of neat issues, however whenever you simply want a truck, the Lightning nails the basics.
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Brandon Turkus, Managing Editor
Favourite Factor: Progress In Motion
Least Favourite Factor: For Crying Out Loud, Simply Do What I Inform You
I acquired a Ford F-150 Lightning about two weeks after we topped it Motor1.com’s Finest Truck and InsideEVs’ Finest EV, primarily as a result of I used to be so impressed throughout testing that I wished every week with all of it to myself. To my shock, the superb Lightning was a bit of higher when it arrived, boasting an up to date model of the Sync 4A infotainment system.
Automakers do an excessive amount of crowing concerning the potential of over-the-air updates, however lastly seeing it in particular person is one thing totally different fully. The adjustments to Sync 4A weren’t earth shattering. In truth, as far as I can inform, they had been largely minor, with menus and choices specified by totally different places. However nonetheless, it’s good to see a contemporary car get updates like a smartphone’s working system.
The draw back is that Ford didn’t replace the convoluted system for programming preconditioning and charging. My week with the Lightning, simply previous to Christmas, was among the many coldest of the season in Michigan and whereas I instructed the truck to heat itself at H Hour, D Day whereas on my Grizzl-E Basic charger, it by no means did the deed. Fortuitously, due to the charger, maximizing vary by way of preconditioning wasn’t a serious precedence. My ass, nevertheless, nonetheless hasn’t thawed out from these freezing-cold leather-based chairs.
Jeff Perez, Senior Editor
- Favourite Factor: It’s Simply A Truck
- Least Favourite Factor: It’s Simply A Truck
Until you actually have a eager eye, the Lightning appears like some other gas-powered F-150. The design is completely inconspicuous in comparison with a number of the different “edgy” electrical vehicles on the market, and I choose my styling on the nameless aspect. The GMC Hummer EV and the Tesla Cybertruck are spaceships by comparability.
On the one hand, I really like how “regular” the Lightning is. Past its basic-but-likable styling, the cabin and drive expertise really feel akin to a conventional F-150. The journey is snug, the dealing with is first rate sufficient for a full-sizer (aided by the Lightning-exclusive impartial rear suspension), and the cabin has all the identical superb tech and options you’ll discover all through the remainder of the Ford vary.
Towing and hauling are even on par (on paper). The Lighting can tug as much as 10,000 kilos when outfitted with the $865 Max Trailer Package deal and the payload can maintain simply over 2,000 kilos. Even intelligent options just like the fold-down shifter and fold-up workbench carry over from the gasoline mannequin.
My checklist of points with this truck is mainly one, and it’s a minor one: The Lightning is perhaps too regular. Rumors of a hot-pot model have me enthusiastic about what the F-150 Lightning may very well be sooner or later, however for now, it feels much less like a toy and extra like an excellent device. Granted, that is what Ford was going for, however a bit of little bit of life injected into this truck would do it some good; give it 700 horsepower and a lift button, you cowards.
