Test Drive: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum

Class: Electric Vehicle

Miles pushed: 204

Battery capability: 131 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 73 metropolis/60 hwy/66 mixed

EPA-estimated driving vary: 300 miles

Consumer Guide vary estimate (excellent circumstances): 290-300 miles

Base value: $90,874 (not together with $1695 vacation spot cost)

Options on check automobile: Max Recline driver/front-passenger seats ($345); Toughbed spray-in bedliner ($595)

Price as examined: $93,509

Quick Hits

The nice: Lightning-quick acceleration, particularly for an enormous pickup; revolutionary options take full benefit of pure-electric powertrain’s capabilities and packaging benefits; spacious cabin

The good: Pleasant journey high quality for an enormous truck; Lighting retains nearly the entire strengths and intelligent obtainable options of the acquainted standard Ford F-150 pickup

The not so good: Big value soar for extended-range battery and premium trim ranges; restricted availability, at the least for now; towing a trailer will trigger driving ranges to drop; disadvantages of America’s present EV-charging infrastructure

More F-150 Lightning value and availability data

John Biel

Ford’s new pure-electric F-150 pickup is known as the Lightning. With it comes the thunder: Starting costs vary as excessive as $92,569 with supply.

Ka-BOOM!

Ford commits to the pure-electric-vehicle market in an enormous manner with the introduction of the new-for-2022 F-150 Lightning–an EV model of its best-selling F-150 full-size pickup truck.

You might have gotten one for much less (fleet-oriented Pro, $41,669; XLT, $54,669; Lariat, $69,169) however that was the price of entry for the deluxe Platinum mannequin that Consumer Guide examined. With simply two cheap choices—at the least by fashionable requirements—the check truck stickered for $93,509.

Frankly, what we are saying right here about Ford’s intriguing, if pricey, new model of its traditionally common full-size pickup is now purely as recap. Already by June, when our check occurred, the producer was informing guests to the 2022 Lightning web site, “Due to high demand, the current model year is no longer available for retail order.” If you had not but acted in your need to be the primary in your block to personal one, right here’s what you missed:

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Despite the dramatic adjustments to its underpinnings to transform it to a battery-electric automobile, the F-150 Lightning carries over many parts from its common internal-combustion-engine siblings–together with the inside. The largest change right here is the obtainable 15-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, borrowed from the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The F-150 Lightning was launched as a SuperCrew four-door crew-cab mannequin with a 5.5-foot mattress on a 145.4-inch wheelbase. Though clearly identifiable as a Ford half-ton pickup, it options distinctive styling particulars and plenty of new options unavailable on different F-150s. The customary powertrain is a pair of electrical motors that ship a mixed 452 horsepower, or 580 with an obtainable extended-range battery that’s customary within the Platinum. All-wheel drive is customary—the 2 motors every drive an axle—and rear suspension is unbiased as an alternative of the dwell rear axle with leaf springs utilized in different F-150s.

On its roomy inside, the inaugural Lightning boasts an obtainable 15.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s greater than the rest you’d discover in the remainder of the 2022 F-150 lineup. Since the electrical motor and batteries don’t require as a lot underhood house as an internal-combustion engine, the Lightning has room for a front-mounted trunk. This 14.1-cubic-foot “frunk” is roomy sufficient for 2 golf baggage.

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The absolutely digital gauge cluster doubles as a state-of-charge indicator when the automobile is parked. Warm climate throughout our check necessitated intensive use of the air-con, so our indicated ranges have been a bit off the EPA estimate.

The 580-horse powerplant makes the Lightning essentially the most highly effective F-150 ever, says Ford (a 0-60-mph time of 4.4 seconds is claimed). Power supply is eye-opening. It’s robust, fast—and quiet, possibly essentially the most radical departure from the same old F-150 driving expertise. The EPA-estimated driving vary with the 131-kWh extended-range battery is 320 miles—90 greater than the bottom battery pack is anticipated to ship—however the additional options of the loaded Platinum mannequin cut back its EPA driving-range estimate to 300 miles. In this driver’s 113.5-mile flip within the examined truck (with 81 % city-type operation), he began with an indicated vary of 287 miles, on a cost of 97 %, and had an indicated 176 miles of vary (and 62 % of cost) “in the tank” when he relinquished the keys, which suggests a reasonably correct vary projection. Note, nonetheless, that the “juicier” battery trades vary and energy for some payload capability—a Lightning can carry 2000 kilos with the bottom battery, or 1800 with the extended-range unit.

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Like all full-size crew-cab pickups, the F-150 Lightning’s again seat affords loads of headroom and legro0m, even for extra-tall passengers. The Platinum trim degree comes customary with an enhanced under-seat storage set-up–the panel proven right here flips as much as create lockable, partitioned storage bins.

Ride from the all-coil suspension is pretty soft, although it may nonetheless get tossed in again a bit bit with an empty mattress. Steering has good heft. There’s a bit little bit of a wallowy, light-in-the-nose really feel and not using a hefty fossil-fuel engine up entrance. Platinums come customary with Ford’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous hands-free driver-assistance system. We had restricted alternatives to check the system, because it requires accredited divided two-lane highways (which Ford calls “Blue Zones”) to function. BlueCruise isn’t fairly as subtle because the enhanced model of Cadillac’s Super Cruise: It received’t make lane adjustments and it appeared extra apt to disengage and require the motive force to take the wheel once more in sure driving circumstances. Nonetheless, when this reviewer did use it, it appeared to trace very properly within the lane. It would possibly ping-pong the primary couple of drifts towards the lane markings however then it received its bearings and adopted the highway fairly properly.

The inside feel and appear is like all F-150 with the identical trim save for the huge Sync4A display. (It was customary on Lightning Lariats as properly.) The vertically oriented capacitive-touch system has enhanced voice recognition and incorporates entry to the complete vary of techniques and options, together with issues just like the 4 drive modes and the dual-zone computerized local weather management. There is a bodily audio-volume dial on the display face. This centralized management requires a whole lot of tapping however the selections inside desired features are plainly displayed, which reduces the complicated guesswork present in some infotainment techniques.

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A few the Lighting’s intelligent cargo-area touches: Like different F-150s, the Lighting has carpentry aids equivalent to molded-in ruler markings and pockets for clamps constructed into the tailgate. The entrance trunk (which Ford has cheekily named the Mega Power Frunk) consists of 4 120-volt family energy retailers and a pair USB ports.

What separated the ’22 Platinum from the Lariat that’s a protracted step down began outdoors with 22-inch alloy wheels with a vivid machined floor and Ebony Black-painted pockets, a twin-panel moonroof, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, all customary. Interior distinctions consisted of energy tilt and telescoping with reminiscence for the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated rear seats; real wooden accent trim; 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen “Unleashed” audio system; and partitioned, lockable storage beneath the rear seat. Added tech options—with an emphasis on towing aids—have been Pro Trailer Backup Assist, trailer-reverse steering, an onboard scale with “Smart Hitch,” Active Park Assist 2.0, and Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 with a raft of security displays and adaptive cruise management.

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The Mega Power Frunk is in regards to the measurement of a compact automotive’s trunk, and it may help as much as 400 kilos of cargo. An underfloor storage bin is deep sufficient to accommodate the Lightning’s charging cable, and the bin’s lid doubles as a partition panel to maintain groceries and different cargo gadgets from rolling round. The bin’s flooring consists of drainage slots (so it may be used as a cooler for tailgating events, amongst different issues) and the accent battery resides behind an entry panel.

Other customary gadgets present in some or all different Lightnings included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity; in-dash navigation; a Wi-Fi hotspot; wi-fi charging; and the high-level 9.6-kW model of the Pro Power Onboard system that may benefit from the electrical powertrain to allow makes use of like operating energy instruments, plugging in a crockpot for tailgating occasions, and even powering a house throughout an influence outage. The leather-upholstered seats have been heated and ventilated in entrance, and had a reminiscence perform for the 10-way-adjustable driver’s seat. Ride peak—floor clearance is 8.4 inches—makes the usual operating boards welcome for shorter passengers. The Interior Work Surface perform folds out of the massive middle console to make the inside handier for utilizing laptop computer computer systems—and advantages from the fold-down shifter deal with. Also, the facility tailgate consists of Ford’s retractable step-and-handhold characteristic.

With the 2022 Lightning, Ford managed to get a soar on the rising EV pickup market, leveraging the recognition of its current F-150 to do it. If you didn’t know the way it was powered—or what it price—you would simply take it for one.

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The Ford F-150 Lightning is an ambitious-yet-familiar electrical automobile that provides loads of real-world advantages past the green-vehicle credentials of its pure-electric powertrain. It’s very costly in top-line trim, however so are the varied luxurious variations of standard combustion-engine vans.

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2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Gallery

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