The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is more than just another version of America’s best-selling vehicle. It is the beginning of a revolution in automotive propulsion.
The F-150 Lightning is a full-size electric truck for sale with a cruising range between 230 and 320 miles, depending on the battery pack.
We’ve enjoyed our time in the Lightning. It’s remarkably quiet inside, and it’s a joy to drive, aided by quick acceleration and pillowy but well-controlled ride. This electric Ford pickup also has one-pedal drive. When you lift off the accelerator pedal, the truck will come to a smooth stop without the driver ever touching the brakes.
Selling the F-150 Lightning to a predominantly fossil-fuel-minded audience might be made more accessible by the fact that it looks just like a regular gas-powered F-150. In comparison, the Lightning offers much of the same equipment but with a few extra perks courtesy of the truck’s electric architecture.
With more torque than any F-150 before it, the electric Lightning can tow an estimated 10,000 pounds when properly equipped and has a payload rating of 2,235 pounds. Its dual in-board electric motors provide permanent 4-wheel drive, allowing Ford to create a fully independent rear suspension for improved ride and handling.
We know many truck owners will be skeptical of an electric pickup, but once they see all that this one can do, including the ability to power a home, tools, and gear, we think hearts and minds will quickly change.
Initially, there will be three trims offered to the public: XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. All Lightning trucks will come as crew cab models with a 5.5-foot bed.
Ford will also offer a base work truck called the Lightning Pro, although initially only to fleet and commercial buyers. Ford promises an entry price of $39,974 for the Pro.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the F-150 Lightning with the standard battery at 76 MPGe in the city and 61 MPGe on the highway. Range: 230 miles. With the larger battery, the Lightning has EPA ratings of 78 MPGe city/63 MPGe highway. Its maximum range is 320 miles.
Also, remember the F-150 Lightning qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit as well as any state or local EV credits offered in your neck of the woods.
Ford F-150 Lightning XLT (starting at $52,974)
The XLT promises to be the most popular of the F-150 Lightning trims, partly because of its low price and partly because of its impressive standard equipment.
Beginning with the basics, the XLT includes a 452-horsepower, 230-mile-range battery pack and 2.4 kilowatts of power for running tools, laptops, TVs, or whatever needs plugging in. An optional extended-range battery pack pushes the range to 320 miles.
Home Charging
An 80-amp home charging station comes standard, allowing the F-150 Lightning to fully charge in about eight to 10 hours. F-150 Lightning customers will have access to over 63,000 Electrify America charging stations nationwide and can keep track of costs and charging locations via the FordPass app.
Features
Electrical outlets abound, with two in the cab, two in the bed, and four in the front trunk. Yes, we said front trunk. This ingenious storage space occupies the space generally reserved for a gasoline engine. It features a power-operated lid, 14.1-cubic feet of cargo space, and the ability to hold up to 400 pounds. In addition to its electrical outlets, the waterproof trunk includes two USB ports and a drain plug, should you decide to use it as a cooler.
The standard 4-wheel drive includes driver-selectable modes for Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul.
Ford Lightning Highlights
Now to the good stuff. The 2022 F-150 Lightning XLT is a 5-passenger model. For now, it only comes with the SuperCrew cab with a 5.5-foot bed. The tailgate features lift assist, making it easier to close, while a set of fixed black running boards with lighting run beneath the side doors. The XLT includes adaptive LED headlights with signature lighting and LED taillights and rides on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. A Class IV trailer hitch is also standard.
Other than the dash, the F-150 Lightning’s interior looks pretty much like the standard F-150. The cloth bucket seats feature an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support; the passenger gets manual controls, including lumbar. The center console features an ingenious folding shift lever that collapses to create a level work surface for resting a laptop or filling out paperwork.
Two 12-inch display screens dominate the dash. The configurable Digital Productivity Screen replaces the traditional analog gauge cluster, showing speed, electric power usage, and other pertinent information. The second landscape-orientation screen hosts the SYNC 4 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford PassConnect with Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and over-the-air updates.
Other standard tech features include push-button start, a 360-degree exterior camera, a SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, and the MyKey programmable key fob that allows parents to set limits on certain features, speed, and audio volume.
Ford’s Co-Pilot360 includes pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, auto high-beam headlights, a rear backup camera, rear parking sensors, and reverse brake assist.
Optional is Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology, lane centering and speed sign recognition, steering assist, intersection assist, and connected navigation.
The Pro Power Onboard option ups output to 9.6 kilowatts. When so equipped, the F-150 Lightning can be upgraded with Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power. In the event of a power failure, the Lightning can reverse the electrical flow back through the home charging unit, providing power to your home for hours and even days.
The Tow Technology Package adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist that automatically regulates the steering, throttle, and brake input when hooking up a trailer. This option brings trailer guidance and brake control, a trailering camera, and Onboard Scales, a technology that calculates the truck’s payload and informs customers how much they’re hauling. The system then interfaces with the onboard power management system, allowing it to adjust the battery’s total estimated range based on the added weight.
Other options include a power-down tailgate, LED box lighting with zone lighting, proximity key fob (allows access without the need to hold the fob or use a key), 20-inch wheels, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and a tailgate work surface.
Ford has yet to release the complete XLT standard equipment list, but it’s a safe bet that features like cruise control, heated side mirrors, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and automatic climate control will be there, too.
Without destination or delivery fees, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT sells for $52,974. Assuming no money down, a 60-month loan at 3% financing produces a monthly payment of $952. Find a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT for sale
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT includes:
- SYNC4 – A complete infotainment system, SYNC 4 delivers rapid response via a touchscreen display and can accommodate Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation, and even a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Interior work surface – A clever design, the F-150 Lightning’s shift lever folds flat to create a large, level workspace.
- Digital Productivity Screen – Shows vehicle speed, battery levels, electricity usage and can be configured to display animated graphics detailing things like how efficiently you’re applying the regenerative braking technology.
- Co-Pilot360 – An extensive suite of driver assists help keeps the F-150 Lightning on the road and out of trouble. From low-speed automatic braking to auto high-beam headlights that automatically dim and brighten, CoPilot360 has your back.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat ($67,474)
As with the gas-powered F-150, the Lightning Lariat takes the F-150 to new heights of luxury and technology.
Building off the XLT’s optional equipment list, the Lariat includes a power up/down tailgate with work surface and unique LED lighting, 20-inch Dark Carbonized Gray alloy wheels, Intelligent Access keyless entry, Ford CoPilot360 Assist 2.0, and the 9.6kW Pro Power Onboard.
Inside, leather upholstery replaces cloth, covering a set of heated and ventilated front seats. A 10-way power driver’s seat with memory and a multi-adjustable power passenger seat is standard.
The Lariat’s infotainment gets updated to SYNC 4A featuring a 15.5-inch portrait orientation display, Amazon Alexa, and an 8-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Options for the Lariat trim include the Tow Technology Package (See XLT options), extended-range battery, power-deployable running boards, Phone As A Key smartphone app, and Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 featuring self-driving BlueCruise technology and self-parking Active Park Assist. Find a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat for sale
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat includes:
- Heated and ventilated front seats – The ultimate in comfort, these seats can quickly warm in the winter or circulate cool air in the summer.
- Adaptive cruise control – Allows the F-150 Lightning to keep a safe distance from the traffic ahead and can even slow, stop and then resume speed once the coast is clear.
- Power up/down tailgate – Makes it easy to gain access to the bed when your arms are full.
- Bang & Olufsen audio – An upgrade every music lover will appreciate, the Lariat’s 8-speaker sound system has been custom-tailored by Danish high-end electronics specialist Bang & Olufsen.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum ($90,474)
At the top of the electric Ford F-150 Lightning range is the ultra-luxurious, 580-horsepower Platinum trim. As such, the Platinum includes all the Lariat features plus most of its options.
Platinum trims include the extended-range battery, 22-inch bright-machined aluminum wheels, Phone As A Key function, an enhanced B&O Unleashed audio setup with 18 speakers, and Co-Pilot360 Active Assist with BlueCruise self-driving technology.
The Platinum’s seats receive premium Nirvana leather upholstery, and the front seats gain Active Motion massage.
Options include power deployable running boards and Ford’s Max Recline front seats.
Without options or delivery fees, we estimate a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum will run $90,474. With no money down, a 60-month loan at 3% has a monthly payment of approximately $1,626. Find a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum for sale
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum includes:
- BlueCruise autonomous driving – Allows for hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of pre-qualified highways in the U.S. and Canada.
- Zone Lighting – Allows various LED lights located around the truck and in the bed to be turned on, providing light where it’s needed when it’s needed. Zone Lighting can be controlled from a smartphone via the FordPass app.
- Bang & Olufsen Unleashed audio – Even more potent than the Lariat’s system, this B&O Unleashed system includes 18 speakers and a powered subwoofer.
- Available Max Recline front seats – These seats do more than recline. The seat bottoms rise to fill the gap between the seatback and lower cushion, creating a truly comfortable place to catch a quick nap or overnight sleep.
Other Truck Trim Comparisons:
