Pros and cons
Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2023)
4 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
5 pros, 4 cons. The Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning is best for us contractors and adventure-truck buyers wanting ev pickup with proven f-150 utility — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
If you are deciding between the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning and one of its rivals, this is the page that should change your mind one way or the other. We list 5 pros and 4 cons, in plain language, tied to actual usage rather than spec-sheet feelings. Ford Motor Company's 515 km range claim sits in the middle — what surrounds it is the real story.
Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning — the pros
On the plus side, the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning delivers on these in a way the spec sheet under-sells. Strength 1 — Iconic F-150 nameplate goes electric. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — Up to 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) towing. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard for tools/home. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — BlueCruise hands-free on 130,000+ miles of US highways. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 5 — Frunk doubles as cooler. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 131 kWh battery, 515 km range, and a USD 49,995 - 84,995 (US market) starting price that defines the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning's value envelope.
Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning — the cons
These trade-offs aren't dealbreakers for most buyers, but they're real. Weakness 1 — Towing slashes range by ~50%. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — Heavy at 6,500+ lb — affects efficiency. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Not sold globally. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 4 — 150 kW DC charging is slower than 800V rivals. On the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a full-size electric pickup weighing 2950 kg with 180 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning is for
Ford Motor Company pitches the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning at "US contractors and adventure-truck buyers wanting EV pickup with proven F-150 utility", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 515 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 15-80% in 41 min (150kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
Book a virtual inspection on the specific Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning unit you're considering. The general pros and cons stop mattering when one specific car has condition issues that override both.
Related Ford Motor Company EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at rivian r1t, chevrolet silverado ev, gmc hummer ev pickup — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning worth buying overall?
- For us contractors and adventure-truck buyers wanting ev pickup with proven f-150 utility, yes. The Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning's pros pay back week after week for that use case. For substantially different needs, you'll find better fits in other models.
- Does Ford Motor Company address the cons in newer models?
- Some, not all. Ford Motor Company has improved the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning platform with each refresh — software updates close a few cons, hardware refresh cycles close more. But fundamental layout decisions (boot space, seating, charge port placement) are baked in for the life of the model.
- Can the cons be fixed with aftermarket changes?
- A few — wheels, tyres, interior comforts, dashcam, charging cables. Most cons in the list above are structural and not modifiable after purchase, so buy with eyes open.
- What's the biggest reason to choose the Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning?
- Pick the pro in the list above that most matches your weekly use. If it's range, value, charging speed, or feature set — whichever sits at the top for you — that's the buy signal.
The Ford Motor Company F-150 Lightning is best for us contractors and adventure-truck buyers wanting ev pickup with proven f-150 utility. Within that envelope, it is hard to beat for the money; outside it, you would be better served by a different shape of EV.