2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Model Review with Prices, Photos, & Specs
Key Features
- Starting at $49,995 MSRP*
- Standard Mega Power Frunk with four Pro Power On-Board 120V outlets and two USB ports
- Two available all-electric drivetrains with 775 lb-ft of torque and either 462 or 580 horsepower
- Available Tailgate Work Surface and Interior Work Surface
- LED Projector headlights with Dynamic Bending
- Standard 12-inch or optional 15.5-inch center screen including SYNC® 4
- 360-Degree Camera
- Class-exclusive available Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist
About The Ford F-150 Lightning
The F-150 Lightning is an expertly well-executed blend of cutting-edge technology and tried-and-true truck building. The Lightning swaps out gasoline for an all-electric drivetrain, while retaining everything that makes the F-150 such a massive hit in the first place. This highly capable pickup produces up to 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, which is more horsepower than any F-150 except the Raptor R, and the most torque of any F-150. No wonder it’ll hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds.
The available extended range battery gives you up to 320 miles of range, and a total of 11 power outlets give you the ability to power all kinds of other things when you need to, including your entire house for up to 10 days. The electric drivetrain comes with other advantages too, like all of the room under the hood for the Mega Power Frunk, a large lockable storage compartment that includes four 120V outlets and a pair of USB charging ports.
What the Critics Say
"But floor the accelerator and you'll know that the Lightning is not your standard gasoline-powered F-150; the electric motors' instant, massive torque slams you into the seat as if you got run into from behind by a Peterbilt. Otherwise, the Lightning delivers just about everything the regular F-150 does in a package that is close to a mirror image." — Car & Driver
"Ford wouldn't be able to stand behind that whole 'Built Ford Tough' jargon if its electric pickup couldn't tow and haul some serious poundage. Maximum towing capacity comes with the extended-range battery and the optional Max Trailer Tow package; if you tick both those boxes on an F-150 XLT or Lariat, you should be safe to tow up to 10,000 pounds. (There are plenty of clever towing features, too.) Ford is estimating payload capacity for standard-range trucks to come in around 2,000 pounds." — MotorTrend
Ford F-150 Lightning Features
Serious Performance
The F-150 Lightning comes with dual electric motors and a choice of standard or extended range battery. There’s a total of 775 lb-ft of torque no matter which batter you choose, but the horsepower ratings are different. The standard battery comes with 462 horsepower and the extended range comes with 580. Obviously, both of these are a lot, and extended range versions can go from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds. It goes without saying that the different batteries also deliver different ranges. Standard battery packs give you a range of 240 miles, while the extended range option is good for 320 miles. And since the F-150 Lightning comes with lifetime access to the BlueOval™ Charge Network, topping up while out and about is a breeze.
Incredible Functionality
It’s great to have an electric vehicle to save on gas, but if you’re going to buy an electric truck, you want to also function as a truck. That’s the advantage the F-150 Lightning has over its rivals, it might be electric, but it’s still all F-150. That means you get a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, and a payload capacity of 2,235 pounds. On top of this, you have the Mega Power Frunk, an under-hood storage compartment that adds 14.1 cubic feet of extra storage space. That’s more than a lot of car trunks, and it can even be hosed down and drained, not exactly a common feature on car trunks. It also comes with a set of four 120V outlets, one USB-A port and one USB-C port, for charging or powering smaller devices. It’s also waterproof and lockable, two very important features.
Comfortable Interior
It’s not exactly surprising that the F-150 Lighting has a comfortable interior, it’s a feature that F-150 customers have come to expect for years. The F-150 Lightning comes standard with a SuperCrew® cab that seats 5 comfortably. The Lightning comes standard with SYNC® 4, Ford’s latest infotainment operating system. A large 12-inch touchscreen comes standard, and there is an available 15.5-inch portrait-oriented option. To go with this, there is an available B&O® Unleashed Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, with a 1080-watt output from its 18 speakers. There are heated and ventilated front seats available, along with a heated steering wheel and standard dual-zone climate control. Authentic leather upholstery is available, as are real wood interior trim accents and ambient lighting. Lastly, to help you enjoy all of this comfort, the F-150 Lightning is available with BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free cruise control system, so you can sit back and enjoy the luxury and quiet of the electric truck’s interior.
Trims & Specs
Pro
- Starting at $49,995 MSRP*
- 240 mile range
- FordCo-Pilot360™ 2.0
- 2.4kW Pro Power OnBoard
- Mega Power Frunk
- SYNC® 4
XLT
- Starting at $54,995 MSRP*
- Signature front end lighting
- Running boards
- 360-degree camera
- Interior Work Surface
- 9.6kW Pro Power OnBoard
Lariat
- Starting at $69,995 MSRP*
- 20-inch wheels
- Leather-trimmed heated and ventilated seats
- Power tailgate
- SYNC® 4A with 15.5-inch touchscreen
Platinum
- Starting at $91,995 MSRP*
- 22-inch wheels
- Nirvana leather heated and ventilated seats
- Extended-range battery (300 mile range)
- Bang & Olufsen premium audio
- Twin-panel moonroof