Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash 4X4 SuperCrew
Specs
Class: Giant Pickup Truck
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Shade: Agate Black Metallic
Miles pushed: 141
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 580-horsepower |
| Engine Sort | Electrical motors |
| Transmission | Computerized |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Battery capability: 131 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 78 metropolis/63 hwy/70 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 320 miles
Shopper Information vary estimate (best situations): 320+ miles
Cost Port Location: Entrance driver-side fender
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth (2024): $73,4950 (not together with $2095 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Mats ($160), Professional Energy Onboard ($1200), Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving methods ($2100), Max Trailer Tow Package deal ($1100), Cellular Energy Wire ($500), Toughbed spray-in bedliner ($595)
Value as examined (2024): $81,245
Execs and Cons
The nice: Anticipated truck utility, glorious street manners
The nice: Quiet and comfy cabin, Flash trim stage hits worth candy spot
The not so good: Chilly climate takes toll on vary
Ford F-150 Lightning within the Chilly
Evaluation/Chilly
In accordance the oldsters who catalogue such issues, the excessive temperature in Chicago dips beneath 10 levels between 2 and 5 occasions a 12 months. And for people who like issues further chilly, the excessive temp drops beneath zero—on common—2 or fewer occasions a 12 months. Nutshell: Single-digit excessive temperatures are usually not fairly frequent in Chicago, however we cope with them for not less than some time each winter.
So, blame woman luck for scheduling the arrival of a Ford F-150 Lightning Flash electrical pickup for January 21 of this 12 months—the coldest day of the Winter up till that time. And by chilly, we imply the excessive temperature hovered round zero.
If you happen to’re aware of electrical autos, you’re seemingly conscious that chilly climate can degrade battery capability, and, amongst different issues, restrict automobile vary. That is such a narrative. And it is extremely a lot a worst-case state of affairs.
The gentleman delivering my take a look at automobile referred to as me upfront to warn me that the F-150 Lightning would arrive with lower than 200 miles of vary. In higher climate this could be disappointing, because the Flash trim ranges comes geared up with a 131-kWh battery, good for an EPA-estimate 320 miles of vary.
The place did the Vary Go?
As we perceive it, the Lightning was totally charged inside, however was subsequently parked outdoors previous to supply. Outdoors within the chilly.
Ford had offered me with entry to its handly FordPass app previous to truck’s arrival, and it advised an fascinating story. The app, by the best way, is a great tool that helps with charging and cabin-climate capabilities; it’s very straightforward to make use of.
Per the app, the Lighting that may quickly grace my driveway was 100-percent charged, however solely displaying 231 miles of obtainable vary. Because the truck had far to journey earlier than arriving at my residence, the driving force’s estimate of underneath 200 miles felt about proper—and it was. What we skilled was a roughly 28-percent diminishment of battery capability on a uniquely chilly Chicago day.
Unusual, or Possibly not so Unusual
Curiously, a fast 10-mile drive within the F-150 noticed the estimated vary drop additional, to about 180 miles. After which issues acquired unusual. First, temps rose to comparatively regular winter ranges (20-25 levels) the following day. And as for that 180-mile estimate, it hardly modified in any respect–regardless of quite a lot of driving.
Having not charged, the following day I drove 20-25 miles, and the estimate held regular at about 180 miles. Notice that the truck had been parked in an unheated storage in a single day. After chatting with numerous EV consultants concerning the Lightning’s chilly climate efficiency, and the unchanging 180-mile vary estimate, I got here to the next conclusions:
Worst-Case State of affairs
I skilled the F-150 Lightning underneath the worst attainable circumstances and issues went fairly nicely. Had I set out on an extended drive, that journey would have been sophisticated by the seemingly necessity to cost an extra time or two. Nonetheless, I by no means felt the necessity to curtail my use of the warmth—which may drain the battery moreover—or drive conservatively.
Much less Warmth
One purpose the battery appeared to empty particularly slowly throughout the second day of our analysis is that, as a result of hotter climate, we used the heater much less. As famous above, heating and cooling an EV’s cabin can drain the battery moreover. And, as a Chicagoan, I can ignore 20-gree days, however 1-degree days are fairly tough–crank up the warmth.
Simple Going
The battery vary estimate offered by the automobile relies partly on historic utilization. So, if the driving force or drivers behind the wheel of the Lightning earlier than me have been aggressive jack-rabbit type operators, the system would issue that heavy-usage habits into the vary estimate. My extra tempered driving type seemingly registered with the on-board laptop, ensuing within the extended-period show of 180 miles.
2025 Updates
Shopper Information hung out with a 2024 F-F150 Lightning within the new for ’24 Flash trim stage. Ford stories solely small adjustments to the Lightning for 2025.
The Flash
Ford added Flash to the Lightning lineup to hit a price candy spot in the midst of the value vary. Positioned between the XLT and Lariat trim ranges, the Flash serves up a compelling checklist of options, in addition to the Prolonged Vary Battery. Beginning at $72,190 for 2025, the Flash was additionally priced to qualify—even with choices—for the EV federal tax credit score, which is cutoff at $80,000.
Costs and Trim Ranges
The 2025 Lightning lineup:
Professional: $51,975
XLT: $65,540
Flash: $72,190
Lariat: $79,190
Platinum: $87,190
The Expertise
As soon as we acquired previous our vary points, the Lightning in Flash trim served us nicely. Regardless of the acute chilly, the cabin warmed up rapidly. In any other case, the Lightning appears, feels, and even smells, like a traditional, gasoline-powered F-150-except that the Lightning serves up higher acceleration and extra rapid throttle response.
Worth
We noticed the Lightning at its worst, and have been nonetheless impressed by the truck. Although we didn’t tow or haul something, we did put appreciable mileage on the truck, and located it roomy, comfy, and highly effective. As for the chilly, the one actual influence of the deep chill was diminished vary, and considerably slower public quick charging. If you happen to can, particularly when its chilly, make use of your house charger, particularly if it’s in a heated storage. As for the Flash, we suspect the brand new trim stage will account for the plurality of Lightning gross sales shifting ahead.
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F-150 Lightning within the Chilly Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures