Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash 4X4 SuperCrew
Specs
Class: Giant Pickup Truck
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Colour: Agate Black Metallic
Miles pushed: 141
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores 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 | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Battery capability: 131 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 78 metropolis/63 hwy/70 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 320 miles
Client Information vary estimate (supreme circumstances): 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 techniques ($2100), Max Trailer Tow Package deal ($1100), Cellular Energy Twine ($500), Toughbed spray-in bedliner ($595)
Value as examined (2024): $81,245
Professionals and Cons
The good: Anticipated truck utility, glorious street manners
The great: Quiet and cozy 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
Assessment/Chilly
In accordance the parents who catalogue such issues, the excessive temperature in Chicago dips under 10 levels between 2 and 5 instances a yr. And for people who like issues further chilly, the excessive temp drops under zero—on common—2 or fewer instances a yr. Nutshell: Single-digit excessive temperatures usually are not fairly widespread in Chicago, however we take care of them for at the very least some time each winter.
So, blame girl luck for scheduling the arrival of a Ford F-150 Lightning Flash electrical pickup for January 21 of this yr—the coldest day of the Winter up till that time. And by chilly, we imply the excessive temperature hovered round zero.
When you’re aware of electrical automobiles, you’re possible 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 known as me prematurely to warn me that the F-150 Lightning would arrive with lower than 200 miles of vary. In higher climate this may 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 exterior previous to supply. Exterior within the chilly.
Ford had supplied me with entry to its handly FordPass app previous to truck’s arrival, and it informed an attention-grabbing story. The app, by the best way, is a great tool that helps with charging and cabin-climate capabilities; it’s very simple 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 accessible vary. Because the truck had far to journey earlier than arriving at my residence, the motive force’s estimate of below 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 Perhaps 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 subsequent day. And as for that 180-mile estimate, it hardly modified in any respect.
Having not charged, the subsequent day I drove 20-25 miles, and the estimate held regular at about 180 miles. Observe that the truck had been parked in an unheated storage in a single day. After chatting with quite a few EV specialists in regards to the Lightning’s chilly climate efficiency, and the unchanging 180-mile vary estimate, I got here to the next conclusions:
Worst-Case Situation
I skilled the F-150 Lightning below the worst potential circumstances and issues went fairly nicely. Had I set out on an extended drive, that journey would have been sophisticated by possible must cost an extra time or two. Nonetheless, I by no means felt the necessity to curtail my use of the warmth—which might drain the battery moreover—or drive conservatively.
Much less Warmth
One cause 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.
Straightforward Going
The battery vary estimate supplied by the automobile relies partially on historic utilization. So, if the motive force or drivers behind the wheel of the Lightning earlier than me have been aggressive jack-rabbit model operators, the system would issue that heavy-usage habits into the vary estimate. My extra tempered driving model possible registered with the on-board pc, ensuing within the extended-period show of 180 miles.
2025 Updates
Client Information hung out with a 2024 F-F150 Lightning within the new for ’24 Flash trim stage. Ford studies solely small adjustments to the Lightning for 2025.
The Flash
Ford added Flash to the Lightning lineup to hit a worth 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 paste 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 seems, feels, and even smells like a traditional, gasoline-powered F-150-except that the Lightning serves up higher acceleration and extra instant 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 affect of the deep chill was diminished vary, and considerably slower public quick charging. When you can, particularly when its chilly, make use of your private home charger, particularly if it’s in a heated storage. As for the Flash, we suspect the brand new trim stage will account for plurality of Lightning gross sales transferring ahead.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
F-150 Lightning within the Chilly Footage
Click on under for enlarged pictures
