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 |
| Gas Economic 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 degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly 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
Shopper Information vary estimate (superb circumstances): 320+ miles
Cost Port Location: Entrance driver-side fender
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base value (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 Bundle ($1100), Cell Energy Twine ($500), Toughbed spray-in bedliner ($595)
Worth as examined (2024): $81,245
Professionals and Cons
The good: Anticipated truck utility, wonderful street manners
The nice: Quiet and comfy cabin, Flash trim degree hits worth candy spot
The not so good: Chilly climate takes toll on vary
Ford F-150 Lightning within the Chilly
Evaluate/Chilly
In accordance the parents who catalogue such issues, the excessive temperature in Chicago dips under 10 levels between 2 and 5 occasions a 12 months. And for folk who like issues additional chilly, the excessive temp drops under zero—on common—2 or fewer occasions a 12 months. Nutshell: Single-digit excessive temperatures should not fairly frequent in Chicago, however we take care of them for a minimum of 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.
When you’re aware of electrical automobiles, you’re probably conscious that chilly climate can degrade battery capability, and, amongst different issues, restrict automobile vary. That is such a narrative. And it is vitally 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 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 outdoors 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 instructed an attention-grabbing story. The app, by the way in which, is a useful gizmo that helps with charging and cabin-climate capabilities; it’s very simple to make use of.
Per the app, the Lighting that will quickly grace my driveway was 100-percent charged, however solely exhibiting 231 miles of accessible vary. Because the truck had a ways to journey earlier than arriving at my residence, the motive force’s estimate of beneath 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
Apparently, a fast 10-mile drive within the F-150 noticed the estimated vary drop additional, to about 180 miles. After which issues obtained 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 a variety of driving.
Having not charged, the following day I drove 20-25 miles, and the estimate held regular at about 180 miles. Word that the truck had been parked in an unheated storage in a single day. After chatting with various 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 beneath the worst potential circumstances and issues went fairly effectively. Had I set out on an extended drive, that journey would have been sophisticated by the probably 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 motive the battery appeared to empty particularly slowly in the course of 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.
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 had been aggressive jack-rabbit model operators, the system would issue that heavy-usage conduct into the vary estimate. My extra tempered driving model probably 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 degree. 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 course of the worth vary. Positioned between the XLT and Lariat trim ranges, the Flash serves up a compelling record 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 obtained previous our vary points, the Lightning in Flash trim served us effectively. Regardless of the intense chilly, the cabin warmed up shortly. In any other case, the Lightning seems to be, feels, and even smells, like a traditional, gasoline-powered F-150-except that the Lightning serves up higher acceleration and extra speedy throttle response.
Worth
We noticed the Lightning at its worst, and had 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, snug, and highly effective. As for the chilly, the one actual impression of the deep chill was diminished vary, and considerably slower public quick charging. When you can, particularly when its chilly, make use of your property charger, particularly if it’s in a heated storage. As for the Flash, we suspect the brand new trim degree will account for the plurality of Lightning gross sales transferring ahead.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
F-150 Lightning within the Chilly Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
