2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat Drivers’ Notes: The sparkle isn’t wearing away

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning continues to impress with each succeeding time we support the wheel. It’s an electrical F-150 with no significant obstacles or traits to shut off the average vehicle purchaser. Evaluating by the ravenous need, Ford shows up to have actually gotten this formula right. That’s no surprise, however, as very few brands recognize truck customers better than the king of full-size truck sales, Ford.

Below, we have a Lariat version with the extended-range battery pack. Based upon prices, the degree of equipment and also the range given by the large battery pack– 320 miles– it’s most likely mosting likely to be a popular quality to get. The AWD Lightning with this extensive array pack creates a walloping 580 horse power and 775 pound-feet of torque, and also with our tester’s Max Trailer Tow package, can tow as much as 10,000 pounds. Payload capacity sits at a slightly much less impressive 1,800 pounds, but you do obtain the Technology of the Year acclaimed Onboard Scales as well as Smart Hitch technology to make towing and also transporting easier.

Pricing for the Lightning has altered between when we examined it and also when this review was published (to offer you an idea of how frequently Ford has enhanced the Lightning’s rates this year). When we had the vehicle, it stickered for $80,739, but today, a similarly-equipped 2023 F-150 Lightning will run you $89,314. Also for an already expensive vehicle, that’s a large uptick. Nevertheless, there’s so much to love concerning this electrical vehicle that looking beyond that rate rise is possible. The F-150 Lightning is truly among the ideal trucks you can get today, electrical or not.

Customer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski– The Ford Lightning appears created particularly not to wow sightseers. The blunt-nosed face with its grille-less opening, you rather much have to look underneath to see that this isn’t an ordinary F-Series vehicle. Alongside the Hummer EV I drove on the same day, the Lightning just didn’t stick out.

If that sounds like a demerit, it’s not suggested to be. Not just is the look like that of a basic Ford truck, so too is the experience from behind the wheel. Except that it’s really, actually effective. I’ve put thousands of miles on lots of Ford F-150 versions, and also the Lightning is easily one of the most fun to drive (I’m omitting the Raptor for evident reasons). There’s power whenever as well as any place you desire it. Considering its mass and the fact that it’s a pickup and also not a sporting activity car, it also trips and also steers pretty darn well.

It’s honestly unsubstantiated that this is Ford’s really initial electrical pickup truck. It’s fine-tuned, drives well, has a lot of variety (though lugging a big tons will certainly reduce that in fifty percent), and also well packaged. If only they weren’t so hard to locate for sale without ridiculous car dealership markups …

Associate Editor Byron Hurd– The Lightning is one of the most conventional EV I’ve ever before driven. It just feels like a vehicle, albeit a peaceful one. Fittingly, we welcomed the Lightning to be evaluated for Tech of the Year since its tow/haul tech simply ordinary works– consistently– and also serves an useful objective for individuals that in fact utilize their vehicles for truck things. It’s basic, smart and helpful and also doesn’t feel like a trick, just like the Lightning itself. Perhaps this vehicle is as well sensible for the regular EV customer, however I’m wagering that’s why it will appeal to more than a couple of regular vehicle people.

Information Editor Joel Stocksdale– Man, trailering modern technology just maintains getting better and far better. I’m impressed at just how clear and receptive the Onboard Scale and also Smart Hitch systems are. They’re super-easy to recognize, and they’re not hard to dig up in the infotainment system. Having that overview for filling a trailer appropriately is additionally really practical and also crucial for risk-free use a trailer. It’s terrific that there are all these tools for making trailering much easier as well as much safer for even novices, who truly will require the help the most. It sure would certainly be nice if more of these tools were simply common, though.

Road Test Editor Zac Palmer– The F-150 Lightning is conveniently my new preferred full-size pick-up. It’s one of the most comfy, best, quietest and also simple and easy F-150 cash can purchase. Now, the amount of money necessary to buy an F-150 Lightning maintains going up, yet that does not mean you must avert rather yet. Despite having the rate increases, the Lightning is a stellar EV.

I believe Ford toenailed what individuals want in an electric vehicle from essentially every viewpoint. If you intend to drive it around like a regular automobile, that can be done. Like a one-pedal experience like many EV followers do? That can additionally be done. Acceleration off the line is powerful, and the first time you go full steam, you’ll understand why President Biden was raving about the model he drove a pair years earlier. Regular vehicle buyers should appreciate the truck-like handling as well as feel of the F-150. This is no sports car impersonating as a pickup. It’ll roll and also relocate like a regular vehicle will, however the fundamental low center of mass still creates a more stable-feeling vehicle than any kind of gasoline-powered F-150.

The indoor tech encompassing the massive infomercial system and digital instrument collection work well. Nevertheless, I do desire it had a few even more physical controls like gas-powered F-150s do. The central display can be a touch laggy on first startup, causing hold-ups to inputs– do not make anybody wait an added couple of seconds to obtain those warmed seats rolling on a cold morning! Last on the list of problems is the billing innovation itself. Ford assures 155 kW of rapid billing ability, and also while commendable, that’s still not super-quick when you’re handling such a large battery pack. If you’re hauling long enough to require billing stops, it might produce an excessively lengthy journey, which is never ever fun. That said, I’m convinced the Lightning can replace an enormous amount of gas-powered F-150s on the road right now, and everyone’s truck lives would certainly be dramatically far better for it. This thing rules.

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