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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” 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 Kind | 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 (ultimate 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 car: Mats ($160), Professional Energy Onboard ($1200), Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving techniques ($2100), Max Trailer Tow Package deal ($1100), Cell 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 cozy 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 oldsters 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 further chilly, the excessive temp drops under zero—on common—2 or fewer occasions a 12 months. Nutshell: Single-digit excessive temperatures are usually not fairly frequent in Chicago, however we take care of them for no 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.
In the event you’re conversant in electrical automobiles, you’re probably conscious that chilly climate can degrade battery capability, and, amongst different issues, restrict car vary. That is such a narrative. And it is rather a lot a worst-case state of affairs.
The gentleman delivering my take a look at car known 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 offered 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 features; 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 displaying 231 miles of obtainable vary. Because the truck had a long way to journey earlier than arriving at my house, the driving 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 received 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 number of driving.
Having not charged, the following day I drove 20-25 miles, and the estimate held regular at about 180 miles. Be aware 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 beneath the worst potential circumstances and issues went fairly nicely. Had I set out on a protracted drive, that journey would have been difficult by the probably necessity to cost a further 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 motive the battery appeared to empty particularly slowly through the second day of our analysis is that, because of the 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 offered by the car is predicated partially on historic utilization. So, if the driving force or drivers behind the wheel of the Lightning earlier than me had been aggressive jack-rabbit type operators, the system would issue that heavy-usage conduct into the vary estimate. My extra tempered driving type probably 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 degree. Ford experiences 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 worth vary. Positioned between the XLT and Lariat trim ranges, the Flash serves up a compelling listing 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 received previous our vary points, the Lightning in Flash trim served us nicely. Regardless of the intense 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 fast 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, 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. In the event you can, particularly when its chilly, make use of your own home 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.
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F-150 Lightning within the Chilly Photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures