2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

The best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the past 45 years is turning electric. That's right, the 2022 Ford Lightning is here. It starts its life as an F-150 SuperCrew (or crew cab) with a 5.5-foot bed. But instead of a gasoline engine and drivetrain, it has two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The potential benefit of electric power is obvious just from the spec sheet: The Lightning can produce up to 580 horsepower and a massive 775 lb-ft of torque, more torque than any other F-150 currently on sale.

Ford has deliberately designed the Lightning to be recognizable as an F-150, but this hasn't stopped it from using some of the beneficial technology found in other Ford EVs. The 15.5-inch touchscreen on premium models is awash with features, from driving modes to electronic payload scales. The Lightning also offers the F-150's existing Pro Power Onboard feature that consists of household-style electrical plugs that you can use to power tools and other electronic devices. BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free driver assist feature that works on select highways, is offered as well.

Of course, the Lightning is a truck and is expected to do truck things. Properly equipped, the F-150 Lightning has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. This is less than the max payload figure for a regular F-150 but still plenty useful. The same could be said for the Lightning's payload figures. You also get a pretty neat front trunk where the regular F-150's engine would normally be.

There are some caveats to utilizing these capacities in real-world situations; check our Expert Rating for our test team's complete evaluation of how the Lightning performs. And there could be reasons for considering the rival Rivian R1T or GMC Hummer EV instead. But overall we're excited about the new F-150 Lighting and think it's a great pick if you want the advantages of an EV combined with pickup truck utility.

The all-electric F-150 Lightning is available in one of four trim levels: Pro, XLT, Lariat and Platinum. All Lightnings come in a four-door crew-cab body style with a 5.5-foot bed and dual electric motors that give the truck all-wheel drive. The Pro, XLT and Lariat all come with a 98-kWh battery pack that enables the truck to produce 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque and have an EPA-estimated 230 miles of range. A larger 131-kWh extended-range battery pack is optional on the XLT and Lariat and standard on the Platinum. The extended-range battery not only provides up to 320 miles of range but also boosts the truck's output to 580 hp (the 775 lb-ft stays the same). Here's what else you get on the F-150 Lightning: