Edmunds Top Rated Best of the Best 2023

What were we looking for?

The Edmunds Top Rated Best of the Best award recognizes the standout vehicle on sale today. Informed by Edmunds' industry-leading testing process, this award is given at the editors' discretion and considers the vehicle's impact, innovation and relevance to car shoppers.

The launch of the F-150 Lightning was a seismic moment for Ford. Its success or failure was not just an existential issue for the Blue Oval; it would also have huge ramifications for the industry as a whole. If the automotive world is to turn electric, then the biggest-selling vehicle in the U.S., the heartbeat of working America, had to lead the charge.

Thankfully, it's good — very, very good. With the caveat that infrastructure concerns compromise its ability to tow long distances, this is not just a new kind of truck, it's a better kind of truck. It performs better; it's more refined; it's more practical thanks to a huge, lockable front trunk; and it's more versatile with the ability to power tools, toys or even other vehicles. For work or play, it opens up a whole new world of opportunities.

"The Ford F-150 Lightning is beautifully judged. Futuristic without being wacky, it embraces the advantages of electric technology to create a better truck for truck buyers. This isn't a lifestyle toy; it's a working tool in the best tradition of the F-150. The heart of America is in robust health." — Alistair Weaver, editor-in-chief

When historians write about the automotive revolution in the 2020s, the Ford F-150 Lightning will take center stage.