If you wish to make the switch to electric motors but have remained hesitant due to the idea of giving up your beloved pickup truck, Ford has a vehicle that will appeal to you. The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning is Ford's commitment to delivering the largest possible electric battery under the skin of one of America's favorite trucks. Edmunds' experts have given it a 7.7/10 while owners have delivered a 4.1/5 score.
Reviewers note that the Ford F-150 Lightning is not a revolutionary take on the modern electric pickup as much as it was a faithful adaptation of a long-time American icon. So, if you are familiar with the comforts and functionalities of the standard internal combustion F-150, you will not have a hard time adjusting to the electric alternative.
What Does the F-150 Lightning Cost?
There are five trim levels for the 2025 F-150 Lightning, each with a suggested starting
price:
Pro – $49,780
XLT – $63,345
Flash – $69,995 (Edmunds' favorite)
Lariat – $76,995
Platinum – $84,995
Edmunds reports that the fair market price for the F-150 Lightning is actually 6.5% below the starting price, which translates to $4,700 to $6,400 off the sticker price, depending on the trim level. There is also a $1,000 customer cash discount available with the promotion, and Ford offers financing deals with up to 0.9% APR for 72 months.
The difference between the trims is in the battery, with the Pro and the XLT receiving the standard battery and the Flash, Lariat, and Platinum gaining access to the extended range battery. The latter adds over 100 miles to the range and adds 128 horsepower, taking the power output to 580 horsepower.
How Fast Is it?
Edmunds' review team was surprised by the performance of the F-150 Lightning. Their test drive of the Platinum trim saw a 0 to 60 mph sprint completed in 4 seconds. That is quick enough to rival many sports cars. And this is the performance of a full-size pickup truck with towing capabilities.
The F-150 Lightning's brakes are also impressive. Despite weighing over 4,600 pounds, the F-150 Lightning was perfectly capable of stopping at high speeds. One feature that adds to the car's sportiness is the single-pedal driving mode. In it, the driver can slow down the vehicle considerably by taking their foot off the accelerator. Reviewers report rarely using the brakes when driving the F-150 Lightning on the street.
On the road, the F-150 Lightning feels composed and predictable in its movements. It is not as sporty or sharp as some of the electric cars currently on the market. The main annoyance, according to Edmunds, is that the F-150 Lightning can bounce on rougher roads, creating an uncomfortable and unsuitable driving environment for a truck.
How Long Does It Drive on a Full Battery?
As expected, the EPA range estimates depend on the battery size:
Standard – 240 miles
Extended range – 312 miles
However, Edmunds' team of reviewers was able to achieve much better results, with their test vehicle managing 332 miles on a single charge. The 312-mile rating applies to the extended range battery, but Edmunds' Lariat trim achieved a 345-mile range on a single charge.
It is crucial to understand that the ranges mentioned above apply to driving conditions without a trailer. As soon as a trailer is attached, the driving range decreases considerably – by as much as 50%, according to Edmunds. This loss is considerable and should affect buyers' decisions if long-distance road trips are on the agenda.
Cold weather reduces the range considerably, but the problem is mitigated by the ability to charge the vehicle at a warm parking garage. Edmunds mentions that some owners in Alaska report a 50% reduction in range during the winter season.
How Long Does It Take To Charge?
One of the advantages of the F-150 Lightning is the convenience of charging at home:
Using a Level 2 home charger, it takes 11.9 hours to complete a full charge.
With that, the F-150 Lightning can provide consistent range every morning.
And, if the owner has the ability to install solar panels, they can essentially enjoy free electricity after the initial investment has paid off.
On the road, the F-150 Lightning can utilize Tesla Superchargers with the newly-introduced NACS (North American Charging Standard) adapter. In fact, Edmunds' team of reviewers noted that the F-150 Lightning achieved an impressive 304 miles of range per hour of charging. However, it is worth mentioning that some rivals offer a faster charging
experience.
On the Road – What Is It Like To Drive the F-150 Lightning?The comfort category has a score of 8.4/10. The cabin of the F-150 Lightning is exceptionally quiet, with the hum of the electric motor being barely noticeable. The air conditioning/heating system is powerful and creates the desired temperature differential in the cabin. Overall, the driving experience is serene and comforting.
Another positive about the F-150 Lightning is the intuitive cabin design. It is easy to navigate, thanks to the numerous physical controls. The 15.5-inch infotainment screen is high-resolution and responsive, while owners who wish to do so can wirelessly connect to the car's system in order to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Flash, Lariat, and Platinum trims receive an enhanced 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The higher trims also gain access to a 14-cubic-foot powered frunk. It is roomy and can double as a storage area for wet items thanks to the drain at the bottom. This feature is not available on the lower trims, but all F-150 Lightnings offer ample storage space behind the front seats. Rear seat occupants also have more legroom than in most unibody crossovers, so those interested in the 5-passenger crew cab should be impressed by the amount of space on offer.
How Much this truck Can Carry?
This is one of the strong suits of the F-150 Lightning. The vehicle receives an 8.5/10 score for its storage and towing capacities. In terms of payload, the F-150 Lightning is one of the best in its class.
The bed of the F-150 Lightning can carry up to 2,235 pounds of cargo. Inside the cabin, there is ample storage space, with multiple pockets and cubbies, as well as cup holders. The frunk at the front of the vehicle can also store up to 14 cubic feet of gear, making it ideal for road trips. The rear seats also fold down to create additional storage space.
When it comes to towing, the numbers are also impressive:
With the XLT and the standard battery – up to 7,700 pounds
With the extended range battery and the Flash, Lariat, and Platinum trims – up to 10,000 pounds
So, while the numbers are slightly lower than those of the gas-powered F-150, they are more than enough for towing a small or medium-sized trailer. In addition, the torque delivery is phenomenal, which makes towing much easier. Especially on inclines.
The major caveat surrounding towing in the F-150 Lightning is the decrease in range. In fact, Edmunds was only able to achieve a 100-mile range on a trailer, which is considerably lower than the figures mentioned above. So, unless the buyer is a contractor, the towing capabilities of the F-150 Lightning should be sufficient for their needs.
Technology
What Equipment Did the F-150 Lightning GetReviewers were impressed with the technology on offer in the F-150 Lightning, with the vehicle receiving a 9.7/10 score. The 15.5-inch infotainment screen is large, high-resolution, and responsive. Ford managed to retain some of the traditional controls, such as the audio volume knob, which is easy to use with gloves on.
The navigation system is intuitive and easy to use, and the vehicle can receive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wireless connection. The phone can also be charged wirelessly when connected to the infotainment system. It is worth mentioning that the F-150 Lightning can support up to eight USB ports at once and owners can utilize the phone-as-a-key technology.
Ford BlueCruise is a hands-free driving assistance system offered by Ford, and it is available for the F-150 Lightning. It works on select highways and, with the exception of a few hiccups, works flawlessly.
One of the neat technologies that Ford introduced in the F-150 Lightning is the possibility to use the car's battery to power external tools and equipment. This is especially useful in case of an emergency.
What Safety Features Does It Have?
The F-150 Lightning offers a decent list of driver-assistance systems. Among them are:
Back-up camera
Blind spot monitoring system
Lane departure warning
Forward-collision warning system
Automatic emergency braking
Stability control
The F-150 Lightning received a 5/5 score in the NHTSA's side crash test, as well as a combined side barrier test. The frontal impact tests received a 4/5 score.There are three open recalls for the 2025 F-150 Lightning. One of them deals with a park module software defect, another – with brake hose bracket screws, and the last one is about the front control arm ball joint nuts. Ford offers a complimentary repair through either software update or dealer visit.
What Do Owners Say About the Electric F-150?
Overall, owners were satisfied with the F-150 Lightning, delivering a 4.1/5 score. Here are the strongest points of the vehicle, according to its owners:
Fun to drive
Quiet and smooth
Charging at home is convenient
Spacious
Ability to avoid gas stations (one Alaska contractor reported saving almost $9,000 on fuel per year)
The drawbacks, according to the owners, are the following:
Limited range in cold weather
Reduced range when towing
Quality control and unusual noises
Limited charging infrastructure
Poor customer service
Not ideal for long road trips without an access to a charger
One of the owners from Alaska managed to summarize the pros and cons of the F-150 Lightning, saying: "It feels like my gas truck with the cab and bed that I'm used to. For a work truck with a day-to-day range of less than 250 miles, this truck simply cannot be beat."
How Is It Compared to the Rivals?
According to Edmunds' research, the F-150 Lightning is the second choice, just below the Rivian R1T, when it comes to buying an electric truck. The major competitors to the F-150 Lightning are:
Rivian R1T – offers better off-road credentials and a higher level of luxury, but it is more expensive than the F-150 Lightning and has lower towing capabilities;
Chevrolet Silverado EV – cheaper, has a better range, but looks less intimidating;
GMC Sierra EV – similar to Chevrolet Silverado EV, offers more luxury;
Tesla Cybertruck – an aspirational vehicle with an extremely futuristic design, but it is quite far from the practicality of a standard pickup truck;
Ram 1500 Rev – badge-engineered version of the Stellantis electric truck, set to arrive in the near future.
So, in terms of value, the F-150 Lightning appears to occupy the middle of the road. It is not as luxurious as the Rivian R1T, but it is not as budget-friendly as the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV.
Value – Is It Worth the Money?
The value score of the F-150 Lightning is 7.1/10. The problem with the value of the F-150 Lightning is the price. Edmunds suggests looking at the XLT trim, as the base Pro model has a high starting price ($49,780). For the money, the XLT should have the level of equipment one would expect in an upper-middle-class vehicle. Edmunds' recommended price for the XLT is $53,800.
Warranty coverage includes:
3 years/unlimited miles basic
5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
8 years/100,000 miles battery
5 years/unlimited miles rustproofing
The battery warranty is not as good as those offered by Rivian and Tesla (8 years/150,000 miles), but it is still sufficient.
Should You Buy It? Final Thoughts
The Ford F-150 Lightning is the electric truck for those who want to retain the essence of the internal combustion engine truck but replace the polluting and expensive fossil fuel with a much cleaner and more efficient source of energy. It looks like a standard F-150, behaves like a standard F-150, but has the electric motor and drivetrain under the skin. It is silent, smooth, quick, and provides the owner with ample range for their money.
However, there are drawbacks to the F-150 Lightning, with the range being reduced significantly in the cold weather and when towing a trailer. The higher trims get too expensive for the level of equipment on offer, and the customer service appears to be an issue, as noted by several owners. But overall, the F-150 Lightning provides great value for the money.
If you are a contracting company, a small business owner, or you have a heart for trucks and you wish to enjoy the perks of an electric vehicle, the F-150 Lightning is the one to consider. Edmunds recommends opting for the Flash trim as it offers the best value for the money, along with the extended range battery which will allow the owner to drive farther on a single charge. The Ford F-150 Lightning is a good choice for those who want an authentic electric truck that does not sacrifice the core values of the internal combustion engine truck.
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