2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

Name: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $40,590 - $63,500

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

+191

The 2023 F-150 Lightning is at once both futuristic and familiar. It has loads of modern technology features and yet it might be one of the most practical and job site-friendly trucks on sale today. But the Lightning's full-size truck credentials come into question when you want to tow due to modest limits and a severely restricted range.

See all features & specs

See Offers Nearby

Check out current offers on the Ford F-150 Lightning

View Offers

Ford.com

Price & Payment

29 cars

$48,167 avg. price

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My Ford F-150 Lightning

Build & Price

Ford.com

Ford F-150 Lightning model years

Ford F-150 Lightning for Sale

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

by the Edmunds Experts

12/1/2022

What's new

Slightly more estimated max range with standard battery
Semi-automated Pro Trailer Hitch Assist feature now available to help attach trailers
Part of the first Ford F-150 Lightning generation introduced for 2022

What is the F-150 Lightning?

The Ford F-150 Lightning is the all-electric version of the F-150 full-size pickup. If the name sounds familiar, it's because the truck borrows its name from the high-performance Ford F-150 SVT Lightning last seen in 2004. While the modern Lightning harkens to the past, it's all about looking forward thanks to its fully electric powertrain. It's also known for traditional-looking truck styling, as opposed to the futuristic Rivian R1T and the far-out Tesla Cybertruck, which looks like it rolled off the set of a Blade Runner movie. Not everyone is into that, so the F-150 Lightning makes a good case for pickup purists who prefer the look, and rugged body-on-frame construction, of a traditional truck.

The Lightning has two available battery options, the standard (which adds 10 miles of estimated range for 2023, for a total 240 miles) and the extended-range battery (estimated 320 miles of range). Also new this year, Ford offers its Pro Trailer Hitch Assist technology as part of the Tow Technology package, which is available on lower trims but standard on some top-tier trims. But the improvements also come at a cost — Ford has increased the price of the 2023 F-150 Lightning significantly over 2022 models, in some cases by as much as $8,500. The hike brings the cost of a base-level F-150 Lightning to $48,769 (with destination fees), while trims with the extended-range battery are priced into the $80,000-$90,000 range. The good news is that Ford says it will increase its annual production of Lightning trucks to 150,000 units for the 2023 model year.

Edmunds says

We remain impressed by the combination of new-school tech and old-school muscle in the F-150 Lightning. But the price increase for 2023 leaves us less enthused since it pushes the Lightning further out of reach for a large number of truck customers. Check back soon to see how this EV fares in our industry-leading evaluations once we're able to test one.

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning EV Insights

Trim:

F-150 Lightning Pro

Estimated Range Based on Age

edmunds TESTED

255 miles^{The range for a used 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is estimated to be 255 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 255 miles.^{Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

Estimated range map^{This map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Austin, Texas. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging

SAE Combo^{Standard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.}

Plug Type

11.9 hrs

240V Home Charging^{Estimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.}

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.}

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 6 years or 72,000 miles for this car.^{Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$5,200

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. Not every version of the vehicle models will necessarily qualify. Please check with the dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific vehicle.

For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions:
Austin Energy offers EV owners a rebate of 50%, up to $1,200, towards the installation and cost of a Level 2 charging station.
To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements:
- Receive electricity from Austin Energy.
- Have purchased or leased an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- ENERGY STAR® certified.
- Networked/Smart charging capabilities to program the station to off-peak periods and respond to managed charging events
To learn more, visit https://austinenergy.com/green-power/plug-in-austin/home-charging

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$89/mo

F-150 Lightning

$198/mo

Truck Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work ^{This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.}
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station ^{With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.}
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more ^{If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.}

Learn more about EV charging

See All EV Insights

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

Ford F-150 Lightning Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

39 reviews

5(67%)

4(10%)

3(8%)

2(2%)

1(13%)

Write a vehicle review See all 39 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Next Level F-150

Erich, 09/02/2022

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (electric DD)

To be truthful, I would rate it a 4.5. It's an excellent V1 e-truck. It delivers improved stability (due to weight and independent rear suspension), provides a quality trim (but not necessarily best-in-class), the build has a perfect fit & finish, it provides a convenient "Frunk" with comfortable seats, it is super quiet on roads, and a so-so Infotainment system marked by slowness and …

Best vehicle I ever owned!

Bill in Chatham Ontario, 10/15/2023

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (electric DD)

I acquired my 2022 Lightning xlt in August 2021 It’s October 2023 and 24000Km later and absolutely the best, the quietest, the roomiest, the most trouble free experience of my life. It’s easy to charge at at home and I rarely need to charge it elsewhere and when I have it has become more convenient each passing day ! Charging away from home requires a bit of prep time on the net …

Would be 5 star if I didn’t own a Tesla

Zhonehusker, 11/04/2023

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (electric DD)

Everything said by others. No Maintance, Great ride, Low daily cost (about $0.07 per mile charging at home). Had my standard range Lariat for 6 months and 11,000 miles. As I mentioned I also own a 2023 Tesla Model Y performance. Tesla is 10 years ahead of Ford understanding how to make an everyday electric vehicle. Ease of use not even close. The Tesla screen and menu. 4 hours we had …

Solid Electric Truck!

Aaron Kalb, 09/16/2022

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (electric DD)

The reviews are spot on, it’s everything that’s great about the F-150 and it’s got all the benefits of an electric powertrain. In the month I’ve owned the truck, the ONLY downside has been towing range. I don’t do much towing so it’s not a big deal. I’ve taken it on two 300 mile road trips and they’ve been a breeze and much cheaper than normal :)

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, so we've included reviews for other years of the F-150 Lightning since its last redesign.

See all 39 reviews of the Ford F-150 Lightning

Write a vehicle review

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning videos

Ford F-150 Lightning: Edmunds Best of the Best | Edmunds Top Rated Awards 2023

2023 F-150 Lightning Highlights

Trim:

Pro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$49,995
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$5,200 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	240 miles
Cost to Drive	$89/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	11.9 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	7,700 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the F-150 Lightning models:

Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking: Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert: Warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse.
Lane Keeping System: Makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

People who viewed this also viewed

Ford F-150
Starting at $37,450

See Ford F-150 Inventory

Rivian R1T
3.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $69,900

See Rivian R1T Inventory

Chevrolet Silverado EV
3.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $73,100

See Chevrolet Silverado EV Inventory

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

Price & Payment

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Video Shorts

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Review

What's new

What is the F-150 Lightning?

Edmunds says

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Ford F-150 Lightning Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Next Level F-150

Best vehicle I ever owned!

Would be 5 star if I didn’t own a Tesla

Solid Electric Truck!

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning videos

2023 F-150 Lightning Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Ford

Other models

Join Edmunds