First Drive: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Review

Key Features:

• Great handling
• Powerful and capable
• Impressive Tech

Direct Competitors:

• Rivian RT1
• GMC Hummer EV SUT

Most EV owners like to feel like trailblazers, unique outliers at the forefront of a brand-new world. Early adopters of such technology embrace the futuristic weirdness of some electric vehicle design wearing its reverse-cachet like a badge.

On the other hand, you won’t find a more traditional bunch than pickup truck owners. They know what they like, and any change is faced with skepticism. Ford, knowing this, very wisely chose not to deviate from a tried-and-true formula when building their very first all-electric pickup truck. 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Ford 

Therefore, you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish the new F-150 Lightning from the regular gas-powered F-150 at initial glance. A smart move when you consider that the F-150 has long been the reigning best-seller in a country where nearly 25% of the vehicles sold annually are pickup trucks. 

That’s a formula you don’t want to mess with. Getting those staunch loyalists behind the wheel in the first place is going to be a lot easier when the Lightning looks pretty much like their own familiar pickup. 

In fact, the Lightning shares the same doors, pickup bed, and wheelbase as the traditional F-150. And with the exception of additional charging and consumption info, and an optional 15.5” tablet display – the cabin is identical. 

Shopping for a new EV pickup? Here are 11 top electric trucks in Canada to watch out for.

Ford F-150 Lightning interior features, comfort, and cargo

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Lesley Wimbush 

All F-150 Lightnings are available only in crew cab configuration with a 5.5” foot bed. F-150 owners will immediately feel comfortable in the Lightning’s familiar cabin. Our Platinum tester featured leather upholstery, plenty of leg and head room, power adjustable, heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof that added an open, airy feel to the cabin. 

Instead of any futuristic dial or button controls, the driving controls are managed by the same club-shaped shift lever in the F-150. And as with the gas-powered model, the shifter tucks away to make room for a fold-out table/work surface – an ingenious idea for the busy contractor.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Lesley Wimbush 

While a 12.0 inch touchscreen is standard, upper trims get the 15.5” portrait-oriented tablet – with a round dial mounted right on the screen. All the F-150 Platinum features are here, including wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the full-suite of driver aids including Ford’s Blue Cruise “hands-free” adaptive cruise control. 

Since there’s no engine under the front hood, the Lightning’s “frunk” offers an additional 400L of extra storage space.

Performance and driving impressions

Perhaps to help ease the transition from internal combustion to silent electrons, Ford has equipped the Lightning with a “propulsion” sound that is presumably designed to mimic the acceleration of a typical gas-powered truck. While noticeably fake – and rather silly – it does help give passengers a sense of the Lightning building acceleration instead of delivering it in an explosive wallop. 

If traditional V8 lovers and F-150 Raptor fans are worried that EVs spell the death of performance, this truck will dispel those fears in one lightning-fast swoop. Not only is it the fastest F-150, sprinting from 0-60 in under four seconds – it’s quicker than many supercars. 

Unlike traditional nose-heavy pickups, the Lightning’s two inboard electric motors help contribute to a nearly 50:50 perfect front to rear weight ratio. The enormous, flat battery packs located under the floor mean that the Lightning has a very low centre of gravity – and unlike the gas-powered trucks, it has independent rear suspension. 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Ford 

This all adds up to a truck that has far superior handling than any traditional internal combustion-powered pickup. The Lightning is settled over rough pavement without the expected rear clattering experienced with traditional live axle and leaf spring setups; has little to no body roll, and feels controlled and planted on curvy roads at speed. And what’s more, it does it with a level of quiet refinement that rivals many top premium luxury sedans. 

The Lightning offers one-pedal drive mode, which is a fairly refined system that quickly becomes intuitive. Lifting off the accelerator slows the vehicle down in a predictable manner that’s never abrupt nor jerky – and works well enough that you rarely need to use the mechanical brakes. 

Lightning’s electric range expectations

Estimated range for the standard battery is 370 km (230 miles), and up to 515 km (320 miles) for the extended range. With a 150 kW DC fast charger, the extended range Lightning can get up to 87 km of range in ten minutes, and go from 15 to 80 percent charge in roughly 40 minus.

Extended range Lightnings come standard with a Ford home charge station, which is available as an option with standard range models. Set the truck’s onboard app to charge at off-peak hours, and the savings are considerable. 

Here’s our full article on the F-150 Lightning range and charging specs.

Less towing capacity than gas-powered F-150

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Ford 

Of course, towing is a priority for many truck owners, and while the Lightning’s prodigious torque and smooth power delivery make it an extremely capable tow vehicle, unfortunately it exacts a toll on range. 

Expect your range to drop by at least half if hauling the Lightning’s max capacity load of 10,000 lbs. This is a consistent issue faced by every current EV, from the Rivian RT1 to the new GMC Hummer EV.

Cool tech: Lightning’s Charge Station Pro and Onboard Scales

Charge Station Pro will power your home

One of the Lightning’s most notable features is the Charge Station Pro, which debuted on the F-150. During emergency power outages, F-150 owners were able to run a cable to the truck’s 240 volt outlet, and its onboard power inverter let them power important appliances and HVAC systems. 

The Lightning takes it further: by using the home charging system to access the Lightning’s stored energy. When paired with a Home Integration System (sold separately through partner Sunrun), your home will be automatically switched over to the truck’s power supply if the electrical grid goes down.

A fully charged Lightning with extended range can charge your home up to 11 days with careful usage. Once the power returns, the system will switch back and begin recharging the vehicle. 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Ford 

Onboard Scales to quickly determine payload weights

Other interesting tech is the Onboard Scales, which use sensors to determine weight of payload, in percentage increments up to 100%. It’s integrated with Intelligent Range to calculate how far the truck can go with available charge. Debuting with the Lightning is Pro Trailer Hitch, which takes over steering, brake, and throttle inputs while hooking up a trailer. 

How much will the F-150 Lightning cost?

Likewise, the trim levels for the Lightning are similar to the F-150: from the $68,000 XLT, up to $81,380 Lariat, and range-topping Platinum. But instead of the base level XL work truck, the Lightning offers a stripped-down $58,000 Pro trim, available only to fleet owners. 

Range-topping 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum is expensive but packed with features

Our tester, a top-of-the-line Platinum, starts at an eye-watering $110,000. But it came loaded with almost every conceivable tech and work option available. Most notable of these is the extended-range battery, which ups the range from the standard 370 km, to 515. 

Also included is the Max trailer tow package, tow technology package, power tailgate, rear privacy glass, BoxLink configurable cargo storage system, onboard scale with smart hitch, Pro Power Onboard, wireless charging, Ford Co-Pilot Assist, SYNC with enhanced voice recognition, and a suite of driver’s safety aids with 360 degree camera.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Photo: Lesley Wimbush 

By comparison, a traditional F-150 Platinum starts at $87,165. But if you want the Pro Power Onboard, it’s an extra $1,000-$1,300, onboard scales are $350, and so on for a total of $90,240. 

For this you get the 5.0L V8 producing 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque which doesn’t come close to the blistering 580 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque output of the Lightning. Opt for the 3.5L V6 hybrid and you’ll get 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft and pay $92,440.

Verdict: is Ford’s electric truck worth it?

The F-150 Lightning is really impressive, and not just because it is the first mass-produced all-electric pickup truck. It offers quiet, refined handling, a wealth of new tech, and impressive power and capability in a traditional pickup truck package. 

Pricing is higher than its conventional gasoline powered counterpart—but the ability to recharge in off-peak hours, or use as a backup generator during emergency blackouts help offset the initial cost.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Specs

Standard Engine	Two inboard three-phase fixed magnet AC motors
Battery Size	Standard-range pack: 98.0 kWh Extended-range pack: 131.0-kWh
Power & Torque	Standard-range pack: 426 horsepower Extended-range pack: 563 horsepower 775 lb.-ft. of torque
Transmission	1-speed automatic
Wheelbase	145.5 inches
Length	232.7 inches
Maximum Towing (Extended-range battery)	10,000 pounds
Maximum Payload (Standard-range)	2,000 pounds
Ground Clearance	8.9 inches
Approach/Departure Angles	25.4/24.2 inches
Front Trunk Volume	14.1 cubic feet (400 litres)