![]() As for the second point: For years the media and consumers alike have been criticizing EVs that are based on existing gasoline vehicle platforms. Sure, there’s a big-ass screen in the cabin and there’s a frunk up front - plus the whole face looks a bit different - but by and large, the Lightning is familiar. The first point is simple enough: Ford didn’t really weird-ify the Lightning much over the standard F-150. ( Full Disclosure: Ford flew me from Detroit to San Antonio, put me up in a nice hotel, and fed me such high quality food that I bet I could blend it up, strain it, and use the juices as starting fluid to fire up an old Ford 300 straight six). When I arrived at the F-150 Lightning press event in San Antonio, I figured the truck would be quirky like every other EV I’d driven recently, but at the same time I worried that it would be severely compromised given that it’s clearly built on the same architecture as the gasoline F-150. This was not the takeaway I was expecting. These are some great cars I’m mentioning, here, but to most laypeople, they’re kind of weird. It’s the wacky column shifter in the Hyundai, the absurd number of electronic gadgets and storage offerings in the Rivian, it’s the Tesla’s humongous screen in an otherwise oddly understated cabin, it’s the whole vibe of the Honda E. The other key factor is execution, and after driving the truck last week I can say with confidence: Ford nailed it.Īfter having driven machines like the Rivian R1T, Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Honda E, I’ve gotten used to the “weirdness” that tends to accompany EVs. It’s a key factor behind why I see the launch of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning as a major inflection point in automotive history. But this no-nonsense approach is actually the Lightning’s superpower, allowing it to reach the market quickly, remain within a price range that many can afford, and appeal to the masses by being familiar and unintimidating. No, the Lightning is a regular, everyday F-150 with an electric powertrain shoved in, and that’s pretty much it. It’s not styled like something from a sci-fi movie. It doesn’t promise full autonomous driving. If you want to take the truck up some more difficult stuff, a set of all-terrain tires will go a long way-just be wary of how aftermarket tires will affect range.The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t a whiz-bang gadget disguised as a truck. Casual enthusiasts and veteran overlanders should have no problem taking the Lightning down their favorite low- to medium-difficulty trails, even without any modifications. While most F-150 Lightning drivers will never take their trucks on any truly challenging paths, it’s nice to know the truck will be able to perform. If it weren’t for the height and shape, you’d think you’re driving a big rally car, not a full-size pickup. There’s gobs of traction thanks to the full-time AWD, and some impressive high-speed dynamics due in part to the truck’s uniquely low center of gravity and near 50-50 weight distribution. While the steering is lacking any sort of feedback, the F-150 EV’s powertrain is eager to blast out of corners with every stab at the go pedal. Ford set up a short rallycross course for us to test out the truck during its first drive event, giving us an opportunity to slide it around without fear of hitting a tree. Though it doesn’t have the same wild ground clearance or suspension travel as its widebody desert-running sibling, the Lightning is no slouch on quicker sections of dirt. You’ll never find yourself having to jab at the accelerator or worry whether the truck is about to jump forward when you’re trying to ease through a path with caution. Even better, the pedal is well-tuned to allow for gradual, measured inputs. Whether you’re trying to climb over a particularly tall rock, fly through a mud pit, or blast out of a gravel corner, it’s more than enough to get you into, through, and out of most situations. That torque comes at exactly zero rpm, as soon as you step on the accelerator pedal. No matter which trim or battery size you go for, the Lightning comes standard with 775 lb-ft of torque. But once you get a taste, you won’t want to go back to internal combustion. It’s tough to appreciate EV off-roading until you actually do it. That makes it easy to listen for changes in traction and wheelslip. The mechanical rear locker is useful for putting power down, while the lack of an engine means crawling happens in total silence. The lack of any sort of widebody panels means it can squeeze through most narrow paths, and a ridiculously tight turning radius allows for some impressive maneuverability. While the hardcore rock-crawling is best saved for those with Raptors, F-150 Lightning owners will be pleasantly surprised with how much their trucks can handle. Mega Power Frunk: The Best F-150 Lightning Feature. ![]()
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