2025 Ford Lightning now comes with a new feel that replaces the V6 and V8 gas engines with an all-electric drivetrain, thus transforming America’s best-selling pickup truck. Everything you get from an everyday F-150, including the ability to tow a trailer or carry heavy loads, is here.
Inside, too, it bears little resemblance to a standard F-150. On a single charge, the Lightning version with the large battery option can run more than 300 miles. In our independent testing, we were able to get 345 miles on a full battery. Ford authorities unveiled the Lightning for the 2022 model year; with 2025 vehicles, not many changes are expected.
While up to 775 lb-ft of torque allows the Lightning to haul up to 10,000 pounds, the 5.5-foot-long bed and 2,235-pound maximum payload rating give the F-150 Lightning true full-size truck capacity. While that’s less than what a gas-powered F-150 can haul, most small or midsize trailers are still plentiful.
The main downside is the huge loss of range you experience when towing. While long-distance towing requires thought and patience, short-distance towing will not be a problem. Extreme conditions can cause your maximum range to be halved.
2025 Ford Lightning Review
Originally seen as a temporary replacement for Ford to work on an electric pickup truck from scratch, the F-150 Lightning was a hugely successful version of America’s most popular car. Familiar design and excellent EV technology combine to produce a capable pickup fit for our 2023 Truck of the Year award.
We expect slight modifications to this year’s model and a redesign for 2026. Among other electric trucks, the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning will compete with the Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV.
With the arrival of the 2025 Ford Lightning, Ford is bringing something familiar and futuristic. The recipe works so well that we named the Ford F-150 Lightning the 2023 Truck of the Year.
Among its advantages are first-class handling, true pickup truck practicality, and a well-designed interior. The large trunk increases storage capacity, increasing the F-150 Lightning’s advantage over trucks using internal combustion engines. Using its loading capabilities, the Ford pickup can run equipment around a project or even an entire home for up to three days.
However, the F-150 Lightning has certain flaws that won’t be fixed until the next-generation vehicle appears in 2026. The Ford truck charges more slowly than its competitors.
The range is good for city driving; for road trips, the numbers decrease. The Lightning tows well, but when attached to a trailer, the range decreases. The rebuilt replacement should excel in all of these aspects, which should help keep the F-150 Lightning at the top of the EV pickup truck lineup.
Key Features
- An EV with true truck credentials
- Comfortable ride
- Impressive range with the extended-range battery option
- The battery can be used to power tools, appliances, and more
- Powerful all-electric powertrains
- Massive frunk
- Traditional design with modern accents
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2025 Ford Lightning Report
Ford has a 2025 truck here. The 2025 model year brings many changes to the F-150, Super Duty, Ranger, and Maverick. Well-loved classic trucks like the F-150 and Super Duty get milder modifications, while the little Maverick receives a major overhaul. Here’s everything you need to know about Ford’s 2025 truck fleet.
Ford’s immortal F-150 launches virtually unchanged in 2025 thanks to a significant facelift for the 2024 model year; however, price cuts on the XLT and Lariat helped slim down the lineup.
For those who need reminding, the 2024 model year brings back the F-150’s turbo V6, drops the standard V6 powertrain, and improves the truck’s appearance. While a large 12-inch display comes standard on all F-150s, Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system, a new Pro Access tailgate, and a head-up display help round out the options list.
Current F-150 Lighting will remain the same as it was in 2024. With a much larger portrait infotainment screen, a quiet cabin, and the instantaneous electric acceleration we know, you still get all the features found in the regular F-150.
The 2025 Ford Lightning certainly has a lot of appeal, and those with a place to charge at home may want to consider choosing one over the gas-powered variant.
- The Ford Maverick gets a major update for 2025, including a new performance-based Lobo trim level.
- Apart from that, Ford’sd F-150 and Super Duty trucks also experienced an increase.
- In 2025, the Ford Ranger is essentially unchanged.
2025 Ford Lightning Interior
Like a conventional F-150, the Lightning has many options. Luckily, the interior design is simple, so you don’t have to wonder what to buy. Most of the truck’s large knobs and controls can be reached even with gloves.
Particularly the 15.5-inch model for its clean, uncluttered graphics and fast response time, Ford’s latest version of the touchscreen is particularly appealing. It also looks fantastic in Lightning’s cave.
A wide spectrum of seat, steering wheel,l, and pedal adjustments ensures a fit for drivers of all shapes and sizes. The spaciousness of the cabin crew also ensures that you won’t run out of energy.
Large windows and serrated front doors that eliminate sight beyond the rearview mirror help provide expansive outward visibility. Additionally, there is a surround-view camera system, thanks to the optional camera system.
Comfort
The 2025 Ford Lightning comes with a fully independent rear suspension, offering a smoother ride than the standard F-150. On the downside, when driving on bumpy ground, the lightning can feel a little too soft and rumbling.
This is especially true for trucks equipped with larger batteries. Road, tire, and wind noise levels are kept low. Most of the Lightning’s electric drive sounds aren’t the least bit annoying or odd. The climate control system requires minimal changes to maintain your preferred temperature because it is efficient and powerful.
Tech
The technology in the newest 2025 Ford Lightning car is used brilliantly by The Lightning. The large 15.5-inch center touchscreen equipped with touch controls, including a volume knob, appealed to us.
While you can still connect via USB cable, Apple CarPla,y, and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is wireless. While not as simple as some competing systems, Ford’s onboard navigation system is fast and well-built.
We evaluated the Platinum trim model, which offers a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that produces an immersive sound environment. The test truck also included a full set of advanced driving AIs, ds including Ford’s BlueCruz.
This system allows you to drive hands-free on most US-divided highways. Usually, this works fine, but sometimes, it can be difficult to tell if the truck is in hands-free mode.
Like the standard F-150, the Lightning has several features to aid towing, including a built-in scale to help balance trailer weight, trailer reverse guidance, and an integrated trailer brake controller.
2025 Ford Lightning Engine
Ford is expected to equip the 2025 F-150 Lightning with a basic dual-motor drivetrain. Electric AWD is achieved with one motor driving each axle. The base model produces 775 lb-ft of torque and 452 horsepower.
Good for a range of 240 miles, this entry-level Lightning model uses a 98 kWh battery. The Pro model went from 0-60 mph in our testing in less than 4.2 seconds.
While the 2025 Ford Lightning’s torque remains the same at 775 lb-ft, opting for a long-range battery increases capacity to 131 kWh and power to 580 hp. With this package, XLT and Lariat models can travel 320 miles; the EPS rates the platinum variant of the F-150 Lightning at just 300 miles.
The 2025 Ford Lightning’s 0-60 mph Lariat Extended Range sprint was just 3.8 seconds on the track. This long-range battery’s maximum charging rate is 150 kW. However, in our testing, we saw much greater peak levels. That qualifies as fast charging; other electric vehicles can beat the Lightning at faster speeds.
Performance
Of course, not all electric vehicles, especially trucks, need to accelerate faster than most sports cars, but the Lightning is able to do this. We tested the Lightning Platinum, equipped with a large battery, at our test track, and it went from 0 to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds.
Although the Rivian R1T quad-motor we tested was a bit faster than that, the Lightning lives up to its name overall. For something this heavy, we also found the braking to be exceptional.
While the strength of any pickup truck isn’t its handling, the Lightning proved friendly and stress-free on wide highways and twisty roads. The one-pedal Lightning drive, a common feature of electric vehicles that allows the driver to accelerate and brake using the aDriverator pedal, is another driver.
It is predictable and certainly strong enough that we almost never used the mechanical brakes. As you’d expect, a huge power surge is just a moment away, but the Lightning never feels jittery or overbearing and proves as simple and easy to drive as any electric car or gas-powered F-150.
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2025 Ford Lightning MPG
Our tested Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum had an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. The EPA also projects the truck will consume 51 kWh of electricity every 100 miles driven. This calculation, on paper, makes the Lightning less efficient than the Rivian R1T.
In the Edmunds EV Range Test, we drove 332 miles on a full charge, easily exceeding EPA expectations. Our test truck used less electricity than the estimated 45.4 kWh per 100 kilometers over that period.
That beats the results we got on the same trail using a quad-motor Rivian R1T, which ran 317 miles using 46.9 kWh of electricity per 100 miles.
The F-150 Lightning has also been tested to ensure its charging speed at public DC fast charging stations. Based on our independent Edmunds EV Charging Test, the Lightning Platinum can get 319 miles of range for every hour of charging.
This is relatively slow in the context of all-electric vehicles; the Rivian R1T’s competitors aren’t actually any better.
2025 Ford Lightning T3
The Ford F-150 Lightning EV isn’t supposed to be a permanent solution to automakers’ demand for all-electric trucks. In fact, while Ford is gearing up for the 2025 F-150 Lightning, the existing temporary hiatus is almost up.
Ford’s Project T3, short for Trust the Truck, will be the foundation of the new vehicle. Anticipated is an emphasis on aerodynamics, range, and high-output motors. The future Ford F-150 Lightning will be able to act as a mobile power plant off the grid.
We expect the next-generation 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning to arrive in 2025 and be priced between $50,000 and $100,000.
F-150 Lightning Cab and Bed
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning must be carried with a single bed and cab setup. The five-seat SuperCab is expected to be combined with a five-and-a-half-foot bed.
Ford is likely saving more versions for the next-generation F-150 Lightning.
2025 Ford Lightning Towing
How is it stored and towed? Electrifying a classic F-150 has no significant impact on its daily usability. Interior storage is nearly expansive, and there are plenty of rows for every type of tool and equipment.
The Lightning’s power-operated front trunk supports a flip-up rear seat with lockable storage. With 14 cubic feet more storage capacity than most sedans’ trunks, including a drain for wet storage, the Lightning could be the perfect vehicle for tailgating on sale today.
While the F-150 is more practical, the Rivian R1T may feature more creative storage options.
Depending on the truck setup, Lightning’s maximum towing capability ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds. Although its strong power makes it easy to tow a trailer, especially when going up steep grades, the Lightning’s range decreases abruptly when towing and may be as little as 100 miles, depending on conditions.
2025 Ford Lightning Safety
Ford will likely continue to give every F-150 Lightning the Co-Pilot 360 active driving assistance technology suite through 2025. The availability of BlueCruise complements semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
This method of driving a 2025 Ford Lightning without driver input uses pre-mapped road data and several sensors. Ford asks drivers to keep their eyes on the road when using BlueCruise, but the system allows them to take their hands off the wheel and their feet off the pedals.
2025 Ford Lightning Competitor
Although the differences are very subtle, electric pickups lack the range of conventional gas-powered trucks. Other options include the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Ram 1500 Rev, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck.
If you want additional off-road capabilities or if the Cybertruck wants a lot of attention from onlookers, you can choose the Rivian. Check out our test team’s Lightning Expert Ratings for its strengths and weaknesses.
- Chevrolet Silverado EV
- GMC Sierra Electric
- Rivian R1T
- Ram 1500 Revolution
2025 Ford Lightning Price
- Pro SuperCrew Cab $47,780
- XLT SuperCrew Cab $62,995
- SuperCrew Cab Flash $67,995
- Lariat SuperCrew Cab $76,995
- Platinum SuperCrew Cab $84,995
2025 Ford Lightning Release Date
Ford sold 22,807 F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks in the third quarter of 2024, a sharp increase over the same period in 2023 when 12,260 Lightnings found homes.
However, demand for an electric car that is trying to increase awareness of the best-selling vehicle name in the United States is still less than expected—Ford sold a total of more than 550,000 F-series models through September 2024.
Rouge Electric Vehicle Center will stop manufacturing the Lightning pickup for nearly two months due to downtime scheduled to run from November 15 to January 6.
The shutdown means 730 hourly workers will be furloughed. Car and Driver will update this story whenever we Receive river confirmation of a break Driverord. According to Reuters, Ford factories in the United States are on holiday for one week in December.
Coming for the 2022 model year, the F-150 Lightning remains low in the F-series sales total for electric pickups. In an effort to increase sales, Ford has slashed the price of the Lightning. While the XLT, Flash, and Lariat variants see price drops of $2000, $5500, and $2500, respectively, by the middle of the 2024 model year, the base Pro model drops from $57,090 to $49,875.
However, the expected impact of the price reduction seems to have not materialized, resulting in a 51-day production pause.
Verdict
We believe the 2025 Ford Lightning is one of the most useful and job-site-friendly trucks available today, the 2025 F-150 Lightning. It’s also very comfortable and very fast. However, given the limited range and small limitations, one wonders about the credibility of the Lightning’s full-size truck when it comes to towing it. We’ll update you about the new F-150 Lightning soon, so bookmark our Ford New Model website for the latest Ford news.
