Ford F-150 Lightning // Trim levels explained

Ford F-150 – Article Written by Our Auto Expert writer, Perry Stern
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What Is It?
To say America has a penchant for pickup trucks would be a bit of understatement — for years the three top-selling vehicles in this country have been pickups, and leading that charge for 40 years is the Ford F-Series. Another truth: Within the last year America has experienced a dramatic increase in electric vehicle interest and production. Now these two worlds come together as Ford introduces the first full-electric pickup truck — the F-150 Lightning. With the efficiency and performance of an electric vehicle combined with the utility expected of a full-size pickup truck, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a force to be reckoned with — if Ford can keep up with demand.

Defining Moment
“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Executive Chair of the Ford Motor Company Bill Ford. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 45 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionizing it for a new generation,” enthused Ford.

Quicker Than the Original
Although this is the first electric F-150, it is not the first F-150 Lightning. Sold in the mid 1990s and again in the early 2000s, the Lightning had been a high-performance version of the F150 created by Ford SVT. And even though those trucks were fast and powerful for their time, the new F-150 Lighting is even quicker. Perhaps Ford should consider a proper sport truck successor (think sticky tires, sport suspension) to the original Lightning based on this new electric truck — call it Lightning Extreme? The Lightning Lightning? (Strikes twice?)

F-150 Lightning Pro
At a base price of $39,974, the Pro is at the entry point to the Lightning lineup. Designed as a work truck, the Pro is certainly not basic thanks to a long list of standard equipment that includes vinyl bucket seats, dual-zone climate control, a 12-inch touchscreen display with SYNC4 enhanced voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Mega Power Frunk (more on that later) and 2.4 kW exportable power through a total of 8 120-volt outlets and 8 USB ports. The Lightning Pro also gets a Carbon Black grille, 18-inch machined wheels with all-terrain tires, four pickup box tiedown hooks and trailer sway control. The Pro is equipped with the standard battery; an extended battery is available only for Pro fleet purchase.

Model Lineup
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is available in four trim levels: Pro, XLT, Lariat and Platinum. All F-150 Lightning trims are configured as 4-door SuperCrews and come with the same dual motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. Prices listed are base MSRP without a destination charge. The Lightning is also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit as well as other regional rebates and credits depending on locale.

F-150 Lightning XLT
Priced at $52,974, the Lightning XLT upgrades the Pro with cloth bolstered seats, a folding interior work surface, a 360-degree camera, rear underseat storage, four locking cleats in the truck bed, power-adjustable pedals and a forward parking sensor system. The XLT also gets a geometric gray/satin metallic grille with signature front lighting and Carbon Black fixed running boards with enhanced lighting. The extended battery — which increases both horsepower and range — can be added for $19,500.

F-150 Lightning Lariat
The Lightning Lariat has a base price of $67,474, upgrading the XLT with heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats, a heated steering wheel, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, a powered sliding rear window, ice blue ambient lighting, LED box lighting, wireless phone charging, intelligent adaptive cruise control, and SYNC4A with 15.5-inch LCD touchscreen display. Also standard is a premium geometric gray/satin grille, 20-inch dark carbonized gray alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, a tailgate step and 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard. The extended-range battery is available on the Lariat for an additional $10,000.

F-150 Lightning Platinum
At the top of the F-150 Lightning trim ladder stands the Platinum with a starting price of $90,874. Platinum comes fully loaded including premium Nirvana leather seat trim, power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, chrome and satin accents, oak wood trim, a twin-panel moonroof, Bluecruise hands-free driving and the B&O “Unleashed” 18-speaker audio system. The Platinum also features a Vador Black high-gloss grille and front skidplate, 22-inch bright machined alloy wheels with Ebony Black pockets, an extended-range battery, a max trailer-towing package and the Ford Charge Pro home charger system.

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