Text by Tom Appel
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash 4X4 SuperCrew
Specs
Class: Large Pickup Truck
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Agate Black Metallic
Miles driven: 141
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 580-horsepower |
| Engine Type | Electric motors |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Battery capacity: 131 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 78 city/63 hwy/70 combined
EPA-estimated driving range: 320 miles
Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 320+ miles
Charge Port Location: Front driver-side fender
Snow Performance: N/A
Base price (2024): $73,4950 (not including $2095 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Mats ($160), Pro Power Onboard ($1200), Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving systems ($2100), Max Trailer Tow Package ($1100), Mobile Power Cord ($500), Toughbed spray-in bedliner ($595)
Price as tested (2024): $81,245
Pros and Cons
The great: Expected truck utility, excellent road manners
The good: Quiet and comfortable cabin, Flash trim level hits value sweet spot
The not so good: Cold weather takes toll on range
Ford F-150 Lightning in the Cold
Review/Cold
According the folks who catalogue such things, the high temperature in Chicago dips below 10 degrees between 2 and 5 times a year. And for folks who like things extra cold, the high temp drops below zero—on average—2 or fewer times a year. Nutshell: Single-digit high temperatures are not quite common in Chicago, but we deal with them for at least a while every winter.
So, blame lady luck for scheduling the arrival of a Ford F-150 Lightning Flash electric pickup for January 21 of this year—the coldest day of the Winter up until that point. And by cold, we mean the high temperature hovered around zero.
If you’re familiar with electric vehicles, you’re likely aware that cold weather can degrade battery capacity, and, among other things, limit vehicle range. This is such a story. And it is very much a worst-case scenario.
The gentleman delivering my test vehicle called me in advance to warn me that the F-150 Lightning would arrive with less than 200 miles of range. In better weather this would be disappointing, as the Flash trim levels comes equipped with a 131-kWh battery, good for an EPA-estimate 320 miles of range.
Where did the Range Go?
As we understand it, the Lightning was fully charged inside, but was subsequently parked outside prior to delivery. Outside in the cold.
Ford had provided me with access to its handly FordPass app prior to truck’s arrival, and it told an interesting story. The app, by the way, is a useful tool that helps with charging and cabin-climate functions; it’s very easy to use.
Per the app, the Lighting that would soon grace my driveway was 100-percent charged, but only showing 231 miles of available range. As the truck had some distance to travel before arriving at my home, the driver’s estimate of under 200 miles felt about right—and it was. What we experienced was a roughly 28-percent diminishment of battery capacity on a uniquely cold Chicago day.
Strange, or Maybe not so Strange
Interestingly, a quick 10-mile drive in the F-150 saw the estimated range drop further, to about 180 miles. And then things got strange. First, temps rose to relatively normal winter levels (20-25 degrees) the next day. And as for that 180-mile estimate, it hardly changed at all.
Having not charged, the next day I drove 20-25 miles, and the estimate held steady at about 180 miles. Note that the truck had been parked in an unheated garage overnight. After chatting with a number of EV experts about the Lightning’s cold weather performance, and the unchanging 180-mile range estimate, I came to the following conclusions:
Worst-Case Scenario
I experienced the F-150 Lightning under the worst possible circumstances and things went pretty well. Had I set out on a long drive, that trip would have been complicated by likely need to charge an additional time or two. Still, I never felt the need to curtail my use of the heat—which can drain the battery additionally—or drive conservatively.
Less Heat
One reason the battery seemed to drain especially slowly during the second day of our evaluation is that, due to the warmer weather, we used the heater less. As noted above, heating and cooling an EV’s cabin can drain the battery additionally. And, as a Chicagoan, I can ignore 20-gree days, but 1-degree days are pretty rough.
Easy Going
The battery range estimate provided by the vehicle is based in part on historical usage. So, if the driver or drivers behind the wheel of the Lightning before me were aggressive jack-rabbit style operators, the system would factor that heavy-usage behavior into the range estimate. My more tempered driving style likely registered with the on-board computer, resulting in the extended-period display of 180 miles.
2025 Updates
Consumer Guide spent time with a 2024 F-F150 Lightning in the new for ’24 Flash trim level. Ford reports only small changes to the Lightning for 2025.
The Flash
Ford added Flash to the Lightning lineup to hit a value sweet spot in the middle of the price range. Positioned between the XLT and Lariat trim levels, the Flash serves up a compelling list of features, as well as the Extended Range Battery. Starting at $72,190 for 2025, the Flash was also priced to qualify—even with options—for the EV federal tax credit, which is cutoff at $80,000.
Prices and Trim Levels
The 2025 Lightning lineup:
Pro: $51,975
XLT: $65,540
Flash: $72,190
Lariat: $79,190
Platinum: $87,190
The Experience
Once we got paste our range issues, the Lightning in Flash trim served us well. Despite the extreme cold, the cabin warmed up quickly. Otherwise, the Lightning looks, feels, and even smells like a conventional, gasoline-powered F-150-except that the Lightning serves up better acceleration and more immediate throttle response.
Value
We saw the Lightning at its worst, and were still impressed by the truck. Though we didn’t tow or haul anything, we did put considerable mileage on the truck, and found it roomy, comfortable, and powerful. As for the cold, the only real impact of the deep chill was diminished range, and somewhat slower public fast charging. If you can, especially when its cold, make use of your home charger, especially if it’s in a heated garage. As for the Flash, we suspect the new trim level will account for plurality of Lightning sales moving forward.
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F-150 Lightning in the Cold Pictures
Click below for enlarged images