Is Anybody Happy With Their Lightning?

[Mach Turtle]

"most people don't need a full size truck" Huh? if that's true why does the full size F-150 outsell the Ranger about 15-1? (2024 ranger sales=47k, F-150 sales=750k)

Because so many people want a full size truck.

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[jetfixr1]

"most people don't need a full size truck" Huh? if that's true why does the full size F-150 outsell the Ranger about 15-1? (2024 ranger sales=47k, F-150 sales=750k)

Because those are ICE vehicles and this is an EV forum. Our trucks cannot do what an ICE truck does. Hence why a Maverick will meet the needs of people who want the utility of a truck within the confines of what an EV can provide. Notice how there are more Maverick sales than Lightnings.

 

[StevenC56]

Because those are ICE vehicles and this is an EV forum. Our trucks cannot do what an ICE truck does. Hence why a Maverick will meet the needs of people who want the utility of a truck within the confines of what an EV can provide. Notice how there are more Maverick sales than Lightnings.

We were going to downsize from a 2016 Chevy Silverado to a Maverick. But the Maverick was just too small and cheap feeling, and we knew we wouldn't be happy with the purchase. We stretched our budget and purchased our Lightning. I think the reason the Maverick outsells the Lightning is because it's a Hybrid, (Lots of people are just to afraid to go full EV) and a lot of people only have a budget for $40K or less.

 

[WXman]

I have a Maverick on order, but started having reservations about the size and utilitarian interior a couple weeks ago, so I started looking at the Ford Lightnings. I read about the tech and features and was pretty excited. But there are so many negative reviews online. There's maybe 1 positive review for every 9 that say "I hated my Lightning and sold it and a huge loss" reviews. Even here it seems like the majority are unhappy with their purchase. Am I making a huge mistake even looking at the Lightning?

There has been a lot of negative. I myself have contributed in those "things I don't like" threads. So let me list some things I DO like about this truck:

- Being able to "fill it up" at home
- Being able to "fill it up" for $15 bucks
- The ability to use it as a generator to power the house, tools, etc.
- The power/acceleration/speed is crazy good
- Regenerative braking combined with traditional braking provides strong stopping power
- Seats are WAYYY better than the 2022 and older generation of Ford trucks
- The AWD may not be ideal for severe conditions, but for foul weather it's going to be sweet
- I greatly appreciate the 2,030 lb. payload rating, it'll be useful to me
- The headlights are the best I've ever had in a truck, and I've had a LOT of trucks
- The frunk offers usable, practical storage space that's out of sight and weather
- Ford did an excellent job programming the throttle response. It's very linear and smooth.
- No more nasty diesel pump handles, no more diesel fuel additives with each fill-up, no more messy oil and filter changes, fewer driveline seals to leak, less maintenance overall
- Ride quality is second to none in the full size pickup class, and again I've had them all

 

[Marcelo Zanetti]

Oh man. I love mine too. Have since December 22 and clocking almost 60K already.
Not to say there was never a problem, but overall it’s an amazing truck and I’m keeping it.

 

[evowner]

I love mine!

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I'm a big fan of my '23 XLT Lightning. It's even better than I had imagined it would be. I had considered a small electric car for my jump into the EV world, but decided to go with the lightning. It's a great vehicle, and I love the fact that it's so cheap to operate. I used to spend $50.00 per week hauling the kid around to school and sporting events..... now I may spend $15.00.... maybe. I'm looking to save over $2000.00 per year by not buying gasoline. It's enough to make me grin from ear to ear.

 

[The Weatherman]

This thing has been an awesome vehicle to own. It has been flawless so far - 2.5yrs.

Looking forward to the next 2.5 .

 

[RLXXI]

Absolutely the best vehicle I've ever owned, cars, trucks, suvs hands down no comparison.

 

[BhamDCam]

I've had my Pro ER for a year now. My favorite vehicle I've ever owned.

Update: two years and +22k miles in now and no changes. Still the best/favorite vehicle I've ever owned.

 

[Newton]

I have had pickups for most of my driving life and there really isn’t anything that my Lightning can’t do compared to my ICE trucks - other than the lack of an 8’ bed (come on, Ford!). I got an SR because for my use it means hauling stuff *in the bed* with very occasional trailering to do the sort of work that you actually need a pickup for. To my surprise, I find that even the standard range makes an excellent long distance SUV, the way that I think most people use pickups. We have been all over the place including trips from the Canadian border to California an it has never been any more hassle than with our diesel SUV. In fact, a lot less hassle - getting diesel out of your pants when you are four days away from home is not a lot of fun.

The Lightning is probably not the best for serious long-distance trailering like a lot of pickup owners imagine they will do with an F-150, but the F-150 (gas or electric) is an entry level truck for towing. If you want to tow a serious trailer you need something else and it has always been that way. Ford and Chevy will happily sell you such a vehicle and at the moment Chevy is in the lead for electric towing.

 

[RickKeen]

One negative of having an EV truck is all my buddies who are not yet EV fans give me shit about my "golf cart" and all the time I waste charging it.

I just keep telling people its the best pickup I have ever owned, tows better than my previous Chevy 2500, and it only takes 10 seconds to unplug the charger in the morning, offsetting my couple of road trips per year, so overall, I am ahead on the charging time vs pumping gas.

I do admit that I miss having time on my hands at the gas station twice a week to zone out to the rhythm of the pump, wish the pump was faster, squeegee the windows, watch ads on the screen on the pump, wait in line behind somebody buying scratch offs, and wondering how bad those gas station breakfast biscuits are for my arteries.

 

[Tedmister2]

My 2023 XLT is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.. 30,000 miles and a couple of recalls/warrantee repairs but such a pleasure to drive. The lack of maintenance allows me to do maintenance or work on friends or families vehicles if I need to wrench. As others have said, charging at home saves or allocates so much time. I do not miss gas/fuel stations at all.

 

[jackdeaoux]

Best vehicle I have ever owned. So much better than my diesel Silverado

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