Lightning vs Rivian - new truck buyer…

[I <3 My Lightning]

If you need a truck for truck things and you WANT an EV and you like the various benefits of driving an EV, based on what it offers you for your daily life transportation needs, side hustle, family life style, then the choice is clear to you.

The lightning FOR ME, came down to more bed usability, interior size for our taller than normal large stature family, my older age wanting a sports car acceleration without having to shell out a lot more money, full reachable accessible frunk that can hold a whole butchered pig or a quarter butchered cow, a longer, well balanced, wheel base for towing stability, quietness, that it came with the ER battery and the charge station pro, accessories were easy to acquire, from tonneau choices to floor mats, it's incognito for the most part....

One of my personal 2 cent deciding factor.... EV range complaints are constant in all EV forums and also the naysayers alike. You need more range blah blah blah. This EV truck can go this far, this one goes even farther, that ones can go the furthest... All the longer range ev trucks than the lighting are, TO ME, technically not longer range. They are all less efficient as they use more energy to carry the greater weight to aquire such little extra range, they take a hit in acceleration and they need to jack up the power to get it to perform still slower or a little faster and still it's not true sustained performance; it's under ideal conditions, charge and setting you have to activate, which is not real world all the time driving, which still all comes at a premium cost to purchase. So for me if I saved 20k on an EV truck and foolishly spent that money strictly to charge my truck at DC chargers, averaging 50 cents per kw plus sales tax and over a year and seasonal changes averaged 2 miles per kw, I can travel about 74k miles. Which for me is like 10 years of driving. Of course strictly charging at home, for me, brings that up to 190k miles.

Best of luck. The only advice I truly can give you is do what will make you happiest, including if you have a boss at home that you will still love unconditionally when they take your new ev away for their own personal driving satisfaction.

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[Yellow Buddy]

I’m sure others here have debated between the Rivian and a higher trim Lightning - for background, I will be a first time truck owner (waited 59 years… well, at least 30 of the 59 years)

I took a lighting out for a test drive a couple of days ago and was absolutely smitten! Absolutely nothing I didn’t love about it. Hard to imagine anything I will like better in an EV pickup.

But am still doing my diligence since I expect to have this bad boy for a long time - usual tenure with me is 10 years

We’re on a Lightning forum so clearly the bias here is to the Ford - but still, I would find value in hearing your take and reason why the Lightning is the better choice than the Rivian.

I am in the Boston area, don’t expect to tow much and plan to pimp my ride a hit to help promote my side hustle business… vintage baseball cards. See my new logo below

Do you have more specific questions?

I’ve owned both, a R1T Quad Large Pack, as well as a Lightning. I put just shy of 40,000 miles on the R1T and I’m now on my 2nd Lightning with 30k on it.

I’d be happy to chime in on specifics. They’re both phenomenal trucks, but built for very different purposes. They were easy to compare when they were launched but imo for today, they probably compared more often than they should be. Most people don’t cross shop a Toyota Tacoma and a F150 for example.

High level, the thing that makes the Lightnjng special is that there’s nothing special about it. It’s everything you expect out of a full sized truck, just electrified and with a massive front trunk.

The thing that makes the Rivian special is, well all the attention that was put into it. The suspension really is something special. The tech in the R1T blows away the Lightning.

If you’re looking to draw eyes - the R1T is better for it. I got all sorts of questions with the R1T. I rarely get spoken to in the Lightning, maybe when the frunk is open with a quick - how do you like it?

 

[DaBlue357]

The larger bed is the #1 reason I went with the Lightning over the Rivian. #2 was probably the frunk. #3 was 9.6 kW power.

Also the financial incentives by Ford (0% and full tax credit) made it a no brainer. It was just the better value.

I do think the Rivian has the looks though and maybe a little more novelty to it. My wife might go Rivian in the future.

 

[daczone]

Nothing you will find will match the space the F150 offers. I am 6-2 and with my seat all the way back (though I wish it went lower) I can fit real adults in every seat. If the Cybertruck had rear leg room I might have went that direction (I had one for a weekend). The F150 has a very soft ride, which most of agree feels Cadillac floaty at highway speeds, but I think this can be corrected for a few hundred dollars. I looked at the Rivian but it doesn't self drive and is much smaller, much more expensive. All of the trucks seem to have about the same range except the Silverado, but it is also much more expensive. The Cybertruck's 4 wheel steering is AMAZING, and of course the UI is the best of all of them, but there is quite a bit of negativity towards them and the insurance (for me) was nearly double over the lightning. I didn't want to worry about what someone might do to my truck when I parked it.

The lightning has some cool party tricks like the self driving, being able to charge on the Tesla network, powering your house (yeah Tesla does that too) and the bed scales.

But at the end of the day it's a F150. It was the best bargain electric truck for the money hands down.

 

[K6CCC]

power tonneau cover - honestly wish our trucks had this included like rivian and cyber truck but assume it's not due to lack of bed space on an all ready small truck bed.

I'm glad the Lightning does NOT come with a tonneau cover (powered or not). Just something I would have to rip out and throw away. I will have a cab high shell installed once SnugTop completes building mine. I have had a shell on both previous pickups o putting a shell on the Lightning was a no brainer for me.

 

[Scorpio3d]

If you want your vehicle to draw attention to your business, the Rivian wins that aspect. The Lightning looks just like another F150. My daughter has an R1S and is very happy with it. As long as you’re in a major metro area, getting service should be reasonable. At least that’s been her experience.

How long has she had it and has she had a lot of service?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I haven't read others posts, I'm catching up after a busy 2 days on other activities.

My gut instinct, Rivian=toy truck, F150-Lightning=real truck, Buy the Lightning.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I was clicking through the contract on an R1T when I was texted by a Ford Dealer 2.5 hours away offering the Lariat Lightning for ~$25k less than the R1T and $3k more on my trade-in than Rivian and they delivered it for free. So we went with the Lightning.

Very happy with the Lightning. And I think I would have been happy with the R1T as well.

The R1T would be easier to drive in the city.
The Lightning allows more cargo in the bed for my ranch work.

The R1T can haul and tow a lot. But its bed is smaller than I'd like.
The Lightning can haul and tow a lot, and its bed is bigger (still not big enough), but its suspension is softer than I like.

The R1T would stand out.
The Lightning disappears into the crowd of F-150s.

 

[Maquis]

How long has she had it and has she had a lot of service?

About 15 months.
I think twice - once for a rattle in the dash and the other (I believe) had something to do with software. Both were minor issues.
Less problems in that timeframe than either my Mach-E or Lightning.

 

[Maquis]

My gut instinct, Rivian=toy truck, F150-Lightning=real truck, Buy the Lightning.

I think that’s a bit glib. Especially since most “real trucks” spend their lives as pavement princesses anyway! ?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I think that’s a bit glib. Especially since most “real trucks” spend their lives as pavement princesses anyway! ?

Nope, JMHO

 

[belfast1933]

You all are the best! As the original poster here, I want to thank you all for so many thoughtful and really (truly) helpful opinions and experiences.

I feel that I owe you an update given how generous you have all been with your replies….

I took the Rivian out for a test drive yesterday (and had tested the Lightning earlier in the week.). After driving the Lightning, I was smitten!

Unril I drove the Rivian yesterday… wow, 2 amazing choices and I sum it up very consistently with how you all have pointed out the best for each option.

I will say that I am leaning Rivian for several reasons:

- I would like a truck for convenience and driving pleasure, so not sure I need a full size

- the Rivian does have a great style and vibe that I think I’ll really enjoy. It’s not commonly seen around here and I think I will enjoy its uniqueness

- if I do decide to also include a wrap of side door magnet promoting the Vintage Card business, I think the uniqueness of the Rivian style is actually a plus there too.

- the tech and interior is pretty sweet. For a 59 year old, I think I am a relative heavy user of tech advantages. It won’t be wasted on me.

- mid size truck and smaller bed and smaller interior is probably fine and even a bit better of a fit (no pun intended). I love the full size truck driving experience. But I won’t be doing much full sized truck stuff so smaller footprint, turning radius, etc is actually helpful.

- don’t love paying up, but it looks like Carvana has a nice selection at prices I can probably swing.

and my family is all grown up so not likely to need the impressive interior space in the Lightning.

I could change my mind, of course but now, leaning Rivian. As I told my family, two great choices here - pretty pumped for my first truck, even if it’s a little less traditional.

once I do buy, I will post an image here as a post-script to share.

thx again all - I really appreciate and value all of the input. This is adding to the fun of the process.

cheers,

Jeff
(GROSS VINTAGE BASEBALL )

 

[KSkel]

I have own the R1T before moving to the Lightning. There are pros and cons to each depending on your usage. In the beginning the R1T was a good choice but as time moved on, you realize that you are missing some comforts.
-cup holders
-size of the back seat when driving and the co-pilot is resting
-running boards
-the ease in getting in the bed
-how easy to get into the vehicle when the 12v battery dies
-the ability to use the HVB to provide power to your home
-glovebox front storage


no regrets on my Lightning, love to have options as the truck is like a multi- tool

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

You all are the best! As the original poster here, I want to thank you all for so many thoughtful and really (truly) helpful opinions and experiences.

I feel that I owe you an update given how generous you have all been with your replies….

I took the Rivian out for a test drive yesterday (and had tested the Lightning earlier in the week.). After driving the Lightning, I was smitten!

Unril I drove the Rivian yesterday… wow, 2 amazing choices and I sum it up very consistently with how you all have pointed out the best for each option.

I will say that I am leaning Rivian for several reasons:

- I would like a truck for convenience and driving pleasure, so not sure I need a full size

- the Rivian does have a great style and vibe that I think I’ll really enjoy. It’s not commonly seen around here and I think I will enjoy its uniqueness

- if I do decide to also include a wrap of side door magnet promoting the Vintage Card business, I think the uniqueness of the Rivian style is actually a plus there too.

- the tech and interior is pretty sweet. For a 59 year old, I think I am a relative heavy user of tech advantages. It won’t be wasted on me.

- mid size truck and smaller bed and smaller interior is probably fine and even a bit better of a fit (no pun intended). I love the full size truck driving experience. But I won’t be doing much full sized truck stuff so smaller footprint, turning radius, etc is actually helpful.

- don’t love paying up, but it looks like Carvana has a nice selection at prices I can probably swing.

and my family is all grown up so not likely to need the impressive interior space in the Lightning.

I could change my mind, of course but now, leaning Rivian. As I told my family, two great choices here - pretty pumped for my first truck, even if it’s a little less traditional.

once I do buy, I will post an image here as a post-script to share.

thx again all - I really appreciate and value all of the input. This is adding to the fun of the process.

cheers,

Jeff
(GROSS VINTAGE BASEBALL )

I think it's great that you can post your situation on the forum and get a lot of feedback from members that have owned and driven both vechicles - great to hear your decision and hope it works out well for your business and use. The best part - ya got a great EV I am sure you will enjoy for years to come.

 

[trev5150]

I have own the R1T before moving to the Lightning. There are pros and cons to each depending on your usage. In the beginning the R1T was a good choice but as time moved on, you realize that you are missing some comforts.
-cup holders
-size of the back seat when driving and the co-pilot is resting
-running boards
-the ease in getting in the bed
-how easy to get into the vehicle when the 12v battery dies
-the ability to use the HVB to provide power to your home
-glovebox front storage


no regrets on my Lightning, love to have options as the truck is like a multi- tool

I find at age 50 that most of the design choices made by these late millennials/Gen Z engineers to be exasperating. The minimalist BS needs to stop. I am unconvinced that this is saving the planet in any way at all. I don't care what plant material you made the dashboard out of. I want cupholders and a gun rack. I want 5 of every charge port.

I WANT PHYSICAL CONTROLS.

PIANO BLACK SUCKS.

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