The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Buyer’s Guide

October 14th, 2022 by

A black 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is shown from the front while driving though snow after leaving a dealer that had a Ford F-150 Lightning for sale.

The fastest truck on four wheels has to be the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. This electric full-size truck has earned its name by delivering sports car performance with the capability of a pickup. But if you are looking for an F-150 Lightning for sale, you better not blink because these are selling almost as fast as the truck itself. This is why you need to stop by The Faricy Boys Automotive and see why we are Colorado’s favorite car dealer. We carry a vast lineup of new cars and pre-owned vehicles, including the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. Our ability to source these amazing trucks means that you can find the model you want at your preferred trim level. This is because Ford has given the F-150 Lightning a whole host of different options built on a great platform, so you can find the EV truck that has all the features and specifications you desire.

Two Proficient Powertrains

The key to any powerful EV is the combination of the battery pack and electric motors, and the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning does not disappoint. When it comes to the battery pack, Ford gives you two choices on the F-150 Lightning. The standard range model features a liquid-cooled 98 kWh lithium-ion pouch with internal battery management. This will give you up to 230 miles on a full charge. It has an 11.3 kW onboard charger, which can give you about 80% charge in just 44 minutes at a public DC supercharger station.

The extended-range model of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning will cost a little more than the standard range, but it features a larger liquid cooled 131 kWh lithium-ion pouch with internal battery management. As a result, the F-150 Lightning will be able to go up to 320 miles on a fully charged extended-range battery. This is probably the better choice if you are looking to go longer distances in your truck. This also features a more powerful onboard charger with 19.2 kW input. It can charge up to 80% of the capacity of a public DC fast charging station in just 41 minutes and get a full charge from a Level 2 240-volt AC charger in about 8 hours.

No matter which battery pouch you choose, you are going to get an F-150 Lightning with effective all-wheel drive, as Ford has equipped this electric full-size truck with a pair of fixed magnet AC electric motors, one to power the front axle and the other to drive the rear. While both the standard and extended-range models provide 775 lb-ft of torque, there is a difference in horsepower. If you choose a 2022 F-150 Lightning with the standard range battery, it can deliver up to 452 horsepower. Meanwhile, the extended-range battery boosts output to 580 horsepower. Either way, you will get an electric pickup truck that is capable of going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 4.0 seconds. This is because of the instant torque available as soon as you step on the accelerator.

A silver 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is shown from the front while driving off-road.

Four Terrific Trim Levels

In keeping with its goal to provide drivers with choices when it comes to their vehicle, Ford offers the 2022 F-150 Lighting in four different trim levels. The base model Pro, XLT, and Lariat all come equipped with the standard range battery, with the ability to fit the truck with an extended range battery if you so desire. The top trim Platinum model comes standard with the extended range battery.

All models of the 2022 F-150 Lightning feature the Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 suite of standard driver assistance features, so you won’t have to pay a premium for safety. The XLT adds a 360-degree camera feature that is also on the Lariat and Platinum. The Lariat and Platinum add Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, a built-in navigation system, Lane Centering, and the Speed Sign Recognition feature.

The Pro and XLT models of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning come with the SYNC 4 infotainment system on a 12-inch landscape-oriented LCD capacitive touchscreen. This includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can leave those annoying charging cables at home. The Lariat and Platinum trims are equipped with the SYNC 4A system with a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented LCD capacitive touchscreen. In addition, the Lariat has an eight-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, while the Platinum pushes this sound system to the limit with 18 speakers. No matter which trim you choose, you will get the FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability for up to ten devices, so you and your passengers will be able to stay connected wherever you drive your F-150 Lightning.

The F-150 Lightning Pro and XLT ride on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, while the Lariat model increases the size to 20-inch wheels, and the Platinum has very sizable 22-inch wheels. While all models have a very roomy crew cab, the interior materials improve across trim lines. For example, while the Pro model has vinyl seats, and the XLT uses cloth, both the Lariat and Platinum upgrade the seats to leather.

A blue 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT is shown from the front while set up for camping.

Striking Capability for an Electric Truck

While the great range of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning shouldn’t come as a surprise, as EVs have been increasing their ranges as the technology has improved, the capabilities of this electric truck should be considered quite shocking. In addition to its impressive acceleration, the F-150 Lightning also has the ability to tow large trailers and haul heavy loads.

Depending on which trim and battery you choose, you will find that the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning can provide the towing ability that rivals some of the strongest pickup trucks with conventional gas engines. For example, the Pro trim with a standard range battery can tow up to 7,700 pounds. This increases to an impressive 8,500 pounds on the Platinum with an extended-range battery. For the maximum towing capability, you can choose an XLT or Lariat model with an extended-range battery that can tow up to an incredible 10,000 pounds.

The hauling capability is equally impressive. The 2022 F-150 Lightning comes with a very spacious 52.8 cubic foot payload bed. On models with the extended range battery, you should be able to carry up to 1,850 pounds of cargo. Choosing the standard range battery actually increases this to 2,000 pounds.

The crew cab itself is so roomy you won’t think you’re in an electric truck. It seats up to five passengers, with 43.9 inches of legroom for those in the front row and 43.6 inches of legroom for those in the back. In addition, if you want to take your 2022 F-150 Lightning out on a road trip, you can fit your luggage in the front trunk. There is an additional 14.1 cubic feet of space where the engine would go if this was an F-150 with a conventional gas engine, not an F-150 Lightning with its motors next to the axles and its battery pouch secured safely in the lower frame.

The Ford F-150 Lightning Strikes the Right Balance

Who knew an electric pickup truck could be this capable, reliable, speedy, and fun to drive? It figures that Ford Motor Company would be the ones to come up with the Ford F-150 Lightning, especially since the Ford F-150 is not only the best truck in America but the most popular passenger vehicle sold today. With all the available options on the F-150 Lightning, you should have no problem finding one that strikes the right balance for you, whether you are looking for a truck for work, play, or a little of both.