Image via Ford.com
If you're in the market for an electric pickup, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck are probably the two options near the top of your list. Both offer impressive power and capabilities and an array of infotainment technology. Here's how the two trucks look when they go head-to-head.
Engine and Performance
With Ford's extended-range battery pack, the Lightning will be able to pack an impressive punch with 565 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. The F-150 Lightning has two battery options: The standard-range battery and the extended-range battery. Opting for the available extended-range battery will give you a driving range of 300 miles when fully charged. However, even the smaller standard-range battery pack gives you a range of 230 miles, which should be more than enough for most day-to-day driving needs. The standard-range battery pack also still manages to provide you with 426 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque, meaning you'll have lots of towing potential.
The Tesla Cybertruck is available with three powertrain options. The first, which comes in the base setup, includes a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The next step up is a powertrain with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The range-topping option is a triple motor with all-wheel drive, which provides the Cybertruck's best towing capabilities. Tesla says its top-of-the-line setup can churn out 800 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, but that comes at a price, giving the Lightning an edge when you assess the cost-to-scale ratio.
Tesla tried to prove that its Cybertruck has more power than the F-150 Lightning by showing the Cybertruck winning a tug-of-war with an F-150 in a performance video. However, according to US News and World Report, it later turned out that Tesla had used a smaller, two-wheel-drive F-150 for its demonstration alongside a top-spec Cybertruck.
Cargo Beds and Cabs
The Cybertruck's cab can seat up to six people, with three up front and three in the rear. There's lots of legroom in both rows, but back-seat passengers may have some trouble with headroom due to the sloping roof design that's one of the Cybertruck's unique features.
The Lightning's cab is modeled on the SuperCrew cab in the gas-powered F-150. It boasts seating for five people and plenty of space for adults to stretch out in both rows. The base trim features cloth upholstery, which is ideal for a work truck. Another useful feature is that the front seats can fold flat and the gear shifter is retractable, enabling you to create a flat workspace in the cab.
In terms of storage, both the F-150 Lightning and Cybertruck feature a front trunk or frunk where the engine would usually be. The Lightning's cargo bed options are similar to its gas-powered cousin. You can either have a short bed measuring five feet five inches in length, or a longer bed that's six feet five inches long.
The Cybertruck's exact specs are more difficult to quantify due to Tesla's unusual prototype design. According to the company, the frunk and cargo bed, which it calls the vault, has a combined 100 cubic feet of storage space. Its cargo bed is likely to measure 6 feet 5 inches in length.
One big advantage offered by the F-150 Lightning is that its cab and cargo bed configurations are shared with the standard F-150. So if you're planning on customizing or accessorizing your truck, you can draw on a broad range of accessories and after-market parts that have been developed over the years for the F-150. By contrast, the Cybertruck's design is highly specific.
Infotainment and Technology
The centerpiece of the F-150 Lightning's entertainment system is a 15.5-inch screen mounted prominently in the cab. You can also opt for a 12-inch digital instrument cluster so you can monitor your truck's performance.
One handy piece of tech assistance for drivers is the F-150 Lightning's onboard scales. They provide you with an exact measurement of how heavy the load in your cargo bed is. Ford's first electric truck also has the Pro Power Onboard system. It can provide up to 9 kilowatts of power for external equipment, such as your gear at a campsite. That's enough power to meet the needs of an average house for three days.
The Tesla Cybertruck's infotainment system is controlled by one of Tesla's trademark large 17-inch screens. In keeping with its modern look, traditional controls for temperature and stereo volume won't be found in this truck. The Cybertruck also has power-providing capabilities that compete with the F-150 Lightning.
Trims
There are expected to be three main trims for the Cybertruck. The base model is anticipated to have a starting price of about $40,000. It will feature a single motor and a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. To get the full performance out of the Cybertruck, including a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, you'll need to opt for the top trim. That model is expected to have a starting price of around $69,000.
The F-150 Lightning is sold in four trims. The Pro trim, starting at $39,974, is well suited to those of you looking for a standard work truck. The XLT starts at $52,974 and adds some design features like a Gray Iron Satin Metallic Grille with signature front lightning and extended running boards with enhanced zone lighting. For a more luxurious ride, the Lariat trim starts at $67,474 and comes standard with heated and ventilated front seating, a power tailgate, and a twin-paneled moonroof. The Platinum trim is the most luxurious offering, featuring an extended-range battery, Ford CoPilot360 Active with Ford BlueCruise driver-assistance technology, 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels with ebony painted pockets, and multi-contour front seats with Active Motion.
Check Out the F-150 Lightning at Sioux Falls Ford
We hope that our head-to-head comparison of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck have helped you decide which model is best suited to you. Ford's first all-electric pickup sticks to a traditional truck design, while Tesla's first full-sized pickup is sure to appeal to people looking to stand out. Both trucks have impressive towing capabilities, whether you're getting a job done quickly or heading off for a weekend out of town.
If you have any questions about the Ford F-150 Lightning, or you'd like to arrange a test drive, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of truck experts here at Sioux Falls Ford will be delighted to answer your queries and provide you with their advice about your next truck purchase. Alternatively, why not swing by our Sioux Falls dealership to chat with one of us in person?