The new F-150 Lightning, released by Ford this year, lives up to the hype. I tested the vehicle by driving it countryside for a week, and I can attest that it’s one of the best trucks I have ever driven.
(image courtesy of Ford)
Plus, my time behind the wheel of a Lightning confirmed my suspicions that it is the best car for long drives.
Allow me to present the top 5 reasons why:
The portable power plant on wheels
(image courtesy of Ford)
The F-150 Lightning is capable of both absorbing and discharging electrical energy. The truck has power outlets in the cab, bed, and frunk to distribute electricity with home electronics like stoves, televisions, and computers.
Want to go on a cross-country family vacation, complete with a coffee maker and Instant Pot? Go ahead and do it.
Respectable frunk
(image courtesy of Ford)
Having a place to put things is always convenient on a road trip. And Lighting delivers on that front!
The bed is 5.5 feet long so that you can fit your kayak, bicycle, or tent in addition to your suitcases. On the other hand, the Lightning’s frunk is not exactly a closely guarded secret.
When you open the Lightning’s hood, you won’t find an engine but a massive storage compartment. When opened fully, it can accommodate several bags of a decent size and might help store things you don’t want to be buried in the truck’s bed.
Assisted driving
(image courtesy of Ford)
You can find Ford’s hands-free Blue Cruise system in higher-end Lightning models. This is how the system functions: When you engage cruise control and get to a designated safe area along the highway (a “Blue Zone”), Ford will let you take your hands off the steering wheel in the Lightning.
Cameras and sensors help the truck automatically change lanes, apply the brakes when necessary, and monitor road conditions. The system seems to function reasonably well, at least in my experience. The Lightning is very self-assured when it comes to staying in its lane, and there have been times when I went for minutes without having to correct it. Long trips could be made more bearable with Blue Cruise’s assistance if traffic is light.
However, it doesn’t function flawlessly and reliably and needs to be continuously monitored. I made the conscious decision always to have my hands on the wheel.
Adaptability to any environment
(image courtesy of Ford)
Off-roading is integral to some road trips, whether a simple dirt path to a remote campsite or a genuine overlanding journey. The Lightning also has no trouble venturing off the tourist trail.
All pickups feature dual engines and all-wheel drive as standard. In addition, they provide a ton of torque right away, making short work of obstacles like water crossings, large rocks, and uneven ground.
Even though I’m no expert, I can put the truck in off-road mode, aim it at rocks, and drive right over them.
Invitingly soft and imperceptibly quiet
(image courtesy of Ford)
The Lightning is surprisingly quiet, one of the first details that struck me when I started driving it.
When you get behind the wheel of a big rig and start to move, your ears automatically tune to the hum of the gas engine. But once you get moving in a Lightning, the only sounds you’ll notice are the wind and the tires on the road, and the wind noise starts to become noticeable at speeds above 75 mph.
In addition, the Lightning provides a generous amount of space for passengers to stretch out. I put a lot of miles on an $80,000 Lightning Lariat and never once felt claustrophobic or uneasy. Even tall people will have plenty of space to stretch out in the back seats.
Downsides
Charging and driving distance are significant issues. The EPA reports that the Lightning’s range is between 230 and 320 miles with a single charge, contingent on the battery pack. Therefore, you must make charging stops every few hours while driving, and most people, after all, need to rest every few hours.
Finding places to recharge could be a bigger problem. While improvements are being made to the charging infrastructure, stations are still not widely available enough to be found simply by venturing out. And the options in the center of the country are limited compared to those on the coasts.
Yet, I remain persuaded that the F-150 Lightning is the best option for any long-distance travel.
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