The Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning are ready to make waves in the electric truck sector, but how do they compare?
A fantastic time to be a pickup truck driver is now, since electric trucks are finally gaining traction. While Tesla’s Cybertruck has been pushed back to 2023, it remains one of the company’s most important projects. F-150 Lightning, Ford’s first attempt at an all-electric pickup, is also on the horizon for a spring 2022 release.
Tesla has its work cut out for it when the Ford F-Series truck is the most popular car in American history. But Musk’s pet project is no slouch either, with top-tier features and performance we’d never have imagined a truck to give. Who will win in a fight between a Tesla Cybertruck and a Ford F-150 Lightning?
Tesla’s Cybertruck may appear like a figment of Elon Musk’s imagination, but it really combines the best of Tesla’s electric performance with the versatility of a truck. Powered by a battery rather of a gas tank, Ford seems to be giving the same traditional truck experience that it has for decades.
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Specs
| Tesla Cybertruck | Ford F-150 Lightning | |
| Release Date | 2023 | Early 2022 |
| Price | From $39,900 | From $39,974 |
| Power | 4 motor, AWD | 2 motor, AWD |
| Range | Up to 500 miles | Up to 300 miles |
| Charging | 250 kW DC | 150 kW DC |
| 0-60 mph | 2.9 seconds | Mid-4 second range |
| Autonomous driving | Autopilot | BlueCruise |
Compare the release date and pricing of the Tesla Cybertruck with that of the Ford F-150 Lightning.
If you wanted a tri- or dual-motor Cybertruck, Tesla originally said it would be here by the end of the year. After being delayed by two years and now slated to begin in 2023, production will finally get off in earnest in 2019. That one may be attributed to supply chain shortages.
Both F-150 Lightning versions will be released in “early 2022,” according to Ford. Ford seems to be adhering to its original production timetable. As a result, the carmaker had to postpone bookings in order to prevent major backlogs for the truck, which is a good thing. Rivian and Hummer, on the other hand, are a year ahead of Ford in terms of when their electric vehicles will be on sale.
Starting at $39,974, the F-150 Lightning has two motors and all-wheel drive. For a single-motor Cybertruck, you’d spend $74 more than the $39,900 you’d pay for the Cybertruck, but you’d be missing out on much more. Compared to the previously advertised $49,900 dual-motor Cybertruck, the F-150 Lighting costs $10,000 more.
There are three additional F-150 Lightning variants available from Ford, beginning at $52,974 for the XLT, rising to $67,474 for the Lariat, and $90,874 for the Platinum. Optional long-distance towing packages are available for both the XLT and the Lariat for a combined price of $72,474 and $78,474.
In comparison to Ford’s $300 range, the $69,900 tri-motor Cybertruck model has substantially higher range (500+ miles) and a third motor for enhanced performance, making it the most expensive option.
Comparison of Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck:
This truck’s key selling feature is its near-identicality to its gasoline and hybrid predecessors. On the front end, there are a few variations, especially because an electric vehicle doesn’t require a grille. However, it’s evident at a look that all the F-150s are extremely closely connected.
That North America’s best-selling passenger cars for decades have been the Ford F-series trucks means that Ford must keep the trend rolling. F-150 is like Coca-Cola to Ford CEO Jim Farley, which is a great analogy. F-150 Lightning should not fail like ‘New Coke’, particularly when the rest of the auto industry is moving toward electricity.
We don’t have any precedents to draw on when it comes to Tesla’s Cybertruck. The Cybertruck was designed by Elon Musk to look like something from a PlayStation 1 sci-fi game from the early ’90s. There is little doubt that it is visually appealing, and the unusual angular shape has sparked a great deal of conversation.
A 6.5-foot truck bed is included with the Cybertruck, as are all the other truck amenities. As an alternative to a regular tailgate, this vehicle’s bed has an extensible telescopic ramp. Also, Elon Musk boasts that the door of the Cybertruck can withstand rounds from a 9mm pistol without a problem.
Tesla also proved that the doors of the Cybertruck could withstand a sledgehammer attack. Unfortunately, the windows were shattered by a metal ball that was hurled at them.
Choosing the “best” electric truck design is a matter of personal preference. The 2021 Ford F-150 Lightning was designed to look like the current model, and as a result, it will fit in seamlessly with the rest of the Ford lineup. GMC Hummer EV used the traditional Hummer design and tweaked it a little to make it suitable for EV ownership in the same way.
Because it stands out from the crowd, the Tesla Cybertruck stands out. However, here is where the two vehicles diverge. When it comes to pickup trucks, Ford has designed the F-150 to be as functional and reliable as a traditional gas-powered model, while Tesla appears to be positioning the Cybertruck as a fashion statement — one that is both functional and fashionable, since it can perform all of the functions of a typical pickup truck.
Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck: Interior
There’s a 15.5-inch touchscreen in the F-150 Lightning, just like in a modern electric vehicle. In contrast, unlike the Tesla Cybertruck, which relies nearly entirely on a touchscreen, Ford is retaining the actual buttons and knobs in place. Like with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, there’s even a tactile dial incorporated right into the screen.
There’s a lot of cargo capacity in the F-150 Lightning thanks to its size. It has the same 5.5-foot bed and a 14.1 cubic-foot “Mega Power Frunk” (front trunk) as the gasoline F-150. Folding front seats and a fold-out desk in the middle console round out the interior amenities.
The Tesla Cybertruck is a fairly normal Tesla, but there are a few crucial characteristics that make it stand out. While the inside of a Model S and a Model 3 may be almost identical, there’s no doubting that the Cybertruck’s distinctive design has had an impact.
Although the geometric top is inescapable, the seats and dash have been given a Cyberpunk-inspired design treatment. Nonetheless, you’ll still get the yoke-shaped steering wheel, the 17-inch touchscreen, and the glass top.
A lot of information is yet unknown about the automobile, although Tesla typically offers the same inside experience in all of its vehicles. Though the display of the Cybertruck has been verified to feature a bespoke user interface, we believe that it will still be recognisable to Tesla customers.
Tesla Cybertruck versus Ford F-150 Lightning: 0-60 and towing
According to Tesla’s boasts, the Cybertruck’s three motors can tow 14,000 pounds and accelerate from 0-60 mph in little under three seconds. The 0-60 mph time of the single-motor and dual-motor models drops to 4.5 and 6.5 seconds, respectively, which is a little disappointing. Towing capability levels off at 10,000 lbs. for the dual motor, and 7,500 lbs. for the single motor.
Ford has indicated that the 0-60 time for the F-150 Lighting is in the mid-4 second range, although we don’t know for sure. President Joe Biden estimated it to be roughly 4.3 seconds during a test drive, but a Ford representative would neither confirm or reject this estimate.. So keep an eye on this page.
If you’re looking to pull a lot of weight, the extended-range F-150 Lightning has a maximum payload of 10,000 pounds. But because there is no tri-motor Lightning, it isn’t quite fair to compare the existing Cybertruck models to Tesla, the company’s top-tier product.
However, Elon Musk’s firm might benefit from the fact that Tesla is releasing a more powerful model, despite the delays. The tri-motor Cybertruck is the obvious choice if you’re willing to put up with a long wait for electricity.
Because the F-150 is a lot less powerful than the Cybertrucks, it’s much more difficult to make a decision based solely on power.
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Battery and Range
On the range front, Tesla has a commanding lead over Ford. There will be 230 miles of range for the base model F-150 Lightning, and 280-300 miles or more depending on trim level for the extended range variant. While the statistics may be on the lower end, this is still a good showing.
Even though it isn’t as powerful, the entry-level Tesla Cybertruck model delivers 250 miles of range for the same price. A 300-mile range is provided by the dual-motor variant, while a 500-mile range is provided by the tri-motor model. On the range, the Cybertruck is certain to win every time.
The Cybertruck is also a Tesla winner in terms of charging, since it can take use of the company’s 250-kW supercharging network. Allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in only 44 minutes, the Cybertruck
When it comes to charging, the F-150 Lightning is limited to 150 kW, but its battery gets from 15% to 80% in around 45 minutes. Although this isn’t a deal breaker, the lesser range means that you’ll have to recharge the vehicle more often when you’re travelling large distances.
Ford F-150 Lightning versus Tesla Cybertruck: Autonomous driving
The Cybertruck, like other Teslas, comes standard with Autopilot, as well as the $10,000 FSD Autopilot option. Automated steering, smart cruise control, lane-change recommendations, and blind-spot monitoring are all included in the basic Autopilot system.
This add-on enables your vehicle to act as a personal navigator on major highways and byways, including changing lanes and parking itself when necessary. You must maintain your hands and eyes on the road while using these technologies, Tesla claims.
The F-150 Lightning comes with Ford’s BlueCruise, which is also coming to the Mustang Mach-E later this year. When using BlueCruise, the driver does not have to keep their hands on the wheel to regulate steering or acceleration. There’s also an infrared camera built in, so you won’t be able to take a sleep in the back while the truck drives itself without being caught.
In addition, the F-150 Lighting has a smart-hitch assist function, which is essential for those who wish to utilise the truck as a towing vehicle.
The two vehicles are quite closely matched in terms of typical self-driving features. Despite the fact that Tesla’s FSD add-on gives the company a significant edge, the technology isn’t yet mature enough to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously without a human driver present. It’s also a pricey upgrade to the automobile, particularly if you go for the lower $40,000 variant.
Ford F-150 Lightning versus Tesla Cybertruck: What’s the future?
Because there is no other vehicle with three engines, the Cybertruck is the obvious winner, although that can be easily explained away. In the end, you have two trucks that are about equal in performance when the power is reduced.
Regardless of way you look at it, Tesla has the upper hand when it comes to range. When it comes to single-charge driving, Tesla has invested years in improved batteries and lighter and more aerodynamic designs. Tesla is the only automotive business that can compete with what they have to offer.
While the F-150 Lighting is a promising start for Ford, it’s still early days and the extended-range variant can equal the dual-motor Cybertruck’s 300-mile range projection.
Because of how close the two lowest Cybertrucks are to the F-150 Lightning variants, it’s tough to tell which vehicle is superior without actually driving them. For a more classic truck experience, Ford’s decades of truck-building knowledge makes the F-150 Lighting the best choice. The Cybertruck, on the other hand, is unlike anything else out there.