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Introduction:

To help members understand the latest automotive technology so they can purchase vehicles that best suit their needs, the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center (ARC) began testing and reviewing vehicles over a decade ago

For the 2024 edition, we include testing and ranking cars and light trucks with the latest technology, including having at least one advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) feature. In addition to vehicle evaluation, the guide covers a number of pertinent automotive topics in detail—for example, the latest advanced safety features, how to properly maintain your vehicle, and new vehicles coming to market in the next few years.

Car Guide Winner: 1st Place Pickup

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat

Vehicle Type: Pickup Electric
100
 overall score
Category Ranking: 1

Vehicle Price

Base Price: $74,474
Price as Tested: $86,229

Fuel Information

Fuel Type: Electricity
120V Charge Time: 2.4 miles per hour
240V Charge Time: 31.7 miles per hour
DC Fast Charger: 15% to 80% in 41 minutes
EPA City MPGe78
EPA Highway MPGe63
EPA Combined MPGe70
EPA-Est. Electric Range (mi): 320

Advanced Safety Features

  • Adaptive Cruise Control [O]
  • Advanced Headlights [S]
  • Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
  • Blind-Spot Warning [S]
  • Driver Monitoring [S]
  • Forward-Collision Warning [S]
  • Lane-Departure Warning [S]
  • Lane-Keeping Assistance [S]
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Warning [S]
  • Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
  • [S] Standard, [O] Optional
NHTSA Rating:

Overall Observations

Ford followed—and arguably one-upped—the 2021 introduction of its Mustang Mach-E EV by coming out with an electric version of America's most popular vehicle, the F-150 full-size pickup, in 2022. The F-150 Lightning (great name!) is remarkable in that it can fulfill the needs of a wide variety of truck owners. Its trim levels range from the work-oriented Pro trim to the high-end Platinum, which is decked out with niceties such as massaging front seats and a luxe Bang & Olufsen audio system. We tested the second—tier Lariat trim with an optional extended-range battery pack. The Lightning's cab provides plenty of room for passengers and lots of storage cubbies. Its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup (580 hp) delivers plenty of power and torque. Its ride quality is decent, and the extended-range battery is good for up to 320 miles of driving. The Lightning also has a ton of tech and convenience features, including a power liftgate, lots of electrical outlets, and an onboard generator to power tools and electronic devices. Finally, a raft of advanced safety features are standard. The Lightning's biggest negative is that its range will drop off, probably significantly, in proportion to how much weight you carry in the bed or how much you tow. Other downsides include heavy steering and a plain interior with some low-rent materials

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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Drivetrain provides good power and torque
  • Lots of standard ADAS features
  • Plenty of room for all passengers; lots of storage
  • More than 300 miles of range with the bigger battery

Cons

  • Range will likely decrease significantly if you carry or tow a heavy load
  • The interior is a bit plain, with a mix of materials that includes some cheap plastics
  • The steering feels too heavy

Vehicle Specifications

Model year tested: 2023
Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 6361.0
Exterior L / W / H (in): 232.7 / 80.0 / 78.3
Wheelbase (in): 145.5
Number of air bags: 9
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Tire manufacturer and model: General Grabber HTS
Front and rear tire size: 275/60 R20
Max towing capacity (lbs): 10,000
Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Auto 1-speed
Drivetrain type: Four wheel
Engine/motor: Dual electric motors
Electric motor horsepower: 580

Test Data

Test Vehicle Scores

Advanced Safety Features:

9.70

Fuel Efficiency:

9.19

EPA Emissions Score:

10.00

Acceleration:

9.57

Braking:

5.02
Handling: 6.13
Quality and Drivability: 7.83

Ride Quality:

6.95

Interior Size:

6.23

Easy of Entry and Exit:

8.61

Visibility:

7.29

Interior Noise:

8.13

Cargo Capacity:

5.17
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