When it comes to the electric truck market, the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning are both expected to make a splash, but how do they compare?
Now is a great time to be an electric truck enthusiast or a driver, as the market is finally gaining traction. Tesla’s Cybertruck may be delayed until 2023, but it remains a high priority for the firm. This is also the year when the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s initial attempt into electric truck manufacturing, began rolling out on public roadways.
Tesla has its work cut out for it when you consider that the Ford F-Series pickup is the most popular car in the history of the United States. We’d never imagine a truck to have such high-end specs and performance, but Tesla’s pet project is no slouch either. Is the Tesla Cybertruck better than the Ford F-150 Lightning in terms of performance?
Cybertruck may appear like an Elon Musk creation, but it is also the perfect vehicle for Tesla to combine its luxury electric experience with the versatility of trucking. Rather than using petrol, Ford appears to be giving a battery-powered version of the iconic pickup truck experience it has supplied for decades.
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Specs
| Tesla Cybertruck | Ford F-150 Lightning | |
| Release Date | 2023 | Out now ; New reservations closed |
| Price | From $39,900 | From $39,974 |
| Power | 4 motor, AWD | 2 motor, AWD |
| Range | Up to 500 miles | Up to 320 miles |
| Charging | 250 kW DC | 150 kW DC |
| 0-60 mph | 2.9 seconds | Mid-4 second range |
| Autonomous driving | Autopilot | BlueCruise |
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Pricing and availability
As long as you were willing to wait for the tri- or dual-motor version of the truck, Tesla originally stated the Cybertruck would be here by the end of the year. The commencement of manufacturing, on the other hand, has been delayed twice and will not begin until 2023. Because of supply chain shortages, that one is all yours.
There were no delays in the F-150 Lightning’s release date, which Ford had promised would be “early 2022”. Deliveries of Ford’s electric truck began earlier this year, but reservations have been blocked for the foreseeable future due to the overwhelming demand. Ford, Rivian, and Hummer will all have to contend with Ford’s launch, which will come about a year earlier than Tesla’s.
Starting at $39,974, the F-150 Lightning has two motors and all-wheel drive. Even if it’s only $74 more expensive than a Cybertruck with a single motor, you’d be foregoing a lot by saving that pittance. The F-150 Lighting is a lot more like the dual-motor Cybertruck, which was previously priced at $49,900 – $10,000 more expensive.
The XLT Lightning starts at $52,974, the Lariat at $67,474, and the Platinum at $90,874 are the other F-150 Lightning versions offered by Ford. Extending the range on the XLT and Lariat costs $72,474 and $77,474, respectively.
Cybertruck’s $69,900 tri-motor model is the most expensive, but it does have additional hardware and features, such as a third motor for better performance and much higher range (500+ miles vs. Ford’s 300 miles). In addition, a variant with four motors has been promised, however there is little information available at this time.
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Design
This truck’s key selling point is that it’s nearly identical to the F-150’s gasoline-powered and hybrid siblings. On the front end, there are a few variations, especially since an electric car doesn’t need 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 vehicles for decades have been the Ford F-series trucks means that Ford must keep the momentum rolling. If you ask us, the comparison between the F-150 and Coke is spot on. F-150 Lightning should not fail like ‘New Coke’, especially as the rest of the automotive industry pushes toward electric.
For the Tesla Cybertruck, there are no other vehicles to draw inspiration from. 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 in the Cybertruck’s standard features. As an alternative to a regular tailgate, this vehicle’s bed features an extensible telescoping ramp. Also, Elon Musk boasts that the door of the Cybertruck can withstand rounds from a 9mm handgun without a scratch.
Tesla also demonstrated that the doors of the Cybertruck can withstand a sledgehammer beating. The windows, on the other hand, were not so fortunate and were broken by a thrown metal ball.
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 blend in seamlessly with the rest of the Ford lineup. GMC Hummer EV used the traditional Hummer design and tweaked it a bit to make it suitable for EV ownership in the same way.
It stands out because it’s unlike anything else you’ll see on the road: the Tesla Cybertruck What sets them apart are their engines. 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.
Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Interior
There are a lot of current EV amenities in Ford’s F-150 Lightning, including a 15.5-inch infotainment screen. Ford, on the other hand, is preserving the physical buttons and dials, in contrast to the Tesla Cybertruck, which is virtually entirely touchscreen-based. Like with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, there’s even a tactile dial incorporated right into the screen.
The F-150 Lightning is a huge vehicle with a lot of storage capacity. Both the front trunk and the bed are 5.5 feet long, much like the gasoline F-150. In addition, the center console has a fold-out workstation, and the front seats may be folded flat.
Tesla’s Cybertruck is no different, but there are a few important differences. A Model S and Model 3 may look nearly identical on the inside, but the Cybertruck’s unique design has had a significant impact on its interior design.
In addition to the pointed roof, the seats and dashboard feature a Cyberpunk-inspired straight-edged style. However, you still get the iconic Tesla amenities, such as the yoke-shaped steering wheel, the 17-inch touchscreen display, and the glass roof, which are included in the base model.
A lot of information is yet unknown about the automobile, although Tesla typically offers the same inside experience in all of its vehicles…. A bespoke user interface has been verified, but we expect it to still be familiar to Tesla owners who have previously purchased a Tesla vehicle.
Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: 0-60 and towing
The Tesla Cybertruck promises to be able to tow 14,000 pounds and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, according to the company. The 0-60 time drops to 4.5 seconds for the dual-motor model and to 6.5 seconds for the single-motor model, respectively. The dual motor’s towing capacity is 10,000 lbs., while the single motor’s is 7,500 lbs.
However, Ford has stated that the 0-60 time of the F-150 Lighting is somewhere in the mid-4 second range. When Joe Biden went for a test drive, he estimated that it would take around 4.3 seconds. However, a Ford spokesperson refused to confirm or deny this. So, stay tuned.
It can tow up to 7,700 lbs with the basic F-150 Lightning, while the extended-range model can pull up to 10,000 lbs with the option. However, as Tesla doesn’t have a tri-motor Lightning model, it’s unfair to compare the present versions to Tesla’s top-tier vehicle.
However, Elon Musk’s company could benefit from the fact that Tesla is releasing a more powerful model, despite the delays. As long as you don’t mind waiting, the tri-motor Cybertruck is your best bet for maximum horsepower.
As a result, comparing the F-150 against Cybertrucks with only one or two motors is no longer as simple as just comparing price and performance.
Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Battery and range
On the range front, Tesla has a commanding lead over Ford. The base F-150 Lightning will have a range of 230 miles, while the extended-range model will have a range of 280-320 miles. Even if these numbers are a little on the bland side, they’re nonetheless impressive.
For the same price, the Tesla Cybertruck’s entry-level model has a range of 250 miles, while being less powerful than the Tesla Semi. Over 500 miles of range is possible with the tri-motor variant. The two motor version has a range of 300 miles. There’s no arguing with the fact that the Cybertruck always comes out on top in terms of overall range.
Using Tesla’s supercharging network, the Cybertruck can charge at speeds of up to 250 kW, a significant advantage for the electric vehicle manufacturer. Allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 44 minutes, the Cybertruck
When it comes to charging, the F-150 Lightning is limited to 150 kW, but its battery moves from 15% to 80% in around 45 minutes. It’s not horrible, but if you plan on doing a lot of long-distance driving, you’ll have to spend more time recharging the car because of the reduced range.
Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: 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 suggestions, and blind-spot monitoring are all features of the Autopilot system’s Level 2 autonomy.
Using the FSD add-on, your car will do all of the driving for you on the highway, including changing lanes automatically, stopping at stoplights and stop signs, and parking itself. These features demand you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, Tesla claims.
In addition to the Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s BlueCruise is coming to the F-150 Lightning this year. Controlling steering and acceleration with BlueCruise is hands-free for the driver. To ensure that you don’t fall asleep while the truck is driving itself, it has an infrared camera that checks whether the driver is looking at the road or not.
There is a smart-hitch assist option in the F-150 Lighting for those who wish to use the truck for towing purposes.
The two vehicles are quite closely matched in terms of standard self-driving features. FSD add-on for Tesla is a significant benefit, but it is still far from mature enough for the car to drive itself without a human driver who can take over at any time. It’s also a pricey addition to the vehicle, especially if you go with the $40,000 option.
Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Outlook
Despite the lack of a tri-motor Ford F-150 Lightning to compare the Cybertruck to, it is evident that the Cybertruck is the clear winner. In the end, you get two trucks that are roughly equal in performance when the power is reduced.
There is no doubt that Tesla has the best range of any car on the market. When it comes to single-charge driving, Tesla has invested years in improved batteries and lighter and more aerodynamic designs. Tesla is the only automaker that even comes close to offering what they do.
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 estimate, which is impressive.
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. For something truly unusual, the Cybertruck is your best option.