The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck are both ready to haul serious pay dirt, tow heavy trailers, and transport you in style, all on battery power alone. Although, which of these all-new electric trucks should you choose? Our comparison guide has the details you need.
All-American Style: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
The F-150 Lightning will look familiar to anyone who has spent any time on the American highway. From the outside, it looks exactly like you’d expect an F-150 to look: rugged and capable. Choose from a variety of flashy wheel options, chrome trim, and imposing grille designs to suit your personal tastes.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Tesla Cybertruck’s style is…questionable. That is, no one has actually seen the truck that Tesla actually plans to release. We’ve only seen the model that debuted in 2019, which didn’t meet many legal standards, such as having exterior mirrors. Whether you’re a fan of its sharp angles and ultra-futuristic style or not, you can’t deny that the Cybertruck aesthetic is divisive.
Battery Range and Capabilities: 2022 Tesla Cybertruck
The 2022 Tesla Cybertruck will be available with three different powertrains: the base single-motor/rear-wheel-drive version, the dual-motor/all-wheel-drive version, and the tri-motor/all-wheel-drive version. Unsurprisingly, the tri-motor Cybertruck will be the most capable, hauling payloads weighing up to 3,500 pounds and towing up to 14,000 pounds. However, there is one caveat: the tri-motor version won’t be out until a year after the Cybertruck’s initial release, which is slated for the end of 2021.
You’ll find the same powertrain on every 2022 Ford F-250 Lightning; two battery-operated motors send power to all four wheels. Properly equipped, Ford estimates that the F-150 Lightning will haul payloads weighing up to 2,000 pounds and tow max loads of 10,000 pounds.
Smart Tech Features: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
The all-new F-150 Lightning offers a long list of high-tech features designed to help you make the most of your electric truck. Use the Enhanced Pro Power Onboard system to power 11 outlets throughout the truck. Or, enjoy the Bluecruise hands-free driving features that work on thousands of miles of divided highways. In a blackout, you can even use the truck battery to power your entire home. The SYNC 4 infotainment system offers a 15.5-inch touch screen as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Of course, Tesla is also known for its crafty tech features. The upcoming Cybertruck will likely feature Tesla’s hands-free driving technology, as well as its huge 15-inch touch screen, though the spec sheet hasn’t been released just yet.
Everyday Utility: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
While we know what you’re going to get with the all-electric F-150, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding the Tesla Cybertruck. It’s not due out till later this year, and absolutely no one has managed to get a spy shot of Tesla’s first truck. The version that was introduced in fall of 2019 had no external mirrors or camera pods so we couldn’t even tell you what visibility will be like.
Since the F-150 Lightning is based on the bestselling gasoline-powered F-150, we can guarantee excellent visibility and a wealth of camera options. For example, you can add the F-150’s tow-friendly camera system, which offers a view of what’s behind a trailer, or the 360-degree camera, which supplies a bird’s eye view of the truck as you coast into a parallel parking space.
Final Grades
While the Tesla Cybertruck promises outlandish towing capabilities, said capabilities won’t actually be available for more than a year. The 2022 F-150 Lightning is here now and it's all-electric powertrain is impressive in its own right. Choose the all-electric F-150 for hefty EV capabilities and cutting-edge tech features in an all-American package.