Here's How Much The F-150 Lightning Can Actually Tow

Ford

By James Dolan/Feb. 11, 2023 9:00 am EST

After the Ford F-150 Lightning was released, it quickly became North America's best-selling electric pickup truck. It's not surprising that thousands of Americans want to own the Ford F-150 Lightning considering its impressive specifications. For starters, the latest model Lightning can go 0-60 mph in under four seconds, and cover up to 320 miles on a full battery charge.

But even if the battery range and acceleration performance don't impress you, the Ford F-150 Lightning is one of the few electric vehicles that support bidirectional charging. This means that if you experience a power outage, your Ford F-150 Lightning could discharge electricity from its battery pack back to your home.

In addition to that, the Ford F-150 Lightning is cheaper than its closest competitor, the Rivian R1T. More succinctly, the latest Ford Lightning starts at $55,974, but the entry-level Rivian R1T trim will cost you at least $73,000. The Ford F-150 Lightning also qualifies for the federal tax incentive, which makes it more attractive for most EV customers.

However, one of the allures of buying a pickup truck is how much weight it can pull. In this instance, how much can the Ford F-150 Lightning actually tow?

Ford

On paper, the Ford F150 Lightning extended range battery trim can tow up to 10,000 pounds. In comparison, the gasoline Ford F-150 is tow rated at a maximum of 14,000 pounds (via Ford). However, YouTuber Paducah Ford demonstrated that it's possible for a Ford F-150 Lightning to exceed its limit by towing 17,000 pounds of weight. In fact, the Ford F-150 Lightning comes with 775 foot-pounds of torque — this is more pulling power than any gasoline F-150. This means that the electric F-150 is just as good as the gasoline F-150 at pulling weight, if not better.

How does the tow weight affect its range? According to Engineering Explained, an electric vehicle will lose a lot of battery range when towing a heavy weight. This is consistent with Paducah Ford's experiment — the electric pickup consumed "almost triple" the usual estimated battery range when towing 17,000 pounds of weight.

Be that as it may, we don't recommend you exceed the rated towing limit in the owner's manual. This is because your pickup's warranty could be canceled if you exceed the limit and it breaks down. Also, not all Ford F-150 Lightning trucks have a towing capability of 10,000 pounds. The Lariat, Pro, and XLT trims can pull a load of up to 7,700 pounds, while the Platinum trim is rated at 10,000 pounds. 

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The Most Reliable Electric SUVs On Sale Now

Kia

By Chris Teague/Updated: Nov. 23, 2022 11:09 am EST

Nearly all major automakers have made public commitments to shift significant portions of their annual production and sales volume to electric vehicles. Some have promised to go all the way, moving 100 percent of their efforts to electric, but before we reach the tipping point, it can be hard to understand what's available and which of the existing products are worth a look.

This applies to electric SUVs, which are uncommon but growing in popularity. Mainstream and premium automakers have announced or are developing new electric family haulers, but many great choices are already on sale today. We've scoured the available electric SUVs to find the models that offer the best reliability and day-to-day ease of use.

The list of reliable electric SUVs is set to explode as several automakers ready new models for the market. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and nearly every premium automaker have an eye on electrics, and many have already made the shift. Buyers' minds and wallets are with SUVs, too, so car companies are keen to keep new models rolling.

Electric vehicles don't have all the moving parts, fluids, and other components that sometimes lead to expensive repairs in gas vehicles. There are no oil changes and no transmission fluids. Overall, they're simpler. That said, owners still have common wear items to replace, such as tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and more. The fact that EVs require less regular maintenance does not mean they will need no maintenance.

Lastly, EV batteries are wildly expensive to replace and sometimes can cost more than the car's value. That's why automakers issue long warranties for EV batteries and surrounding components.

It's worth noting that all the vehicles you see on this list are new and do not have years of accumulated data from owners, repair shops, and dealers. The EVs here feature solid warranty coverage, and most reviews for these SUVs are positive. Let's get rolling.

Hyundai

We're placing these two together in the list because they share much of their engineering and performance. The EV6 comes standard with an electric motor and a 77.4-kWh battery. The range estimate for the basic EV6 lands at 310 miles, but certain configurations drop below that number with all-wheel drive and more powerful electric motors. Both vehicles ride on the E-GMP platform, which supports various wheelbases and body styles.

Like other Hyundai and Kia models, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 come with a fantastic warranty that includes five years/60,000 miles of basic coverage and ten years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Both bring futuristic styling, great tech, and plenty of space inside. The vehicles offer extended electric capability, including the option to charge other EVs and exterior power equipment. At the same time, the vehicles offer long wheelbases that bring exceptional interior space, both for people and cargo, and top trims edge on premium brands territory with upscale materials and finishes. 

Hyundai

The Hyundai Kona got a redesign for 2022, but it remains of the best EV values. A 150-kW electric motor and a 64-kWh battery provide propulsion for the Kona, which offers 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. The Kona returns a 258-mile range and offers fast charging, so it can recover up to 80 percent charge in less than an hour using a Level 3 charger. The Kona's interior is simple but usable and comfy. Though it's not a ground-up EV design like the Ioniq 5, the Kona EV's chassis swallows up the battery packs and still offers good interior space, nimble handling, and a comfy ride.

Though the base SE trim gets base features like cloth upholstery and manual seat adjustments for passengers, the top Limited trim adds niceties like leather and ventilated seats. Like it does with its gas vehicles, Hyundai offers a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a staggering ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage also includes the battery pack, so you can buy a Kona without worrying about replacing a costly battery for a decade.

Ford

It's strange to say this, but the Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the elder statesmen on this list. The SUV debuted in late 2020 as a 2021 model and immediately became one of Ford's most popular and hard-to-find models. It's available in several configurations and, despite a few early recalls, has plenty of happy owners. Despite a few early recalls for frightening-sounding issues like the glass roof flying off, the Mustang Mach-E has emerged as one of Ford's more reliable vehicles. It's backed by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. 

Ford offers the Mach-E with several powertrain configurations. The base option features a 70-kWh battery and an electric motor for a combined 266 horsepower and rear-wheel drive. Other options include a 290-horsepower motor, a 346-horsepower motor, and a 480-horsepower motor. The most efficient combination is the California Route 1 trim and 91-kWh battery, which delivers up to 314 miles of range.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen plans to build the ID.4 in Chattanooga, TN, but the current models are a solid choice in the ever more crowded world of electric SUVs. Generous safety equipment, substantial range, and lively acceleration all make the Volkswagen a compelling alternative. The base powertrain configuration includes a 62-kW battery and an electric motor that produce 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Base rear-drive models deliver a starting range of 275 miles of range, and all-wheel drive variants return 251 miles. 

Early reviews faulted the VW for its infotainment system, and it's true – the latest all-touch interface is confounding and clunky. That said, it's not a reason to knock reliability or overall usability, and the interface becomes easier to use over time. Volkswagen backs the ID.4 with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. It also offers two years/20,000 miles of scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles. 

Chevrolet

Chevy had a nasty run with the Bolt and the new Bolt EUV, as charging issues led to an increased risk of battery fires. After a massive recall and billions of dollars in replaced batteries, the new Bolt and Bolt EUV are ready to rock. The EUV comes with a 65-kWh battery and an electric motor that produce 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Chevy backs the Bolt with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile electric propulsion limited warranty. 

On top of its decent range and power, the Bolt EUV offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the back seats folded flat. The interior seats five in comfort, thanks to solid head and legroom. Rear headroom is not as impressive, but the Bolt EUV's small item storage, generous standard features, and good cargo space more than compensate for that shortcoming. Buyers can also add GM's excellent Super Cruise hands-free driving system and the top Premier trim adds upscale features like leather and wireless device charging.

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