The Ford F-150 Lightning is available in four trims in the U.S.: Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. The Lariat and Platinum are quite expensive and thus come heavily loaded with premium features for comfort, convenience, and styling.
Recently, I saw the Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat and Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum on display together and the opportunity to compare the features in detail. Here are the differences that I found between the two variants of the electric truck:
Design & Features
The Ford F-150 Lightning doesn’t disappoint in style in either of the two top-end trims. Body-colored bumpers, mirrors, and handles and a full-width signature light strip between the LED projector headlamps and LED tail lamps are common here. Both trims include Carbon Black fixed running boards, too, and they can be optionally equipped with power deployable running boards. The Platinum truck I saw was equipped with the latter.
While the F-150 Lightning Lariat features a Geometric Gray-ion fine satin metallic grille, the F-150 Lighting Platinum flaunts a Vador Black glossy grille with tinted chrome. The F-150 Lightning Lariat sits on 20-inch Dark Carbonized Gray wheels, while the F-150 Platinum sports 22-inch Bright Machined wheels with Ebony Black-painted pockets. In my opinion, the latter is more attractive because, in addition to being bigger, they have a funky and aerodynamic design and a classy finish.
Interior
The interiors of both the F-150 Lightning Lariat and Platinum are premium, replete with soft-touch materials, advanced electronics, ambient lighting, and a slew of comfort features. Both electric trucks feature a 10-way power driver and multi-adjustable power front passenger seats with memory (driver-only), heating, and ventilation functions, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system.
As a six-foot-tall driver, I find the power-adjustable pedals with a memory function, available in both variants, quite useful. The top-end model exudes the feeling of a luxury model with a standard massage function for the front seats. Enhanced by real wood accents and color-coordinated carpeted floor mats, it looks more luxurious.
A twin-panel moonroof is available optionally in the F-150 Lightning’s Lariat trim, but in the Platinum, it’s part of the standard equipment. When I sat in the F-150 Lightning Platinum, I felt that this feature does help the cabin seem more roomier and more upmarket. Memory function for the steering wheel and power tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering column are optional in the Lariat grade but standard in the Platinum grade.
The F-150 Lightning Lariat and F-150 Lightning Platinum feature a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.5-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility, a wireless smartphone charger, and a 360-degree camera system. The former includes an 8-speaker B&O sound system, while the latter is aimed at audiophiles like me, with an 18-speaker B&O Unleashed sound system.
Specifications
The specifications of the Ford F-150 Lightning in the Lariat and Platinum grades are pretty similar. In both grades, it’s a crew cab truck with a 5.5-foot bed.
In the F-150 Lariat, a dual-motor powertrain that produces 452 hp and 775 lb.-ft. of torque and a 98 kWh (net) battery pack are standard. With this powertrain and battery pack, it can travel 240 miles (EPA-estimated) on a full charge. The Oxford White unit I reviewed was in this basic configuration.
A dual-motor powertrain generating 580 hp and 775 lb.-ft. of torque and a 131 kWh (net) battery pack are available in the Lariat trim. This configuration bumps the EPA-estimated range to 320 miles. The Platinum trim comes with the same powertrain and battery pack as standard. However, mainly due to its bigger wheels, it has a slightly lower EPA-estimated range – 300 miles.
If equipped with an available Max Trailer Tow Package, the Ford F-150 Lightning can tow 10,000 lbs. in the Lariat grade and 8,500 lbs. in the Platinum grade.
Prices
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat has been priced at USD 69,995 in the standard-range variant and USD 77,495 in the extended-range variant. It is eligible for USD 7,500 in Federal Tax Credit. The Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum retails at USD 91,995, and as its price exceeds USD 80,000, it’s ineligible for that incentive. All MSRPs exclude a USD 1,995 destination & delivery charge. The EV truck competes with the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, and the Rivian R1T.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
