Live Thread: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum review

Colin
By Colin Wood
Oct 18, 2024 | Ford, New Car Review, Live Thread, Ford F-150 Lightning

Photography by David S. Wallens

Can lightning really strike the same place twice? Yes, it can, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Lightning can, and often does, strike the same place repeatedly–especially if it’s a tall and isolated object. For example, the Empire State Building is hit about 25 times per year.

We also know that lightning can strike the same place twice because this isn’t our first time behind the wheel of an F-150 Lightning.

[What you want to know: We tested a Ford F-150 Lightning hauling a trailer]

This time, we have a top-tier Platinum trim with the extended range battery.

Features exclusive to the Platinum Lightning include 22-inch wheels, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system as well as heated and ventilated leather seats.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 driver aid suite (which includes BlueCruise) comes standard on the Platinum trim, as does the Tow Technology and Max Trailer Tow packages.

Both Standard- and Extended-Range Lightnings make use of two electric motors–one for the front wheels, the other for the rear wheels–with the Extended-Range model rated at 580 horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque. Comparatively, the Standard-Range model is rated with the same amount of torque, though makes only 452 horsepower.

As the name would suggest, the Extended-Range gets an estimated range of 320 miles, while the Standard-Range gets an estimated range of 240 miles.

MSRP for the F-150 Lightning starts at $62,995 for the XLT trim (the Pro trim, designed for fleet vehicle use, starts at $54,995), with the Platinum priced at $84,995.

Our Platinum Lightning, on the other hand, carries a sticker price of $90,780.

Questions? Comments? Drop them below, and follow along as we review this 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum in real-time.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/18/24 1:35 p.m.

For a more in-depth look into driving (and owning) an F-150 Lightning, be sure to check out Tom's ownership/build thread: Is an Electric Pickup Truck A Terrible Idea? (My 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Build Thread)

CrashDummy
CrashDummy Reader
10/18/24 2:04 p.m.

$90K!? For that price I'd buy a new Maverick AND and a new Elantra N and a new Miata. Almost; 1 of them might need to be used to fit under $90K. But still, I struggle to see a large target audience at this price point. 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/18/24 2:37 p.m.

In reply to CrashDummy :

This thing's a lot more capable than a Maverick when it comes to truck things.

I was able to get an ICE F-150 up to $90k without a lot of effort by selecting bells and whistles and tow packages.

WonkoTheSane
WonkoTheSane GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/18/24 3:03 p.m.

No comment on the truck, because, yawn, another $90k truck, who cares?

 

BUT

 

I wanted to say that was a great intro to the article.  Nice writing Colin!

brandonsmash
brandonsmash GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
10/18/24 3:07 p.m.

If Ford hadn't screwed up the launch and dealer allocations on the first run, I'd own a Lightning now. 

Unfortunately they screwed the pooch and I'm highly unlikely to buy a new Ford again, let alone one that is now 90k. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/18/24 3:21 p.m.

Initial impressions as it just showed up and I haven’t driven one before: It’s among the more traditional EVs that I have experienced. How’s that? It has a regular truck-like shifter. No knob, no buttons, no electronic joystick. 

More to come. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/18/24 4:03 p.m.

In reply to WonkoTheSane :

Thanks! I glad you liked it.

It was fun writing it.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/18/24 5:34 p.m.

In reply to WonkoTheSane :

It is a good, engaging lede. :)

philacarguy
philacarguy New Reader
10/19/24 1:46 p.m.

I'm interested in how useful this thing is. What's the range when towing an enclosed race trailer, let's say 5-6,000 lb loaded? 

philacarguy
philacarguy New Reader
10/19/24 1:46 p.m.

I'm interested in how useful this thing is. What's the range when towing an enclosed race trailer, let's say 5-6,000 lb loaded? 

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