America’s best- selling vehicle now has an electric alter ego. Allow Blogger Jake to introduce you to the new Ford F-150 and Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck.
By Jake Sonderman, Business Correspondent
With over 600,000 units sold a year, the Ford F-150 pickup has been America’s best-selling vehicle for years (kbb.com). More recently, Tesla has grown exponentially in the last year and has made a name for itself by being different from other traditional car manufacturers. Tesla further differentiated itself with the introduction of the Cybertruck, an electric pickup with very high performance and a very unique, futuristic look. Ford, however, recently introduced the Ford F-150 Lightning, an electric F-150 that is almost indistinguishable from a traditional F-150 in appearance. These two trucks are set to hit the market in 2022, and I am fascinated to see how they will measure up. Though you cannot buy either of these trucks from the dealership just yet, we still can compare them to see each’s advantages and disadvantages.
Performance
The performance for the dual motor versions of each truck is remarkably similar, with the Cybertruck at a slight edge.
For both, 0-60mph is around 4.5 seconds.
The F-150 Lightning upgraded version (about the same price point as the Cybertruck dual motor) has 563 horsepower, and the Cybertruck has an estimated 690 horsepower (motortrend.com). Take this with a grain of salt as Tesla hasn’t released numbers like the truck’s horsepower, and that number is only an estimated number.
The F-150 Lightning has 775 lb-ft of torque, and the Cybertruck dual-motor is estimated to have 824 lb-ft of torque. For reference, a gas-powered 2021 F-150 has 570 lb-ft of torque.
Both models (including the upgraded F-150 Lightning) have a 300-mile range.
*stats from ford.com, tesla.com, and kbb.com.
Exterior and Interior Appearance
Obviously, the Cybertruck is not exactly trying to fit in. Those who purchase the Cybertruck are looking to stand out. This is pretty much the stark opposite of the F-150 Lightning. This truck is barely distinguishable from the normal F-150. I have to say that the appearance of the Cybertruck is certainly limiting its market. While the Cybertruck might have superior performance, it has a look that only a specific consumer likes. In my opinion, if the Cybertruck adopted a more tame look in line with Tesla’s other cars, it would most definitely end up selling more trucks in the long run. The appearance is the most clear difference between these two vehicles.
The interior of the Cybertruck follows suit with the exterior. Instead of a steering wheel, it has an airplane-inspired yoke. All features are available in the 17-inch display, and, of course, there is no switchgear (kbb.com). The F-150 has an interior very similar to other Ford 2021 vehicles, with a 15.5-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash.
Ford F-150 Lightning Advantages
Ford is touting the Lightning’s ability to be used as a backup generator for your entire house for three days (with a full charge)! There are also multiple outlets on the vehicle to use during a camping trip or whatever you please. The F-150 Lightning also appeals to a different market than the Cybertruck in my opinion, simply because of its appearance. The Lightning is a clear attempt to create an electric vehicle meant for work and practicality. The Cybertruck is probably competing more with the Raptor crowd, looking for high performance and flash. The F-150 also has an actual steering wheel.
Cybertruck Advantages
The most clear advantage of the Cybertruck is the option for a tri-motor truck. This truck has the performance of a sports car, with a sub 3 second 0-60 mph, 800 horsepower, and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. For reference, 18 wheelers have 1,000-2,000 lb-ft of torque (auto.edu). This much performance is far beyond practicality but will certainly attract the certain niche sporty-truck audience. You can also, of course, use Tesla chargers.
Pricing
F-150 Lightning:
*NOT including possible upgrades, all models are double motor, all wheel drive.
Lightning Pro: $39,974
XLT: $52,974
Lariat: $58,630
Platinum: $69,500
All Possible Upgrades: $90,474
Eligible for $7500 Tax Credit (kbb.com)
Cybertruck:
Single Motor: $39,900 (rear-wheel drive)
Double Motor: $49,900 (all-wheel drive)
Triple Motor: $69,900 (all-wheel drive)
Editor-in-Chief: Hannah Hall
Sources:
https://www.kbb.com/comparison/ford-f-150-vs-tesla-cybertruck/
https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/2022/
https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck/design#battery
https://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-cybertruck-electric-pickup-fast-0-60-range-payload-towing/
F-150 All the way
BR549