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  4. Ford's electric F-150 can run you anywhere from $40,000 to $90,000 — see the differences between the basic Lightning Pro and the fancy Lariat

Ford's electric F-150 can run you anywhere from $40,000 to $90,000 see the differences between the basic Lightning Pro and the fancy Lariat

Tim Levin   

Ford's electric F-150 can run you anywhere from $40,000 to $90,000 — see the differences between the basic Lightning Pro and the fancy Lariat
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat and Pro.Tim Levin/Insider
  • We got up close and personal with the new, all-electric F-150 Lightning.
  • The truck starts at around $40,000 for the Pro model, but pricier trucks can stretch past $90,000.

Ford's electric F-150 is here at last. The Lightning is shipping to customers now with a starting price of $39,974 before any options and fees.

Ford
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Choose a more expensive trim level and some fancy add-ons, and you could be staring down a price tag of nearly $100,000.

Choose a more expensive trim level and some fancy add-ons, and you could be staring down a price tag of nearly $100,000.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

But what separates the most basic F-150 Lightning Pro from its upscale counterparts? We got up close and personal with the Lightning to find out.

But what separates the most basic F-150 Lightning Pro from its upscale counterparts? We got up close and personal with the Lightning to find out.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Here are the biggest differences — and similarities — between the relatively inexpensive Lightning Pro and the pricier Lariat, which has a starting price of around $68,000.

Here are the biggest differences — and similarities — between the relatively inexpensive Lightning Pro and the pricier Lariat, which has a starting price of around $68,000.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

For full transparency, the models shown here have larger batteries and some extra options, so they don't represent the base configurations. The Lightning Pro we tested cost $56,000, while the Lariats we drove cost around $81,000.

For full transparency, the models shown here have larger batteries and some extra options, so they don
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pro and Lariat may look quite similar to the untrained eye, but there are a few key exterior differences.

The Pro and Lariat may look quite similar to the untrained eye, but there are a few key exterior differences.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Lariat gets a more intricate grille with a diamond pattern, while the Pro's front end is more basic.

The Lariat gets a more intricate grille with a diamond pattern, while the Pro
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pro’s bumpers are black, while the Lariat’s are painted the same color as its body.

The Pro’s bumpers are black, while the Lariat’s are painted the same color as its body.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Pro trucks also don't get the sleek LED light bars that span the width of other models in front and back.

Pro trucks also don
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pro gets 18-inch wheels, while the Lariat comes standard with 20-inch wheels.

The Pro gets 18-inch wheels, while the Lariat comes standard with 20-inch wheels.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Out back, the Lariat has a powered tailgate with a built-in step, ruler, and spots to clamp down materials.

Out back, the Lariat has a powered tailgate with a built-in step, ruler, and spots to clamp down materials.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pro's tailgate opens manually, and the more feature-packed tailgate is available as an option.

The Pro
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

It makes sense that the Pro is more basic overall, since it’s meant for contractors and other businesses.

It makes sense that the Pro is more basic overall, since it’s meant for contractors and other businesses.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Unsurprisingly, the Lariat has the more luxurious interior, filled with nicer materials, extra features, and more technology.

Unsurprisingly, the Lariat has the more luxurious interior, filled with nicer materials, extra features, and more technology.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Lariat has a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel and plush leather seats. Front seats are heated and ventilated.

The Lariat has a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel and plush leather seats. Front seats are heated and ventilated.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

As an option, Lariats offer a giant moonroof that makes the already spacious cabin feel even bigger.

As an option, Lariats offer a giant moonroof that makes the already spacious cabin feel even bigger.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

In the Lariat, you get a fold-out work surface that's perfect for a laptop or some paperwork.

In the Lariat, you get a fold-out work surface that
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Lariats come with a large, 15.5-inch touchscreen that controls the radio, climate controls, navigation, drive modes, and other features. The manual volume knob built in is a nice touch.

Lariats come with a large, 15.5-inch touchscreen that controls the radio, climate controls, navigation, drive modes, and other features. The manual volume knob built in is a nice touch.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Everything is more bare-bones and less focused on comfort in the Pro, but it still feels well-built.

Everything is more bare-bones and less focused on comfort in the Pro, but it still feels well-built.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pro has vinyl seats, a plastic steering wheel, and no carpeting.

The Pro has vinyl seats, a plastic steering wheel, and no carpeting.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Pros have a sizable touchscreen as well, measuring in at 12 inches. It can do most of what the larger display can, but Pros get more physical buttons.

Pros have a sizable touchscreen as well, measuring in at 12 inches. It can do most of what the larger display can, but Pros get more physical buttons.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Extra tech features included in the Lariat include adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, a 360-degree camera, and an upgraded sound system. Blue Cruise, Ford's hands-free highway-driving feature, is an option on Lariats but isn't available on the Pro.

Extra tech features included in the Lariat include adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, a 360-degree camera, and an upgraded sound system. Blue Cruise, Ford
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

The trucks have a lot in common, too. They have the same basic layout and storage cubbies.

The trucks have a lot in common, too. They have the same basic layout and storage cubbies.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both have the same 12-inch display that replaces a conventional gauge cluster.

Both have the same 12-inch display that replaces a conventional gauge cluster.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

The screen shows the truck's battery level, range, speed, and turn-by-turn directions when navigation is switched on.

The screen shows the truck
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Some of the F-150 Lightning's biggest selling points come on both trucks.

Some of the F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Every Lightning has a capacious front trunk that comes in handy for cargo you don't want exposed in the bed or taking up cabin space.

Every Lightning has a capacious front trunk that comes in handy for cargo you don
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

All models come with Pro Power Onboard, which enables owners to use the Lightning as a giant battery bank. Here a Pro model is powering a water pump.

All models come with Pro Power Onboard, which enables owners to use the Lightning as a giant battery bank. Here a Pro model is powering a water pump.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

They all have several outlets scattered throughout the frunk, cab, and bed, but the Pro comes with a less powerful system.

They all have several outlets scattered throughout the frunk, cab, and bed, but the Pro comes with a less powerful system.
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both offer dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a generous 775 pound-feet of torque. Both promise 230 miles of range, or over 300 with a larger battery. (Though the larger battery is only available to fleet customers in the Pro.)

Both offer dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a generous 775 pound-feet of torque. Both promise 230 miles of range, or over 300 with a larger battery. (Though the larger battery is only available to fleet customers in the Pro.)
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

After spending time in both trucks, I'm convinced that the wallet-friendly Pro could suffice for a lot of people on a budget — not just contractors and fleets. But the Lariat is far and away the more comfortable and technologically advanced model.

After spending time in both trucks, I
The Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat.      Tim Levin/Insider

And whichever truck you choose, you're in for a long wait. Ford is working through around 200,000 reservations for its debut electric truck.

And whichever truck you choose, you
The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.      Tim Levin/Insider

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