I drove a $98,000 F-150 Lightning Platinum and saw what Ford's fanciest electric truck is like

Tim LevinJan 13, 2024, 02:46 IST

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

I tested the 2023 F-150 Lightning Platinum, Ford's fanciest electric truck.
It's packed with comfort features like leather seats, an 18-speaker sound system, and a moonroof.

The Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum is an electric truck for buyers who want it all.

The pinnacle of Ford's EV truck lineup, the Platinum starts at $91,995, almost double the Lightning's already steep starting price of $50,000.

So what do you get in an electric pickup that costs almost six figures? I lived with a Lightning Platinum for a week to find out.

The pickup Ford lent me cost a whopping $97,674, including a delivery fee and options like a bed liner and a special paint color.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

For that chunk of change, you get a truck with every bell and whistle imaginable — and an eye on both technology and convenience. Let me show you around.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

The first thing you notice about the Lightning is just how freakishly large it is.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

That’s a constant no matter what trim level you choose — Pro, XLT, Lariat, or Platinum — but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

A tank-sized footprint and bad visibility make the Lightning a bit harrowing to drive in urban conditions.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

But once roads open up, the Lightning's mammoth size provides a commanding view of traffic and ample room to stretch out.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

One note about the exterior: The Platinum gets a bolder look thanks to huge 22-inch wheels.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Comfort is solid in any Lightning, but the Platinum provides a slew of fancy features that turn it into a rolling palace 3 feet above traffic.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Its huge leather seats offer La-Z-Boy comfort and are both heated and cooled.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

The light-colored upholstery made for an open, airy feel.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

The Platinum's big, dual-panel moonroof helped with that as well.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

The Platinum comes with a crisp, 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that even includes speakers in the ceiling and in the headrests.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

There's wood-grain trim on the doors and in the center console, adding to the upscale vibe.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

A brushed-metal lid on the upper glove box and lots of metallic accents have a similar effect.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

You also get a wireless-charging pad and ambient lighting.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

In back, the Platinum provides a powered tailgate with a built-in step that makes hopping in the bed easier.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Moving on to technology, the Platinum is only available with the Lightning's larger-sized battery pack, bestowing it with 300 miles of estimated range.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

It also comes standard with Blue Cruise, a hands-free driving feature that automatically pilots the truck on certain highways (under driver supervision, of course).

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

I've used Blue Cruise a handful of times, and it always works like a charm, relieving some of the monotony of highway miles.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Ford also equips every Platinum with the ability to share 9.6 kilowatts (kW) of power through outlets scattered throughout the truck. Normally the Lightning comes with 2.4 kW. That's the difference between being able to power around 13 microwaves at once, versus only three.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Ford also equips every Platinum with the ability to share 9.6 kilowatts (kW) of power through outlets scattered throughout the truck. Normally the Lightning comes with 2.4 kW. That's the difference between being able to power around 13 microwaves at once, versus only three.

Platinums also offer some high-tech aids for towing and hauling, but I didn't get to use those.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Of course, the Platinum also comes with all sorts of stuff you get in cheaper Ford EV trucks.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Highlights include a gigantic front trunk, sleek LED light bars in front and back, a 5.5-foot bed, and Ford's cool collapsible desk.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Just like other Lightnings, the Platinum gets a 15.5-inch touchscreen that's easy to use, snappy, and packed with cool graphics. Plus, the gauges are replaced by a screen.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

Just like other Lightnings, the Platinum gets a 15.5-inch touchscreen that's easy to use, snappy, and packed with cool graphics. Plus, the gauges are replaced by a screen.

It's also freakishly powerful and quick. Stomp the accelerator and the Lightning will lurch forward like a sports car — all while its tires screech as they struggle to handle the power of the truck's dual motors.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

It's also freakishly powerful and quick. Stomp the accelerator and the Lightning will lurch forward like a sports car — all while its tires screech as they struggle to handle the power of the truck's dual motors.

So is a Lightning Platinum worth it? I think it depends on your priorities.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

It's luxurious, comfortable, and packed with technology. But you're still paying a huge premium for the electric powertrain. Remember: A regular F-150 Platinum costs around $65,000.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum.Tim Levin/Insider

It's luxurious, comfortable, and packed with technology. But you're still paying a huge premium for the electric powertrain. Remember: A regular F-150 Platinum costs around $65,000.

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I drove a $98,000 F-150 Lightning Platinum and saw what Ford's fanciest electric truck is like

The pickup Ford lent me cost a whopping $97,674, including a delivery fee and options like a bed liner and a special paint color.

For that chunk of change, you get a truck with every bell and whistle imaginable — and an eye on both technology and convenience. Let me show you around.

The first thing you notice about the Lightning is just how freakishly large it is.

That’s a constant no matter what trim level you choose — Pro, XLT, Lariat, or Platinum — but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

A tank-sized footprint and bad visibility make the Lightning a bit harrowing to drive in urban conditions.

But once roads open up, the Lightning's mammoth size provides a commanding view of traffic and ample room to stretch out.

One note about the exterior: The Platinum gets a bolder look thanks to huge 22-inch wheels.

Comfort is solid in any Lightning, but the Platinum provides a slew of fancy features that turn it into a rolling palace 3 feet above traffic.

Its huge leather seats offer La-Z-Boy comfort and are both heated and cooled.

The light-colored upholstery made for an open, airy feel.

The Platinum's big, dual-panel moonroof helped with that as well.

The Platinum comes with a crisp, 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that even includes speakers in the ceiling and in the headrests.

There's wood-grain trim on the doors and in the center console, adding to the upscale vibe.

A brushed-metal lid on the upper glove box and lots of metallic accents have a similar effect.

You also get a wireless-charging pad and ambient lighting.

In back, the Platinum provides a powered tailgate with a built-in step that makes hopping in the bed easier.

Moving on to technology, the Platinum is only available with the Lightning's larger-sized battery pack, bestowing it with 300 miles of estimated range.

It also comes standard with Blue Cruise, a hands-free driving feature that automatically pilots the truck on certain highways (under driver supervision, of course).

I've used Blue Cruise a handful of times, and it always works like a charm, relieving some of the monotony of highway miles.

Ford also equips every Platinum with the ability to share 9.6 kilowatts (kW) of power through outlets scattered throughout the truck. Normally the Lightning comes with 2.4 kW. That's the difference between being able to power around 13 microwaves at once, versus only three.

Platinums also offer some high-tech aids for towing and hauling, but I didn't get to use those.

Of course, the Platinum also comes with all sorts of stuff you get in cheaper Ford EV trucks.

Highlights include a gigantic front trunk, sleek LED light bars in front and back, a 5.5-foot bed, and Ford's cool collapsible desk.

Just like other Lightnings, the Platinum gets a 15.5-inch touchscreen that's easy to use, snappy, and packed with cool graphics. Plus, the gauges are replaced by a screen.

It's also freakishly powerful and quick. Stomp the accelerator and the Lightning will lurch forward like a sports car — all while its tires screech as they struggle to handle the power of the truck's dual motors.

So is a Lightning Platinum worth it? I think it depends on your priorities.

It's luxurious, comfortable, and packed with technology. But you're still paying a huge premium for the electric powertrain. Remember: A regular F-150 Platinum costs around $65,000.