[Nandyd]

I took delivery on Friday and did a quick 300 miles trip yesterday.
Here is a quick overview along with things that have not been covered by others.

Experience as a first time Truck Owner; but a Tesla/EV owner:

• Woah, sits really high and with so much glass area; the visibility is among the best and much needed for the size
• Road noise is well insulated and bumps don't matter
• Wind Noise is higher than a Tesla and there is buffeting sound from the driver mirror that one can hear
• Range calculation is very straightforward and as long as you don't drive like a maniac (the acceleration will bring the kid out of you lol), you get what is shown live on the meter. I drove at 70 on freeway and got 266
• EV charging network was not that great and wherever we went; the EA ones were definitely further off than Superchargers we are accustomed to. Need morel long distance driving to understand the implication
• B&O sound system on the Lariat ER is so-so; Audio lacks clarity and fidelity. This is across the sound spectrum and hence quite disappointed. Also, very hard to get down to a volume that is not overly loud or low.
• Alexa: Hit or miss; the onboard commands for AC, and other things work great even while driving thanks to low cabin noise; however any search of location - including charging or destination - almost impossible to make it work and hand it over to the truck's navigation, as it misunderstands all the time
• Onboard Navigation: While it looks nice from a graphics POV; the usability is not great. It doesn't understand all accents well; and even when you specify a location, the map doesn't seem to have even my 1 year old house in its database. Ideally, when you search for Starbucks or others; it should show the closest location first and route to it; but it is not always doing that. Worst is EV routing engine; I had 165 miles left and had to drive 115 miles to get home. It would always make me drive 15 miles north to charge and then comeback. I did the drive anyway and reached home with 40 miles left! Interestingly the truck derated to 95% for some reason
• Infotainment: The graphics look great but its a mixed bag when it comes to intuitive use. Truck settings are consolidated but audio, memory settings are all via the profile menu. The truck image cannot be customized to look like your truck and all across the trim/color keeps changing across images in various menus. There are too many clicks required to get to something that should be a quick toggle; ex: Audio source. When in CarPlay the navi guidance is also shown on instrument cluster - a nice touch; but when you want to disconnect it - each time the phone gives a notification the CarPlay turns back on
• Instrument Cluster: This is very unintuitive to use. You have to manage its setting via steering switches and the options are traditional ICE style with some EV-ness added. Would love to see some GUI improvements here
• BlueCruise: It is actually a pleasant experience; but strangely asks you to take over via text and display info first (no audible alarm); so you need to be ready else it could be a safety risk. This happens in sharp turns; construction zones and the former can be unexpected. It is not an annoying nanny system - but you have to be careful when it lets go. The best feature is that you can adjust continually with manual inputs and the truck will not stop you from it but blend both the manual and computer inputs. This is in stark contrast with Tesla Autopilot that fights even when you give a slight input and let's go. The lane merging is also much refined than fear inducing Tesla dual to single lane merges
• Overall Fit and finish: The truck feels well put together; but material quality is meh! The leather is mostly PVC and looks and feels really cheap; the steering cover is actually has a really bad feel and while the dashboard looks great - you may not enjoy touching it as it feels rough. These may be OK for a truck customer I presume; but at 80k people should expect better quality. The overall fit is great - no creaking, panel gaps inside.
• Drive/Ride: Acceleration - straighline is sensational and it smokes almost anything on the road; but on freeway long drives - you will nurse it to get mileage and in city while ride is way better and compliant than any other truck; if you enjoy stable corners at slightly higher speeds; this is not that vehicle. I did expect a tad better shock absorption for freeway unevenness; but it turned out to be bumpy with lots of body roll that we did get tired after the 270 miles we did on one day; in contrast in the Model S we never feel tired
• The Front Signature Light bars are missing some some LEDs when lighted and worst is that it doesn't even feel its ON in the daytime; Cheap and flimsy looking. An aftermarket solution is MUCH needed

Order/Delivery Process:

• Easy and prompt communications through the entire process from Ford
• Being attached to a smaller dealership in a small town actually helped the early schedule
• Dealer is very fair; only charged MSRP. Suggested to not do spray-in bedliner and recommended a local shop
• Truck delivered with full charge and very quick process (faster that Tesla's hahah)
• Build quality is way better including panel gap consistency, etc vs a Tesla
• All the sales folks were super excited about the truck

 

[Vandy1981]

Awesome write-up! We should be taking delivery of our carbonized gray Lariat ER sometime this week in Nashville!

 

[CDT]

Awesome write up thank you. Light bar issue pointed out by others. Hopefully there is a fix.

 

[2023 lighting]

Great review. Confirmed some of my underlying concerns. I feel like there was originally a stereo upgrade option that was went away probably due to supply. Cheap leather, clunky infotainment systems. Not thrilled about all that at $80k

Maybe I should get a cheap used ICE pickup and spend my money on a Porsche.

 

[Nandyd]

Awesome write-up! We should be taking delivery of our carbonized gray Lariat ER sometime this week in Nashville!

Nice! Which dealer?

 

[Nandyd]

Great review. Confirmed some of my underlying concerns. I feel like there was originally a stereo upgrade option that was went away probably due to supply. Cheap leather, clunky infotainment systems. Not thrilled about all that at $80k

Maybe I should get a cheap used ICE pickup and spend my money on a Porsche.

Yeah. The stereo and material quality is a major miss.

 

[COLightning]

Really enjoyed reading your review. Did you consider getting any other EVs before going with the Lightning?

 

[Nandyd]

Really enjoyed reading your review. Did you consider getting any other EVs before going with the Lightning?

We already have a Tesla Model S LR; I had always wanted an EV truck. A CyberTruck is on order; so when that arrives this one will be a trade-in. The Rivian was a longer wait though it seemed more compact and fits my driving + needs better; somehow by sheer luck managed to reserve and get the Lightning this year. It is a great truck and with dealership, support and accessories - you won't go wrong. They are the only ones other than Porsche to have Plug and Charge enabled as well. And its a lot of truck for the money!

 

[puzx]

View attachment 2980
I took delivery on Friday and did a quick 300 miles trip yesterday.
Here is a quick overview along with things that have not been covered by others.

Experience as a first time Truck Owner; but a Tesla/EV owner:

• Woah, sits really high and with so much glass area; the visibility is among the best and much needed for the size
• Road noise is well insulated and bumps don't matter
• Wind Noise is higher than a Tesla and there is buffeting sound from the driver mirror that one can hear
• Range calculation is very straightforward and as long as you don't drive like a maniac (the acceleration will bring the kid out of you lol), you get what is shown live on the meter. I drove at 70 on freeway and got 266
• EV charging network was not that great and wherever we went; the EA ones were definitely further off than Superchargers we are accustomed to. Need morel long distance driving to understand the implication
• B&O sound system on the Lariat ER is so-so; Audio lacks clarity and fidelity. This is across the sound spectrum and hence quite disappointed. Also, very hard to get down to a volume that is not overly loud or low.
• Alexa: Hit or miss; the onboard commands for AC, and other things work great even while driving thanks to low cabin noise; however any search of location - including charging or destination - almost impossible to make it work and hand it over to the truck's navigation, as it misunderstands all the time
• Onboard Navigation: While it looks nice from a graphics POV; the usability is not great. It doesn't understand all accents well; and even when you specify a location, the map doesn't seem to have even my 1 year old house in its database. Ideally, when you search for Starbucks or others; it should show the closest location first and route to it; but it is not always doing that. Worst is EV routing engine; I had 165 miles left and had to drive 115 miles to get home. It would always make me drive 15 miles north to charge and then comeback. I did the drive anyway and reached home with 40 miles left! Interestingly the truck derated to 95% for some reason
• Infotainment: The graphics look great but its a mixed bag when it comes to intuitive use. Truck settings are consolidated but audio, memory settings are all via the profile menu. The truck image cannot be customized to look like your truck and all across the trim/color keeps changing across images in various menus. There are too many clicks required to get to something that should be a quick toggle; ex: Audio source. When in CarPlay the navi guidance is also shown on instrument cluster - a nice touch; but when you want to disconnect it - each time the phone gives a notification the CarPlay turns back on
• Instrument Cluster: This is very unintuitive to use. You have to manage its setting via steering switches and the options are traditional ICE style with some EV-ness added. Would love to see some GUI improvements here
• BlueCruise: It is actually a pleasant experience; but strangely asks you to take over via text and display info first (no audible alarm); so you need to be ready else it could be a safety risk. This happens in sharp turns; construction zones and the former can be unexpected. It is not an annoying nanny system - but you have to be careful when it lets go. The best feature is that you can adjust continually with manual inputs and the truck will not stop you from it but blend both the manual and computer inputs. This is in stark contrast with Tesla Autopilot that fights even when you give a slight input and let's go. The lane merging is also much refined than fear inducing Tesla dual to single lane merges
• Overall Fit and finish: The truck feels well put together; but material quality is meh! The leather is mostly PVC and looks and feels really cheap; the steering cover is actually has a really bad feel and while the dashboard looks great - you may not enjoy touching it as it feels rough. These may be OK for a truck customer I presume; but at 80k people should expect better quality. The overall fit is great - no creaking, panel gaps inside.
• Drive/Ride: Acceleration - straighline is sensational and it smokes almost anything on the road; but on freeway long drives - you will nurse it to get mileage and in city while ride is way better and compliant than any other truck; if you enjoy stable corners at slightly higher speeds; this is not that vehicle. I did expect a tad better shock absorption for freeway unevenness; but it turned out to be bumpy with lots of body roll that we did get tired after the 270 miles we did on one day; in contrast in the Model S we never feel tired
• The Front Signature Light bars are missing some some LEDs when lighted and worst is that it doesn't even feel its ON in the daytime; Cheap and flimsy looking. An aftermarket solution is MUCH needed

Order/Delivery Process:

• Easy and prompt communications through the entire process from Ford
• Being attached to a smaller dealership in a small town actually helped the early schedule
• Dealer is very fair; only charged MSRP. Suggested to not do spray-in bedliner and recommended a local shop
• Truck delivered with full charge and very quick process (faster that Tesla's hahah)
• Build quality is way better including panel gap consistency, etc vs a Tesla
• All the sales folks were super excited about the truck

You said you got 260 miles on a road trip going 79 mph. Is that on a standard batter or extended? Also, is that depleting it down to less than 5% battery left?

 

[partyofone]

Thanks for writing up an unfiltered non-press review. TBH that front light bar looks out of place and I saw that when they first announced the truck. But the overly enthusiastic press keeps giving it a pass.
As for the other "quirks" like audio, infotainment and materials - I have a 2013 F-150 and that has the same issues and feel so I think I won't be disappointed (when mine arrives...eventually).

 

[Nandyd]

You said you got 260 miles on a road trip going 79 mph. Is that on a standard batter or extended? Also, is that depleting it down to less than 5% battery left?

Extended Battery. I was driving between 65-70 mph and got 266 total miles. Truck had 3 adults and a toddler. the efficiency was between 1.9 to 2.1 Miles/KWH

 

[Voltz]

Extended Battery. I was driving between 65-70 mph and got 266 total miles. Truck had 3 adults and a toddler. the efficiency was between 1.9 to 2.1 Miles/KWH

Thanks for the report! I thought you put what the final state of charge was, but I can't find it. Do you remember what it was with 40 miles left when you got home?

 

[Thor]

• " The Front Signature Light bars are missing some some LEDs when lighted and worst is that it doesn't even feel its ON in the daytime; Cheap and flimsy looking. An aftermarket solution is MUCH needed "

My Dealer called me to go down last Thursday. Had a rep come in with a Lariat. Talk to the rep, was a great guy. Had 2500 miles on it. Couldn't drive it or be taken for a drive.... But did sit in it. HATED the front light bar!! In all the pictures it looks as if it lit up. But it is actually a white, or frosted lens. Looks so cheap.. Should have left it clear. Also hope the aftermarket comes out with something.
Also asked why they didn't offer the self deploying running boards. Had no idea, and said I wasn't the only one to ask that question.

 

[Nandyd]

Thanks for the report! I thought you put what the final state of charge was, but I can't find it. Do you remember what it was with 40 miles left when you got home?

Right; had 37 miles left after totaling 230 miles drive.

 

[Fishstyx]

Great write up thanks. Your impression and opinions largely match mine after a two weeks of ownership and 1200 miles. Most of the nits I pick cans be improved with software changes so I really hope that Ford works to take the input and offer OTA updates. My worry is that the Sync MY22 crowd will get forgotten in this area once they deliver the Android based platform.

I have to +1 your comment on BlueCruise disconnects. I can’t believe there’s not a prominent audio alarm when it disconnects. I often miss the dash message since I’m looking at the road and the thing will bark if you take your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds.

In my opinion it’s a safety issue. One second your lightly holding the wheel while the truck steers itself and the next Otto the pilot checks out with narry a “you got this” audible alert. when on rural 2 lane roads Otto seems to randomly decide he’s done steering and shuts off and departing the lane is your que that it’s time to take over. Due to a few of these checkouts on 2 lane rural roads I stopped using the system other than multi lane interstates.

 

[Voltz]

when on rural 2 lane roads Otto seems to randomly decide he’s done steering and shuts off and departing the lane is your que that it’s time to take over. Due to a few of these checkouts on 2 lane rural roads I stopped using the system other than multi lane interstates.

I was not aware that rural two lane roads had been mapped into hands-free Blue Cruise. i thought the hands-free system was limited to divided highways.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

he's only referring to the 'ACTIVE' portion of CoPilot360 2.0 where it provides 'lane centering' anywhere you drive, not just certain 'mapped highways' as with BlueCruise's eye-sensing equipment and it's 'hands Free' driving.

This is what is confusing about these differing 'automated' steering systems. ACTIVE is simply lane centering with you having to periodically grab/turn/torque the steering wheel to let it know you are Alive, and this can work on ANY road that the front sensors can 'see' the striped/dashed lines on both sides.
BLUE CRUISE, though, takes it a step further and provides the ability for complete HANDS FREE long distance steering on certain 'mapped highways'(I would suppose that is relegated to interstates right now)... where it can not only 'see' the lines/dashes on both sides of the lane, but has also been 'pre-mapped'. This requires the EYE SENSING equipment that is installed on the driver's A piller, and next to the 15" screen on the dash.

 

[Nandyd]

Great write up thanks. Your impression and opinions largely match mine after a two weeks of ownership and 1200 miles. Most of the nits I pick cans be improved with software changes so I really hope that Ford works to take the input and offer OTA updates. My worry is that the Sync MY22 crowd will get forgotten in this area once they deliver the Android based platform.

I have to +1 your comment on BlueCruise disconnects. I can’t believe there’s not a prominent audio alarm when it disconnects. I often miss the dash message since I’m looking at the road and the thing will bark if you take your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds.

In my opinion it’s a safety issue. One second your lightly holding the wheel while the truck steers itself and the next Otto the pilot checks out with narry a “you got this” audible alert. when on rural 2 lane roads Otto seems to randomly decide he’s done steering and shuts off and departing the lane is your que that it’s time to take over. Due to a few of these checkouts on 2 lane rural roads I stopped using the system other than multi lane interstates.

Yeah, I do feel it is more accommodating than the AutoPilot on a Tesla; besides Ford doesn't make you do a driving score to get FSD Beta; in fact they should get a variety of scores to test the FSD than just get the 90+ scores as any mad max need to have access to it.

On rural roads; the ones in KY atleast - the handsfree was not active for me.

 

[2023 lighting]

Blue cruise has a map of eligible roads.

I was not aware of lane centering. Neat can't wait to try it.

They do need to better describe the technologies.

 

[Voltz]

They do need to better describe the technologies.

Job #1 would be to revise the names to foster differentiation.