Ford F-150 Lightning Towing vs. Ford F-150 Hybrid Towing: What You Should Know Before Car Shopping
If you want an electrified version of Ford, you now have a few options for 2022. The latest is the all-electric model, which boasts two electric motors and a maximum driving range of 320 miles. Ford also offers a model with a twin-turbo engine and improved gas mileage.
In a world where fuel prices fluctuate wildly, it is important to have a vehicle with good mileage. However, truck drivers also want vehicles that don’t sacrifice towing capacity for the sake of efficiency. How Much Weight Can Each Ford Truck Tow?
Each Ford F-150 Lightning can tow at least 7,700 lbs. With the Max Trailer Tow Package equipped, it can tow up to 10,000 pounds.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid Limited has the highest towing capacity of the two trucks at 11,600 pounds. With the right upgrades, you can increase that capacity to 12,200 lbs.
However, Cars.com testing concluded that the Ford F-150 Lightning retains the most efficiency during towing duties. When towing a 6,000-pound trailer, the F-150 Lightning lost just 4% of its estimated range of 317 miles at 97% battery level. The Lightning electric powertrain remains silent throughout the drive, and will move quickly thanks to its high torque output.
In contrast, the Ford F-150 Hybrid’s rated mileage dropped to just 12.6 mpg when towing the same trailer. It still has the longest driving distance with a trailer, about 386 miles. Judging by its earlier efficiency loss, the larger-battery F-150 Lightning gets 170 miles of range while towed.
Draw: Which electrified Ford truck wins?
It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,697 pounds and has a bed length of 5.5 feet. The cargo area is also very functional, with tie-downs, LED lighting and tailgate steps. While the Lightning only offers one cargo box size, the 2023 model can tow up to 2,235 pounds.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid tested by Cars.com had a payload capacity of 1,362 pounds, with a maximum curb weight of 2,120 pounds. The Ford F-150 Hybrid also has a bed option of 6.5 feet in length in addition to the standard 5.5 feet wide.
More comparisons between the F-150 Lightning and the F-150 Hybrid
The Ford F-150 Lightning has two powertrain configurations, more powerful than the F-150 Hybrid. With the standard battery pack, the twin Lightning electric motors combine 462 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque. This battery gives the truck a range of 230 miles.
Opting for a larger battery pack, which gives the best towing capacity, gives the Lightning Ponies an additional 118 horsepower. Each also comes with standard all-wheel drive, and is optional on the Ford F-150 Hybrid. The Hybrid has a twin-turbo V6 engine capable of 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a ten-speed automatic gearbox.
Estimated mileage is 25 mpg paired with an unloaded cargo bed and FWD. A Ford F-150 Lightning with an extended-range battery will probably average a combined 70 MPGe. Platinum cut-off efficiency drops to 66 MP.
The Ford F-150 Lightning also includes more towing features in the base model, including a trailer hitch receiver and trailer sway control. Most of the F-150 Hybrid’s towing improvements can only be purchased through packages.
The Ford F-150 Lightning still comes at a significant premium, retailing for a minimum of $80,974 with the extended-range battery. The cheapest Ford F-150 Hybrid is the Lariat, which starts at $58,780. Picking up the Lightning might be your best option if you have the money and want some extra power.
