Ford F-250 Super Duty vs Ford F-150 Lightning

When the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning debuted, many were surprised by its familiar appearance. Despite its groundbreaking nature as an electric vehicle (EV), the Lightning maintained a traditional, almost understated aesthetic, closely resembling its gasoline-powered siblings. It included unique styling elements, such as the wide LED headlight bar across the front, a faux grille, and distinctive stacks of three lights. The rear featured badges on the flanks and, for higher trims, a taillight bar that enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the Lightning impressed with spaciousness and functionality. It boasted a maximum of 43.9 inches of front-seat legroom and 43.6 inches in the rear, rivaling most two-row crossovers. Interior materials were of good quality, particularly in the Lariat trim, which offered nice touchpoints, a panoramic sunroof, and an ergonomic design.

Conversely, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a drastic redesign. The new lineup included trims like XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Even the base XL trim offered comfort features like vinyl upholstery and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Lariat trim brought luxury with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a digital instrument panel, and a heated steering wheel. Driving the King Ranch, one could appreciate its 20-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint job, and interior finished with two-tone brown leather and the iconic Flying W logo. The F-250’s design managed to balance ruggedness with refined touches, making it a versatile option for work and leisure.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning was defined by its innovative dual electric motors, delivering 426 horsepower with the standard-range battery and a remarkable 563 horsepower with the extended-range battery. Regardless of the battery choice, it always provided an awe-inducing 775 pound-feet of torque and all-wheel drive. Its driving experience was electrifying, literally and figuratively, with the extended-range battery allowing for up to 320 miles on a full charge. Though it weighed over three tons, the low center of gravity due to the battery pack and an independent rear suspension kept it relatively balanced. The Lightning wasn’t designed for heavy off-roading but could handle rough terrains, provided the tires suited the purpose.

In comparison, the performance of the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was muscle-driven. The base model sported a 6.8-liter gas V8 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. More power was available with a 7.3-liter V8, pushing 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. Diesel lovers could opt for the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, offering an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. The high-output variant of this engine ramped it up to 500 horsepower and a staggering 1,200 pound-feet of torque. With these engine options paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Super Duty juggled power and efficiency, making it lively from a standstill and competent on highways. With a towing capacity of up to 22,000 pounds, it was tailored for heavy-duty tasks, supported by advanced features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning offered a 5.5-foot bed, equipped with ample tie-down points, ensuring versatility despite its modest size. The Mega Power Frunk, a highlight, provided an additional 14.1 cubic feet of storage at the front of the vehicle, complete with an underfloor bin and drain. This feature alone set it apart in terms of practicality, especially for EV enthusiasts. Furthermore, the Lightning could function as a backup generator, powering a typical household for up to three days with its full battery. It boasted a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds, though these numbers would affect the driving range.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came in several configurations, including regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew, with options for 6.75-foot or 8-foot beds. Our Super Crew test model with a longer bed provided significant cargo flexibility, aided by rear-hinged clamshell doors in the SuperCab for wider access. It also featured practical enhancements like an integrated Warn winch, bed steps, and A-pillar grip handles for easier access. Interior storage was plentiful, with many cupholders, a large center bin, and dual glove boxes. The rear seats in the Super Crew could be folded up to create a substantial protected cargo space.

In terms of payload and towing, the F-250 Super Duty outperformed, particularly with its incredible towing capacity of up to 22,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a choice for those who demand heavy-duty utility.

The technological landscape in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning was indeed advanced. Lower trims featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4, usable for navigation and entertainment, while upper trims had a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen. Although this larger screen was visually impressive, its layout was deemed somewhat confusing compared to the more intuitive 12-inch setup. Audio options varied, starting with an AM/FM radio on the Pro trim and scaling up to a 15-speaker B&O stereo on the Platinum trim. All models offered wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moreover, unique to the EV experience, games programmed into the infotainment system offered a novel way to pass time while charging.

In contrast, the base infotainment system in the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model came with a 12-inch screen, offering wireless connectivity and a split display for multifunctionality. The system's layout remained user-friendly, with physical dials for ease of access. Numerous USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging ensured that all gadgets stayed powered on the go. Added features like Trailer Navigation optimized routes based on the trailer’s dimensions and weight, making it an essential tool for those who relied on heavy towing.

Safety was a priority in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning with its standard Co-Pilot 360 suite. Features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system which utilized outward-facing cameras and sensors for road navigation, with a driver-facing camera to ensure attentiveness.

Similarly, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty prioritized safety, especially from the XLT trim up, which included the CoPilot 360 features. Depending on the trim, standard features comprised automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system critical for navigating the size of the vehicle in tight spaces. Innovations like power-adjustable trailer mirrors, trailer blind-spot monitoring, and an industry-first backup camera when the tailgate is lowered elevated its safety profile, ensuring confidence during towing and daily driving.