Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Who will win the battle?

Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Price and Availability

(Image credit: Tesla)

Tesla originally stated that the Cybertruck will be available before the end of the year, depending on whether you chose the tri- or dual-motor configuration. However, production has been delayed until 2022, with volume production slated to begin in 2023. That one can be attributed to supply chain constraints.

Ford has set a release date of "early 2022" for both F-150 Lightning models. If Ford adheres to that plan, it should be able to put the first F-150 Lightnings on the road well before Tesla begins production of the first Cybertrucks.

Ford, though, has Tesla beat on price. The base F-150 Lightning, equipped with two engines and all-wheel drive, begins at $39,974. That's $74 more than the $39,900 you'd pay for a single-motor Cybertruck, but you'd be missing out on a lot. The F-150 Lighting is far more comparable to the dual-motor Cybertruck, which is currently offered at $49,900 – $10,000 more expensive.

Meanwhile, the pricing of the extended-range F-150 Lighting is unknown, but it is currently believed to be in the mid-$50,000 range. The top-tier Cybertruck costs $69,900, but includes more hardware and amenities, such as much higher range (500+ miles vs. Ford's 300 miles) and a third motor for improved performance. Recently Tesla has announced its Four-motor varian of Cybertruck.

Read more: Elon Musk confirms that Cybertruck will feature a four-motor configuration

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Designs

(Image Credit: Ford)

The F-150 Lightning's primary selling feature is that it is nearly identical to its gasoline-powered and hybrid siblings. There are some variances on the front end, particularly because an electric car does not require a grille, but it's evident at a look that all F-150s are extremely similar.

Given that the Ford F-series trucks have been the best-selling passenger car in North America for decades, it is critical that Ford maintains that momentum. Ford CEO Jim Farley compared the F-150 to Coca-Cola, which we believe is an excellent comparison. You don't want the F-150 Lightning to crash and burn like 'New Coke,' especially while the rest of the auto industry transitions to electricity.

The Tesla Cybertruck is the first of its type, and it is not based on any other vehicle. Elon Musk being Elon Musk, the Cybertruck was designed to resemble an early '90s PlayStation 1 sci-fi game. You cannot dispute that it is visually appealing, and the unusual angular shape is making people awestruck.

Image Credit: Tesla

The Cybertruck includes all of the standard truck characteristics, including a 6.5-foot truck bed. The bed is equipped with an extensible telescoping ramp rather than a standard tailgate, which, while unique, has its advantages. Elon Musk boldly boasts that the Cybertruck's door would withstand gunfire from a 9mm handgun.

Additionally, Tesla demonstrated that the Cybertruck's doors can withstand a sledgehammer blow. Unfortunately for the windows, they were not as fortunate, being smashed by a thrown metal ball.

Which electric-truck design is "better" is entirely subjective and dependent on the type of vehicle desired. The F-150 Lightning is designed to be as similar to the 2021 F-150 as possible and will blend in as well as any Ford pickup truck. It's comparable to how the GMC Hummer EV took the iconic Hummer design and added a few twists to make it more EV-friendly.

Meanwhile, the Tesla Cybertruck stands out due to its unique design. However, this is where the two trucks diverge. Ford designed the F-150 to be as utilitarian as a conventional gas-powered pickup, whereas Tesla appears to be marketing the Cybertruck as a fashion statement — a useful one that can perform all of the truck's functions, but still a fashion statement.

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Interior Comparative Analysis

Ford has loaded the F-150 Lightning all the features you'd expect from a modern EV, including a 15.5-inch infotainment display. However, unlike the Tesla Cybertruck, which is nearly entirely controlled through touchscreen, Ford is preserving the actual buttons and knobs. Indeed, similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, there is a real dial integrated into the screen.

As a large truck, the F-150 Lightning offers an abundance of storage space. There is a 14.1 cubic-foot 'Mega Power Frunk' (front trunk) in addition to the 5.5-foot bed seen on the gasoline-powered F-150. Additionally, the interior incorporates a fold-down desk in the centre console and totally flat front seats.

The Tesla Cybertruck is very much a conventional Tesla vehicle, however with a few notable exceptions. While the interiors of a Model S and Model 3 are nearly identical, there is no disputing that the Cybertruck's distinctive style has affected the interior design.

Obviously, the angular roof is unavoidable, and the straight-edged Cyberpunk-inspired design has been carried over to elements such as the seats and dash. However, the yoke-shaped steering wheel, the 17-inch touchscreen display, and the glass roof remain.

There is still plenty we don't know about the specifics, however Tesla is known for offering a consistent interior experience across all of its vehicles. While it has been stated that the Cybertruck's display will feature a bespoke user interface, we expect it to be familiar to owners of other Tesla cars.

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Acceleration and Towing Capability

Tesla has boasted about the Cybertruck's capabilities, claiming that the tri-motor model can tow 14,000 pounds and go from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The dual-motor and single-motor variants perform less admirably (as expected), with 0-60 times of 4.5 seconds and 6.5 seconds, respectively. Towing capability is capped at 10,000 pounds with the dual motor and 7,500 pounds with the single motor.

We don't know how rapidly the Ford F-150 Lighting can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, but Ford has stated that it's in the mid-4 second range. US President Joe Biden estimated it was roughly 4.3 seconds during a test drive, which fits, though a Ford official would neither confirm or deny. Therefore, keep an eye on this location.

The basic F-150 Lightning has a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, while the extended-range model has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. That is somewhat comparable to Tesla's equivalent Cybertrucks, but given the absence of a tri-motor Lightning, comparing the existing versions to Tesla's top-tier model is not entirely fair.

Having said that, the fact that Tesla is working on a more powerful model of four motor variant, despite the delays, may offer Elon Musk's business an advantage. If you want the most power possible and are willing to wait for it, the four-motor Cybertruck is unquestionably the winner.

Of fact, the F-150 is far more evenly matched with the less expensive dual- and single-motor Cybertrucks, making it much more difficult to choose solely on the basis of power.

A video of the Cybertruck tussling with a Ford F-150, in which the Cybertruck easily outclassed the Ford pickup.

The video generated enough controversy that physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson weighed in on Twitter, stating that electrical cars are "famously heavy" above the axles, which would give the Cybertruck an advantage in a tug-of-war.

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Battery and Range

As is customary, Tesla easily outperforms Ford in terms of range. The base F-150 Lightning is expected to have a range of 230 miles, while the extended-range model will have a range of up to 300 miles. This is commendable, even if the figures are a little on the conservative side.

The entry-level Tesla Cybertruck model offers 250 miles of range for the same price, while being a less powerful vehicle. The dual-motor variant has a range of up to 300 miles, while the tri-motor type has a range of over 500 miles. There is no doubt that the Cybertruck consistently outperforms the competition in terms of range.

Tesla also benefits in terms of charging, as the Cybertruck is capable of charging at 250 kW using the company's supercharging network. This enables the Cybertruck to recharge from 10% to 80% capacity in approximately 44 minutes.

The F-150 Lightning has a maximum charging speed of 150 kW, and its battery charges from 15% to 80% in around 45 minutes. This is not a bad thing, however the reduced range means you'll undoubtedly spend more time recharging the car - especially if you're doing a lot of long-distance travel.

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: Autopilot Capability

As with all Teslas, the Cybertruck comes equipped with basic Autopilot, as well as the $10,000 FSD Autopilot option. Autopilot's entry-level technology is a Level 2 autonomy system that includes automated steering within visible lanes, smart cruise control, lane-change suggestions, and blind-spot detection.

The FSD option enables the automobile to navigate for you on the highway, change lanes automatically, stop at traffic lights and stop signs, park itself, and answer to your summons. Tesla states that these technologies require drivers to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and their attention on the road.

Ford's BlueCruise is standard on the F-150 Lightning, and will also be available on the Mustang Mach-E later this year. BlueCruise is capable of steering and accelerating and eliminates the need for the driver to maintain control of the wheel. Additionally, it includes an infrared camera that detects whether the driver is looking at the road or not, ensuring that you cannot nap in the rear seat while the truck drives itself.

Additionally, the F-150 Lighting includes a smart-hitch assist feature, which is beneficial for those who intend to utilise the vehicle as a truck and tow.

The two cars are quite evenly matched in terms of standard autonomous functions. Tesla's FSD add-on does give Tesla a significant advantage, albeit it is still far from advanced enough for the car to drive itself without a human driver there to take control at any time. Additionally, it is a pricey upgrade to the automobile, much more so if you choose the less expensive $40,000 option.

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Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning: What Does the Future Hold?

The tri-motor Cybertruck is unquestionably the winner, albeit this may be easily explained away by the absence of a tri-motor Ford F-150 Lightning to compare it to. When the power is reduced, you end up with two trucks that are very evenly matched in terms of performance.

Of course, regardless of how you look at it, Tesla wins in terms of range. Tesla has spent several years investing in improved batteries and lighter, more aerodynamic designs, giving it a significant advantage when it comes to single-charge driving. No other automobile manufacturer comes close to matching what Tesla has to offer.

Ford is still in its infancy, and the F-150 Lighting is an admirable first effort, particularly given that the extended-range model matches the dual-motor Cybertruck's 300-mile range estimate.

It's tough to determine which car is superior without driving both, especially given how evenly matched the two entry-level Cybertrucks are to the F-150 Lightning variants. If you're looking for a more classic truck experience, the F-150 Lighting is the way to go, especially given Ford's decades of experience constructing trucks. However, if you're looking for something truly unusual, nothing beats the Cybertruck.

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