Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck

History

To understand just how different both platforms are, we’ll need to start at the beginning. In this section, we’re taking a closer look at the history of both electric pickups. 

Ford F-150 Lightning

While the fully electric Ford F-150 Lightning first hit the showroom floors in April of 2022, die-hard Ford fans know it’s unfair to begin our story in the 21st century. The Lightning namesake harkens back to 1993 when Ford’s SVT performance department had the bright idea to cram a modified 351W into the engine bay of a single-cab, short-bed, two-wheel-drive F-150. 

Fitted with GT40 cylinder heads, GT40 lower and upper intake plenums, a roller camshaft, and a beefier 65mm throttle body, the modified F-150 put down an impressive (for the time) 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. When paired with body-colored trimmings, a model-specific air dam and wheels, and an aggressive lower stance, it’s no wonder that the first-generation F-150 Lightning is often credited with kicking off the late-model sport truck movement. 

The electric F-150 Lightning doesn’t only have the Lightning moniker on its side but the entire celebrated heritage of the F-series pickup. As the best-selling vehicle in the United States, it’s tough to get more American than an F-150. It’s a recognizable name and face known to all, and the modern F-150 Lightning certainly benefits from its familiar charm. As far as contemporary electric pickups go, the F-150 Lightning most closely mimics its traditional, fossil-fuel-burning counterpart.

Tesla Cybertruck

Then, we have the Cybertruck. While the F-150 falls back on its familiar sheet metal and name, the Cybertruck is an entirely new, unrecognizable entry into the automotive landscape. The truck dares to be different, possessing few ties to any production vehicle in history, save the DeLorean DMC-12. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk had publicly toyed with the idea of an electric pickup truck back in 2012–2013. However, consumers wouldn’t see any real movement until Cybertruck’s announcement in 2019. With hyper-futuristic styling and wild promised power figures, tech fanatics began reserving trucks in November of the same year. However, countless delays pushed delivery a full four years until November 2023. 

Even with such a delay, Tesla still suspended certain features, such as locking differentials, until over-the-air updates months later. Though mired in controversy over delays and delivery of an unfinished platform, the truck continues to battle the F-150 Lightning for the position of top-selling EV pickup in the United States.

Model Overview

Next, let’s take a closer look at each vehicle, including its overall styling, features, and capabilities.

Ford F-150 Lightning

As Ford entered the EV pickup market, it strayed away from the standard conventions of contemporary electric vehicles. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel, the company based the new truck’s aesthetics on the existing F-150 platform, making for a familiar vehicle that seemed attainable to the average truck driver. 

The pickup shares several body panels with the standard gas-powered F-150 and PowerBoost hybrid models. It offers a nearly identical footprint to a conventional SuperCrew short-bed F-150. Aside from its modern front fascia and LED bar running lights, you could almost mistake the Lightning for a conventional F-150 in traffic—and that’s a good thing. 

This being said, under the sheet metal lies an entirely different beast. Looks aside, the F-150 Lightning sits on a specialized chassis to support the added weight of its standard 98 kWh battery pack or massive 131 kWh extended-range battery. Dual electric motors—one at each axle—pump out an impressive 775 lb-ft of torque, making the Lightning the fastest production F-150 to date. It can also tow a respectable 10,000 pounds, though not as much as the conventional truck.

Tesla Cybertruck

Where the F-150 Lightning sticks to a tried and true recipe, Tesla completely neglects the current pickup market for its innovative, progressive, and polarizing design. The truck features an absurdly angular profile, more reminiscent of a kitchen appliance than any automobile. This comparison only strengthens when weighing Tesla’s singular finish option—raw, brushed stainless steel. 

The interior of the Tesla’s cabin is equally futuristic, as it’s essentially devoid of any physical buttons aside from those affixed to the steering yoke. The truck takes minimalism to a new level, displaying all necessary gauges, controls, and monitoring data on the massive 18.5-in. infinity touchscreen. 

If the Tesla’s aesthetics weren’t already futuristic enough, its blistering performance solidifies its position as a next-gen automobile. Packing 845 horsepower and 864 lb-ft of torque, the top-tier Cybertruck—the Cyberbeast—hums its way to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. With a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, the Cybertruck is no slouch with a trailer on the hitch.

Specifications

For additional information on performance, check out our full specifications breakdown in the tables below.

Ford F-150 Lightning

Tesla Cybertruck

Which is Right For You?

So, which EV pickup is right for you? 

Since the F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck take such different approaches to the electric pickup platform, the trucks draw drastically different consumer bases. As a result, you’d likely already decided which truck would look best in your driveway before diving into this article. 

Whether you prefer the outlandishly futuristic styling of the Cybertruck or the familiar bodylines of the F-150 Lightning, both have proven to be reliable and capable platforms. It all comes down to personal preference—do you more closely align with tech bros in Silicon Valley or blue-collar America? 

If your answer is the former, consider a Cybertruck. However, if you resonate with the latter, check out the Ford F-150 Lightning.

Top Products for Your New Electric Truck

Whichever pickup truck you choose, outfit it with parts and accessories from RealTruck. We offer all the top accessories for the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning, including tonneau covers, floor mats, and more.