The market for electric-powered full-size pickup trucks is small but growing fast. Two representatives of this emerging segment are the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, an electrified take on America’s best-selling vehicle, and the out-of-this-world-looking 2025 Tesla Cybertruck.
The Lightning is our reigning Best Buy Award winner among electric trucks, albeit among a small group of competitors. Yet the Cybertruck has grabbed the spotlight. It certainly wins the award for being the most outlandishly styled pickup on sale today.
Let’s see how the latest Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck compare.
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning
The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and offers a choice of two battery pack sizes. A 452-horsepower dual-motor electric powertrain is standard, while the extended-range battery nudges output to 580 hp. Both versions provide 775 lb-ft of torque. This truck has some interesting and innovative features that we’ll dig into shortly. Pricing starts at $49,875 for the Pro trim.
Ford F-150 Highlights
A proven winner: While the Ford F-150 Lightning only first arrived for the 2022 model year, Ford has a long and proven record for building hard-working trucks. The gas-powered F-150 has been the best-selling full-size truck in the United States for more than four decades. This know-how bodes well for the F-150 Lightning’s toughness and longevity.
BlueCruise: We’ve come away mightily impressed by this hand-free highway driving aid. While it doesn’t have the sheer scale of mapped roadways as GM’s Super Cruise system, BlueCruise covers more than 130,000 miles of roads throughout North America. It’s refined and a great way to reduce fatigue during long drives.
Mega Power Frunk: To start, a frunk (or “front trunk”) is a common feature among EVs. This empty space is left over when a traditional gas-fed engine no longer resides in the nose of a vehicle. In the Ford F-150 Lightning, the “frunk” measures 14.1 cubic feet. For reference, that’s bigger than the trunk in the Toyota Corolla sedan. It also features multiple 120-volt outlets and USB-A and USB-C ports.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the F-150 Lightning models near you.
2025 Tesla Cybertruck
2024 model shown
The Tesla Cybertruck looks like it came from another galaxy. Beneath that heavily creased stainless steel bodywork is a dual electric-motor powertrain and standard all-wheel drive. Its 11,000-pound maximum towing capacity bests the Ford F-150 Lightning by 1,000 pounds. Keep in mind that heavy towing results in a far more limited EV range. Pricing starts at $82,235 for the All-Wheel Drive model.
Tesla Cybertruck Highlights
Driving range: According to Tesla, the Cybertruck’s driving range varies from a low of 320 miles to a high of 445 miles when equipped with a larger optional battery. Those are impressive figures for any EV, much less one that tips the scales at roughly 6,900 pounds.
Supercharger network: A considerable bonus when buying or leasing any Tesla vehicle is having access to the automaker’s extensive nationwide network of Supercharger stations. These stations take a lot of stress and guesswork out of traveling long distances when recharging along the way is needed. The F-150 Lightning can only use these stations with an adapter.
Lockable cargo bed: Every Cybertruck is fitted with a roller-shutter tonneau cover over the cargo bed, which provides extra security and keeps valuables from prying eyes. Tesla also says it’s strong enough for a full-grown adult to step on without damaging the truck. Oh yes, and apparently, the body itself can withstand bullets. However, we don’t suggest testing this claim during a test drive.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Cybertruck models near you.
Similarities
The Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck are technically in the same full-size electric pickup truck segment, each with relatively similar dimensions. They also come with all-wheel drive and an optional larger battery if you’re willing to spend more for additional range.
Pricing
New 2025 Tesla Cybertruck Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$82,235 |
TBD |
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$102,235 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Ford F150 Lightning vehicles and New 2025 Tesla Cybertruck vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro | 2025 Tesla Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Dual electric motors/AWD | Dual electric motors/AWD |
| Horsepower | 452 hp | 600 hp |
| Torque | 775 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic |
| Range | 240-320 miles of range/70 MPGe | 320-445 miles of range/ N/A MPGe |
| Also Available | Extended-range battery pack | Extended-range battery pack |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 8 years/100,000 miles | 8 years/150,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 145.0 inches | 143.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 232.7 inches | 223.7 inches |
| Width | 80.0 inches | 80.0 inches |
| Height | 78.3 inches | 70.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 47.8 feet | 43.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.8 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 40.4 inches | 39.1 inch |
| Legroom, Front | 43.9 inches | 41.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 43.6 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 66.7 inches | 63.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 66.0 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 52.8 cubic feet | 56.2 cubic feet |
Conclusion
We applaud Tesla for thinking outside the box when designing and engineering its first pickup truck. It’s certainly like no other vehicle sold today, and that alone has generated a lot of interest.
Performance is also outstanding. The base Cybertruck sprints from a standstill to 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds. Opt for the Cyberbeast variant with its 845-hp electric powertrain, and this figure drops below three seconds.
Yet, we think the Ford F-150 Lightning is a far more practical — and less polarizing — choice for anyone considering an electrified truck. It has a user-friendly interior, many standard safety features, and delivers brisk performance and a solid degree of driving range.
Granted, the Cybertruck will turn more heads, though we think the outwardly tamer Ford F-150 Lightning is the better long-term investment.
