2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle, maintained a familiar appearance. It had unique exterior styling cues but largely resembled the conventional F-150s seen on American roads. Available in four trims—Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum—the Lightning came exclusively with a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. The base Pro trim, aimed at fleet use, started in the low $40,000 range. Identifying a Lightning was straightforward due to its distinctive LED headlight bar and plastic façade in place of a traditional grille. Inside, the Lightning offered ample space, with 43.9 inches of front-seat legroom and 43.6 inches in the rear. The Lariat trim featured high-quality materials, a panoramic sunroof, and extensive power outlets, including a 240-volt outlet in the bed.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick looked like a conventional pickup, with styling cues borrowed from larger Ford trucks. It was smaller than the Ford Ranger, measuring 199.7 inches in length and 68.7 inches in height. The Maverick shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. The base XL trim had 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. The First Edition package added unique graphics and paint colors. The interior, despite being heavy on plastic, was creatively designed with multicolored elements and exposed fasteners. The Maverick's interior was praised for its character and style, making it a standout feature.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning's performance was defined by its dual electric motors, providing 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and 563 horsepower with the extended range battery. Both configurations delivered an impressive 775 pound-feet of torque and standard all-wheel drive. The standard-range battery offered an EPA-estimated 230 miles, while the extended-range battery increased this to 320 miles. The Lightning's acceleration was remarkable, and its low center of gravity improved handling. However, its three-ton curb weight limited its cornering abilities. The Lightning featured an independent rear suspension for better packaging of the battery packs. Charging options included 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, with fast charging capable of boosting the battery from 15 to 80 percent in under 45 minutes.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came standard with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and CVT, producing 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivered 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was front-wheel drive only, while the EcoBoost offered optional all-wheel drive. The FX4 off-road package added features like hill-descent control and all-terrain tires. The Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, and the hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement. The EcoBoost variant offered more towing capability and spirited acceleration.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning excelled in functionality with its 5.5-foot bed, equipped with numerous tie-down points. Its standout feature was the "Mega Power Frunk," a 14.1-cubic-foot front trunk with an underfloor storage bin. The Lightning could serve as a backup generator, powering a typical household for three days with a full battery. It also had a 9.6-kilowatt onboard power supply for job site tools. The Lightning's towing capacity maxed out at 10,000 pounds, with a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds. Onboard scales helped manage payload and driving range.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, available only as a four-door crew cab, offered more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. It featured numerous storage options, including cubbies, under-seat storage, and the Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The 4.5-foot bed had a 1,500-pound payload capacity and included an in-bed power outlet and multi-position tailgate. The FlexBed system allowed for dividers and a false floor, enhancing the bed's utility. The Maverick's towing capacity was 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost and 2,000 pounds for the hybrid.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 on the Pro and XLT trims, while the Lariat and Platinum trims had a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen. The higher trims also included SiriusXM satellite radio and a B&O stereo system. Wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. The infotainment system included games, useful during charging sessions.

The 2022 Ford Maverick used the older Sync 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system's graphics and functions were basic, but it included practical features like a large phone slot and available wireless charging. Hybrids had a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Optional features included a 360-degree camera, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional extras were adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, and evasive steering assist.