2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

When the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning made its debut, it appeared surprisingly conventional, considering its significance in the automotive world. While it exhibited some unique exterior styling cues, it largely mirrored the traditional gasoline-powered F-150s roaming American roads. This familiarity might have been reassuring for consumers hesitant about transitioning to an electric pickup.

The F-150 Lightning was available in four trim levels: Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. Unlike its gas-engine counterparts, it came exclusively with a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. The base Pro trim, despite its name suggesting otherwise, was intended to be the entry-level work truck variant. With a starting price in the low $40,000-range, it became an appealing option for cost-conscious buyers looking to explore electric vehicles.

Distinguishing the Lightning from other F-150s was straightforward with a few notable features. The most prominent difference was the LED headlight bar spanning the front, replacing the traditional grille with a plastic façade. Additionally, the rear showcased subtle badges declaring its electric nature. Higher trims like the Lariat and Platinum further differentiated themselves with a taillight bar spanning the rear width.

Stepping inside the F-150 Lightning, it became apparent that Ford envisioned it as more than just a work truck. With extensive legroom for both front and rear passengers, it offered more space than many two-row crossovers. Interior materials were commendable, with the Lariat trim blending practical plastic components with luxurious touchpoints. Ergonomically, Ford's extensive experience with the F-Series shined through.

The Lariat trim featured a panoramic sunroof and under-seat storage. The optional 9.6-kilowatt-hour (kWh) pro power onboard power supply provided outlets throughout the vehicle, including in the bed and the unique front trunk (frunk). The F-150 Lightning also boasted strong air conditioning, and our test vehicle's ventilated seats were a blessing in hot climates.

Lastly, a nifty feature not unique to the Lightning but still noteworthy was the interior work surface. By folding down the shift lever and flipping the center console lid forward, drivers could create a workspace ideal for various tasks.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 embraced a bolder, more aggressive design. While Chevy trucks have displayed timeless design elements in the past, the current generation's styling evoked mixed reactions. The small headlights and body panel extending into the grille area divided opinions. However, the Silverado offered various appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition, allowing buyers to add their personal touch.

Inside, the Silverado's cabin was more universally appealing. The layout of controls was intuitive and functional. Depending on the trim level, two distinct interior designs were available. The WT and Custom trims retained the pre-2022 facelift interiors with smaller screens and more physical controls. Higher trims featured a modern dash with a larger, intuitive touchscreen.

The base WT trim included vinyl upholstery, a front bench seat, black bumpers, rubberized flooring, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrading to the Custom trim introduced cloth upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-locking tailgate, and remote start.

The LT trim was characterized by a high-tech infotainment system, a more modern dash layout, a fully digital instrument panel, and additional features like dual-zone climate control and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The RST trim added unique visual touches and fog lights.

We opted to test the Trail Boss off-roader, which shared features with the Custom and LT trims. It came with standard four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, and upgraded shock absorbers.

For those seeking luxury, the LTZ trim delivered leather upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, additional USB ports, wireless device charging, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The range-topping High Country trim elevated the Silverado to a luxury-level pickup, featuring heated and ventilated front seats, a power-sliding rear window, and more.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning's true appeal lay beneath its conventional exterior. Dual electric motors, one on each axle, provided 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and 563 horsepower with the extended range battery. Regardless of the battery, it generated an astounding 775 pound-feet of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive (AWD), thanks to the twin motors. The standard locking differential and AWD suggested off-road capability, but our test truck's tame tires tempered our enthusiasm for wilderness adventures.

With the standard-range battery, the Lightning promised an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles on a full charge. Though this fell short of some competitors, it remained respectable given the Lightning's size and weight. The Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV were the Lightning's main competitors, though the Rivian was smaller, and the Hummer significantly larger.

In our Lariat-trim test truck equipped with the extended range battery, the Lightning offered 320 miles of range, adding 90 miles over the standard battery. With the additional horsepower and prodigious torque, it accelerated briskly, even managing to chirp the tires on wet roads.

The low center of gravity from the battery packs helped mitigate body roll during corners, though the Lightning was not designed for corner carving. Despite its impressive speed, its three-ton curb weight remained a limiting factor on winding roads.

The Lightning featured an independent rear suspension, a departure from the traditional leaf springs found in most full-size pickups. The decision was driven by the need to re-engineer the truck to accommodate battery packs.

Batteries measured 98-kilowatt hours for the standard range and 131-kilowatt hours for the extended range. While sizable, these batteries were smaller than the Rivian R1T's options and GMC Hummer EV's massive 212.7 kWh battery. Charging options included 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, though a 120-volt charge was time-consuming. Fast chargers significantly expedited the process.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine choices to suit diverse preferences. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, generating 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those desiring V8 power, the 5.3-liter engine produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter engine delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Diesel enthusiasts could opt for a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine with 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with four-wheel drive (4WD) as an option. The base four-cylinder engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other engines employed a 10-speed automatic. Properly equipped, the Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and the Max Towing package. The smaller V8 engine offered a towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds.

During our Trail Boss test, the turbo-four engine provided surprising power delivery. Although it emitted mechanical noise resembling a diesel engine, it offered excellent acceleration from a standstill. The eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth, though we were curious about the 10-speed pairing with this motor. The V8 engines delivered expected performance, though the 5.3-liter engine's power sometimes left us wanting more. The larger 6.2-liter V8 erased any such concerns, with the 10-speed automatic transmission ensuring seamless gear shifts.

The Silverado 1500 handled remarkably well for its size and weight, making it suitable for both commuting and off-road adventures. While not quite matching the Ram 1500's ride quality, it tackled various terrains effectively. The Silverado's ruggedness made it an excellent choice for farm and trail use, capable of navigating diverse landscapes with ease.

The Silverado offered a range of capability tiers, including our Trail Boss and the ZR2. For 2023, the ZR2 Bison took things further with heavy-duty skid plates, steel-stamped bumpers, and improved approach and departure angles.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning remained a functional pickup at its core, with a 5.5-foot bed that provided ample tie-down points for securing cargo. While the bed might not be suitable for moving large items like sofas, it was versatile enough for most needs. The Lightning's standout feature, however, was its powered front trunk (frunk), boasting 14.1 cubic feet of storage space and an underfloor storage bin with a drain, ideal for keeping items cold.

One of the Lightning's most acclaimed features was its backup generator capability. With a full battery, it could power an average household for up to three days during a power outage. Even in less critical scenarios, the 9.6-kilowatt onboard power supply proved useful for various tasks, such as running power tools on job sites.

In terms of towing and payload, the Lightning was capable, with a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds. However, it was essential to remember that towing heavy loads could significantly reduce driving range. Fortunately, Ford's onboard scales helped manage this, displaying payload weight and adjusting the driving-range estimate accordingly.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of body styles, including regular, double, and crew cab configurations. Each cab style had its specific bed length, catering to different usage needs. The crew cab models were particularly spacious, providing ample headroom and legroom for both rows. The rear bench seat in the crew cab could fold upward, creating significant in-cabin cargo space for valuable items or tools.

The Silverado's versatility extended to its bed lengths. The short bed measured 5 feet 8 inches, the standard bed was 6 feet 6 inches, and the long bed reached 8 feet. The regular cab, tied to the more work-centric trims like the WT and Custom, featured a front bench seat accommodating up to three passengers. The bench also had a fold-down center seat back, doubling as a center console with storage and cup holders.

The double cab, with conventional car doors for easy rear-seat access, provided plenty of rear headroom but limited legroom. It was ideal for occasional use in the rear seats, offering a balance between passenger space and cargo capacity.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning impressed with its tech, featuring at least a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 with three years of navigation as standard. The Pro and XLT trims had landscape-oriented 12-inch displays similar to the Ford Bronco's system. In contrast, the Lariat and Platinum trims boasted 15-inch portrait-oriented screens reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. While visually striking, the larger screen's layout was somewhat confusing. Given a choice, many preferred the consistency of the 12-inch system.

Higher trims enjoyed additional entertainment options. Pro trims came equipped with AM/FM radio, while other trims included SiriusXM satellite radio. The Lariat featured an 8-speaker Bang & Olufsen (B&O) stereo, with the Platinum trim upgrading to a 15-speaker B&O system.

Tech-savvy buyers appreciated features like the wireless charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available from the Lariat trim upwards. Moreover, programmed games within the infotainment system added a unique touch, helping pass the time while the vehicle charged at public stations.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of infotainment setups. The base WT and Custom trims had a straightforward 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, suitable for those who valued simplicity. Pre-facelift interiors in these trims emphasized functionality.

Higher trims featured a more modern dash design with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These models also included a fully digital instrument panel, providing a contemporary interface. The Custom trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the LTZ trim introduced wireless device charging and additional USB ports.

Buyers seeking a tech-rich experience would find most Silverado trims well-equipped, while those preferring simplicity could opt for the WT and Custom trims.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. All trims benefited from Ford's Co-Pilot 360 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like a 360-degree surround-view camera, Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and a forward sensing system were available on the Pro trim. The XLT trim offered standard surround-view cameras and optional features like adaptive cruise control and intersection assist. At the Lariat level, BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free driving system, became available.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 also offered extensive safety features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The Teen Driver system allowed owners to set speed and volume limitations for a second set of keys.

Higher trims, like the LTZ, added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view 360-degree camera system, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Additional available safety features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a rear-camera mirror, and GM's Super Cruise highway driving system.

The Silverado received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and impressive scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).