The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Isn’t Even the 1st F-150 Lightning

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a full-size all-electric pickup truck that is making waves in the automotive world. Having been the nation’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the fact that the iconic F-150 will offer a fully electric version may indicate a “seismic shift” for the industry’s adoption of EVs, according to MotorTrend. Notably, however, this is actually not the first F-150 Lightning in existence. Here’s the history of this game-changing vehicle.

The original Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning first appeared in 1992 and was named for the fact that it was the world’s fastest production truck. It featured a 5.8-liter V8 that made 240 hp, states MotorTrend. In later years, the original F-150 Lightning adopted a supercharged V8 that could deliver up to 380 hp.

This vehicle was also able to reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, a highly impressive number at the time. To live up to this legacy, the new F-150 Lightning needed to be able to beat this number, and it has: Ford estimates that it can reach 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

According to MotorTrend, this means that the F-150 Lightning is once again the fastest F-150 available, truly living up to the Lightning name.

Of course, the 2022 F-150 Lightning is a complete revamp of the original. It has fully made the shift to electric power and features a frunk where the engine used to be. While MotorTrend describes the original F-150 Lightning as having a “pavement pulverizing nature,” the new version has become the first F-150 ever to get an independent rear suspension, creating a smoother and more responsive ride experience.

How are people responding to the 2022 F-150 Lightning?

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning | JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is receiving praise from reviewers, fans of the original F-150 Lightning, and even younger drivers who don’t remember the original. MotorTrend notes that the demographic for this all-electric truck is slightly different from what we would normally expect.

Buyers are likely to be slightly younger with higher incomes and may be more localized around urban centers. Even these younger buyers, however, find the name “Lightning” appropriate for an EV.

MotorTrend praises the fact that this vehicle is not designed to be a replacement for the regular F-150, but rather “a smoother, more aerodynamic electric version with cool lighting and wheels.”

The 2022 F-150 Lightning does indeed have a distinctive look. There are light bars stretching across the front and back of the vehicle, as well as exterior zone lighting along the sides, resulting in a look reviewers describe as “futuristic.”

What to expect from this electric truck

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has an impressively low starting price of approximately $39,974. With its standard battery, it makes 426 hp and has a range of 230 miles. With its optional extended battery, it makes 563 hp and can travel approximately 300 miles on one charge.

In terms of design, Ford stuck with its most popular SuperCrew cab for the F-150 Lightning. This truck has a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.

MotorTrend also calls the F-150 Lightning “the smartest and most connected truck in Ford’s lineup” thanks to its 15.5-inch touchscreen and the ease with which it can receive over-the-air updates.

Overall, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is an exciting update of the nation’s most beloved pickup truck. Its affordable MSRP, unique design, and impressive tech all serve to make this an EV that stands out from the competition. And with its lightning-fast speeds, it certainly lives up to the reputation of its predecessor.

RELATED: The Ford F-150 Lightning Is Officially Back and Fully Charged

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The 2022 Kia Truck Will Dethrone the Honda Ridgeline

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Well, would you look at that? A 2022 Kia truck has just been confirmed. The Korean manufacturer has already started working on the new Kia pickup truck. This is going to be the most significant thing since the Telluride! 

The 2022 Kia truck is coming 

2022 Kia Telluride truck teaser image | Pickup Truck News

According to Pickup Truck News, the 2022 Kia truck is officially happening. Kia has started working on a brand-new pickup truck, according to one of their spokesmen. However, details are still being kept under wraps. 

We don’t have much to go on aside from rumors and speculation. The truck’s design is currently a mystery. Some suggest that it will be a Kia Telluride truck, while others think that the Kia Mohave could come to the United States. 

What to expect with the new Kia pickup truck 

RELATED: The Kia Telluride Is Being Transformed Into A Pickup Truck

It’s safe to expect that the 2022 Kia truck will ride on a unibody platform, like the Honda Ridgeline. Pickup Truck News noted that Kia doesn’t have a body-on-frame platform to use. Also, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has a unibody design. 

But the Santa Cruz is a compact option. The Telluride truck could be midsized, like the SUV. It could look like a larger Santa Cruz with a front end incorporating the Telluride’s grille and a rear end with the Telluride’s taillights. 

The new truck could also include modern tech, such as a massive touchscreen infotainment system and head-up display. The unibody frame would provide an incredibly smooth ride and a quiet interior, too. It just makes sense for the Honda Ridgeline to be its largest rival. 

How much power will the Kia pickup have? 

a red 2021 Honda Ridgeline driving on a country road
2021 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

The 2022 Kia Mohave or Telluride truck could have the 3.8-liter engine that’s currently found in the Telluride SUV. It provides 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Kia Telluride can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

Coincidentally, the Honda Ridgeline can also tow up to 5,000 lbs. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that pumps out 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. We would like to see the 2022 Kia Truck gain a little more muscle, though, and there hasn’t been any mention of an electric powertrain. 

The Kia Mohave SUV is similar to the Kia Telluride, but it’s honestly a bit cooler. It has more off-roading chops thanks to its 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that serves up 256 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. 

It can be configured with five to seven seats, so hypothetically you could turn the third-row seats into part of the truck bed. Both the Telluride and Mohave can be equipped with all-wheel drive. AWD is a standard feature with the Ridgeline, so hopefully, it will be standard in the new truck. 

There hasn’t been any information released about pricing yet. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is expected to begin somewhere between $24,000 to $30,000. If the Telluride or Mohave truck is larger, then it could have a higher starting price. The Honda Ridgeline starts at about $36,490. 

That starting price seems high at first glance, but a lot of value is included with the base model. We can’t wait to learn more about this new Kia vehicle, but unfortunately, we have to wait. We should have more information by the end of summer. 

The post The 2022 Kia Truck Will Dethrone the Honda Ridgeline appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The BMW X5 Significantly Outsells the Expensive BMW X6

by Gabrielle DeSantis

BMW is one of the most well-known carmakers in the world, and the BMW X5 is one of the most popular vehicles in its arsenal. One of its lesser-known vehicles, the BMW X6, has many similarities to the X5, but the X6 sees far fewer sales every month than the X5. Learn more about the BMW X5, BMW X6, and how the X5 consistently outsells the X6 by high margins below. 

An overview of the BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was deemed, “one of the best vehicles we’ve ever tested,” by Consumer Reports, which is probably one of the highest compliments a vehicle could be awarded. What makes this midsize luxury SUV so special?

For starters, this vehicle is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. Its exterior design is enough to turn heads and catch the eye, especially in the stunning Phytonic Blue Metallic color available. The BMW X5 offers a luxuriously quiet interior that is made with high-quality materials, and it boasts an incredible array of standard infotainment features.

Each X5 comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, HD Radio, a 10-speaker stereo, and so much more. 

Performance-wise, the X5 has strong engine options and provides a smooth and pleasant ride. The base engine, a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder capable of producing 335 hp, may not pack enough of a punch to get the adrenaline flowing, but the higher performance engines just might due to their ability to produce up to 523 and 600 hp. Those engines do cost significantly more, but they may be worth the upgrade for some prospective owners. 

The only major complaint people tend to have about the 2021 BMW X5 is its price. It starts at $59,400, though the top trim, the BMW X5 M, starts at $105,100. 

An overview of the BMW X6

The BMW X6 is much less popular than the BMW X5, and many people have never even heard of it. The X6 is also a midsize luxury SUV, though it provides significantly less cargo room than most other vehicles in its class. 

The BMW X6 is also quite gorgeous, thanks to the aggressive and angular headlights, trademark BMW front grille, and the modern taillight design. The inside is also quiet and peaceful, and the seats are incredibly comfortable thanks to the beautiful leather seats and striking metallic accents.

According to U.S. News, the infotainment features of the X6 are very similar to the X5, though the X5 actually has a few more items that come standard, such as HD radio, voice recognition, and navigation. 

Performance-wise, the X6 is also quite similar to its X5 counterpart, as its standard turbocharged six-cylinder engine can produce the same amount of horsepower, 335 hp, as the base X5 engine. This vehicle also provides a silky-smooth ride, and it handles responsively.

The BMW X6 starts at $65,050, but the X6 M trim starts at a hefty $108,600. 

Vastly different sales figures

According to GoodCarBadCar, the BMW X6 sells far fewer units than the BMW X5. In most months, the BMW X6 is sold anywhere from 200 to 700 times for a total of a few thousand units throughout the year.

In contrast, GoodCarBadCar‘s data shows that a couple of thousand X5s are sold each month, totaling between 27,000 and 55,000 units sold per year. The X5 actually sometimes sells more units in one month than the X6 does in an entire year. 

There isn’t much wrong with either vehicle, and the X6 is a fine choice for a midsize luxury SUV. It’s entirely possible, however, that far more X5s are sold because it’s simply a much better bang for one’s buck. Why spend an extra several thousand dollars on a vehicle with less cargo space, similar performance, and fewer tech features?

This coupe style of SUV just isn’t in demand as it’s simply not as practical as a regular SUV. Even still, some people prefer the look and feel of the X6, and car buying always comes down to personal preference. 

RELATED: The BMW X6 Is Just Weird Enough to Be Incredibly Good

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Is the 2021 Ford Expedition Safer Than the 2021 Lincoln Navigator? The Difference is in the Brakes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Both the 2021 Ford Expedition and the 2021 Lincoln Navigator are manufactured by Ford. As you might imagine, both of these large SUVs are remarkably similar, but they’re not quite identical. Is the 2021 Ford Expedition safer than the 2021 Lincoln Navigator or the other way around? Only one is a Consumer Reports recommended vehicle. The difference is in the brakes. 

2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

According to Consumer Reports, both the 2021 Lincoln Navigator and the 2021 Ford Expedition have standard city and highway emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and blind spot warning come with both the Navigator and the Expedition. Rear view cameras, anti lock brakes, traction and stability control, and rear cross traffic warning are standard in both as well. The only difference is that the Lincoln Navigator comes with daytime running lights, while you’ll have to pay extra for that in the Ford Expedition. 

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator has an airbag edge

A 2021 Lincoln Navigator flies down the highway.
2021 Lincoln Navigator | Lincoln

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator comes with standard front and rear side airbags, while the 2021 Ford Expedition only comes with standard front side airbags. They both have head protection standard with rollover. 

The crash test ratings between the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition are identical

The overall crash and overall frontal-crash, overall frontal-crash driver, and overall frontal-crash passenger test ratings for both the 2021 Lincoln Navigator and the 2021 Ford Expedition are five stars. 

Side-crash test ratings for both the Lincoln Navigator and the Ford Expedition are equal, at five stars for overall side-crash, side-crash driver, and side-crash rear passenger. The overall side-crash test rating combines results from the driver, left rear-seat passenger, and pole test. 

The rollover risk is exactly the same

Rollover risk is something large SUV shoppers tend to take into consideration. The risk between the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator is exactly the same, with the 4WD option for each receiving four stars compared to the 2WD options getting three.

Performance is different between the Expedition and the Navigator

A 2021 Lincoln Navigator driving through a city.
2021 Lincoln Navigator | Lincoln

RELATED: The 2021 Lincoln Navigator Is as Good as Full-Size Luxury Gets

So is the Lincoln Navigator just a really expensive Expedition? Not quite. While most other ratings are identical, the performance results of these two large SUVs differs a little bit. 

Acceleration in the 2021 Lincoln Navigator is better, getting five stars to the 2021 Ford Expedition’s four stars. The 60 MPH test, which measures how long it takes a vehicle to get to 60 MPH (especially helpful when merging onto the highway) was 6.2 seconds for the Navigator and 7.3 for the Expedition. 

The quarter-mile test, which measures what speed vehicles reach when accelerating from a full stop to a point a quarter mile away, gave the Lincoln Navigator 98 MPH and the Ford Expedition 92 MPH. 

Routine and emergency handling for both the 2021 Lincoln Navigator and the 2021 Ford Expedition are the same, at two out of five. Each large SUV had an accident avoidance max speed of 47 MPH. 

The brakes on the 2021 Ford Expedition are better

Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Ford Expedition a three out of five. The Expedition was able to stop from 60 MPH on a dry road at 143 feet, and 157 feet on a wet road. The 2021 Lincoln Navigator didn’t fare as well. The Navigator stopped from 60 MPH on a dry road at 144 feet, and on a wet road at 162 feet. 

Is the 2021 Ford Expedition safer than the 2021 Lincoln Navigator

Interior of a 2021 Ford Expedition.
Interior of a 2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

When the numbers are compared with one another, the 2021 Ford Expedition is safer than the 2021 Lincoln Navigator. Consumer Reports gave the Expedition a 69 overall, including a 73 in its road test. The Expedition is also a recommended vehicle. 

On the other hand, Consumer Reports gave the Lincoln Navigator a 64 overall and only a 65 in its road test. The Navigator is not one of Consumer Reports’ recommended vehicles. 

The base price for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator is $27,000 more than the 2021 Ford Expedition. Surely it’s a better SUV?

If you’re concerned about safety when SUV shopping, then the 2021 Ford Expedition is the full size SUV for you. If you want a touch of luxury, spring for one of the more expensive trim options, and you’ll have the best of both worlds. 

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