2024 Ford F-150 Powertrains Compared: Gas, Hybrid, Electric

There are myriad options for a variety of buyers of the United States' bestselling truck.

Emme Hall | 

May 24, 2024 | 4 min read

Ford

So you want to buy a 2023 Ford F-150 but you're overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available? You're not alone.

The F-150 has the goods to haul you and your gear easily, with plenty of technology features to boot. However, the F-150 comes with one of three powertrains: gas, hybrid, or electric. Deciding on the right truck for you is in the details.

The first thing to realize is that the F-150 is available in three cab and bed sizes. The resulting combinations have their own towing and payload capabilities. It's important to verify that the tow rating for the combination you're considering is actually enough for what you want to do with the truck. For example, the loaded crew cab is not often as capable as a regular-cab work truck when you want to regularly haul, or tow, heavy loads.

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F-150 With a Gas Engine: Cheapest and Highest Tow Rating

The first decision to make for a gas-powered F-150 is which engine to get. There are three gas-fueled engines. The least powerful is a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, but you can get big power with a 5.0-liter V8 or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. Interestingly, they all get 19 to 21 mpg combined — as long as you're not shopping for a Raptor.

The turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 will give you the most payload at 2,445 pounds, and with the tow package a properly equipped truck can pull a whopping 13,500 pounds. If V8 rumble is your jam, the F-150 with the V8 starts at around $39,000 for a base XL model. To get max towing you'll need to jump to the XLT trim for the Tow/Haul package with the V6. All told you're in for about $52,000.

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F-150 Hybrid: Fuel Economy and Power Tool Charging Ability

The hybrid is a great choice for buyers who want to electrify their ride but aren't ready to commit to a truck powered by electrons only. You'll be able to haul 1,755 pounds in the bed or tow 11,200 pounds with the available Trailer Tow package. You'll also get Ford's Pro Power Onboard generator as standard fare. The included generator boasts a 2.4-kW output, which is enough to charge tools, computers, and other smaller devices. A 7.2-kW generator upgrade is available for those who need even more power. It's designed to support rigorous tasks, such as welding or running an air compressor.

The XLT crew cab serves as the entry point for hybrid trucks. Pricing starts around $59,000.

The F-150 hybrid offers an EPA-estimated 704-mile range and 22/24/23 mpg city/highway/combined, making it a road-trip champ.

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F-150 Lightning: Gas Free but Not Ideal for Road Trips

The all-electric F-150 Lightning is for those who want to be on the cutting edge of technology and have regular access to a sufficient charging solution — often a Level 2 home charger. The EV is available with a standard battery pack for 240 miles of range across all trims or an extended range that can eke out 300 miles for the Platinum trim and 320 miles on other trim levels.

On a Level 3 public charger, the F-150 can go from 15% to 80% charge in less than an hour. Plugged into a standard 110-volt household outlet, though, such a charge can take days.

The standard range of Lightning will give you 2,235 pounds of payload capability and 10,000 pounds of towing with an optional towing package. To get max towing, upgrade to the Flash or Lariat and the big battery pack to the tune of a hefty $74,000. An onboard generator is also standard.

There are a few other things to consider with the all-electric F-150. Depending on the weight and shape of the trailer, your range will decrease significantly, although the same can be said of the gas and hybrid trucks. The downside to the F-150 Lightning's trailering ability is the challenge of charging. Not only are public charging stations often difficult to access with the added length of a trailer, it takes far longer to top off the battery than it would to fill up a fuel tank.

The F-150 Lightning might make the most sense for lighter loads and in-town use. If you make the rounds between several worksites throughout the day and can regularly park near a high-capacity charging station, it might be a great way to cut your tailpipe emissions to zero.

Emme Hall

Emme Hall loves small convertibles and gets out to the canyons in her 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata whenever she can. You can also find her in the dirt in her lifted (yes, that's right) 2001 Mazda Miata, or racing air-cooled Volkswagens in races like the Baja 1000. She's taken first place twice in the Rebelle Rally — once driving a Jeep Wrangler and then a Rolls-Royce Cullinan the second time. She was also the first driver to take an electric vehicle to the Rebelle Rally when campaigning the Rivian R1T to a top-five finish.