2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle, maintained a familiar appearance akin to its gas-powered counterparts. It was available in three trims in Canada: XLT, Lariat, and Platinum, with the Pro grade reserved for fleet customers. The Lightning featured a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed, distinguishing itself with a prominent LED headlight bar and a faux grille. Inside, it offered ample space with 111.5 cm of front-seat legroom and 110.7 cm in the rear, making it more spacious than many two-row crossovers. The interior boasted quality materials and ergonomic design, with features like a panoramic sunroof and multiple power outlets, including a 240-volt outlet in the bed. The Lightning also had strong air conditioning and ventilated seats, enhancing comfort. A unique feature was the interior work surface, which allowed the centre console to transform into a workspace.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, showed signs of aging despite a 2020 facelift. Its exterior was modern with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the cabin revealed its age with hard plastics and outdated switchgear. In Canada, the Tacoma was available in various configurations, including Access and Double Cab, with different trim packages like SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD Pro. Standard features included a 7-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, and Toyota Safety Sense. Higher trims added features like alloy wheels, heated seats, and upgraded infotainment systems. The TRD Pro, the top trim, offered unique styling, skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension, making it well-suited for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning was powered by dual electric motors, delivering 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and 563 horsepower with the extended range battery, along with a remarkable 775 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive, and the Lightning's range was estimated at 370 kilometres with the standard battery and 515 kilometres with the extended battery. Despite its power, the Lightning's off-road capabilities were limited by its tires. The truck's independent rear suspension and low centre of gravity improved handling, but its weight affected cornering. Charging options included 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, with fast charging available at DC stations.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. While the V6 provided decent acceleration in town, it struggled on highways due to its transmission gearing. The Tacoma excelled off-road, especially in the TRD Pro trim, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning offered a 5.5-foot bed with numerous tie-down points, and its standout feature was the 400-litre "Mega Power Frunk" with underfloor storage. The Lightning could serve as a backup generator, powering a household for up to three days. Its towing capacity reached 4,535 kilograms, and payload capacity was 907 kilograms, though these figures affected driving range. Onboard scales helped manage payload weight.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab styles, with five-foot and six-foot-one-inch bed options. The Access Cab had limited rear-seat space, while the Double Cab offered slightly more room but remained tight for adults. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment posed challenges for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed featured in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 on lower trims, while higher trims had a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen. The Lariat trim included a Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system also offered games for entertainment during charging.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch screen and SiriusXM radio. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy navigation. A wireless device charger was available, though it required manual activation. The Tacoma's tech features were basic but functional.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included Ford BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system with a driver-facing camera for safety.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma included standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.