Ford F-150 Lightning: A Surprising Lease Deal That Trumps the Maverick
The Ford F-150 Lightning, the automaker’s highly anticipated electric pickup truck, is struggling to find its footing in the market. Despite its impressive features and capabilities, the Blue Oval is not selling as many units as it had initially expected. This is evident in the lease pricing strategy that Ford has implemented to entice potential buyers. In fact, in several regions across the country, Ford is offering lease incentives on the F-150 Lightning that make it cost just one dollar more per month than the base model Ford Maverick.
To provide some context, the base model Maverick comes with a 2.0-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, and standard steel wheels, making its starting price an affordable $26,210. However, due to its overwhelming popularity, Ford has decided not to offer any lease incentives for the Maverick. Customers are willing to purchase it at its full price, so there is no need for additional incentives. Consequently, leasing a base model Maverick requires a down payment of $2,989 at signing and monthly payments of $368 for 36 months. When factoring in the down payment, the net cost amounts to $451 per month for a “cheap” Maverick.
In contrast, the lease deal available for the F-150 Lightning in many areas makes it a clear winner when compared to Ford’s smallest truck. With no money down, customers can lease an F-150 Lightning XLT Standard Range for just $452 per month over 36 months. It’s practically the same cost as leasing a base model Maverick. However, the F-150 Lightning offers far superior features and capabilities. The Lightning XLT Standard Range is equipped with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 452 horsepower. It also boasts a 360-degree camera system, 18″ wheels, a leather steering wheel, and a significantly more luxurious interior. Moreover, the Lightning is nearly double the size of the Maverick, making it a far more substantial and capable truck. The fact that it can be leased for just one dollar more per month than the Maverick seems almost comical.
There is one small catch, though. The F-150 Lightning available for this lease deal must be a 2023 model. This means potential buyers will have to search for any remaining 2023 models on dealer lots. While it may require some effort to find one, considering Ford’s recent offer in mid-2024, there are likely still a considerable number of 2023 F-150 Lightnings available. In fact, a quick search revealed nine similarly equipped 2023 F-150 Lightnings in my area. While it may involve a reasonably long drive to acquire one, these trucks are out there for those willing to put in the effort. Considering that customers can essentially lease an F-150 Lightning with superior features and capabilities for the same cost over three years as a base model Maverick, it’s an opportunity that pickup truck enthusiasts should be sprinting towards.
In conclusion, Ford’s F-150 Lightning lease deal presents an incredible value proposition for customers in search of a capable and electric pickup truck. Despite facing challenges in sales numbers, the Lightning’s lease incentives make it a more appealing choice than Ford’s smaller Maverick truck. With its impressive performance and features, combined with a price difference of just one dollar per month, the F-150 Lightning is an opportunity that should not be missed. So if you’re in the market for a pickup truck, it’s time to start searching for those remaining 2023 F-150 Lightnings and take advantage of this compelling deal.