2026 F-150 Lightning STX Gives Customers Rugged Range They’ve Been Asking For

[Sherminator98]

https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2025/2026-f-150-lightning-stx-gives-customers-rugged-range

 

 

[blazerdude20]

So no tremor then. Probably for the best. 
 

 

[twintornados]

Looks like a nice addition to the line....

[rmc523]

Interesting that it outright replaces the XLT trim.

[rmc523]

So I didn't read it thoroughly enough, apparently it's replacing XLT, but giving more range and power for the same price....

 

Ford’s New F-150 Lightning Trim Solves Its Biggest Flaws For Free | Carscoops

 

The truck comes standard with a 123 kWh battery pack, good for an EPA-estimated 290 miles (467 km) of driving. That’s a healthy boost of 50 miles (80 km) over the outgoing XLT, which was limited to a 98 kWh unit. For drivers, that translates into fewer charging stops and a more flexible truck for longer trips.

 

Besides being able to travel further on a single charge, the STX is also more powerful compared to its predecessor. Dual electric motors produce a combined 536 hp (400 kW / 543 PS), an 84 hp (63 kW) gain compared to the XLT. Torque holds steady at 775 lb-ft (1,051 Nm), delivered to all four wheels through a standard rear e-locking differential.

 

Perhaps the most surprising element of the update is what didn’t change: the price The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX has an MSRP of $63,345, which is identical to the XLT trim it replaces. The first examples of the electric truck are expected to reach dealerships in early 2026. Based on the added features, Ford expects the STX to be one of the top-selling configurations for the 2026 model year.

[bzcat]

It's a margin boosting move. STX is XL with appearance package so should cost Ford less to build. 

 

 

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, bzcat said:

It's a margin boosting move. STX is XL with appearance package so should cost Ford less to build. 

 

 

 

Except this is the Lightning, and this outright replaces XLT, and includes a bigger batter pack with more range and power for the same price as before.  Theoretically that'd make it more to build.

Edited September 8, 2025 by rmc523

[jpd80]

Is this an example of the T3 battery being used in an upgraded Lightning?

If so, Ford may be on the verge of striking gold with this version.

[bzcat]

2 hours ago, rmc523 said:

 

Except this is the Lightning, and this outright replaces XLT, and includes a bigger batter pack with more range and power for the same price as before.  Theoretically that'd make it more to build.

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. You need to compare the input cost of XL and XLT of the same model year.

 

Assuming the goal was to keep the MSRP the same as previous year, starting with XL instead of XLT is obviously a move to maintain or improve margin, whether there was new batteries or not. Also, battery costs is going down rapidly so adding the bigger pack likely didn't result in cost increase. In fact, it likely resulted in significant cost decrease. 

 

Ford could have made the battery upgrade to the XLT if it wanted, but they didn't. XL has fewer standard equipment than XLT so it has cheaper bill of material costs for Ford. e.g. cheaper cloth seating, no power seats, no carpeted flooring, smaller screen, no dual zone climate control, no backup sensor, black plastic trim instead of more pricy chrome, cheaper speakers etc. The Lighting STX probably still has the LED lights so that's different than ICE STX.

 

There is also another simple thing to consider... eliminating the XLT reduces Lightning build option from 4 to 3 trim levels. The 2024 model has Pro (XL), XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. It's probably cheaper for Ford to add appearance package (STX) to Pro and limit the build variation to 3 trim levels than 4. It will also help with retail inventory management. 

Edited September 8, 2025 by bzcat

[T-dubz]

31 minutes ago, bzcat said:

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. 

 

Ford could have made the battery upgrade to the XLT if it wanted, but they didn't. XL has fewer standard equipment than XLT so it has cheaper bill of material costs for Ford. e.g. cheaper cloth seating, power seats, carpeted flooring, larger screen, dual zone climate control, backup sensor, black plastic trim instead of more pricy chrome, cheaper speakers etc. The Lighting STX probably still has the LED lights so that's different than ICE STX.

I was going to say the same thing. I wonder what has been cut? With tax credits gone, is keeping the price the same enough? I would have hoped for lower prices.

[blazerdude20]

53 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

I was going to say the same thing. I wonder what has been cut? With tax credits gone, is keeping the price the same enough? I would have hoped for lower prices.

I wonder if there is significant cost savings in Ford building batteries in the new factory that just started production. 

[rmc523]

17 hours ago, bzcat said:

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. You need to compare the input cost of XL and XLT of the same model year.

 

Assuming the goal was to keep the MSRP the same as previous year, starting with XL instead of XLT is obviously a move to maintain or improve margin, whether there was new batteries or not. Also, battery costs is going down rapidly so adding the bigger pack likely didn't result in cost increase. In fact, it likely resulted in significant cost decrease. 

 

Ford could have made the battery upgrade to the XLT if it wanted, but they didn't. XL has fewer standard equipment than XLT so it has cheaper bill of material costs for Ford. e.g. cheaper cloth seating, no power seats, no carpeted flooring, smaller screen, no dual zone climate control, no backup sensor, black plastic trim instead of more pricy chrome, cheaper speakers etc. The Lighting STX probably still has the LED lights so that's different than ICE STX.

 

There is also another simple thing to consider... eliminating the XLT reduces Lightning build option from 4 to 3 trim levels. The 2024 model has Pro (XL), XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. It's probably cheaper for Ford to add appearance package (STX) to Pro and limit the build variation to 3 trim levels than 4. It will also help with retail inventory management. 

 

Do we know that this started with XL, and not just XLT, though?

[blazerdude20]

The news release doesn’t seem to mention anything about migrating over to the NACS charging port. If Ford is going to continue to delay the replacement truck, why have they not made the change to the standard? They said they were going to.

 

rivian and others have already started to make the change to the charging port on their vehicles. 

[bzcat]

3 hours ago, blazerdude20 said:

The news release doesn’t seem to mention anything about migrating over to the NACS charging port. If Ford is going to continue to delay the replacement truck, why have they not made the change to the standard? They said they were going to.

 

rivian and others have already started to make the change to the charging port on their vehicles. 

 

Well, it costs money to change something that doesn't really have any significant benefit so Ford probably won't switch to NACS until the CE1 EV comes out.

 

My opinion is that Farley really messed up EV adoption in the US by leading an unnecessary charge to switch to NACS and then completely failed to follow thru. We would be far better off if everyone just stayed on CCS1, especially since there are far more CCS1 chargers than there are NACS when you factor in Level 2, which is ubiquitous. 

 

[twintornados]

12 hours ago, bzcat said:

...My opinion is that Farley really messed up EV adoption in the US by leading an unnecessary charge to switch to NACS and then completely failed to follow thru. We would be far better off if everyone just stayed on CCS1, especially since there are far more CCS1 chargers than there are NACS when you factor in Level 2, which is ubiquitous. 

 

Adopting the NACS charging standard is more than just changing out the electrical inlet on the car....it is the software update and ability to charge at more stations....I would bet that by providing the NACS adapter, Ford felt that this will suffice because as you stated, there are far more CCS1 connectors nationwide than NACS and by providing an adapter for NACS, Ford addresses the perceived value of having NACS without having to change any hardware on the vehicles they build which saves them money. Now, as you suggest, moving forward...we can see Ford building CE1 with the NACS charger and providing a CCS1 adapter (the reverse of what is done now) to continue that ability to charge at more stations. 

[morgan20]

On 9/8/2025 at 11:35 AM, rmc523 said:

The first examples of the electric truck are expected to reach dealerships in early 2026. Based on the added features, Ford expects the STX to be one of the top-selling configurations for the 2026 model year.

 

Looks like Ford still hasn't put up the build and price tool on its website for 2026 F-150 Lightning, STX or otherwise. Early 2026 is comin' very soon! 😔

[morgan20]

On 9/9/2025 at 11:12 AM, rmc523 said:

Do we know that this started with XL, and not just XLT, though?

 

According to the order guide, '26 F-150 Lightning STX has standard equipment similar to '25 XLT:

 

2026 F150 BEV Order Guide.pdf

[Sherminator98]

16 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Looks like Ford still hasn't put up the build and price tool on its website for 2026 F-150 Lightning, STX or otherwise. Early 2026 is comin' very soon! 😔

 

Given what has happened with the multiple plant fires, I'd be surprised if we see it by next Summer. 

[twintornados]

https://www.zeebiz.com/companies/news-ford-novelis-restore-operations-after-oswego-plant-fire-supplies-to-ford-resume-as-normal-383819

 

Quote

 

Ford, Novelis restore operations after Oswego plant fire; supplies to Ford resume as normal

Written By  Ankit Kumar

Published: 5:54 PM, Nov 22, 2025 | Updated: 5:54 PM, Nov 22, 2025

Ford and Novelis said operations at the Oswego aluminium plant have resumed after the Nov 20 fire, with no injuries reported and supply to Ford continuing without disruption. Novelis will use alternate global sources to minimise impact as it accelerates work on its new Alabama facility.

 

[rmc523]

4 hours ago, twintornados said:

https://www.zeebiz.com/companies/news-ford-novelis-restore-operations-after-oswego-plant-fire-supplies-to-ford-resume-as-normal-383819

 

 

 

That's good news.