I owned a Tesla. I also own a Lightning—and I wanted to offer some feedback.
Example:
In the past couple of months, I test-drove several other vehicles I would’ve considered—non-EVs. I drove a Chevy Tahoe with the 3.0, a GMC Yukon with the 3.0, the Sierra EV, and the Silverado EV. Chevy’s killing it with EV range—nearly 500 miles all-electric. The problem? I can’t fit in any of them. Not the Suburban, not the Yukon, not the Silverado, not the Sierra—whether it’s the EV or the regular ICE version. I contacted GM to let them know they screwed up. They missed out on a sale.
Safety
Tesla usually gets the tech right, but I had a serious issue. Dog Mode said it was on, and the app confirmed it. After walking out, I discovered the air wasn’t actually on—which is dangerous for my dog. Then there’s the “auto shut-off to save power” thing some EVs do, like the Lightning. It might sound smart, but it’s dangerous. If someone or a pet is inside, that kind of feature can be deadly. It’s a problem. If I leave my vehicle on, I expect it to still be on when I return. I don’t need hand-holding.
Likewise, I don’t trust the Lightning to keep my dog safe either, with all the auto shutdown quirks.
Range
Tesla grossly misleads with their range. I did a test between my Tesla and my Lightning. The Tesla couldn’t even make it 200 miles—didn’t even hit 170—and it claims 320. The Lightning? It made it, despite being much heavier.
Interior
Ford doesn’t have Tesla-level tech. But they’re doing a lot of things right. First, space—I fit in the vehicle and have shoulder room. Tesla fails at interior space. This is where the full-size F-150 shines. I’m 6'3" with wide shoulders, and I can fit in the front and back, no problem. I love the huge frunk on the Lightning and the overall roominess. Second, features—I can close the roof and have shade. Everyone thinks a full moonroof is cool until it’s 110 degrees in the summer. That wears off quick. If you’re going to have a moonroof, you’d better include a cover—preferably automatic like I have in the Lightning. If not, at least give buyers a way to clip one in. Nobody wants to cook inside their own vehicle just to look at the sky.
Solar Power built-in
Every other manufacturer has gotten this wrong. They have 1kw DIY kits available for the lightnings bed. Tesla almost implemented it with Cybertruck but failed. I want to see an EV that charges itself and does it well.
Power On Board
Another thing I love about the Lightning is all the plugs. I can power whatever I need—especially in emergencies. I’ve run refrigerators during a power outage, even powered my whole house (within reason: fridge, AC unit, essentials).
I’ve also powered a workstation while sitting in a parking lot—just because I needed to. It turned the truck into a mobile office. It was amazing.
The Lightning has four outlets in the front, two inside, another four in the back, and either a 30- or 50-amp outlet (I forget). It’s enough to do anything I’ve ever needed. Huge selling point.
Lighting
Another win for the Lightning—zone lighting. The ambient lights illuminate the entire area around the truck. Super useful.
Cameras
Tesla nails the camera system—not just in the app but in everyday use. Most manufacturers, including Ford, think they need to hold your hand. Once you go above 10 mph, the cameras shut off or say “not available while driving.”
Tesla doesn’t do that. You can view the cameras at any speed—and it’s genuinely useful. Being able to remotely view all the cameras/Sentry footage with Tesla app for security is good. Also, being able to view the cameras while driving the Tesla is so important. Ford? Fail and fail.
Customization
This is what I love about Tesla. I can change my lock sounds to whatever I want—from the Helldivers theme to a quack or fart sound. My horn is a fart, and the family laughs every time. The megaphone feature, the music, the games—they make the experience fun.
Ford? Nothing.
Design
Tesla has excellent design cues. Ford just copies Tesla—but not even the best parts. The little automatic flap, the oversized center console, the vertical screen—it all feels like a cheap imitation.
And there’s no sentry mode or dashcam, despite all the cameras. Even Google’s talking about letting Android Auto users record and view vehicle feeds. That should’ve been standard in the Ford.
The Ford app is basic—it doesn’t control the features that make the Lightning great. Tesla’s app, on the other hand, controls cameras, sentry footage, climate, and more.
Air Conditioning
Ford wins. Tesla sucks. You can feel the air from the Ford but they are known for good AC. Secondly.. Heated and cooled seats.. love it.
Now, back to Scout.
Conclusion
I really debated getting a Ford PowerBoost over the Lightning, but I didn’t want to give up certain features I’d come to enjoy on the Tesla. So I went with the Lightning—even though it can’t go 700 miles like the PowerBoost.
There are always pros and cons. No perfect vehicle. But you have a real opportunity to fill the gap.
So don’t make the same mistake Chevy did and lose a sale. Actually make sure people like me can fit in your vehicles. My shoulders fit in a Ford—but not in any Chevy. Can you imagine not fitting in a Tahoe? Like—how do you screw that up? Cram the seat against the rail and throw in a giant center console that blocks your knee? What the hell. I’m not even “big boy” status—I just have wide shoulders. I should be able to fit in a vehicle, especially one that costs that much.
What worries me is your SUV’s massive center console. That’s fine—as long as you make the vehicle wide enough to accommodate it without jamming the seat into the door and do have room for the legs to spread out!
Bottom line: Take all the technology Tesla does right, all the usability and utility Ford gets right—and refine it into your own thing. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. And I know a lot of other people are too.
** I would love to see a full rear windshield rolling down similar to Nissan.. (This would make it interesting with a camper shell or shell in general to extend AC to back.) Not like how Chevy and Ford and Toyota do it. Oh and don't make the headrests push your head forward. We need neutral spine. Allow for good positions. And you're dead on for having physical buttons. I forgot about sound.. but Tesla no doubt wins with crystal clear sound and built-in sub. Ford advertises good sound but it doesn't come close. Sound proofing for road noise is good in both.
Example:
In the past couple of months, I test-drove several other vehicles I would’ve considered—non-EVs. I drove a Chevy Tahoe with the 3.0, a GMC Yukon with the 3.0, the Sierra EV, and the Silverado EV. Chevy’s killing it with EV range—nearly 500 miles all-electric. The problem? I can’t fit in any of them. Not the Suburban, not the Yukon, not the Silverado, not the Sierra—whether it’s the EV or the regular ICE version. I contacted GM to let them know they screwed up. They missed out on a sale.
Safety
Tesla usually gets the tech right, but I had a serious issue. Dog Mode said it was on, and the app confirmed it. After walking out, I discovered the air wasn’t actually on—which is dangerous for my dog. Then there’s the “auto shut-off to save power” thing some EVs do, like the Lightning. It might sound smart, but it’s dangerous. If someone or a pet is inside, that kind of feature can be deadly. It’s a problem. If I leave my vehicle on, I expect it to still be on when I return. I don’t need hand-holding.
Likewise, I don’t trust the Lightning to keep my dog safe either, with all the auto shutdown quirks.
Range
Tesla grossly misleads with their range. I did a test between my Tesla and my Lightning. The Tesla couldn’t even make it 200 miles—didn’t even hit 170—and it claims 320. The Lightning? It made it, despite being much heavier.
Interior
Ford doesn’t have Tesla-level tech. But they’re doing a lot of things right. First, space—I fit in the vehicle and have shoulder room. Tesla fails at interior space. This is where the full-size F-150 shines. I’m 6'3" with wide shoulders, and I can fit in the front and back, no problem. I love the huge frunk on the Lightning and the overall roominess. Second, features—I can close the roof and have shade. Everyone thinks a full moonroof is cool until it’s 110 degrees in the summer. That wears off quick. If you’re going to have a moonroof, you’d better include a cover—preferably automatic like I have in the Lightning. If not, at least give buyers a way to clip one in. Nobody wants to cook inside their own vehicle just to look at the sky.
Solar Power built-in
Every other manufacturer has gotten this wrong. They have 1kw DIY kits available for the lightnings bed. Tesla almost implemented it with Cybertruck but failed. I want to see an EV that charges itself and does it well.
Power On Board
Another thing I love about the Lightning is all the plugs. I can power whatever I need—especially in emergencies. I’ve run refrigerators during a power outage, even powered my whole house (within reason: fridge, AC unit, essentials).
I’ve also powered a workstation while sitting in a parking lot—just because I needed to. It turned the truck into a mobile office. It was amazing.
The Lightning has four outlets in the front, two inside, another four in the back, and either a 30- or 50-amp outlet (I forget). It’s enough to do anything I’ve ever needed. Huge selling point.
Lighting
Another win for the Lightning—zone lighting. The ambient lights illuminate the entire area around the truck. Super useful.
Cameras
Tesla nails the camera system—not just in the app but in everyday use. Most manufacturers, including Ford, think they need to hold your hand. Once you go above 10 mph, the cameras shut off or say “not available while driving.”
Tesla doesn’t do that. You can view the cameras at any speed—and it’s genuinely useful. Being able to remotely view all the cameras/Sentry footage with Tesla app for security is good. Also, being able to view the cameras while driving the Tesla is so important. Ford? Fail and fail.
Customization
This is what I love about Tesla. I can change my lock sounds to whatever I want—from the Helldivers theme to a quack or fart sound. My horn is a fart, and the family laughs every time. The megaphone feature, the music, the games—they make the experience fun.
Ford? Nothing.
Design
Tesla has excellent design cues. Ford just copies Tesla—but not even the best parts. The little automatic flap, the oversized center console, the vertical screen—it all feels like a cheap imitation.
And there’s no sentry mode or dashcam, despite all the cameras. Even Google’s talking about letting Android Auto users record and view vehicle feeds. That should’ve been standard in the Ford.
The Ford app is basic—it doesn’t control the features that make the Lightning great. Tesla’s app, on the other hand, controls cameras, sentry footage, climate, and more.
Air Conditioning
Ford wins. Tesla sucks. You can feel the air from the Ford but they are known for good AC. Secondly.. Heated and cooled seats.. love it.
Now, back to Scout.
- I recommend that the 150 miles you're claiming from the range extender should be unlimited as long as it's stocked with fuel.
- I recommend competing directly with the F-150 in onboard power. Let the range extender feed into that system too. with Bi-directional power. Also, the cabin space should be equal to or larger than the F-150.
- I recommend pushing range beyond 500 miles. Chevy’s doing 500 with a 200kWh battery—why stop short?
- I pitched this to Tesla, Rivian, and Ford: You need a built-in solar panel in the bed cover—or another creative implementation. People say it won't get much range, but when you're camping for a week and the truck just sits there, 10–20 miles a day adds up. It also supports auxiliary power. Even the 2010 Prius did that. Something is better than nothing—and this would actually be useful.
- Your ambient lighting? I'd like to see RGB customization Light show. Don't just leave it red. People want to personalize their space.
Conclusion
I really debated getting a Ford PowerBoost over the Lightning, but I didn’t want to give up certain features I’d come to enjoy on the Tesla. So I went with the Lightning—even though it can’t go 700 miles like the PowerBoost.
There are always pros and cons. No perfect vehicle. But you have a real opportunity to fill the gap.
So don’t make the same mistake Chevy did and lose a sale. Actually make sure people like me can fit in your vehicles. My shoulders fit in a Ford—but not in any Chevy. Can you imagine not fitting in a Tahoe? Like—how do you screw that up? Cram the seat against the rail and throw in a giant center console that blocks your knee? What the hell. I’m not even “big boy” status—I just have wide shoulders. I should be able to fit in a vehicle, especially one that costs that much.
What worries me is your SUV’s massive center console. That’s fine—as long as you make the vehicle wide enough to accommodate it without jamming the seat into the door and do have room for the legs to spread out!
Bottom line: Take all the technology Tesla does right, all the usability and utility Ford gets right—and refine it into your own thing. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. And I know a lot of other people are too.
** I would love to see a full rear windshield rolling down similar to Nissan.. (This would make it interesting with a camper shell or shell in general to extend AC to back.) Not like how Chevy and Ford and Toyota do it. Oh and don't make the headrests push your head forward. We need neutral spine. Allow for good positions. And you're dead on for having physical buttons. I forgot about sound.. but Tesla no doubt wins with crystal clear sound and built-in sub. Ford advertises good sound but it doesn't come close. Sound proofing for road noise is good in both.
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. Are you saying that the main screen said dog mode but the car didn't cool?
