Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Model 3 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Model 3.
In comparing the Ford F-150 Lightning's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Ford F-150 Lightning has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Ford F-150 Lightning's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Ford F-150 Lightning is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning ranges from $49,042 to $79,279 while a used 2025 Tesla Model 3 is priced between $34,489 to $42,997.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford F-150 Lightning loses 55.8 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 57 percent of its value. This means the Ford F-150 Lightning retains 1.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford F-150 Lightning’s base engine makes 452 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 425 horsepower. The F-150 Lightning is rated to deliver an average of 76 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 240 miles. The Model 3 is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 363 miles. This gives the Tesla Model 3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford F-150 Lightning. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the F-150 Lightning is 11.9 hours (240V), while the charge time for the Model 3 is 11.7 hours (240V).
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
56759 - 81660
Starting MSRP:
49780
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
72808
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
49780 - 96550
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
42490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
53363
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
42490 - 64800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
66261
Price Range:
49042 - 79279
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
82827
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
66261 - 97417
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
38037
Price Range:
34489 - 42997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
49176
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38037 - 60314
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
27997
Depreciation %:
0.56241566
Resale Value $:
21783
Residual Value %:
0.43758434
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
0.56241566
Category Depreciation Range:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
0.56241566 - 0.56241566
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
24507
Depreciation %:
0.57676273
Resale Value $:
17983
Residual Value %:
0.42323727
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57677703
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57676273 - 0.68367001
Ford F-150 Lightning Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford F-150 Lightning
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.180724714015992
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
1.5 - 6.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
167.42938742975846
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.4 - 167.4
Ford F-150 Lightning Rankings
Not yet available
Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
13 out of / 25Ranking
17 out of / 25Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
19 out of / 34Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab
Available Cab Types
Not applicable
Available Bed Length(s)
67.1 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
Not applicable
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Ford F-150 Lightning Trim Levels
Flash, Lariat, Platinum, Pro, XLT
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
452 hp
Torque:
775 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.075 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
Max Payload:
2235 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
425 hp
Torque:
475 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
MPGe:
76 / 61 / 68
Range (city/hwy):
240 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
98 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11.9 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
MPGe:
127 / 127 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
363 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
82 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11.7 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
66.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
43.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
66 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
131.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
24.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
6054 lbs
Width:
96 inches
Height:
78.3 inches
Length:
232.7 inches
Wheelbase:
145.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4030 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
185.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Antimatter Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Red
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White / Space White
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Quicksilver
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Gray
Medium Dark Slate
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
White
Black and White
