2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX Brings Extra Vary, Rugged Appears to be like, and a Smarter Value

Ford’s newest Lightning trim is mainly the reply to the three largest EV truck questions: how far will it go, what does it appear to be, and the way a lot does it value? The brand new 2026 F-150 Lightning STX checks all three containers directly—bundling the extended-range battery as customary, including a dose of off-road grit with all-terrain tires and Tremor working boards, and doing it with out mountain climbing the sticker.

It’s not an idea truck constructed to rack up likes; it’s a sensible, on a regular basis pickup that occurs to be electrical, tougher-looking, and somewhat simpler to justify within the driveway.

• An extended-range battery is now customary on the brand new STX trim, concentrating on 290 miles.
• Rugged bits (all-terrain tires, Tremor-style working boards, e-locking rear diff) with no thirsty carry equipment.
• Replaces the outgoing XLT at primarily the identical MSRP, a quiet win for worth.

What Ford Really Modified

Ford is introducing a brand new STX trim to the Lightning lineup, changing XLT, and bundling a bigger 123-kWh battery, twin motors (536 hp/775 lb-ft), and a focused 290-mile vary. Beauty and light-duty off-road cues—chunkier wheels, Goodyear Wrangler Territory A/Ts, and Tremor-sourced working boards—goal at “weekend path” greater than rock-crawler. The rear e-locking differential is a helpful traction instrument with out range-killing suspension mods. Inside, there’s a black cabin with Grabber Blue stitching and optionally available black vinyl flooring you possibly can hose off after a muddy Dwelling Depot run.

Opinion: That is the proper of pragmatism. Ford didn’t chase Instagram flex with a carry and skid-plate cosplay; it picked the upgrades most house owners will truly discover on moist grass, gravel driveways, and boat ramps—whereas defending the headline quantity everybody asks about: vary. Additionally, the STX badge brings a well-recognized gas-F-150 vibe into the EV world, which is exactly the form of consolation meals Lightning fence-sitters like.

The Vary-And-Value Math (The Half Buyers Care About)

Right here’s the neat trick: Ford saved the worth primarily flat versus the discontinued XLT whereas making the extended-range pack customary. Reported beginning value lands round $65,540, together with vacation spot—similar ballpark as XLT—but the vary steps up from about 240 miles to a focused 290. In a section the place each additional mile appears like free sanity, 50 miles extra for a similar cash is the form of spec-sheet line that adjustments minds on the dealership.

In case you’re seeing one other quantity floating round ($63k and alter), that’s outlet-by-outlet variance on vacation spot charges and early reporting. The through-line stays: extra battery, extra vary, no value hike.

The place It Suits—and Who Ought to Purchase It

The STX is the “good” Lightning: extra helpful than a base work-spec, much less shouty than a full-lux Platinum. It’s geared toward individuals who tow a pair of jet skis, camp a number of weekends a 12 months, and need the EV pickup expertise with out babysitting the battery. Consider it because the EV equal of the previous FX4/STX recipe: sensible traction goodies, on a regular basis consolation, and a glance that claims “I do issues” with out screaming “Overland influencer.”

Two parting ideas. First, the extended-range pack being customary is the true story right here; it takes the Lightning from “possibly” to “yeah, that’ll work” for lots of patrons. Second, the vinyl-floor possibility is a minor element that issues—nothing can dampen EV honeymoon vibes like considerations about sand, mulch, or a golden retriever. In case you have been Lightning-curious however XLT felt just like the unsuitable trade-offs, STX reads like Ford fixing the recipe reasonably than altering the cookbook. And sure, new colours (Argon Blue, Marsh Grey, Ruby Crimson) maintain it from trying like each different grayscale EV on the charging plaza.