Ford delayed its next-generation electric truck that was supposed to be on the road by next year. And we did not see an actual truck during Ford’s $30,000 truck reveal. But Ford does have an intriguing update coming for its current electric truck, the F-150 Lightning, in 2026. The company just announced it is replacing the XLT trim with a new STX trim. And it delivers what entry-level F-150 Lightning buyers are looking for: more range and a touch more off-road personality.
- Base Trim Engine
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EV
- Base Trim Transmission
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Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
The Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Is Now The STX
The most significant change moving from XLT to the STX is the battery. The F-150 Lightning XLT was offered with the 98 Kilowatt-hour Standard Range battery, providing 240 miles of range. The F-150 Lightning STX offers an Extended Range battery pack – the brand did not mention whether it was the 123-kWh or 131-kWh version. The XLT was the only trim still offering the Standard Range battery pack. Ford says the STX’s battery delivers 290 miles of range.
The F-150 Lightning STX packs 536 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque with dual-motor all-wheel drive. It comes standard with an e-locking rear differential. The STX has the off-road running boards from the F-150 Tremor. It also has trim-specific wheels, and it’s the first F-150 Lightning fitted with all-terrain tires.
Unique appearance features for the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX include a new grille with a blue accent line, STX graphics on the bedside and hood, and STX embroidered cloth seats. The F-150 Lightning STX comes standard with a heated steering wheel, and the off-road inclined can choose optional and easier-to-clean vinyl flooring. The F-150 Lightning STX also offers three new color options: Argon Blue Metallic, Marsh Gray, and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.
The F-150 Lightning STX Is The Same Price As The XLT
Despite increasing the battery pack size, Ford won’t charge more for the F-150 Lightning STX than it did for the XLT trim. The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX starts at $63,345. The actual MSRP will be higher than that, though, because Ford adds a $2,195 destination charge to the 2025 F-150 Lightning. The automaker hasn’t mentioned if the destination charge will be the same or increase for 2026. F-150 Lightning STX deliveries will begin early next year.
All that said, it’s likely that the F-150 Lightning STX still ends up being effectively more expensive overall. Currently, the Ford F-150 Lightning is eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, and Ford is using that to offer up to $12,250 off the starting MSRP on the truck right now. The Trump Administration eliminated the federal tax credit for EVs, which expires on September 30, 2025.
2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX: Quick Specs
- Horsepower: 536 hp
- Torque: 775 lb-ft
- EPA Range: 290 Miles
- Starting MSRP: $63,345
F-150 Lightning Sales Are Down In 2025
Ford has sold 19,077 F-150 Lightnings year-to-date through August 2025. That represents a 9.7% year-over-year decline from 2024. However, F-150 Lightning sales for the month increased by 21.2% year-over-year. It seems probable that Ford may receive another boost in September as buyers rush to purchase their trucks before the federal tax credit expires. Though most analysts expect a substantial dip in EV sales after that point (and manufacturers to decrease production in anticipation of it).
