Pros:
- Plush cabin
- Lots of power
- F-150 practicality
Cons:
- Fuel consumption
- Shaky ride
- It’s expensive
Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV exited stage left at the end of 2025, with its maker – amid the removal of EV purchase incentives – conceding that the market envisaged at the start of the electric pickup’s development remains some years away. An all-electric midsize truck, the first vehicle on the California-developed Universal EV platform, is on the way in 2027, while the full-size hole left by the Lightning will be filled by an EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) similar to the one upcoming from Ram. In the meantime, the V6-twin-turbo-based F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid is your only option for an electrified F-150.
But the Platinum Plus tested here is also a flagship of another sort, with a level of luxury and equipment far removed from the work truck at the opposite end of the F-150 range, and more than twice the cost. What’s it like to drive?
Price Walk: Adding Hybrid or Platinum Plus to Your F-150
We spent a week with a 2025 F-150 Platinum Plus Hybrid. The test truck was finished in the Platinum Plus-only colour, Marsh Gray (an extra US$395 if you’re in the US) and came with a handful the optional spray-in bedliner (C$600 / US$625). The Platinum Plus Hybrid shares its PowerBoost powertrain (full name: PowerBoost Full Hybrid) with lesser Hybrid F-150s like the XLT. Additionally, it is only available with the SuperCrew (four-door) cab and the 5.5ft box.
US Market
| Model | US Price |
|---|---|
| F-150 Platinum | US$68,800 |
| F-150 Platinum Plus | US$83,000 |
| F-150 Platinum Hybrid | US$72,700 |
| F-150 Platinum Plus Hybrid | US$86,900 |
Canadian Market
| Model | CAD Price |
|---|---|
| F-150 Platinum | C$105,640 |
| F-150 Platinum Hybrid | C$108,640 |
| F-150 Platinum Plus (Hybrid only) | C$119,790 |
There are still differences between the two countries, such as a US-only 2WD option.
Good News: It’s Still an F-150
Generations of development led the F-150 to be the practical, ergonomic work tool that it is today. That’s still evident even in this luxo-truck: the collapsible shifter to facilitate laptop working or a lunch table, for example, is a work of genius. Yes, there’s a huge central screen, but only in addition to the large, chunky, glove-ready dials and switches. Having both styles of USB port is a handy throwback, while the B&O audio system sounds great and the screen interaction is intuitive, with clear graphics.
Opening the hatch in the rear window proved its worth on a run to the DIY store
At the same time, there are some luxurious touches here. Plush seats and door trims in matching, quilted leather lend an upscale look. There’s a full-length sunroof, too, while on the equipment side, BlueCruise semi-automated driving continues to be refined. Particularly with the V6 switched off when coasting, or on short stretches under electric power, it’s quiet, too. You won’t get far without the gas motor kicking in, though.
Bad News: It’s Still an F-150
We’re not sure many owners will be excited by the EV Coach
Cruising around in the F-150 Platinum Plus Hybrid is deceptive. There are plenty of times when you feel the engine switch off and think, great! I must be saving a bunch of gas here. But no. In 160km (100 miles) of mostly city running, the truck drank gas at a rate of 16.5L/100km (14mpg) – far short even of the official city consumption figure of 11.3L/100km (21mpg).
Are we surprised? Also no – in our experience, the ironically named, EcoBoost V6 motor’s official numbers often bear no relation to real-world use. Sadly, the pattern is repeated with the PowerBoost version – and we’re not the only testers to experience this issue.
Incongruously, there’s an in-display EV Coach that encourages you to recuperate as much energy as possible under braking. I drew satisfaction from occasionally hitting 100% until I realized how much fuel I was using regardless, at which point the obvious question is: why bother? Yay! I saved myself a cent and kept the planet alive for an extra nanosecond.
“Is PowerBoost an appropriate name for this vehicle? For sure. But if you’re looking to trade your Lightning for a true Hybrid that will actually save you fuel, we suggest you wait for the EREV.”
Truth is, the PowerBoost Hybrid is all about power, and nothing to do with saving fuel. The Hybrid setup boosts the output from 382 hp to 420 hp, and torque from 500 lb.-ft. to 578 lb.-ft. Those are huge numbers, and the effect on the road is that the truck always has performance to spare.
You trade power for capability, though: towing capacity and max payload are both reduced compared with the regular, 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6. On the plus side, the 7.2kW sockets (included in Canada, US$850 option in the States) will run anything from high-draw power tools (does anyone use a Platinum Plus for work?) to electric dirt bikes.
One final reminder that you’re still in an F-150 comes through the ride quality. This luxury vehicle still has rear leaf springs. Fancy as they are, the seats won’t cushion you from the shakes and shudders coming from the rear end as it bucks over potholes and uneven roads.
Takeaway
Pros
- Plush cabin
- Lots of power
- F-150 practicality
Cons
- Fuel consumption
- Shaky ride
- It’s expensive
Constant up-and-down whirring of the power running boards can grow tiresome
If you’re choosing a half-ton as luxury transport then certain features come as part of the package, like the climb up into the cab. Some will enjoy the view when they reach the summit, others will long for easier ingress. Nothing says ‘truck’ like a shaky ride, either.
The F-150 Platinum Plus delivers a singular form of luxury transport that suits some buyers very well. Is PowerBoost an appropriate name for this vehicle? For sure. But if you’re looking to trade your Lightning for a true Hybrid that will actually save you fuel, we suggest you wait for the EREV.
