2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX Brings Extra Vary and Path Model on the XLT Value : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

Ford’s subsequent massive electrical pickup is taking longer than anticipated, however there’s significant information for the truck you’ll be able to truly purchase quickly. The F-150 Lightning lineup is getting a reshuffle for 2026, with a brand new STX trim stepping in for the XLT. The main target is straightforward. Give entry consumers extra miles, a more durable look, and slightly extra weekend-warrior cred with out bumping the bottom value.

The headline change lives below the ground. The place the outgoing XLT used a Normal Vary pack rated at 240 miles, the brand new STX strikes to an Prolonged Vary battery. Ford didn’t specify whether or not it’s the 123 kWh or 131 kWh unit, however it targets an EPA-rated 290 miles. That alone fixes the most important grievance consumers had with the least costly Lightning, and it does it with out pushing the sticker north.

Energy nonetheless comes straightforward. The STX makes use of a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup good for 536 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. An digital locking rear differential is commonplace, which ought to assistance on free trails or boat ramps. Ford additionally borrows the off-road operating boards from the F-150 Tremor and matches the primary manufacturing facility all-terrain tires ever supplied on a Lightning. Trim-specific wheels full the stance.

The look will get its personal identification. Up entrance there’s a new grille with a blue accent strip, the bedsides and hood put on STX graphics, and the seats get STX embroidery. Inside, the STX comes with a heated steering wheel, and consumers who play in mud or snow can spec easy-clean vinyl flooring. Three contemporary paint selections be part of the cardboard too, referred to as Argon Blue Metallic, Marsh Grey, and Ruby Purple Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

Right here is the perfect half for worth hunters. Regardless of the bigger battery and added gear, Ford is holding the road on pricing. The 2026 F-150 Lightning STX begins at $63,345. Vacation spot costs utilized to the 2025 mannequin had been $2,195, and Ford has not mentioned what that charge can be for 2026. Deliveries start early subsequent yr.

Incentives are the wild card. The Lightning is at the moment eligible for a $7,500 federal clear car credit score, and Ford has been stacking its personal provides on prime, with marketed financial savings as much as $12,250 off the beginning MSRP in current promotions. Coverage adjustments scheduled for late September 2025 might alter that equation, which can pull some demand ahead after which cool the market after. If that occurs, anticipate pricing and manufacturing plans to regulate.

Gross sales paint a blended image heading into the STX launch. Via August 2025, Ford moved 19,077 F-150 Lightnings, a 9.7 % dip in contrast with the identical interval final yr. August was a shiny spot with a 21.2 % year-over-year acquire. A closing pre-incentive-rules push in September might give the truck one other bump.

Why it issues for consumers is simple. The incoming STX fixes vary anxiousness on the entry level, provides {hardware} that makes gentle off-road use much less of an afterthought, and retains the quantity on the window acquainted. For consumers who had been Lightning-curious however range-sensitive, this trim is likely to be the nudge that turns curiosity into an order.

2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX fast specs

Horsepower: 536 hp
Torque: 775 lb-ft
EPA vary: 290 miles
Beginning MSRP: $63,345

The STX looks like a course correction that aligns the bottom Lightning with what truck homeowners truly need. Extra miles between costs, more durable sneakers, a couple of tasteful styling cues, and no shock value hike. That may be a good option to preserve Ford’s electrical pickup within the dialog whereas the next-generation truck finishes cooking.

Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on the planet of vehicles. Whether or not it’s exploring the most recent developments in automotive expertise or holding an in depth pulse on breaking business information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or below the hood, Lloyd enjoys take a look at driving the latest fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.