The lightning is awesome, except the embarrassingly bad infotainment system.

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

Obviously I know this truck is less “tech-y” than a tesla, but dang you’d think a vehicle that relies so heavily on the infotainment system would have a little better quality and better refresh rate than what feels like 10-15hz.

I'm with you brother.

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[Effonefiddy Lightning]

Yeah, the Lightning software is awful. Anyone who also owns a Tesla will agree.

The navigation shows you where all the gas stations are. Telling, and how embarrassing.

Why can't I send a destination from my phone? Why can't I get a real time location? My kids laugh when I try to add a destination with vioce commands. Options show up in a list but not on the map. Useless.

Why does it take so long to boot up every time? (10 seconds). Why do we have to turn it on and off? Why don't the windows work when it is "off" and someone opens the door? Why does phone as a key work only most of the time? My wife now only carries the monster key fob in fear of getting locked out again. Old ICE mentality.

Navigating to a DC fast charger? Total gamble unless you've been there before. How do you pre-heat the battery for fast charging? It doesn't matter because the fast charging isn't fast.

OTA updates? Kareokee is the biggest one? What a joke.

Tesla is iPhone 16, Ford is like a flip phone.

Oh well, it is a good truck, not a great electric vehicle. I got a good deal on it. I wish the dealer could figure out why the service engine soon light keeps coming on.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

There are way better infotainment systems out there.

 

[Joneii]

I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. My infotainment system works. Occasionally I do have Apple CarPlay connect without audio, but it resolves with a power cycle.

I own a Tesla MY and to be honest I much prefer the Lightning. With CarPlay I can dictate a book if I want and send it as a text. The Tesla seems to be stuck in X mode or something and only allows short text dictation. Although, my kids probably appreciate my Tesla texts more because they are five words or less!

I love having access to multiple apps like my calendar, my Active 911 (a first responder alert app), maps (Apple, Google and the Ford Nav—I’ve used them all at various times for different reasons). I guess what I really like is that I can decide what I want to use. In my Tesla there is no choice unless I want to handle my phone (something I try not to do while driving).

 

[Richie740]

Watching Netflix right now so I'd say the infotainment center is pretty good.

 

[JohnnyEV]

Coming from a Tesla M3P the only thing better in my Tesla was the sound system in my opinion. I prefer all the physical buttons in my Lightning and the ability to use Android Auto.

 

[shutterbug]

I'd rate the system as OK but unimpressive. My wife seems to consider it somewhat bad, but she's been spoiled by the better system in....our Mach-E. We do use 'Droid Auto, ABRP, Plugshare, etc. rather than the built-in navigation system*, and we gave up on Phone as a Key years ago. Lower expectations FTW. Also, we like down-to-Earth features such as the air vents and gloveboxes which you can operate with hands rather than using Tesla's system of voice or touchscreen commands.

Not exactly sure what makes MME infotainment system better than Lightning. I do think that the IPC on Lightning is much better and more useful than MME.

 

[Mach Turtle]

Not exactly sure what makes MME infotainment system better than Lightning. I do think that the IPC on Lightning is much better and more useful than MME.

Just our opinions based on personal experience. We are comparing our MME to a Lightning XLT with the smaller screen. I like the IPC on the MME more, even though it has a little less information, because I think it presents that information in a clearer way...but I can see why you might prefer the truck's more detailed view.

Hope you get that MME Rally soon and it's as fantastic as the reviews suggest it should be.

 

[shutterbug]

Hope you get that MME Rally soon and it's as fantastic as the reviews suggest it should be.

Got it last Wednesday. It's awesome.

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