I’ve already demonstrated how helpful the Ford Lightning’s frunk will be for 100% novel/ridiculous makes use of. Now it is time to take a deeper dive into how helpful it may be for extra widespread storage. At first look, it looks as if a gaping house, however as I’d uncover, it is not as helpful as its whole quantity would suggest. That is to not take something away from it — the Lightning frunk is a very game-changing characteristic for the trunk. No have to take up passenger house or purchase a tonneau cowl for secured mattress storage.
Formally, the entrance trunk quantity is 14.1 cubic toes. That is the identical as a Hyundai Elantra compact sedan, so let’s use that automotive’s baggage take a look at as a comparability level.
Right here is the frunk. Seems to be enormous, proper? On the very least, the entry is nuts and the big hood looming above it’s fairly the visible.
Like many SUVs nowadays, there may be under-floor storage. It is too shallow for any of my baggage, however the lid is detachable (extra on that lid later), which means its house is truthful recreation for this take a look at.
OK, let’s get to the baggage. As with each Baggage Take a look at, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that might must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 extensive, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
Uh oh. That is all I may muster: one of many greater baggage (blue) and the 2 medium baggage (black). Observe that the massive blue bag is sitting within the underfloor storage effectively. It is too tall to suit in any other case.
Ought to you will need to use the underfloor space, although I am unsure how real looking that’s, I may solely match the 2 medium black baggage and the smaller blue curler. And, I suppose, the smushed fancy bag someplace, not that that counts per Baggage Take a look at guidelines.
In contrast, right here is the 14.2-cubic-foot trunk of an Elantra. All my baggage match.
So what is going on on right here? It comes right down to all that leftover house across the baggage within the Lightning frunk. As I’ve proven time and time once more with these assessments, the boxier a cargo space is, the extra helpful it’s. The Lightning’s frunk is nearly an oval, which means its whole quantity is ill-suited for swallowing sq. objects. Ought to it is advisable to fill it with shrimp, or one thing, it’s going to be significantly better.
Ultimately, this as soon as once more proves that evaluating cargo volumes between physique kinds is just not really helpful, and that cargo volumes do not inform the entire story.
Now, let’s flip to different frunk-related issues, as a result of there’s nonetheless loads to speak about this house even when its luggage-carrying leaves one thing to be desired.
The detachable ground piece is double sided. One is a grippy corrugated floor corresponding to the encircling space. The flip facet has recesses to maintain issues in place and an imperial measuring tape.
This is a close-up of the measuring tape. Regardless of it utilizing imperial models, the frunk quantity is listed in liters (400) relatively than cubic toes (14.1). The burden restrict is in kilos. Hmm, I’m wondering if Canadian-market Lightnings are all metric?
There are useful pop-out hooks throughout the frunk lining, that are helpful for hanging Halloween lights and faux spider webs, or securing grocery baggage.
Listed here are the frunk’s Professional Energy retailers, together with 4 commonplace family plugs, a USB-A port and USB-C port.
There are LED lights within the frunk, which you’ll be able to activate with this button.
You open and shut the frunk utilizing the important thing fob or through this little button positioned the place the arrow is pointing.
And at last, beware the big loop of metallic that hangs down from the hood. I repeatedly banged my head on it whereas doing this take a look at in addition to a number of instances after. I did not understand it till now, however you may really see the grease mark it left on my brow. I additionally clonked my son’s head on it when exhibiting him the Halloween decorations. Sorry Buddy.
True, I am 6-foot-3, however yeah … ouch.