The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is a raucous and attractive pickup truck that evokes a cacophony of emotions. Join me as I dissect the specifics of this "monstrous" SUV with gusto and passion, tackling its performance, handling, features and off-road capabilities with my usual tact and restraint. And also some big mistakes. So the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor test.
I recently found myself in temporary possession of the latest, expensive and extravagant pick-up that evokes emotion and catches the eye of every passerby. I did it 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor test.
Naturally, I decided to find out if this automotive "peacock" was worth every euro or dollar it demanded. So, without further ado, here is my completely unscientific test based on the extreme, admittedly positive feelings I have about the Ford brand. So 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor test, along with my thoughts on its performance, handling, features and off-road capabilities.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor test
Performance: Baby muscle
The Ranger Raptor has 3.0 liter V6 engine EcoBoost, which develops 292 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and torque 491 Nm (362 lb-ft) at 2,300 rpm. While these numbers are impressive, they are necessary to shift a significant amount of vehicle weight, which weighs 2475 kg (5456 lbs). And the result? A pickup that accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). Combined fuel consumption is 13.8 l/100 km, which is decent for this class. But with a little more horsepower, the Raptor could be a real "muscle" truck. These little more horses mean at least 100 more horses. This would allow the car to challenge some electrified Volkswagen ID.3 on the flat. Kidding! 7.9 seconds is an eternity. Even in a car as big as the Ford Ranger Raptor, where mass seems to move faster than normal cars.
Off-road capabilities: Jack of all trades, but still prefers "rally" - 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor test
Ford Ranger Raptor it is equipped with an advanced permanent four-wheel drive system, an all-new electronically controlled 10-speed transmission and front and rear differential locks. It boasts seven selectable driving modes, including an off-road-focused Baja mode that optimizes the vehicle's electronic systems for fast off-road driving. And I should say that this is his main "setup" element. So a quick ride on macadam, possibly dunes, which are not very common in "continental" Europe. In principle, this is not a car that you would stock with a lot of Overland equipment, which has its own "weight", and conquer some more serious trail route in the Alps. It doesn't have the right chassis or load capacity for these things. But I still believe that it can handle even the most difficult off-road climbs when it is not well loaded with wilderness survival gear.
But back to basics. The Trail Control™ system acts as cruise control for off-road driving. Drivers can set a speed below 32 km/h (20 mph) and the vehicle will manage acceleration and braking, leaving the driver to focus on steering through treacherous terrain. Great car, if the car wasn't so "wide". This is, of course, known for every forest off-road route and poor off-road performance due to physical limitations.
Ride experience: off-road roller coaster
Driving the Ford Ranger Raptor is as temperamental as my mood. On asphalt, even in sports mode, the vehicle likes to exaggerate like a stubborn mule. Sport mode does little to solve this problem, as between normal and sports mode I don't notice too much of a difference. In classic two-wheel drive on the rear pair of tires, it will quickly blow your ass. He does this in a controlled manner, but still on the border of healthy - even safe reason. Especially if the ground is slippery or wet. Despite sports chassis settings and also the steering wheel, however, the car reaches the limit relatively soon, also due to the gears. Even off-road, the Raptor pales in comparison to the regular Ford Ranger thanks to its wider stance and suspension tuned for Baja racing rather than rock crawling. I say the latter with reluctance, because I have not tackled serious terrain with the vehicle. It has experienced only a few kilometers of flat macadam, which is also its basic habitat. But I guess a regular Ford Ranger would handle most classic off-road situations just as well, or even better, as long as you give it a go. off-road tires. Still, its impressive off-road capabilities on paper and programs somewhat make up for this shortcoming. As for the transmission, it's slower than a snail carrying an anvil in manual mode. Which surprised me a bit. In particular, the car protects itself excessively when shifting down, which is only possible at a fairly safe number of revolutions. At the same time, it is slow even when shifting up. These are my feelings. Mainly also due to the fact that I am strongly infected with "electric" cars, I am not suitable for this kind of assessment. But it's all quite antediluvian and far from the concept of "performance". This is my view and experience with the test vehicle, where I allow for the possibility that it is a fault of the test vehicle.
Practicality: A beast of burden
Ford Ranger Raptor it trades rawness for performance, with less payload and towing capacity than the standard Ford Ranger. This is a drawback for those who need their own semi truck for serious lifting of heavy loads (1000 kg less towing weight and 400 kg less load capacity compared to the classic Ranger). On the other hand, the Ranger Raptor has dual off-road escape points at the front and rear, allowing for flexible extrication options when driving off-road. The design allows you to access one rescue point if the other is buried and use leveling straps for traction in deep sand or thick mud. This was tested by my fellow journalists who drove it in front of me in all possible ways, as evidenced by the multitude of vehicle damages. However, this matter is rather unimportant, because serious off-road fans prefer to replace it with their own solutions, such as winches and special specialized towing points that can be removed or stored.
Sound: Roaring Beast
One of the most attractive features Raptor is its charming exhaust sound. This characteristic and powerful noise is quite unusual for the truck segment, which sets the Raptor apart from boring, ordinary competitors. This is practically its best point and definitely the thing that made me completely fall in love with the vehicle. Switch to Baja mode and drive around downtown. The effect is more than surprising. But the exhaust system has an interesting silent function, which is suitable for those moments when you have to drive into the block's garage and don't want to wake up the neighbors.
Inside: Top Gun meets truck
Inside the Ranger Raptor's cabin are all-new fighter jet-inspired sports seats that provide greater comfort and support during fast cornering. With orange, for me red, accents and ambient lighting, the interior exudes a lively off-road atmosphere.
Infotainment system it's modern and user-friendly, with smart adaptive cruise control that adapts to traffic signs and steering assist that works exceptionally well. The upgraded headlights are a marked improvement over the previous generation and offer smart functionality. However, there are a few areas where the Raptor stumbles, e.g slow wireless charging of phones, which takes longer than a transatlantic flight. In general, I have to praise information system, which is easy to use and also some hidden functions, such as managing the radar cruise control settings, can be reached quickly and easily. Namely, the automotive journalist in front of me turned off the smart radar cruise control function. And set up a few other things in his own way that were not entirely logical. But Ford has made a really user-friendly environment where things and settings of the car can be accessed without any problems. Connectivity with is also excellent Apple Carplay and Google Android, which works as expected. But it still does not limit the basic functions of the car.
One the greatest advances compared to the previous generation, the sound insulation of the cabin is better than its predecessor and therefore more comfortable to drive. However, Ford moved the handle for opening the door from the classic position and created the possibility that the door can be accidentally opened during off-road driving if you hold on to the door. A completely unnecessary change, which in my opinion is even a bit dangerous. The ventilation of the cabin is also better, which in the new Ford Ranger Raptor is also possible for passengers on the back seat. But it still seems that the car overheats the cabin immediately after starting and takes some time to catch the correct setting and bring the temperature down to the desired level.
Build Quality: A Tale of Broken Promises
Ford Ranger Raptor as a "global world vehicle" it is the same in all markets - the manufacturing quality does not quite meet European standards. The materials inside, which are hard but vulnerable at the same time, do not meet these standards either. This may disappoint those expecting a higher level of craftsmanship at this price point. The journalist's test car had only 4500 kilometers, but showed considerable wear. Sure, the car has been field tested, but that doesn't bode well for its long-term durability. Rather, it suggests that, like BMW, Ford has also found that investing in the quality of materials and workmanship does not have a significant impact on sales figures. Therefore, it seems that certain key points of the vehicle have not greatly "improved" compared to the previous generation. I'm scolding hard. Once upon a time, Ford was known to excel in the field of material durability.
Not a problem in hard materials. These are an excellent choice when it comes to materials that can then withstand a large load. Many things are done in such cars, so the choice of "plastic" and its durability is important. The Ford Ranger, however, is also known for certain problems with undercarriage rust, which, in my humble estimation, has not been completely remedied in the new generation of vehicles. But all manufacturers have had problems with this recently, so Ford does not deviate excessively in this regard.
New vs. old: comparing generations
Because I personally own it 2018 Ford Ranger I have a lot of experience with the vehicle. The "new" generation is in my eyes heavily revised previous generation. And "evolution" rather than revolution. It's still not a brand new car. The cabin passenger part of the car (passenger cage) is practically unchanged. On the car, I notice a lot of design details and the same "components" as in the previous generation. Also certain design lines of the car. I dare say that the front and rear doors are identical to the previous generation. In any case, I praise the progress in the interior. Assistance systems. And certainly improved lights, which were one of the key weaknesses of the previous generation, whose lights shone worse than the average moped. At the same time, I notice the problem points of the vehicle, which are still the same. For example, the protection of the chassis against corrosion, which does not seem to have taken a big step forward, as it was "washed" during the test, or certain parts of the chassis were already sandblasted. The car has been tested and I am aware that no one has taken too much care. But still, a bad outlook for the future.
Consumption: Thirsty beast
Fuel consumption is a challenge for Ford Ranger Raptor. For the most careful drivers, combined consumption will be around 13 l/100 km (18.09 US mpg, 21.73 UK mpg). However, if you plan to travel at a normal highway speed of around 130-140 km/h (80-87 mph), consumption increases to around 14.5 L/100 km (16.22 US mpg, 19.48 UK mpg). In short, this beast is as thirsty as a camel after a week in the desert. Its 80l tank will save you about 120 euros. At the same time, you will barely overcome 500 kilometers for this money. This is a reality that cannot defy the basic laws of physics. It is a huge and heavy car, with a big and heavy engine and brick aerodynamics. That's also why I can only "praise" the consumption and I don't think it's excessive, taking into account the above.
Conclusion: An emotional roller coaster
Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 it is an incredibly emotional vehicle with a high price tag 76.580 € (Europe market, Slovenia). It offers a unique driving experience and plenty of off-road capabilities that set it apart from the rest other pickups on the European market. However, it has some obvious drawbacks, such as build quality, fuel consumption and the unsuitability of conversion into "expeditionary" overland vehicles. Ultimately, the decision to invest in this off-road giant will depend on your priorities and preferences. If you are looking for an outstanding vehicle that offers an exciting driving experience above all with an excellent sound image, this is it Ranger Raptor may be the perfect choice for you. But if you need a reliable workhorse for lifting heavy loads and Overlanding, you will have to consider other, more reasonable options. And wait for the arrival of normal Ford Ranger. We are still waiting for this on European soil.
Would you have it? Yes, and this is solely due to the fact that he is so "bad" that in the end he is good because of that. Because it is so different that it is ultimately unique. And these are the qualities that make irrational cars legendary. Ford Ranger Raptor doesn't make too much sense, common Ford Ranger it easily defeats him in many tasks. But the first impression is important. And this is the master domain Ford Ranger Raptor. If we add thunder and soundscape to this first impression, we also get a great second impression. With this, a combination that wins the heart beyond reason.
