Driven: Ford Bronco Raptor
4x4 | ford bronco | ford bronco raptor | ford performance | off-road | reviews
When it comes to factory-spec off-road vehicles, the Ford Bronco Raptor is at the top of its class. Thanks to an excellent suspension, powerful engine, massive tires, and great clearance specs, Ford’s top-of-the-line 4×4 SUV can handle every kind of terrain. We spent a week off-roading and daily driving the “Braptor” and fell in love with this impressive beast.
Available only as a 4-door model, the Bronco Raptor comes equipped with enormous bolt-on fenders, rock rails with removable running boards, front and rear tow hooks, a reinforced rear swing gate, heavy-duty front bumper, integrated RIGID LED fog lights, and more. Measuring 86.9" across with the mirrors deployed and 85.7" with the mirrors folded, it has an incredibly wide stance that provides a sure-footed ride. It also means maneuvering into narrow garage spaces and drive-thru lanes can be tricky.
A lot sets the Bronco Raptor apart from its less spendy brothers, but the heart of the matter is the upgraded engine. Under those functional hood vents, you'll find a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. This twin-turbo power plant produces 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft. of torque. That's roughly a hundred horses and 25 lb-ft. more torque than the 2.7-liter V6 that's available on other Bronco models. It'll do 0 to 60 in just over 6 seconds, which isn't too shabby given its 5,733-pound curb weight.
Like all current-gen Broncos, this off-roader looks fantastic from every angle. It's got boxy looks that speak to its utility and capability and elements that pay homage to classic Bronco design. But make no mistake. This is a modern Bronc, loaded with modern tech to help guide you wherever your adventures take you. In everyday driving, it's more comfortable and quieter than a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, though it's not as fuel efficient, turning in an EPA-estimated 15 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway.
Its off-roading specs include 13.1 inches of ground clearance, a crazy 47.2-degree approach angle, a 30.8-degree breakover angle, a 40.5-degree departure angle, and 37 inches of water fording capability. All that means it'll confidently climb steep hills and wade through streams. The HOSS 4.0 suspension with FOX Live Valve shocks does a tremendous job soaking up the rough stuff but can also handle highway driving without the bouncy ride typical of serious off-road suspensions. Our off-road experience took us over loose, sharp rock, craggy boulders, and steep climbs. The Bronco didn't flinch and powered through every obstacle with aplomb.
To help it conquer challenging terrain, the Bronco Raptor has a steel front bash plate, engine/transmission and transfer case shields, and fuel tank bash plate. These protect critical drivetrain components when crawling over rocks. It rolls on enormous 37" BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires wrapped around 17" beadlock rims. Those tires provide lots of sidewall and big lug treads that provide exceptional traction on mud, ruts, gravel, rocks, dirt, and asphalt. Just try and avoid getting a flat tire as we did because changing this 99-pound wheel-and-tire combo isn't easy - especially using the factory scissor jack and its height extender. We're just glad it comes with a full-size spare.
The Bronco is the only vehicle currently offering Ford's G.O.A.T. mode dial. This stands for "Goes Over Any type of Terrain," and that it does. Turn the outer red ring to switch between Normal, Sport, Slippery, Rock Crawl, Baja, Tow Haul, and Off-Road modes. These modes adjust throttle mapping, terrain management programs, drivetrain configuration, steering weight, suspension damping, and exhaust sound. Sport mode was our favorite for daily driving, while Off-Road mode is excellent on slow trails. Baja mode is best for fast dirt roads, gravel, and sand. Rock Crawl mode automatically switches to 4-low gearing and disengages the sway bars. Inside the G.O.A.T. mode dial are pushbuttons for switching between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel auto, low, and high gear speeds. Switching in and out of 4-low requires a shift into neutral, but it works more quickly and smoothly than we've experienced on other vehicles with a 2-speed transfer case. The button in the middle activates Trail control, a sort of off-road cruise control system that lets you focus on steering while the Bronco manages throttle and brake input to maintain a target speed.
To the left of the traction control and hazard switches, four buttons help manage off-roading. First, there's a switch for disconnecting the stabilizer bars, providing tremendous wheel travel and keeping all four wheels on the ground on uneven terrain. In positions two and three are front and rear differential lockers. These ensure the wheels don't spin at different speeds, maximizing traction in situations where you might otherwise get stuck. Switch number four enables Trail Turn assist, which applies braking to the inside rear wheel, allowing the Bronco to turn with a tighter radius and negotiate more easily around tight corners. It's a neat trick that helps a four-door Bronco feel more like a two-door on tight trails.
One of the great things about the Bronco is its open-air capability. The hard top and all four doors come off, so you can be one with nature when you hit the trails. Removing the two front-row and one second-row roof panels is the easiest part and only requires flipping lock clips and turning levers. Taking the doors off is pretty easy, too. Roll down the windows, detach the wiring harness connector, and remove two bolts. It took just 10 minutes to remove everything except the roof section over the cargo area. That's a 15-minute, two-person operation and involves removing ten bolts, an electrical connector, and a washer fluid line. The al fresco look is badass. Just assume the interior and occupants will get dusty, dirty, and muddy with the doors off. Also, remember that there's only room in the back of the Bronco to store the two front roof panels, so you'll need to leave the other parts at home before you hit the trails.
Inside, the Bronco Raptor blends rugged, practical, and sporty aesthetics. The tall dashboard is as boxy as the SUV's exterior, with a big red BRONCO logo and grab handles on each end. Red accents appear in the stitching, mesh door pouches, vent adjusters, and the 12 o'clock marker on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The genuine carbon fiber on the steering wheel and shift lever look great, as do the red-dotted leather and suede sports seats. The standard marine-grade vinyl seats might be a better bet if you expect to get your interior muddy.
Front-and-center on the dash is a 12" touchscreen running the Ford SYNC 4 system. This system is responsive and easy to use and also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. In addition to serving as the multimedia control center, the screen provides access to the Bronco's 360 camera system, which includes front-facing and top-down views to help visualize obstacles when off-roading. You'll find six pre-wired switches on the ceiling above the rearview mirror for connecting accessories like additional fog lights and other electrical gear.
As a five-passenger vehicle, you'll be happy to hear the rear seats are comfortable and as nicely styled as the front seats with leather and suede trim. Our Bronco was equipped with the optional Code Orange seatbelts, another bold and sporty touch for all passengers. There are also USB-A and USB-C ports and a 120-volt household outlet behind the center console.
Thanks to its tall ceiling, there's plentiful cargo space behind the second row of seats, which fold nearly flat to provide added space for carrying adventure gear. With the back seats in use, there are 33.4 cubic feet of space and 73 cubic feet with them folded. In this photo, you can also see another neat feature: the MOLLE-compatible panel on the back of each front seat. These provide a spot for attaching tools, bags, and other small items using Velcro straps. There's also a 12-volt accessory port in the cargo area, which can come in handy for connecting emergency lights or a compressor for airing up tires after an off-road session.
What else can we say about the Bronco Raptor? Ford Performance knocked it out of the park with this vehicle. It's one of the most capable SUVs we've ever driven and looks incredible. It'll tackle any terrain you throw at it and keep going, and with its powerful engine, it's quick and has torque for days. The vehicle we tested was a 2022 model, and prices have increased significantly since then. For the 2024 model year, the Bronco Raptor starts at $89,835, and a similarly-equipped vehicle will set you back $98,445.
