2023 Ford F-150 Raptor
Overview
The Ford F-150 Raptor is a SCORE off-road trophy truck living in a asphalt world. It wears extra-wide fenders, long-travel suspension, big tires, and the high-performance demeanor of a Baja-bashing race truck. Most Raptors are powered by a twin-turbo 450-hp V-6 bolted to a 10-speed automatic transmission and will remain so in 2023. However, an even wilder, more powerful Raptor R is coming for 2023 using a version of the Mustang Shelby GT500’s 760-hp supercharged V-8, which will finally give the 702-hp Ram TRX something equally intimidating to snort at. Ford hasn’t revealed how many ponies will be under the Raptor R’s hood, however. Huge 35-inch tires are standard, but Ford will sell you 37-inchers should you need even more ground clearance. Despite the Raptor’s enormity, it has one of the smoothest rides we’ve experienced in a full-size pickup. That long-travel suspension, which is specifically designed to absorb the bumps, dips, and jumps of high-speed off-roading, is wonderfully soft and forgiving over everyday potholes and lumpy pavement. Rocks and dunes aside, fitting this size-XXL F-150 down a narrow road or into a parking spot might well be the Raptor’s biggest obstacle.
What’s New for 2023?
Ford adds the mega-horsepower F-150 Raptor R for 2023. The Raptor R uses the supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 Predator engine from the Mustang GT500, where it produces 760 horsepower. Ford has yet to disclose the R’s horsepower rating but, like the standard Raptor turbo V-6, a 10-speed automatic transmission will handle the shifting. Underneath, a 9.75-inch rear axle with an electronically controlled locking rear differential with a 4:10:1 ratio will come standard. More details, including pricing, should be available later this year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
F-150 Raptor
$72,000 (est)
F-150 Raptor R
$78,000 (est)
The F-150 Raptor is only offered with a crew-cab body style called SuperCrew. While there are a variety of individual options and packages, we’d recommend the comprehensive 801A High package that is made up of several other packages and includes features such as a 4.10 front-axle ratio, an 18-speaker B&O sound system, an interior work surface, a heated steering wheel, high-tech trailering assists, upgraded headlights, wireless charging, and more. The only other option we’d suggest is the Power Tech pack that, most notably, includes a 2-kW ProPower onboard generator.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Beneath the F-150 Raptor’s new hood, which now features a prominent heat extractor, is the familiar high-output version of Ford’s 450-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. It breathes through a new 3.0-inch exhaust system that reportedly enhances the truck’s V-6 soundtrack. The engine still pairs with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission that feeds all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system. If that’s not enough for you, just wait. Ford plans to counter Ram’s 702-hp, half-ton pickup truck—not-so-subtlety named the TRX (T-Rex)—with a Raptor, one powered by an awesomely powerful engine. While the world waits on more details about the Raptor R, we already know that it will inherit a version of the Shelby GT500’s 760-hp supercharged V-8—though we’re waiting for Ford to cough up the final power figures. Regardless of the powertrain, though, every Raptor rides on a sophisticated suspension that includes larger internal-bypass dampers and a five-link rear coil-spring setup. The version we tested showcased the truck’s incredible traction and ride quality on even the most treacherous terrain. Along with other chassis enhancements, a selection of 17-inch rims, and a standard set of 35-inch tires, the Raptor is also available with a set of 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires for better approach, departure, and breakover angles as well as ground clearance that increases from 12.0 to 13.1 inches.
More on the F-150 Raptor Pickup
Towing and Payload Capacity
The F-150 Raptor can tow even more than the version it replaces. Its maximum payload and conventional tow ratings both increase by 200 pounds to 1400 and 8200 pounds, respectively.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The F-150 Raptor is rated up to 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. Opting for the larger 37-inch tires can reduce those figures to 14 mpg city and 16 highway. The Raptor R hasn’t been certified by the EPA yet. Once we have the opportunity to test one on our 75-mph highway route, we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the Raptor’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
For more information about the F-150 Raptor’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Raptor’s cabin enjoys the same design layout and passenger space as the regular F-150 SuperCrew. The high-performance version comes standard with a 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster and boasts more interior storage space as well as what Ford says are nicer materials. The new steering wheel wears a laser-etched logo and now has a race car-style orange mark at the 12 o’clock position; prominent aluminum paddle shifters still lurk behind the spokes. Along with the standard aluminum interior trim, the Raptor is available with optional carbon-fiber interior accents and more aggressively bolstered Recaro front buckets. The high-flying pickup will no longer be offered in the extended cab (a.k.a. SuperCab) body style. At least the SuperCrew crew cab version offers more back-seat space. It pairs with a 5.5-foot cargo box.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Dominating the Raptor’s dashboard is a huge 12.0-inch touchscreen that supports the truck’s standard Sync 4 infotainment system. Along with the ability to interact with Amazon Alexa and receive over-the-air updates, it features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We also appreciate that Ford included physical volume and tuning knobs to complement the steering-wheel controls and voice commands. Those who want to improve the audio experience can opt for the 18-speaker B&O sound system. The Raptor can also be equipped with a useful 2.0-kW mobile generator that’s mounted in the cargo bed and can run power tools and other equipment.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
As with the regular F-150, the high-performance variant offers a variety of driver-assistance technology. Likewise, it’ll have assists that’ll make tackling the trails easier, including what Ford calls Trail Control and Trail 1-Pedal Drive. Both are standard and act as a low-speed cruise control for difficult off-road situations.
For more information about the Raptor’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features should include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
While Ford doesn’t offer the complimentary maintenance that rivals from Chevy, GMC, and Toyota do, the company does provide a competitive limited and powertrain warranty.
Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $65,840/$78,545
Options: Equipment Group 801A, $6150; Power Tech Package, $1995; 17-inch bead-lock capable forged-aluminum wheels, $1895; Raptor Exterior Graphics Package, $1075; Raptor Carbon Fiber Package, $995; spray-in bedliner, $595
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 318 in3, 3496 cm3
Power: 450 hp @ 5850 rpm
Torque: 510 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
LT315/70R-17 113/110T M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 145.4 in
Length: 232.6 in
Width: 86.6 in
Height: 79.8 in
Passenger Volume: 136 ft3
Curb Weight: 5947 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.9 sec @ 98 mph
100 mph: 14.7 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 214 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.69 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 12 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 18 mpg
Highway Range: 640 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 16/15/18 mpg
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor 37 Performance Package
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $78,695/$81,285
Options: Power Tech package (power tailgate, tailgate step and work surface, Pro Power Onboard), $1995; spray-in bedliner, $595
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 213 in3, 3496 cm3
Power: 450 hp @ 5850 rpm
Torque: 510 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2
37X12.5R-17LT 116S M+S 3PMSF FP
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 145.4 in
Length: 232.6 in
Width: 86.8 in
Height: 80.7 in
Passenger Volume: 136 ft3
Curb Weight: 5971 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.0 sec @ 96 mph
100 mph: 15.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 114 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 200 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.70 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 11 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 16 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 570 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 16/15/18 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
