Cars, like people, are never perfect. Such a complex thing offers dozens of opportunities to nitpick. And no car is good at everything. It’s just not possible, given the variety of missions we ask these things to partake in. And yet, here is the Ford Bronco Raptor. Of course it can handle off-road days with aplomb, but things like this, with their gigantic mudder tires, grabby differentials and grunty engines, are often a handful on paved roads.
Nope. The Bronco defies physics.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Quick Take
Get one:
Stupid fun, both on-road or off. Legitimately fast. Looks the part.
Don’t get one:
Lux price, but not lux finishes. No V-8. Give Exxon your bank account number.
Soul Score: 10
Look no further for a one-car solution.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Overview
We love SUVs, don’t we? Well, the idea of them, anyway.
They can take us anywhere! Yea! Like…the mall! Food shopping! Soccer practice! Oh, sure, I’m doing shopping now, but later, I’ll be doing mountain climbing.
The reality is, as you know, much less glamorous. So when you purchase a truck like a Jeep Wrangler, you’re either really into that off-road life, or you really want that cutie in the next lane over thinking you’re into that off-road life. If it’s the latter, my friend, you are making a big sacrifice in your daily life. The Wrangler isn’t exactly polite on the highway.
Ford? Well, they’ve dabbled in weird trucks before. Remember the F-150 Lightning (the supercharged one, not the electric one)? Admittedly, a regular Bronco isn’t so weird. It’s sort of cute, and harmless. Add the Sasquatch package, and it becomes more capable. It’s not this though. When Ford adds the Raptor badge, you know what’s up.
But this is a mini-Raptor, so it’s just the 3.0 liter V-6, not the 3.5 from Big Bro F-150. Definitely no V-8, apparently ever says Ford. Mini, but mighty, with 37-inch tires, a 10-speed auto, and the width of a tractor trailer.
So why a perfect score? Let’s go off-road (and on) to see.
Performance Score: 10. Raptor roar
We aren’t talking about Porsche Cayenne Turbo speed here, but the Bronco Raptor is still plenty fast. The magic comes from the suspension and powertrain, which is perfectly tuned. If OJ had this version, he’d have escaped. Engage G.O.A.T. mode!
Engine
Speed is an illusion. Does it feel like you’re going 500 mph in an airliner? So don’t let the Bronco’s rather pedestrian 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds put you off, the V-6 has plenty of juice.
Start it with a satisfying rumble from twin tailpipes that are somewhat hidden. A V-6 sounds like a milquetoast engine choice, but they’ve worked magic with this one; it revs freely and with little lag up to a redline of 6,250. The power of 418 horses and 440 lb-ft is dulled more by curb weight than anything else.
Once you’re going, it’s hard not to smile, and speed builds pretty fast. It’s actually a more engaging (and better-sounding) engine than what’s in the CT4-V Blackwing. What it is not is the HEMI V-8 from the Rubicon 392, in either sound or feel, but after a few minutes I thought this was a better choice anyway. It’s just more responsive and a better fit for the more nimble Bronco.
Still, you know, if Ford wanted to plop in the 3.5 liter with its 450 horsies, I’d be okay with that.
Transmission
Ten speeds. Why? I’ve driven so many cars by now, I was dreading the “hunting” this one was sure to exhibit.
Not here – the Raptor is never confused, always finding just the right gear for any situation. Eager to kick down and squeeze the neck of the V-6, it’s a wonderful thing. Off-roading? There are 4.70:1 gears and a 3.06:1 low-range that’s engaged with buttons as oppose to the ancient Jeep’s shifter knob. It provides firm shifts, but never jarring, and when you’re in 4H or 4L, never exhibits unruly behavior. Just knows what gear to grab.
To emphasize the Bronco’s manliness, there are *real* shift paddles behind the wheel that are easy to grab at. Bravo, Ford. Will the American flag decal make you smile and sing the G.I. Joe theme song each time you grab for the shifter? Only the cabin will know.
Steering and Chassis
This is by far the coolest area of the Bronco, and there’s a lot to dive into. My notes say “Handles like a sports car!”
Start with a steering wheel that’s nice and beefy, with a fun red-centering stripe. It’s not sports-car accurate, but it also doesn’t require constant tugs to keep the Raptor straight, even with those gigantic tires. There’s also no delay when turning the wheel – the Bronco immediately snaps to attention. It’s really well-tuned for such a beastly thing.
Part of that credit goes to a magical chassis. Nearly every suspension component has been strengthened from the regular Bronco, and when combined with 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain K02 tires, allows you to do things that other trucks only do in dirty text messages.The chassis is nearly 50% stiffer than a base Bronco, and track width both front and rear is six inches wider.
Fox springs with three levels of firmness keep the Bronco remarkably stable off-road, and remarkably flat on pavement. I can’t overstate this – the Bronco’s ability to keep body roll to a minimum is amazing, and unlike the Jeep, gives you the ability to go beyond 80 MPH without feeling like you’re going to take flight.
Top it off with over 13 inches of wheel travel, and I can’t imagine a situation where you’d get this thing stuck. It is a hefty boy – at 5,764 pounds, it gives off baby Hummer vibes, but the Raptor hides it well.
Finally, like on sports cars, there are modes for this thing like Baja that will enable the turbo’s anti-lag function and make it much less jumpy for off-roading.
It’s just a really well thought-out design.
Brakes
The brakes here aren’t anything exotic – 13.8 inches in front, nothing drilled or slotted. Pedal feel is firm and confidence-inspiring to a point. I wasn’t brave enough to induce fade, but with this much weight, I doubt it would take much. Still, for off-roading you’ll be fine.
I love this thing. It’s perhaps an engine away from hall-of-fame status, and yet I prefer it to the V-8 in the Jeep for all but sound. Pick a rock, aim the Bronco for it, and off you go.
Utility score: 7. Managing expectations
Like the Wrangler, this Bronco is a box. But boxes can sometimes be tight.
In the back seat, there’s little leg room. Sometimes being a four-door is misleading (the Raptor only comes with four, not two like the civilian version). You’ll get by, even if you have tiny versions of you, but it’ll be tight.
Same goes for the rear hatch area. Find a split door/window combination that can make loading things easier, although the Bronco is so tall that I’m not sure everyone can reach over the bottom door if just the glass is open. Also, the door swings waaaaay out, so make sure you don’t have anyone on your right.
The front seats are terrific, giving you support in all the right spots and holding you tightly for combat mode. Sitting in cars like this can start to show why BMW seats aren’t as great as they used to be. A sort of ventilated suede in the center also helps to grip your (likely sweaty) butt in place.
Hey, you wanted an active lifestyle, remember?
Fuel Economy: 2. The life of a grunt
Well, it’s not a HEMI, there’s that. So instead of averaging 12 MPG, you’ll get 15. On a good day. Downhill.
How you drive matters, and as I romped on this thing, I watched the small electric fuel gauge dwindle before my eyes. Part of the reason Ford gave this Raptor a smaller engine was for economy, but gigantic tires and grabby gears cause a lot of friction. Expect more like 13. Or 12. Might as well slide a V-8 in there.
What’s left to say? If you can afford the car, you can afford the gas.
Features and Comfort: 8. Team America, World Police
Aww, did that theme song just pop into your head? Sorry, but I’ve been singing it the entire time I’ve been writing this review, and it’s because there are many ‘Murica flags and Easter Eggs all over. Starting at $88,475 for this 2023 model, the price has ballooned up to $90k for 2024. That’s…breath-taking, considering it starts at $39k, though that Bronco isn’t even on the same planet in terms of ability.
Upscale, down market
I think it’s always a tough bit to add lux or higher-end finishes to cars that begin life in a much lower price bracket, and the Raptor keeps true to that observation. That said, everything feels well-built and easy to clean, so there is method to the madness.
There’s vinyl here, but it’s not soft and buttery – think more the overcooked steak variety. The dash too – a fake titanium finish that doesn’t always feel high-end, along with hits of carbon fiber trim. Rubber floor mats complete the look, and you can just hose it down after a day of dunes.
The cockpit itself is laid out logically, with real buttons for the HVAC and and the G.O.A.T. knob easy to access. It’s a much better layout from the Wrangler, which has a more upright and claustrophobic cabin, and it reminds of recent GMC products I’ve been in.
Ford’s infotainment system is easy to use (it’s best when the main menu is always accessible, take note OEMs), with a nice big screen, and there’s a fun gigantic subwoofer in the trunk that’s part of a ten-speaker B&O system. Here I come, everyone.
Raptor Red
This is a sort of funny-looking thing – park it next to a regular Bronco and have a laugh, with it’s ‘roided up vibes.
Easter eggs are everywhere. Open the gas cap and find little call outs to Broncos of yore, or discover the tiny bronco on the headlights. Actually, there’s a lot of animals on here in general – horses and dinosaurs, no Ford oval badge though.
Provided here is a full-size spare, but it’s gotta weigh close to 100 pounds, so good luck with that. The top and doors are removable, and they feel much more durable than the Jeep. It was too cold to do so in March, but boy would this thing be a riot on the beach in California on a summer day.
Elsewhere you get a mix of black plastic and Hot Pepper Red Tinted Clearcoat. Ford lets you paint the fenders and the roof, so maybe go and do that. 17-inch Beadlock wheels are optional, but even the standard gloss black ones look tough. Click all the options and you can easily get this thing over $100,000. That’s a lot, I know, but for a car with this ability…you wouldn’t blink twice at a 911 purchase, right?
The Ford Bronco Raptor should come with a legal disclaimer: please use as intended or sell immediately
I don’t know – maybe a Defender, you might be thinking. But no way, a Defender isn’t this fun. We’ve mentioned the Jeep 392 already, and its dying soon. Maybe the F-150 Raptor? But that’s a pickup truck – different image.
No, I can’t think of anything else that does what this Bronco Raptor does. I think you’ll be more amazed by its on-road ability, because it really does not only behave itself, but lets you have fun there too.
Ford will no doubt want to fill your head with numbers like departure angles and suspension travels, but like 0-60 times, they don’t matter that much. I know I’m not going to see a ton of these fulfilling their intended mission, just like I don’t see a ton of Porsche GT cars on track. What a shame.
So go ahead and take the doors off, remove the roof, and pull up next to that cutie. Rev your engine at them, don’t be shy. You’re active, bro.
Well, the Bronco Raptor isn’t just about keeping up appearances – it’s perhaps the best off-roader I’ve ever driven. Don’t just use it for mall trips.
Unless that mall is in the Sahara.
Thanks to Henry at Kia of Riverdae!
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, four-passenger, four-door sedan
PRICE
Base: $$88,475
POWERTRAIN
3.0 liter twin turbocharged V-6
418 horsepower @ 5,750 RPM
440 lb-ft @ 3,250 RPM
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.1 in
Length: 191 in
Width: 85.7 in
Height: 77.8 in
Curb Weight: 4,945 lbs
FUEL ECONOMY
15 combined / 15 city / 16 highway
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