2023 4-Door Superior 4X4 Raptor
Class: Compact Crossover/SUV
Coloration: Code Orange
Seating capability: 5
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortB
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishB
Gas EconomyC+
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyA-
Tall GuyB
Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs418-horsepower 3.0-liter
Engine TypeTurbocharged V6
Transmission 10-speed computerized
Drive Wheels4WD
Miles pushed: 187
Noticed gasoline economic system: 15.3 mpg
Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 15/16/25 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Snow Efficiency: Wonderful
Base value: $83,580 (not together with $1795 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Lux Bundle ($3050), Raptor Graphic ($1075), keyless-entry keypad ($110), 17-inch black Beadlock wheels ($1995), Code Orange seat belts ($395), Inside Carbon Fiber Pack ($1725), leather-based and suede seats ($2995)
Value as examined: $96,720
Fast Hits
The nice: Greenback worth, enjoyable to drive
The great: Roomy cabin, normal AWD
The not so good: Funds-grade cabin supplies
Tom Appel:
What value excessive? How a lot are you prepared to surrender—when it comes to cash and private consolation—to be able to take issues additional than most people are prepared to go? We’re not speaking about consuming jalapeños or taking part in Royal Match till daybreak right here, we’re speaking about your trip. What are the challenges of driving one thing fully excessive?
We requested ourselves that query shortly after taking supply of a 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor outfitted with greater than $11,000 in choices. Ford’s final off-roader (except you rely the F-150 Raptor) seems excessive standing nonetheless, and likewise seems like an possession handful. Actually, a automobile this clearly caffeinated asks a lot of its caretakers.
For these not within the know, the Raptor caps a complete line of rugged Bronco midsize SUVs, all of that are designed to steer off-road lovers (and rugged-minded “tender roaders”) away from Jeep’s in style Wrangler SUV. And, about that mission: In 2023, Ford offered 117,000 Broncos, and Jeep 157,000 Wranglers. Whereas Jeep has the gross sales edge, each fashions noticed gross sales declines final 12 months, although Jeep gross sales slipped greater than Bronco gross sales.
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The Bronco lineup ascends although the bottom Large Bend (about $41,000), Black Diamond ($44,000), Outer Banks ($49,000), retro-themed Heritage ($50,000), off-road-ready Unhealthy Lands ($51,000), Everglades ($57,000), off-road/desert-runner Wildtrak ($63,000), luxury-oriented/retro-themed Heritage Restricted Version, and excessive off-road Raptor ($91,000).
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All fashions can be found in 4-door configuration, whereas all however the Outer Banks, Everglades, and Raptor are additionally supplied with 2-doors. Energy for many fashions comes from a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged “EcoBoost” 4-cylinder. Commonplace, and solely obtainable on the Wildtrak and Heritage Restricted Version is a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 good for 315 horsepower. Unique to the Raptor is one other EcoBoost mill, a 3.0-liter V6 rated at a considerable 418 horses.
All engines mate to a 10-speed computerized, whereas just a few 4-cylinder fashions could be had with a 7-speed handbook. No shock, all Broncos come normal with 4WD.
As for what makes a Raptor a Raptor, the record of upgrades is prolonged. Most notable is a chassis designed to supply greater than 13 inches of suspension journey, virtually two inches greater than the Wildtrak. As famous above, the Raptor boasts 103 extra horsepower than the Wildtrak, and a extra complete suite of drive modes. And whereas each the Wildtrak and Raptor are shod with 17-inch wheels, the latter’s 37-inch tires are 2-inches bigger, and look impressively huge. The Raptor can also be fitted with a novel grille, hood, entrance fenders, and taillight assemblies.
Inside, the Raptor boasts numerous upgrades together with distinctive trim components, a selected steering wheel, and pink/orange seat trim.
Regardless of the steroid therapy, Shopper Information discovered the Raptor to be surprisingly docile in common use, although the every day commuting expertise was not with out its compromises. Right here’s a rundown of the prices of going excessive:
Consolation:
Whereas the Raptor cabin sits slightly increased than that of different Bronco fashions, it’s not a horrible stretch to rise up and into the automotive. Smaller of us would possibly recommend in any other case. As soon as inside, there isn’t a penalty for going with the Raptor, as cabin area and common seating consolation are just about the identical.
Journey high quality is one other matter. Whereas the Raptor trip is rarely harsh, it’s comprised of serious up-and-down motion, which might develop wearisome on damaged and wavy roads. Additionally, a good quantity of noise makes its manner into the cabin, which might make dialog at freeway pace a little bit of a problem.
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Efficiency:
The very best half first: The Raptor may be very quick. There’s loads of punch for around-town stop-light drag begins, and ample muscle for passing and merging as properly. And as we managed to benefit from the providers of the Raptor throughout a snow occasion, we’re glad to report the baddest of Broncos makes brief work of unplowed streets and drifted-over driveways.
And whereas the Raptor handles properly, usually talking, the big tires can work in opposition to you in cornering, because the uber Bronco plows considerably in aggressive cornering, which might scrub off pace, and the automobile’s width limits how a lot rush-hour visitors slicing and dicing could be carried out.
One the plus aspect, our gasoline economic system was surprisingly not terrible; we averaged 15.3 mpg, not unhealthy for a 400-plus-horsepower off-road machine with full-time 4WD, that spent a while snow slogging. For the document, we noticed 18.3 mpg in a check Bronco Wildtrak in considerably lighter-duty driving.
Value:
At greater than $90,000 to start out, the Raptor may be very costly. And, for most people, the very succesful Wildtrak will show to be a extra automobile than they may ever want. That mentioned, when you’ve got the cash, and must personal the most-extreme Bronco, there’s little motive to not indulge your baser instincts. Whereas the Raptors could be one thing of a chore to drive round city, it’s not that a lot of a problem, and also you received’t be burning very rather more fuel. Additionally, the Raptor is enjoyable to drive, and that counts for lots whenever you’re shelling out this sort of cash.
Be aware: This analysis didn’t embrace any critical off-road exercise, and that exercise is core to the Raptor mission. Certainly, if something justifies the Raptor’s hefty backside line, it’s the truck’s authentic rock-crawling credentials. The editors of Shopper Information have loved the providers of a Bronco Raptor for the aim of great off-road enjoyable, and may vouch for the truck’s bona fides.
Be aware: This analysis is of the 2023 Bronco Raptor. The Bronco lineup is little modified for 2024.
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