2023 Ford Bronco Raptor: Check Drive | The Each day Drive


2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

Consumer Guide Test Drive

2023 4-Door Superior 4X4 Raptor

Class: Compact Crossover/SUV

Colour: Code Orange

Seating capability: 5

CG Report Card
Room and Consolation B
Energy and Efficiency B+
Match and End B
Gas Financial system C+
Worth B-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large Man A-
Tall Man B
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs 418-horsepower 3.0-liter
Engine Kind Turbocharged V6
Transmission 10-speed computerized
Drive Wheels 4WD

Miles pushed: 187

Noticed gas financial system: 15.3 mpg

Driving combine: 70% metropolis, 30% freeway

EPA-estimated gas financial system: 15/16/25 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gas kind: Common gasoline

Snow Efficiency: Glorious

Base value: $83,580 (not together with $1795 vacation spot cost)

Choices on take a look at car: Lux Package deal ($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)

Worth as examined: $96,720

 

Fast Hits

The good: Greenback worth, enjoyable to drive

The great: Roomy cabin, normal AWD

The not so good: Price range-grade cabin supplies

 

Tom Appel:

What value excessive? How a lot are you keen to surrender—when it comes to cash and private consolation—to be able to take issues additional than most folk are keen to go? We’re not speaking about consuming jalapeños or taking part in Royal Match till daybreak right here, we’re speaking about your experience. What are the challenges of driving one thing utterly excessive?

2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

We requested ourselves that query shortly after taking supply of a 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor geared up with greater than $11,000 in choices. Ford’s final off-roader (until you depend the F-150 Raptor) seems to be excessive standing nonetheless, and in addition seems to be like an possession handful. Definitely, a car 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 “mushy roaders”) away from Jeep’s standard 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 yr, although Jeep gross sales slipped greater than Bronco gross sales.

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2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

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 Dangerous 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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2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

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. Normal, 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 a couple of 4-cylinder fashions might be had with a 7-speed handbook. No shock, all Broncos come normal with 4WD.

As for what makes a Raptor a Raptor, the listing of upgrades is prolonged. Most notable is a chassis designed to offer 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 be fitted with a singular grille, hood, entrance fenders, and taillight assemblies.

Inside, the Raptor boasts various upgrades together with distinctive trim parts, a selected steering wheel, and purple/orange seat trim.

Regardless of the steroid therapy, Client Information discovered the Raptor to be surprisingly docile in common use, although the each 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 counsel in any other case. As soon as inside, there is no such thing as a penalty for going with the Raptor, as cabin house and normal seating consolation are just about the identical.

Experience high quality is one other matter. Whereas the Raptor experience is rarely harsh, it’s comprised of great up-and-down motion, which might develop wearisome on damaged and wavy roads. Additionally, a good quantity of noise makes its method into the cabin, which might make dialog at freeway pace a little bit of a problem.

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Efficiency:

2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

One of the best half first: The Raptor could be very quick. There’s loads of punch for around-town stop-light drag begins, and ample muscle for passing and merging as effectively. And as we managed to benefit from the providers of the Raptor throughout a snow occasion, we’re comfortable to report the baddest of Broncos makes brief work of unplowed streets and drifted-over driveways.

And whereas the Raptor handles effectively, usually talking, the big tires can work towards you in cornering, because the uber Bronco plows considerably in aggressive cornering, which might scrub off pace, and the car’s width limits how a lot rush-hour site visitors slicing and dicing might be carried out.

One the plus aspect, our gas financial system was surprisingly not terrible; we averaged 15.3 mpg, not dangerous for a 400-plus-horsepower off-road machine with full-time 4WD, that spent a while snow slogging. For the file, we noticed 18.3 mpg in a take a look at Bronco Wildtrak in considerably lighter-duty driving.

Worth:

At greater than $90,000 to start out, the Raptor could be very costly. And, for most folk, the very succesful Wildtrak will show to be a extra car than they are going to ever want. That stated, you probably have the cash, and need to personal the most-extreme Bronco, there’s little cause to not indulge your baser instincts. Whereas the Raptors might 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 way more gasoline. Additionally, the Raptor is enjoyable to drive, and that counts for lots once you’re shelling out this type 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 respectable rock-crawling credentials. The editors of Client Information have loved the providers of a Bronco Raptor for the aim of significant off-road enjoyable, and might 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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2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

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2023 Bronco Raptor Gallery

(Click on under for enlarged photos)

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