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Pros: Comfortable, fun to drive, upmarket interior.
Cons: Thirsty V6 engine, compromises some load lugging ability.
Ford Ranger Raptor Design
Designed and engineered by Ford Performance, the new Raptor is even beefier than the previous generation. It’s higher and wider than a standard Ranger, with some strong Americana vibes. F-O-R-D is spelt out across the front in favour of the Ford badge on mere mortal Rangers. New ‘C-Clamp’ matrix LED headlights just seem to frame it all better than before. Lots of cladding and underbody protection enhance the brawny look. Extra flared wheel arches house 17-inch grey painted alloy wheels on all terrain tyres. Our test car was finished in signature Code Orange with optional decals - as if the Raptor wasn’t loud enough!
Ford Ranger Raptor Interior
The interior is a huge step up from the previous version with a much more modern design and Ford’s latest digital tech. Raptor models feel anything but ordinary inside with more Code Orange highlights, leather and suede sports seats with Raptor branding, and a sports steering wheel with red centre marker and magnesium paddle shifters. There’s a full digital driver display with Raptor specific graphics and a new portrait style touchscreen with Ford’s Sync 4 operating system, including over the air updates, voice control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Ford has reassuringly held on to separate dials and switches for the ventilation controls.
The Raptor is well kitted out with standard features including heated steering wheel, heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment, B&O stereo and a 360-degree camera. On the centre console there’s a tactile dial to select four-wheel drive settings and switch between seven different driving modes to enhance driving on- and off-road.
As pick-ups go, the Raptor has quite a roomy cabin with good legroom and headroom for rear seat passengers and creature comforts like vents, USBs and an armrest.
The Raptor is a little compromised in its load lugging capabilities compared to a standard Ranger. Bear in mind the payload is down from 1 tonne to 652 kg, and the towing capacity is down from 3.5 tonnes to 2.5 tonnes.
Ford Ranger Raptor Performance & Drive
The Raptor is pitched as a performance pick-up and is a different beast entirely to every other pick-up on sale. A new 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 (292hp/491Nm) joins the 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel (205hp/500Nm) and adds real power and excitement. The Raptor also gets tweaks to the chassis, performance suspension and Fox adaptive dampers. A 10-speed automatic gearbox is standard across the range. There are seven driving modes including the ballistic Baja mode with an anti-lag feature for maximum attack in high-speed off-road driving. You can also adjust the suspension firmness, steering assistance and the rowdiness of the exhaust (V6 only).
On the road the Raptor’s sophisticated suspension gives unrivalled control, performance and comfort in a pick-up. It’s supple and athletic, more like a car than a truck. It feels fast but not rapid – 0-100km/h is 7.9 seconds – but it’s always fun to unleash the power of a V6, even in a 2.5 tonne pick-up. The Raptor V6 is predictably thirsty, with average consumption hovering around 13 litres per 100 km. There’s also persistent road noise from the all-terrain tyres and wind whistle from around the huge wing mirrors.
Raptor gets an advanced new four-wheel drive system with a number of different settings, front and rear locking differentials for more traction and Trail Control, which is like cruise control for off-roading. Ground clearance of 265 mm and a wading depth of 850 mm enhance its ability off road.
Ford Ranger Raptor Pricing
The Ranger Raptor is available from €74,138 for the 2.0-litre diesel, and from €77,355 for the V6 petrol.
Carzone Verdict
The Ford Ranger Raptor is one of the most desirable pick-up on sale and it’s easy to see why. It is unbelievable how well the Raptor handles the road, without compromising comfort. It’s well-equipped and gets the interior finish and tech it needs to compete at the top. The new V6 is expensive and predictably thirsty, but there’s no other pick-up on sale that can match it for power, performance and thrills behind the wheel.