2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

Overview

If you're lusting for a badass ride that offers extreme levels of off-road performance, you have quite a few options. A great one is the 10Best award-winning 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor, an off-road predator that muscles up the already-capable Bronco SUV with a burly EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6, a multi-configurable four-wheel-drive system, a suspension setup with Fox dampers that can cope with whatever terrain you might throw at it, huge 37-inch tires with deep treads, and skid plates galore. Beyond that, the Raptorized Bronco is also capable of towing up to 4500 pounds and sprinting to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. It's not the most comfortable highway cruiser, but it's not intended to be; this Ford is for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who see the world as a massive, sandy, rock-strewn playground waiting to be explored.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

1

Kia Telluride

STARTING AT: $37,255

2

Ford Bronco

STARTING AT: $36,390

3

Ford Bronco Raptor

STARTING AT: $78,375

4

Hyundai Palisade

STARTING AT: $37,235

5

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

STARTING AT: $44,830

6

Jeep Grand Cherokee

STARTING AT: $42,830

What's New for 2023?

The Bronco Raptor carries on mostly unchanged for the 2023 model year save for a new Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat exterior color option and revised stereo options for customers who don't have a need for the 10-speaker B&O system.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Bronco Raptor is offered exclusively in the four-door body style and a single trim level. Standard equipment includes a beefy EcoBoost V6 powertrain, a stout drivetrain comprised of a 10-speed automatic and 4.7 axle ratio, and all of the off-roading goodies required to endow this flare-fendered machine with masterful off-road prowess. A powerful B&O audio system is standard and utilizes 10 speakers, including a sub-woofer. Buyers can elect to delete the subwoofer and downgrade to a system with reduced functionality or fewer speakers, which earns them a credit of $100 to $665 depending on which they choose. We'd elect to keep the more premium sound system so we can indulge in aural delights when we aren't ripping through sand dunes or slogging through mud bogs. We'd also stick with the standard seats which are covered in marine-grade vinyl and the standard rubberized flooring as they make cleaning out the cabin much easier.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Ford didn't put a V-8 in the Bronco Raptor, but it did manage to stuff a 418-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 440 pound-feet of torque under the hood. The engine pairs exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission and an advanced four-wheel-drive system that works in concert with selectable G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of terrain) modes. The Bronco Raptor also has an even beefier suspension setup than the standard version to best handle powering over sand dunes or jumping through the air, and it has a much wider track that's set up for better high-speed stability. The Raptorized Bronco is equipped with Fox adaptive dampers from the F-150 Raptor as well as standard 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires. It's rated to tow up to 4500 pounds too. During our initial test drive, we were impressed with the Bronco Raptor's off-road prowess both when bounding over bumpy terrain at speed and while crawling through rocky passes with the low-range gearing engaged. While the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 doesn't have the same shove as the F-150 Raptor's boosted 3.5-liter, it had enough punch to hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds at our test track.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Ford Bronco Raptor earns an EPA-estimated 15 mpg in the city and achieves just 16 mpg on the highway. That matches the estimated city mpg of the F-150 Raptor with 35-inch tires but is 2 mpg short of the big pickup's highway rating. Compared to the 470-hp 6.4-liter V-8 Jeep Wrangler 392, the Bronco Raptor shows a marginal 2-mpg improvement in the city with a loss of 1 mpg on the highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the Bronco Raptor surprised us by returning 17 mpg—1 mpg more than expected, but still thirsty. For more information about the Bronco Raptor's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although it flaunts enhanced off-road abilities with a widened stance and massive flared fenders, the Bronco Raptor still shares its interior design and dimensions with the regular Bronco. That means it comes standard with rubberized flooring, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and an overhead set of auxiliary toggles. Those who want a more luxurious cabin can opt for leather-trimmed seats. As with the regular Bronco, the Raptor also features removable body panels and specifically frameless doors that Ford claims are easy to unbolt. While it's only available in a four-door configuration, the Raptor still enjoys all the innovative features found on other Bronco models, including exterior mirrors mounted on the base of the windshield that are still usable when the doors are taken off. Likewise, there's a rack built into the top of its dashboard for smartphones and GoPros, which can be plugged into nearby 12-volt outlets, to be mounted there.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The Bronco Raptor features Ford's latest Sync 4 interface, with a large 12.0-inch touchscreen that's mounted in the middle of the dashboard. The infotainment system comes with contemporary features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The most desirable options also include a powerful Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Bronco Raptor comes standard with Ford's CoPilot 360 suite of driver-assistance technology, which includes basics such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is optional. For more information about the Bronco Raptor's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features will likely include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that aligns with most of its rivals. However, the company lacks the complimentary scheduled maintenance that Jeep offers.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs