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2019 Ford F-150 Raptor

Starting at $54,450

10/10 C/D RATING
Specs
land vehicle, vehicle, car, off roading, automotive tire, regularity rally, tire, automotive exterior, pickup truck, automotive design,
Ford|Car and Driver
10/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Astonishing suspension, bonkers twin-turbo V-6, looks like a Transformer.
  • Lows Too much off-road truck for most people, cumbersome 10-speed automatic, as wide as a Freightliner.
  • Verdict Hands down, the best pickup for pulse-pounding desert running and pure, dumb fun.
By Eric Stafford

Overview

The Raptor is unlike any production pickup on the road. Ford fit the regular F-150 with advanced off-road equipment and widened its aluminum body for a purposeful appearance. A 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 lurks beneath its hood. Operate its paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic properly and its sophisticated drivetrain will rocket the Raptor to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Its oversize dimensions make tight spaces treacherous, but an astonishing suspension and comfy cabin mean no territory is untamable and no trip is uncomfortable. Compared with conventional pickups, the Raptor is on another level—providing pure, dumb fun like no other.

What's New for 2019?

While the Raptor has remained mostly the same since Ford introduced this second-generation version, the F-150's radical twin receives an upgraded suspension for 2019. The new Fox Racing adaptive dampers are standard, and they automatically adjust in real time as driving conditions change. The Raptor also gains a low-speed cruise control called Trail Control, which makes climbing rocky terrain and other off-road obstacles easier for the driver. The rest of the updates include new paint colors, a new wheel design, and optional Recaro front seats for added support and style.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

SuperCab
$54,350
SuperCrew
$57,335

The Raptor doesn't make sense for everyone; for those who rarely leave the tarmac, there's the regular F-150. Still, we prefer the more expensive Raptor for the enjoyment value alone. We'd opt for the spacious SuperCrew cab and the 801A package, which adds leather-trimmed seats, heated power-adjustable front seats, and a power-sliding rear window. We'd also choose the 4.10 Torsen front differential for improved trailblazing, and we'd splurge on the awesome panoramic sunroof.

Engine, Transmission, Towing, and Performance

Likes: Exhilarating acceleration and engine sounds, hugely entertaining to drive, incredibly comfortable on all surfaces.
Dislikes: Transmission reacts slowly under hard acceleration, not easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

With Ford stuffing twin-turbo V-6 engines into everything from F-150s to its GT supercar, it's no surprise that the company chose to power its high-performance desert truck with one. While ditching the previous Raptor's thumping V-8 might seem blasphemous to purists, the new truck's 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 is bonkers. The paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission is a workhorse, but it sometimes fumbles to find the right gear. While the Raptor is too much truck for most people, it can tow up to 8000 pounds and carry up to 1200 pounds in its bed.

Ford's pickup is pretty much a street-legal Trophy Truck. Its astonishing suspension allows composed cruising on the road as well as amazing control when you're barreling across the Mojave Desert or soaring over state-park sand dunes. We admired the Raptor's pothole-smoothing, family-transporting duality so much that we added one to our long-term fleet. On pavement, the brake pedal responds evenly to requests for deceleration. However, the soft suspension contributes to nose dive under hard braking. The sensation changes off-road, where its brakes and large all-terrain tires feel more reassuring.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Raptor's rip-roaring power and unrivaled capability aren't diminished by poor fuel economy—at least not compared with its thirsty crew of competitors. Its EPA ratings also align with those of V-8 rivals. In our real-world testing, the Raptor matched its 18-mpg highway estimate, a number bettered by only one of its rivals. No competitor we tested exceeded its EPA figure, while the Nissan Titan and the GMC Sierra 1500 underperformed theirs by 3 mpg.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Crew cab feels like a studio apartment, cabin has many desirable options, vast and versatile interior storage space.
Dislikes: Extended cab's back seat lacks stretch-out space, only available with one cargo box.

The Raptor's comfy, laid-back interior is at odds with its macho visage. It's utilitarian in base form, but available features such as heated and cooled front seats, leather seating surfaces, and unique color choices can add a touch of luxury.

The Raptor's touchscreen infotainment system—called Sync 3—is robust and easy to use. While it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, we've tested rivals with speedier response times.

The Raptor's 5.5-foot cargo bed is as useful as those of its short-bed rivals, and its interior cubby storage is the best among rivals. Those needing a longer bed that's easier for loading should consider the regular F-150.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The Raptor does its best to avoid passenger extinction with excellent crash-test ratings. While rivals have similar options for active safety, Ford's full-size pickups offer several driver-assistance technologies. Key safety features include:

  • Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  • Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
  • Available blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Raptor has competitive limited and powertrain warranties that are only bettered by the Nissan Titan's 5 years or 100,000 miles. The Ford doesn't offer complimentary scheduled maintenance, unlike the Toyota Tundra and the GM pickups.

  • Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
  • No complimentary maintenance

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