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The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor has taken the off-road crown from Jeep and climbed so high that it can’t be caught.
2023 Bronco Raptor: A High Performance Off-roader
We’ve known for some time that Ford would ultimately bring out a Raptor-styled Bronco but just think of how quickly the blue oval company has changed the off-road market. Just a few years ago the Bronco was just a fanciful dream that customers hoped would end up being as good as it looked. Today, with the Bronco Raptor on the horizon of delivery, it’s very clear to us that not only is the Bronco as good as it looks, but the Raptor is the new king of the segment by some margin.
A Wild Look
From the first time you lay eyes on the Bronco Raptor, it’s clear that it isn’t the same as the rest of its equine family. From the ground up, this SUV has 13.1-inches of ground clearance. That’s more than any other Bronco by some margin and even more than you’ll find on a Jeep Wrangler, including the Xtreme Recon Packaged version. The super-wide fender flares on the Bronco Raptor are another dead giveaway in terms of its performance.
They conceal giant 37-inch off-road tires and an overall width that adds more than six inches over a Bronco Sasquatch. It also gets a special Raptor-only grille treatment including amber lighting in case all of the other cues weren’t bold enough. What really makes the Bronco Raptor so impressive though is that it’s not just an expensive appearance package. This SUV can really cash the checks that its wild off-road looks write.
Wilder Off-Road Performance
What makes the Bronco Raptor really so special is a lot of the gear that you can’t see from the outside. Behind those wheels and tires is a suspension system so sophisticated that even some of the most seemingly-irresponsible driving maneuvers end up being no big deal. Attack a pockmarked desert at full speed and the Bronco Raptor will soak it up like it’s Rodeo Drive.
That’s thanks in large part to the very special FOX Live Valve 3.1 dampers with a trio of settings for adjustability. They have remote reservoirs and unique upper control arms that provide 13-inches of wheel travel in the front and 14 in the back.
All of that space means that when the road really does require you to slow down and crawl, the Raptor is just as happy. The 418-hp twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood is more than strong enough to take full advantage of the Bronco Raptor’s 67.9:1 crawl ratio. Owners can even select “Rock Crawl” mode where the rear differential locks and the front sway bar disconnects automatically.
Underneath the Bronco Raptor is a full suite of protective armor including a cage around the muffler so you can be confident that breaking this beast of burden isn’t easy.
Can the Bronco Raptor topple the Jeep Rubicon 392?
The Bronco Raptor really might spell the death of Jeep’s long-standing hold on the off-road market. What’s more, is that it seems as though Ford is specifically holding back an even more extreme Raptor R trim for some time down the road. That version could feature even more off-road equipment and a V8. We certainly decide to up the ante.
