2023 Ford Bronco Raptor review
- 2023 Bronco Raptor – $76,580
- North American benefit of the year
- Pros: Surprisingly good handling on pavement, unrivaled off-road capabilities, intuitive technology
- Disadvantages: Noisy interior at highway speeds, cramped back seat, long lift over height
- MotorBiscuit Score: 8.4 out of 10
If you want to take things up a notch, this is a serious option to consider. It’s based on the regular Bronco models with more power and suspension upgrades to take over any environment.
. Depending on your driving mode, acceleration may be delayed.
With Normal mode you can get off the line a little faster, but in Sport mode there’s a slight hesitation, like a turbo lag, before the Bronco Raptor takes off. You can use launch control with Baja mode, but that’s only with 4×4 running.
Aside from a slight hesitation at first, the Bronco Raptor delivers smooth gear shifting with strong, confident brakes. However, the downward shifts can be severe when cornering.
The steering is responsive, and the Bronco corners well. It does not appear to be as wide as it is in reality and it is surprisingly fast moving.
It’s easy to park and maneuver around tight obstacles with an impressive turning radius. Trail Turn Assist brakes the inner rear tire for ultra-sharp turning radius, too. It’s as if the Ford Branco Raptor can go anywhere.
Does the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor have good fuel economy?
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is a thirsty beast. It gets 15 mpg EPA in the city and up to 16 mpg highway. Driving off-road, running errands in town and taking road trips, we were hovering around 14 to 16 mpg. We ate twice during our week but spent no less than eight hours stumbling across the road.
Can the Ford Bronco Raptor go off-road?
Yes, 2023 or cross-country racing. Its track is 8.6 inches longer than the regular Bronco for enhanced stability. This is noticeable while jumping axle or taking sharp turns because the Bronco Raptor is well planted.
You get 13.1 inches of ground clearance, Fox adaptive tele-reservoir suspension dampers, a 4.7 axle ratio, full heavy-duty steel plates, heavy-duty Ford Performance bumpers with tow hooks, and a two-speed transfer case.
The high-performance HOSS 4.0 suspension system for off-road stability is paired with an independent low-mass front suspension. There is independent suspension from a Dana 44 axle in the front and a heavy-duty Dana 50 axle in the rear with electronic locker.
Ford added additional frame bracing to improve stiffness by 50 percent, and the 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain K02 tires have great grip.
There is 13 inches of suspension travel up front and 14 in the rear. The Raptor Bronco has an approach angle of 47.2 degrees, a break angle of 30.8 degrees, and a departure angle of 40.5 degrees. Plus, you can cross waters up to 37 inches deep.
Driving off-road in the mountains, the Bronco Raptor felt perfectly controlled and skid-resistant. It enhances confidence taking things at higher speeds and never lacks power when climbing rocks.
It’s as if the traction system automatically predicts potential slips and slides to prevent them from happening. There are driving modes for Rock Crawl, Baja, Off-Road, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, and Normal.
Off-Road and Slippery seemed to suit the muddy, wet conditions better in North Carolina. Trail Control and Trail One Pedal Drive take some of the guesswork out by providing optimal settings to enhance traction.
Access track cams and off-road driving listings to see pitch/grade, temperature levels, how much power is being sent to each wheel, trailer settings, and drive mode.
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor comfortable?
Yes, the Ford Bronco is comfortable. The bucket seats up front are huge, with vinyl inserts and tons of side bolsters to hold you in place. The rear seats are well-cushioned with a comfortable backrest angle, but they are a little cramped.
While the Bronco Wildtrack Sasquatch’s leather seats are a bit more aggressive, the vinyl seats are comfortable and invigorating for long-distance rides.
The wider track provides confidence and eliminates body roll. There’s no sense of feeling like you’re about to go around tight bends. Also, the suspension easily absorbs bumps for impressively smooth performance.
One drawback to consider is noise. At speeds over 50 mpg, the interior gets quite loud, even with a hardtop with sound-dampening materials. Your ears can get tired during road trips on the highway.
Also, the climate control system is loud. The air conditioner is blowing very hard. It is louder than wind noise. You can hear the engine roaring at times, but it’s welcome. The deep exhaust notes are satisfying.
But you don’t always have to be that loud. You can use silent mode to keep things away in the neighborhood. The highest settings are in Baja mode.
Does the Ford Bronco Raptor have a nice interior?
The interior design includes a mix of premium and upscale materials and durable protection features. The plush fabric and soft-touch stuff are of high quality.
Textured plastic and pops of silver catch the eye. Plus, the red and white accent stitching breaks up large chunks of black to stand out. The thick, all-weather rubber flooring is highly protective and easy to clean.
Visibility from the front is pretty good, but the wide hood and thick C-pillars can get in the way. There is no rear view because the huge spare tire takes up a lot of space. But the large side mirrors and camera viewfinders keep things simple.
The roof and door panels are easy to remove in a matter of seconds, and the Raptor Bronco has a standard storage bag for it.
The interior has a convenient layout, with everything you need placed within easy reach. The entry-level climb is quite tall, but the standard running boards help. If the doors do not open wide enough, they can be removed.
Does the Ford Bronco Raptor have good technology?
Yes, the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is sophisticated and easy to use. The 12.0-inch infotainment system and 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster are powered by Ford Sync 4 software. The system runs incredibly fast with eye-catching graphics.
The menus are simple, so adjusting settings and profiles is convenient. There are controls on the steering wheel that let you set off-road modes, exhaust level, and driver information.
But you can also access setup on the touchscreen and physical controls near the center console. The physical controls are uncluttered, and each button is clearly labeled.
However, you cannot see which drive mode the gear selector is in. This information is in the digital gauge cluster and is sometimes blocked by the steering wheel.
The built-in navigation system has a solid connection, even in areas without cell phone service. Also, the phones are easy to connect, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard.
In addition, the wireless phone charging pad is securely in place to prevent your phone from falling. USB ports are located front, back, and on the dash near the pre-wired auxiliary switches for your custom equipment.
Camera offerings have been developed with high definition and backup network lines. The Raptor Bronco has one of the most impressive 360-degree displays out there with enhanced visibility.
Ford Bronco Raptor towing/cargo space
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor can tow up to 4,500 pounds and can carry a payload of up to 1,100 pounds. Features like Trailer Sway Control and Blind Spot Warning make the job easy, and electronically assisted brakes boost confidence.
Access up to 52.27 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats and up to 82.97 cubes in total. The rear cargo hold is massive, with a tall roofline. But you can’t access the rear seats because they fold flat from the rear bumper.
Also, you have to move the front seats forward to make the rear seats fully fold down. The crane height is quite long, which can make loading heavy items or handing over items more of a chore.
Cargo space for personal items is limited. The center console is narrow, and the glove box is cramped. The sides of the doors have only a small grille, and there’s a shocking lack of cup holders. People in the back will have to hold their own drinks.
Seat backs with molle suspension design. Therefore, you can attach your own bags and hang things. Under seat storage is preferred for toolboxes.
Is the Ford Bronco Raptor safe?
While the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor feels safe, controlled, and roll-proof, it hasn’t been officially tested. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) have not released results.
Standard security features include:
- Hill start assist
- Hill descent control
- Lane turn assist
- Damping trailer swings
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keeping assistance
Safety features are smart and effective without being intrusive or overly sensitive. Reminders have a slight beep and a slight vibration. You can quickly turn them off if you find them annoying.
How reliable is the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor?
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is expected to be as reliable as the average new car. It does not have any official reliability ratings, and the prediction is based on other models in the lineup. The regular Ford Bronco has an average reliability rating and is expected to last 200,000 miles.
The Raptor Bronco is still very new, and has to be going through steps. But it will likely hold the highest resale value because it’s the most powerful and capable model you can buy.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor a score of 8.4 out of 10
The experts gave the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor a score of 8.4 out of 10. While the Raptor Bronco is a beast like no other and extremely capable of dominating or racing across any terrain, it has a very high price tag.
It’s wider than regular models, and that helps it feel more confident and stable. In addition, it is surprisingly agile and easy for everyday driving. But road noise at highway speeds can cause fatigue, the back seat is cramped, and storage is limited.
The Bronco has a huge amount of cargo space for large items and strong towing capacity, but the high lift height can present challenges.
The technology is also great and easy to use. It makes maneuvering and finding your preferred settings hassle-free. It’s hard to resist the 418 horsepower on tap, but you can use the silent mode for a more relaxing experience.
We were in a Ford Bronco Wildtrak Sasquatch and a Ford Bronco Raptor. Now we need a week with the Ford Bronco Everglades under our belts.
