We spent a week with the Bronco Raptor to see what life with this beast is like. From daily driving to road trips, and slow mud, it delivered plenty of surprises. Check out some of the pros and cons we discovered.
Pros and Cons of the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor costs $73,780, so you might really want to think about it before you buy one. However, driving makes you feel like a million bucks because it’s fun, sporty, capable, comfortable and convenient.
About being too wide for traffic lanes and parking spaces.
It looks long and wide, but it offers a lot of visibility. Parking sensors and a 360-degree camera provide plenty of visibility for enhanced confidence in crowded parking lots and narrow sections of lane.
Also, you don’t have to drive in an extreme manner all the time. You can put the exhaust in silent mode and use Comfort Mode for relaxing trips around town. Normal mode is another alternative to the enhanced Sport mode and Baja mode for off-road driving.
2. PRO: The technology is intuitive, and the controls have an excellent design
Everything you need to set the settings in 2023 is right on the steering wheel. With the push of a button, you can change exhaust settings, drive mode, shock absorber settings, and sound settings.
You can use a rotary dial located in front of the center console to adjust the off-road settings, too. It’s a little more clear.
12.0 inch touch screen is easy to reach and control. The buttons are larger and clearly labeled. In addition, the additional switches are perfectly mounted on the surface above the infotainment screen.
The technology is intuitive. It’s easy to find the settings and information you need in the blink of an eye. The graphics look great, and the Ford Sync 4 system is very fast.
It’s easy to quickly connect your phone, and the wireless charging pad is an excellent feature. The Wi-fi hotspot provides enough power for kids to play on Nintendo Switch or other devices. And the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system is crisp and clear.
3. Removing the top is simple
You don’t need a friend to help you raise the roof of the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor. The hardtop roof splits into lightweight, easy-access panels. Shorter people can access them from the launch boards.
The panels pop up with the twist of a few keys and can be stored in a huge canvas bag in the back. Taking off the doors is also very easy, but they are held on with screws. However, it can be removed while on the road and stored in the back.
4. PRO: The 2023 Bronco Raptor has no shortage of power
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is built to thrill. It has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that makes 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.
Sometimes there is a slight delay before take-off, but the turbines need to take in fresh air and exhaust gases to spin. Maybe a launch control mode could prevent turbo lag. But once it starts, it flies.
Also, the downshifts can be a bit too aggressive around corners in Sport mode, but the paddle shifters provide more precise control. On that note, handling is very responsive and straightforward. There’s no body rolling around sharp bends, and the brakes are incredibly confident.
The Slippery seemed to be the best setting for our conditions in the mountains while off-roading. The dirt tracks were covered in thick, slippery mud, but the Bronco kept its composure to power through the obstacles. It slipped a bit in off-road mode but felt more in control in Slippery mode.
Also, the Bronco Raptor is starting to feel heavy going down steep inclines. It weighs 5,733 pounds, but it’s still easy to park. Hill Descent Control is useful if you want to do without the brakes.
5. PRO: The Ford Bronco Raptor has tons of cargo space
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor offers plenty of cargo space. There is 38.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats with up to 83.0 cubic feet. Seats fold flat to create a flat loading floor.
The rear hatch opens wide, and the roof is quite tall, making it easy to load bulky items. Also, the rear glass can be left open for quick access. The back door is long enough to prevent dogs from jumping out.
1. CON: The Bronco Raptor features a long lift height
The 2023 has a ground clearance of 13.1 inches, so this is a tall beast. However, access to the cabin is easy thanks to grab-and-go panels and handles. But you may have to put your drink, bag or personal items down before climbing.
Also, the rear hatch has a long loading floor. If you are trying to pull something heavy, lift it with your back and be prepared to lift it up and over the floor of the cargo. The Bronco Raptor may be too tall for dogs to jump up to, either, so you may have to raise it.
2. CON: The Bronco Raptor could have better seats
We found the leather bucket seats on the Ford Bronco Wildtrak Sasquatch to be more comfortable than the seats on the Ford Bronco Raptor. The leather-trimmed seats feel great, and the soft-fabric upholstery is nice, but not as supportive.
They could use a little more padding and support for longer rides and road trips. But it is well supported and holds you in place over big bumps and sharp turns. Also, they have a lot of mod controls.
3. CON: Climate control systems are loud
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is well-equipped to keep you warm when it’s cold out and provide plenty of comfort when it’s hot outside. But the air conditioner is too loud! It’s almost louder than the interior at highway speeds.
Traveling at low speeds, the cabin is very quiet unless you have to raise your voice over the air conditioner. It can be a little distracting and make it more difficult to hear people in the back.
4. CON: The back seat is tight
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is meant for group adventure, but it can only fit four adults at a time. The back seat is quite narrow, and taller people may want more legroom. From the outside, you might assume that the back seat has more room.
But the back row is well-stuffed and comfortable. The backrest is at a comfortable, supportive angle for passenger comfort, but your knees may hit the seat in front of you.
5. CON: Storage of personal items is limited
Not great for storing small items. There may be small boxes and trays to tap into, and the glove box is shallow. There are only two cup holders up front, which can be taken with the driver’s coffee and water.
The back of the front seats has a net tool hand system, but we usually have toolboxes for our gear. The seatback pockets are shallow, and there isn’t much room on the sides of the doors to take advantage of.
There’s a lot to say about the Bronco Raptor, and we’re still learning about it. Stay tuned for our full review.
