Hey everyone, I’m new here and I’ve always been fascinated by the Ford Raptor whenever I see one on the road. I don’t know much about half-ton trucks, so I’d love to learn more.
Is the Raptor the best in its class, or are there better options out there? What’s the difference between the Raptor and a regular F-150? If you were to buy a half-ton truck, which one would you choose and why?
The 10-speed automatic can feel sluggish and jerky sometimes. The 3.5L EcoBoost engine has decent power, but for the Raptor’s size, it could really benefit from a V8 like the one in the Raptor R. Parking it is a pain, though—like most full-sized pickups.
The size can be a downside, but it’s also one of the Raptor’s strengths. Fuel mileage isn’t great, but no one buys a Raptor for that. The ride is super comfortable, and the EcoBoost V6 is plenty powerful and fast. Tons of space and utility—it’s a great truck overall.
@Adler
I’m not so sure about the V6 being enough for a truck like this. Doesn’t a V8 make more sense?
Vaughn said:
@Adler
I’m not so sure about the V6 being enough for a truck like this. Doesn’t a V8 make more sense?
I get the concern, but the V6 is actually lighter than the older V8 and performs better. It’s also faster. Sure, it doesn’t sound as good, but the newer Raptors have tech to improve exhaust noise.
I’ve owned a few F-150s, including a 6.2L Raptor, a 5.0L Roush, a 5.0L FX, and a 3.5L Raptor. For daily driving, the 5.0 FX is the best overall. But if you’re going off-road, the Raptor is in a completely different league.
If you don’t off-road, though, the Raptor doesn’t make much sense compared to a regular 3.5 or 5.0 F-150. That said, the Raptor’s seats and ventilated cooling are amazing!
I just got the 2024 Ranger Raptor last month, and it’s incredible! I upgraded from a 2013 Jeep Wrangler 2-door manual with a 3.6L V6, and the Ranger Raptor feels like a baby F-150 Raptor. It’s loaded with features from Ford Performance and does 0-100 km/h in under 6 seconds.
Driving comfort is excellent—it feels more like an SUV than a big truck. The 12-inch screen is great, and I love that it still has physical knobs for the A/C and other controls.
The downside? Fuel mileage is terrible. My Wrangler, with a smaller tank and bigger engine, got 450 km per tank. The Ranger Raptor struggles to hit 350 km with a larger tank. But overall, it’s the perfect size for a pickup—big enough but not overwhelming. Haven’t had the chance to go off-road yet, but I’m sure it’ll be a blast.
@Sam
Don’t worry too much about mileage. It’ll improve as you get used to driving it. I’m getting around 600 km per tank now, a year after buying mine. It’s a beast when you need it to be and a comfortable ride the rest of the time.
@Sam
350 km on an 80-liter tank? Are you drag racing your Ranger at every stoplight? I had the same 3.5L V6 in a Navigator, and it used less than 12L/100 km. You might just need to ease up on the gas pedal.
@Winter
Yeah, you’re probably right. The display shows 17.7 L/100 km right now. Could just be me adjusting to an automatic transmission for the first time. Maybe the engine and suspension need to break in too.
@Sam
Just got mine last Friday! Too soon to say much, but it’s fast, comfortable, and I can’t wait to take it off-road.
Jaden said:
@Sam
Just got mine last Friday! Too soon to say much, but it’s fast, comfortable, and I can’t wait to take it off-road.
That’s awesome! Let’s compare notes once we’ve both had more time with them. Hope you’re loving it so far!
@Sam
Great write-up! How much did you pay for it, if you don’t mind sharing? Also, do they make these with a bench seat for six people?
@Sam
Is it worth test-driving the regular Ranger first? Also, where do you plan to get it serviced?
Vaughn said:
@Sam
Is it worth test-driving the regular Ranger first? Also, where do you plan to get it serviced?
Skip the regular Ranger—just test the Raptor version. As for servicing, I didn’t know there was a dedicated Ford Performance shop. The Raptor has upgraded suspension, differentials, and other features that set it apart.
If you’re getting a truck, go for the V8 engine.