2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Review: Built For Off-Road Competition

It takes an astonishing quantity of labor and fixed enchancment to grow to be the perfect at something. The F-150 Raptor was first revealed in 2009, proper in the course of the recession. Nonetheless, through the years to come back, this high-speed off-road monster managed to drag podium after podium in Dakar, SCORE Baja 1000, Mint 400 and different off-road occasions occurring in between.

The primary era F-150 Raptor received the Pickup Truck of the Yr award in 2011, the second era received the award in 2017. Now, Ford did it once more with the 2022 F-150 Raptor. The three^rd era got here with a full refresh and Ford engineers and designers labored exhausting to get the pickup in line for its 3^rd award. 

Brutal, But Not Overkill

Sure, everybody was grumpy for not having a V8 choice accessible with the second era F-150 Raptor. Much more protests have been heard as soon as Ford introduced the V6 EcoBoost from the two^nd era was to be carried over to the three^rd gen Raptor. Despite the fact that there’s 500 lb-ft of torque accessible from the three.5-liter V6 EcoBoost alongside 450 hp, there was nonetheless lots of like to be missed for the dearth of two further cylinders within the block. On the expense of 10 lb-ft, the brand new iteration of the V6 EcoBoost now manages to develop 500 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM, in comparison with the earlier 3500 RPM.

Placing it on the tarmac, the 2022 F-150 Raptor now will get to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and flies previous the quarter mile mark after 14.9 seconds. Speedtrap exhibits 93.3 mph on the quarter mile line. In different phrases, though it lacks the additional 10 lb-ft of torque, the sooner torque curve makes the three^rd era Raptor greater than half a second faster to 60 mph and over the 1/4 mile. 

Competitors Crushing Suspension

There’s no method the F-150 Raptor received so many off-road competitions solely by way of engine energy. In actual fact, regardless of the somewhat spectacular acceleration occasions, it’s the suspension that catches the highlight. A lot effort and {hardware} has gone into the event of the three^rd era F-150 Raptor suspension, it leaves the opponents into mud.

When you’re off the asphalt, the F-150 Raptor begins feeling at residence. Change into Baja suspension mode and put a pair of expert palms on the wheel. Press the throttle and also you get the 2022 F-150 Raptor to assault bumps, trails and desert roads at 3-digit speeds with out even a touch of fear.

How’s this attainable? It occurs because of the 5-link impartial suspension setup, utterly redesigned on the rear, normal 35-inch tires and an optionally available Torsen entrance restricted slip differential. There’s an enormous 12-inch hole performing as floor clearance and insane 31-degrees of strategy angle. Fortunately, steps come normal so you’ll grunt much less when moving into or out of the pickup truck.

Surprisingly Luxurious Inside

On the surface, the 2022 F-150 Raptor seems to be and feels large. The identical design cues are pulled to the within of the cabin. Simply as with earlier variations, the inside is upscale and comfy, with giant door openings and loads of head area and legroom.

There’s a sheer abundance of data coming from the digital driver display and Sync 4 infotainment system. If you happen to’re trying to severely improve the consolation and inside look of your Raptor, the optionally available Recaro front-seats with rhapsody blue accents is an absolute should. The inside seems to be surprisingly luxurious whenever you make the improve.

A Veritable Winner

There isn’t a foul play right here. The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor advantages from greater than a decade of enhancements, trial and error. It delivers respectable efficiency on the highway, proving to be a trusty workhorse. Nonetheless, the beast solely will get out of the cage as soon as the cumbersome 35-inch tires chew into the off-road. There, the correctly engineered suspension and driving modes present why the F-150 Raptor is an off-road monster.