Eric Stafford, with CARandDRIVER WROTEThe Ford F-150 Raptor is a SCORE off-road trophy truck living in an asphalt world. It wears extra-wide fenders, long-travel suspension, big tires, and the high-performance demeanor of a Baja-bashing race truck. It even earned a place on our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for 2023. Most Raptors are powered by a twin-turbo 450-hp V-6 bolted to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite the Raptors enormity, it has one of the smoothest rides We have experienced in a full-size pickup. That long-travel suspension, which is specifically designed to absorb the bumps, dips, and jumps of high-speed off-roading, is wonderfully soft and forgiving over every day potholes and lumpy pavement. Rocks and dunes aside, fitting this size-XXL F-150 down a narrow road or into a parking spot might well be the Raptors biggest obstacle.
Beneath the F-150 Raptors new hood, which now features a prominent heat extractor, is the familiar high-output version of Ford's 450-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. It breathes through a new 3.0-inch exhaust system that reportedly enhances the trucks V-6 soundtrack. The engine still pairs with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission that feeds all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system. The version we tested showcased the truck's incredible traction and ride quality on even the most treacherous terrain.
As if the F-150 Raptors standard 35-inch tires arent burly enough, Ford offers the Raptor 37 performance Package that is featured on this truck. As its name suggests, it wraps 37-inch diameter tires around the trucks 17-inch wheels. Beyond the primary benefit of having bigger tires than that other F-150 Raptor driver, the 37 Performance package adds unique bedside graphics and carbon fiber trim. Additionally, it improves approach, departure, and breakover angles, as well as overall ground clearance, compared to the standard rolling stock.