It was 2017, and I remember speaking with a group of friends about the impending arrival of the first-ever Ranger Raptor. For years, Ford has been selling the almighty F-150 Raptor in the US, but it had never previously provided the same treatment to its smaller truck in its home market, let alone in Australia.
2025 Rivian R1S Review: An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future
When the first Ranger Raptor arrived, it was well received, but it felt a little half-baked and retained the same bland turbo diesel engine of the regular truck. It was a far cry from the Raptor that many had expected. Yes, it did get some impressive chassis and suspension upgrades, but it didn’t feel fitting of the Raptor badge.
Fast forward a few years, and the second-generation Ranger Raptor arrived. It builds on the first-gen model in a big way, featuring a heavily upgraded engine not found elsewhere in the model’s lineup. Is this the Raptor we’ve all been waiting for? We recently lived with one for a week to find out.
QUICK FACTS
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Australian examples of the Ranger Raptor are largely identical to the version sold in the US. However, whereas the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 of the US model delivers 405 hp (297 kW) and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm), Aussie-spec models punch out 391 hp (282 kW) but retain the same torque figure. That’s not the end of the world, as no one will really feel those missing 14 horses. And besides, in Europe the Ranger Raptor is much more restricted, mustering up just 292 hp (215 kW) and 362 lb-ft (490 Nm).
More: Pickup Buyers May Be The Real Reason Trump Backed Down On Tariffs
Local prices for the 2025 Ranger Raptor start at AU$96,965 (~$60,200), including all applicable on-road costs. That makes it significantly pricier than any other version currently available. It’s also the priciest pickup of its size sold Down Under. For that money, though, you performance previously unheard of for a truck like it, perhaps making it the ultimate go-anywhere and do-anything lifestyle vehicle.
The Upgrades
There’s no denying that the Ranger Raptor has a bold and muscular presence on the road. Ford’s designers went to town on its exterior, crafting off-road bumpers, fitting new wheels clad in mud-terrain tires, blacking out key parts, and fitting a bespoke grille.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The cabin of the Raptor is mostly the same as other Ranger models, but that’s no bad thing. It feels like a big SUV inside and has plenty of premium materials, including loads of black leather and soft-touch suede on the seats. Unique to the Raptor are several orange accents, including on the seats, the air vents, red contrast stitching, and an orange 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel.
The technology suite of the Raptor and other Ranger models is far beyond rivals like the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, and Isuzu D-Max. Indeed, it only takes a few moments to understand why the Ranger has been Australia’s best-selling car for the past two years.
For starters, there’s a fully digital 12-inch instrument cluster that offers a good amount of customization and has different displays for the various drive modes. Taking pride of place in the cabin is a portrait-oriented 12.4-inch infotainment system. This screen is way better than those offered by any rivals and provides support for both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. What’s particularly impressive about it is just how responsive it is, not something that can be said about the systems of many other legacy automakers.
Read: Jim Farley Wants Ford To Be The “Porsche Of Off-Road”
The rest of the interior feels suitably rugged for a truck like this, while still offering some modern amenities. For example, there are heated seats and a wireless charging pad. As with other Ranger models, there are also two hidden cupholders that pop out from the dash. There’s plenty of room in the rear too, making Ford’s pickup well-suited to families.
While the Raptor retains many of the same practicalities as other models, its focus on performance does came at the sacrifice of payload and towing. The Raptor has a rated payload of 717 kg (1,580 lbs), compared to the 913–1,011 kg (2,012-2,228 lbs) of other Ranger models, and it’s only rated to tow 2,500 kg (5,511 lbs) compared to the 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) of lesser variants. This is primarily because of the meaty petrol V6 and the fact the Raptor eschews traditional rear leaf springs and uses trick Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shocks.
A Serious Performer
Two things stand out when driving the Ranger Raptor: the advanced suspension setup, and the mighty twin-turbocharged V6. Let’s start with the engine.
With the possible exception of the recently launched hybrid BYD Shark 6, there’s no other pickup in this segment that offers the same level of performance as the Raptor. It simply pulls like a freight train.
We recorded a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 6.3 seconds, although others have shown the Raptor can reach that mark in less than 6 seconds. Those times may not sound all that impressive on paper, but remember, the Raptor weighs 2,475 kg (5,456 lbs), and yet it can accelerate as quickly as a hot hatch.
Mated to the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 is a 10-speed automatic transmission. The same gearbox is featured across the rest of the Ranger family and is a solid companion to the V6. However, since it has 10 gears, they are stacked very close together and it’s continually cycling through them. Fortunately, the changes are very smooth.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Settings For Any Scenario
One of the most exciting things about the Ranger Raptor is its configurability. Positioned on the steering wheel are individual buttons to adjust the weight of the steering, the suspension, and the exhaust note. There’s also an ‘R’ button where you can configure your ideal driving mode by customizing these settings, as well as others. During most of my time with the Ford, I drove with the dampers in their Normal setting, the steering set to Sport, and the exhaust set to Baja. That’s the loudest setting, and one that Ford says should only be used for off-road use – but come on, can you blame me for wanting to listen to that raucous mill?
Read: The Ford Ranger Raptor Is 405 HP Of Awesomeness And A Steal At $56,960
With the exhaust valves opened, this thing purrs and under full throttle, verges on obnoxious, but it adds to the overall performance-focused experience. There are also plenty of different driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Baja, and Rock Crawl.
On the road, there’s no denying that the Raptor feels big but in no way cumbersome. With everything dialed up into their sportiest settings, it loves to be hustled through corners, although those big 33-inch tires do create plenty of noise. The off-road-focused suspension also performs brilliantly on the road, making this by far the most comfortable pickup of its size. It soaks up imperfections in the road with ease and can cruise over speed bumps at silly speeds without a fuss.
As great as the boosted V6 of the Raptor is, it’s the suspension that impressed me the most, and it really comes alive when you head off the pavement. Along heavily-corrugated dirt tracks, it genuinely feels like you’re driving on a cloud with the suspension in Baja mode. Whereas most vehicles shake violently on these surfaces, the Fox shocks soak up the bumps and only transmit some faint vibrations through the cabin.
Ford has also equipped the Raptor with adjustable rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive low, and four-wheel drive automatic modes, allowing for easy on-the-fly adjustments to suit different terrain. There are also front and rear locking differentials, allowing it to conquer even the most difficult conditions with breaking a sweat.
The only downside of all of the performance on tap is, of course, fuel efficiency. Ford claims it can sip 11.5 l/100 km (20.4 US mpg) over the combined cycle, but I averaged 16.8 l/100 km (14 US mpg) over a mixture of highways, suburban streets, and off-road tracks. That’s the price of having fun, right?
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Verdict
The Ford Ranger Raptor has proven immensely popular in Australia. I can walk out of my house, trundle 20 meters, turn a corner, and I’ll see two of them owned by my neighbors. Approximately 15% of all Rangers sold in Australia are thought to be Raptor models, accounting for around 10,000 sales every year. For a long time, I’ve wondered just why it’s become so popular. Now I understand the reasons that made it a hit.
More: We Compare The New And Old Tesla Model Y Side-By-Side
For years, truck buyers have become accustomed to loud and rattly diesel engines that may be good for towing, but not for having fun. The Ranger Raptor represents something unique and has proven to be a masterstroke from Ford. Yes, it is very expensive, but it’s versatile, comfortable, and a hoot to drive. Should you choose one, the most serious downside is that you’ll have to get used to making frequent trips to the fuel station. Well, there’s no such thing as free lunch now, is there?
