Now here is something cool: the Ford Bronco Raptor is the closest thing to a race-ready Baja vehicle you can buy. With its massive ground clearance and long suspension travel, it can go just about anywhere. Yet as wild as it is off-road, I hear it is an impressive vehicle on-road. Recently I was in Ford’s Bronco Raptor to see how this all-terrain vehicle can hold up in an urban lifestyle.

In case you’re out of touch in the automotive world, the Bronco returned to the Ford lineup about four years ago, after being away for nearly 25 years. Today’s sixth generation Bronco is one of the most sought-after vehicles in today’s crazy car and truck market.

The Bronco utilizes a tough body-on-frame platform, similar to the one used on the Ford Ranger. There are no fewer than eight different Bronco trim levels to choose from, most of which are available as either a two-door or a four-door and all have a removable roof and doors, so you can drive with the wind in your hair while on the street or tackling a trail.

Broncos are fitted with either a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 325 lb-ft) as the base engine or a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine good for 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder can be fitted to a manual transmission (a 7-speed) but most will opt for the 10-speed automatic. The V6 comes only with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

But as you might have guessed, the Bronco Raptor has its own special powerplant – Ford’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6. It is rated at 418 hp with 440 lb-ft of torque. That low-end torque (coming in at 2750 RPMs) makes for a perfect match to this Bronco’s rowdy nature.

The Raptor version of the Bronco doesn’t just get the more powerful engine. It gets fitted with 17-inch wheels with 37-inch all-terrain tires, a heavy-duty rear axle, Fox shock absorbers and an active exhaust system.

Inside, the Bronco Raptor’s interior shares much of its design with the normal Bronco, which isn’t a bad thing. There’s a digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel, a big infotainment screen, and large, chunky buttons and controls for things like the climate control and selecting drive modes.

The Bronco Raptor uses Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment systems that runs on a massive 12-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard. It is easy to use and responds quickly to inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

The Bronco’s boxy shape translates into lots of headroom, making the interior feel large. This feeling continues in the rear seat. Legroom is adequate for all occupants. Overall, the interior is comfortable for everyone, with the only complaint could be that some may find the rear seats are too much in an upright position.

Unlike most vehicles where you try to avoid potholes, massive speedbumps and road imperfections, the Bronco Raptor welcomes all those obstacles – and they can all be ignored. The massive 37-inch tires simply swallows them up thanks to the long-travel, Baja-ready suspension setup which allows for 13 inches of travel up front, and 14 inches in the back. With 418 horse coming from the twin-turbo V-6, the Raptor is quick, being able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. About the only numbers that are not appealing are the EPA fuel economy numbers, where the Bronco’s block-like shape, ultra-wide stance, and off-road-focused tires produce an estimated 15 mpg city and 16 mpg highway rating.

I didn’t take the Bronco Raptor through any serious off-road environments. Still though, it’s easy to see just how capable it is in just city driving. While the Bronco Raptor is designed to crawl over rocks, traverse muddy terrain and keep you riding high on the dunes, that also translates to being able to absorb anything that the city streets can throw at it. Prices for the Bronco Raptor start at $79,000.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:

Ford Bronco Raptor 4 Door 4×4

Base Price: $79,000.00 (2023)
Price as Tested: $95,645.00 (2021)
Layout: front-engine / four-wheel drive
Engine: 3.0 liter twinturbo V6 EcoBoost
Transmission: 10 – speed automatic
Horsepower: 418 hp
Torque: 440 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city / 16 mpg highway

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