A Second Helping of Brrrrrraptor!

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

A year ago, the Ford Bronco Raptor arrived to introduce us on what defines the term “Born Wild.” I was not disappointed. In fact, I was over the moon with it! In turn, I think George had a bit of fun shooting the video on it. 

Whenever you send a Ford vehicle with the name “Raptor” on it, you’d bet I’d be dancing like Snoopy in a “Peanuts” comic strip. 

Ad a quick refresher, Ford Performance created a lineup of vehicles that were made to go far off the highway. They started with the F-150. There had been a few iterations of the F-150 Raptor, including the supercharged V8-powered Raptor R.

The Bronco Raptor arrived a few months after the off-road ready SUV finally hit Ford showrooms. This was what we wanted all along – a well-rounded SUV that will go anywhere you point it. 

V&R’s first taste of this ultimate Raptor yielded a lot of positive feedback. It helped put the Bronco into the running for #VOTY2023 – only to see its less expensive and more compelling pickup truck sibling snatch the plaque. Though it was thought that the “Born Wild” Bronco had a bee-line towards winning that award at the time the green Raptor was picked up at the time. 

Now, this Code Orange 2023 example arrived to campaign for a possible three-peat of the #VOTY for Ford. However, I must take the campaign out of the equation and concentrate on one thing: The vehicle itself. 

There’s really nothing new to report. Although, I always find a different kind of experience in one. Before I talk about that, let’s go over the nuts and bolts of the Bronco Raptor.

It starts with a four-door Bronco that gets an additional suspension lift for a ground clearance of 13.1 inches. That lift is enabled by a HOSS (High Performance, Off Road, Stability, Suspension) 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers, a set of 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires on 17-inch beadlock alloy wheels. All of this driven by a 418-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6, with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and two-speed transfer case with G.O.A.T. Modes. 

Raptor models add extended fender flares to fit over the 37-inch tires, a distinctive Raptor grille, a mix of black, blue, and red (or orange) inside the cabin. The seats are a mix of leather and suede that offer support and bolstering up front. There are touches of red – or, orange – that also denotes its membership in the Ford Performance family.

In all, it’s a Bronco Raptor. Or, Braptor. Or, Brrrrrraptor! No matter what you call it, it remains one of the badassed SUVs available on this planet that is factory-built. 

Sometimes, we think of vehicles such as the Bronco Raptor as toys that could be played with at off-road vehicle parks or across desert floors. Yet, I wanted to see whether it is a practical daily tasked to do what I needed it to do. 

For example, to network with a community group some over 80 miles away in Mankato. Or, to deliver copies of my day job’s work to their subjects – as far away as Saint Cloud. That’s another 80 miles away. Perhaps to meet a dear friend for lunch on the other side of the Twin Cities.

These are practical matters. Not exactly the kind of trips you’d take a Bronco Raptor in. However, this test is to see whether this off-roader can do these tasks without any pain to the driver or its wallet.

The first answer is that this driver was comfortable behind the wheel. The combination of the HOSS suspension system and smooth road surfaces helped to make these 80-mile one-way runs enjoyable. Smile-inducing, if I may add. 

Granted, the Bronco Raptor was not as maneuverable as a “regular” automobile. But, it can turn very well without any resistance from the front axle and can maneuver with nominal lean and roll through evasive situations. Braking is very good with a solid pedal feel, too. 

You can put the Bronco Raptor to work. You can also cruise nicely in it. Heck, you might even take it further afield both on- and off-road. That’s how it was intended, right?

However, parking the Brrrrrraptor was a concern. Not every parking space is equal, even though there are laws regulating their size. The extra width from the tires, fenders, and mirrors means some considerations would be made whether you can fit in a space or not. 

One thing I can guarantee you will experience in a Bronco Raptor – getting it dirty. Think of it as dirt, mud, and filth well earned, rather than an application of "designer dirt." If you get your Bronco Raptor dirty, celebrate it! Then, wash it off. You could even take it to the valet at your favorite high-end restaurant without cleaning it. That's when – and where – the fun begins!

As for the wallet, well…

Let’s compare fuel economy figures between the two Bronco Raptors I worked with so far. The 2022 tester came as 2023 dawned. It turned an average of 15.1 MPG. This 2023 tester averaged 15.5 MPG. Pretty much about the same, despite some differences in conditions and driving tasks. 

If there was something that concerned me about this 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor was the price hike from the previous tester a year ago. I’m puzzled to understand why this tester arrived with a sticker price of $96,720. The base price for the 2022 model was around $70,000. That base price for the 2023 Bronco Raptor jumped to around $86,000. For 2024, that base price has scaled over $90,000. 

Driving the Ford Bronco Raptor the second time around not only solidified my feelings about this badassed off-roader from a year ago. It deepened my appreciation for it. 

Sadly, the Bronco Raptor is not readily available at your local Ford dealer. You’ll most likely find a F-150 Raptor or some lower-trimmed “regular” Bronco before you seek out these high-performance monster SUVs. Then again, one could get very lucky when they find one!

The word “Raptor” has been a magic one for me and the work I’ve done in the automotive media space for years. The ears perk up and the soul is stirred. I simply can’t help it. Apparently, Ford found a remedy for that: Send another Raptor. Better still, a Brrrrrraptor! 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company

All photos by Randy Stern