The Next-Level Raptor
But, all attention was focused on creating a Trophy Truck to end all arguments. One that would win the fight for dominance on the desert floor.
A Victory & Reseda review of the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
There is a phrase that would describe how the Trophy Truck segment has unfolded in the past few years. Since this is a family-friendly website, I will refrain from stating it…
First, it was the Ford F-150 Raptor. When it debuted in 2009, this high-powered V8 off-road hero fulfilled many fantasies of Truck Bros across North America. They developed it for desert running and anything this truck can – and will – do.
By the time, the second-generation, High Output EcoBoosted F-150 Raptor arrived for 2017, the bar was already set. It was simply waiting for company to challenge its dominance of those uncharted spaces it ruled mightily.
Suddenly, the competition caught the bug in building their own Trophy Truck. Stellantis struck first with the Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 TRX. Only a few specialty aftermarket builders would dare to raise the performance numbers into the 700-horsepower range. Leave it to Mopar to do so.

General Motors soon followed. Last year, they rolled out the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 and GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X – both powered by a standard Duramax in-line six-cylinder diesel mill with 495 pound-feet of torque. Not exactly the mega-horsepower monster Truck Bros wanted, but it offered up the chops to roll through the desert with big boys.
Thanks to this new competition, you bet that the Blue Oval Bros were upset. They wanted their own high-powered V8 version of the Raptor. They want to battle the TRX for supremacy of the desert floor. They could care less whether the GM twins ran on diesel fuel. In their Blue Oval eyes, they pose no threat to the original Raptor.
But, all attention was focused on creating a Trophy Truck to end all arguments. One that would win the fight for dominance on the desert floor.
Last year, Ford rolled out the F-150 Raptor R. Dearborn simply proclaimed that it was “game on.” When it came time for me to sample this Trophy Truck to end all arguments, I accepted the challenge.

To the naked eye, there seems to be no visual difference between the Raptor and Raptor R. Some options found on the EcoBoost Raptor became standard on the Raptor R. The 37-inch tires are standard. The suspension was enhanced by the upgraded FOX Racing Shox with Live Valve technology set up. The graphics package adds a red “R” to the mix, along with additional red and dark gray decals.
The big difference in underneath the hood. Ford Performance dropped a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 in place of the EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. All told, this whirling dervish spews 700 horsepower with 640 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission throws all of this thrust to all four wheels, finishing up with a 4.10 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio.
Essentially, this is an F-150 Raptor with a major engine upgrade…
You could see it as that. It drives like an F-150 Raptor. You have a smooth ride, solid handling, a larger steering ratio that is sufficient for its size, and good brakes all around.
Is that all? Do the 37-inch tires and supercharged V8 elevate the F-150 Raptor experience?

Well…it does to a certain extent. The argument about larger tires is rooted in whether it manages everyday use or not. The prevailing thought is that they do not. The sole purpose of these specific BFGoodrich KO2s is to tackle certain terrain with as much rubber applied onto the surface. If you’re getting to those surfaces on the highway, they do a decent job smoothing out the rougher pieces of tarmac the best they can.
The drawback on these larger all-terrain tires is noise. You don’t hear it as much, because the cab is well insulated. You do notice the noise if you listen intently for it.
The same goes for the supercharger whine. We love an engine noise that adds to the exhaust note of a vehicle. In the F-150 Raptor R, the supercharger whine is faintly heard. As with the tires, you might catch it if you listen carefully.
The loudest noise on the F-150 Raptor R is the exhaust note. That is only when. you start it up and upon acceleration. You can adjust the volume of the exhaust through a button on the steering wheel. There is a Quiet mode for when you don’t want to wake up the neighbors. That goes away on its own once you hit the streets.

There are Sport and Baja modes to the exhaust system. From the outside, they are a level louder than Normal mode. From inside, you could slightly tell the difference. However, Ford does not recommend you put the exhaust into Baja mode unless you are off roading. Sport mode is loud enough.
One thing to note when you’re driving an F-150 Raptor R – it’s size. Rather, it’s width. If you do not count the mirrors, both the F-150 Raptor and Raptor R measure out over six inches wider than a standard issue F-150. This is mainly due to its extended fenders and its 37-inch tires. Of course, the F-150 Raptor R is available only in a SuperCrew cab with a 5-1/2 Styleside foot box.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the F-150 Raptor R is its fuel economy. I ended up averaging 12.5 MPG. Most of my colleagues reported less on their test loops.
You do not buy an F-150 Raptor R for its fuel economy. You want to have an air of superiority over all the Truck Bros. You refuse to fashion a lifted or leveled rig from a rusted out 30-year-old heavy duty pickup truck with a diesel engine that rolls coal. In order to fulfill your desires of truck superiority, this requires serious money to get one that is ready to rock from the factory floor.

How serious? This Code Orange Raptor R tester came with a sticker price of $109,740. It starts as an F-150 Raptor with over $31,000 of upgrades added to make it the Trophy Truck you always wanted. If you rather have a mere F-150 Raptor with the High Output EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 and the 35-inch tires, pricing starts from $76,775.
There will be an updated 2024 F-150 lineup forthcoming to your local Ford dealer with a few new twists to the package. The good news is that the Raptor and Raptor R will be available in the updated model. However, the rumors point to 2024 being the final model year of the Raptor R.
The lucky ones will covert this ultimate factory-built Trophy Truck. It is the type of truck that will laugh in the face of the Truck Bros who spent their hard-earned savings on lifting, massaging, and pimping their rig for the world to react.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is not just a reaction. Nor is it a response. It is an extension of reality. It fulfills fantasies of Truck Bros who will exhibit cocksure behaviors while paying for years on their bank loans for one.

If you really want an off-the-shelf full-on Trophy Truck, the F-150 Raptor R is one such choice in an aspirational marketplace.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company
All photos by Randy Stern