2022 Ford F-150 Raptor

　　

2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is meant to conquer all surfaces, from rocky mountain terrain to the wide-open sands of the desert. It can crawl up steep hills or travel at great speed over uneven terrain. It's a trophy truck for the masses and it makes very few compromises in pursuit of this mission.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$234/mo  for F-150 Raptor

　　F-150 Raptor

　　Raptor 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $69,905 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　Its prowess comes by way of the specialized hardware Ford fits to the Raptor. The Raptor's suspension provides considerably more wheel travel than a normal F-150's, to better keep the tires in contact with the ground when driving over big ruts and bumps. It also has specialized Fox shock absorbers, rear coil springs instead of the traditional leaf springs — the Raptor is the only F-150 to get them — and wider tracks. Topping it all off are big Raptor-specific off-road tires (up to 37 inches tall), widened fenders, extra off-road driving modes and more horsepower from the F-150's turbocharged V6 engine.

　　There are some drawbacks, such as predictably poor fuel economy, decreased payload and towing compared to the standard F-150, and the difficulty you'll have parking it anywhere without taking up at least two spots. But otherwise this is just a super cool truck that faces off against the Ram TRX and upcoming Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for our full report on the Ford Raptor's performance potential, utility and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the F-150 Raptor drive? The Raptor has 450 hp, but we found that the optional 37-inch tire package on our test truck hindered straight-line performance. In zzdcar' testing, our truck accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Yes, that's quick, but no quicker than an F-150 fitted with the regular 400-hp V6 or the hybrid powertrain. The Ram 1500 TRX blows it away with its 4.2-second sprint. Thankfully, the 10-speed automatic provides smooth and quick shifts to make everyday driving easy.

　　The F-150 has direct and quick steering. That makes the truck feel maneuverable in parking lots and stable on the freeway. The brakes are another story, however, requiring 149 feet to bring the Raptor to a stop from 60 mph. A distance that long is typically reserved for a heavy-duty pickup truck and we can blame a lot of that on the off-road tires, but it's still quite long.

　　If you can reach the limit of a Raptor's off-road potential, you're pretty much a hero. With locking differentials, available 37-inch tires, and a widened and long-travel suspension, there's almost nowhere on Earth this thing can't go. Its Achilles' heel, however, is anywhere narrow. This truck is best in wide open spaces, not tight mountain trails.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the F-150 Raptor? While some F-150 seats can be overly firm, the Raptor's seats are comfortable for even the longest of journeys. There is a wide range of adjustability, plenty of lumbar support, and decent bolstering to hold you in place. The front seats get heating and ventilation, while a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats are optional. The heating functions work extremely well, and the automatic climate control is quick to cool or heat the cabin.

　　Unique to the Raptor (among F-150s) is a rear coil-spring suspension that provides an even better ride than usual, especially when combined with the large, bump-absorbing 37-inch tires our test truck had. Tire noise is a bit higher as a result, but wind noise is kept to low volumes. The turbocharged V6 gets a specially tuned exhaust in the Raptor — it's raspy and somewhat satisfying but not as fun as the whining supercharger in the TRX.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below