2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R

　　

Ford F-150 Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck that can be configured in a multitude of ways, from a basic work truck to a luxurious toy hauler to an extreme off-road machine. The F-150 is a supremely versatile pickup, which is why it's our favorite light-duty truck available today.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (5.2L 8cyl S/C 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$386/mo  for F-150 Raptor R

　　F-150 Raptor R

　　Raptor R 4dr SuperCrew 4WD SB (5.2L 8cyl S/C 10A) (Most Popular) - $107,350 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　Having undergone a redesign in 2021, the core Ford F-150 lineup sees minimal changes for 2023. The truck continues to offer a wide range of drivetrain options, high towing and payload capabilities, and a comfortable modern interior. One of the F-150's newest, most advanced drivetrains is Ford's PowerBoost hybrid setup, which produces a reasonable amount of power and still gets relatively good fuel economy. On top of that, the system can serve as a backup generator for your house, similar to the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.

　　The biggest news for 2023 is inarguably the new Raptor R. It takes the inherent off-road chops of the Raptor but ditches the turbocharged V6 in favor of the Shelby GT500's monstrously powerful supercharged V8. The blown eight-cylinder produces 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque — enough to give the F-150 the juice it needs to compete with the Ram 1500 TRX.

　　While the Raptor R sits at the top of the F-150's off-road hierarchy, a new Rattler package adds capability at the bottom of the lineup. Available for the base XL trim, the Rattler brings the contents of the FX4 off-road package plus a set of knobby all-terrain tires. For a full breakdown on the 2023 Ford F-150, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　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

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the F-150 Raptor R drive? Depending on where you drive the Raptor R, you might describe it as either ferocious or atrocious. But there's no arguing with the performance delivered by its supercharged V8. At the zzdcar test track, the Raptor R ripped to 60 mph in just 4 seconds flat and tore through the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 112.9 mph, which, incidentally, is its maximum speed. Behind the scenes of those impressive numbers is the fact that the Raptor R was on its speed limiter for at least a full second before the quarter mile. If you're wondering, it is faster than the Ram TRX in every respect.

　　On the street, especially around town, the Raptor R feels like a fish out of water. The steering is slow, offering no feel, and it's not particularly accurate. There's plenty of power assist to make parking easier, but the Raptor R's handling doesn't afford much in the way of emergency avoidance maneuvers. The brakes are better, offering an easy-to-control pedal and decent capability, but we think the hardware isn't really up to the speed and weight of the Raptor R. During our panic-brake testing, the Raptor R stopped in a long but average for the supertruck class of 147 feet. We understand this comes with the territory of insane off-road capability, and it's worth remembering that the Raptor and other trucks like it don't have the reactions of more typical trucks.

　　To Ford's credit, you can drive the Raptor R in city traffic without so much as a hiccup. The torque-rich V8 doesn't need any encouragement to develop ample acceleration and the 10-speed transmission swaps gears almost imperceptibly. Turning off asphalt and onto dirt puts the Raptor R right where it belongs. Off-road capabilities at moderate to higher speeds are off the scale, and it's likely you'll only be caught out by a fully built race truck or a narrow trail.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the F-150 Raptor R? 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 coil-spring rear suspension with trick off-road shock absorbers that provide an even better ride than usual, especially when combined with the large, bump-absorbing 37-inch tires that are standard on the Raptor R. This long-travel suspension not only ensures comfortable off-road travel at high speeds, but it does wonders over broken city streets too. Tire noise is a bit higher as a result, but wind noise is kept to low volumes. The R's supercharged V8 brings the sorely missed V8 soundtrack back to the Raptor and sounds great without being too obnoxious. We especially appreciated the quieter modes for early morning starts.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below