The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Delivers on ‘Every Promise Ford Made’
Like the Ford F-150 Raptor, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is geared to the Moab-trekking, capability-infatuated off-roading enthusiast crowd. The all-terrain titan is much more than a Bronco option to a Sasquatch package, providing heritage credentials to the four-door-only Raptor edition.
Ford sought to capture the star-studded past of the company’s prized fighter in long-distance off-road racing, which garnered four wins—1968, 1969, 1971, and 1972—in the Baja 1000. Although it has big shoes to fill, Ford absolutely delivers on that promise.
2022 Ford Bronco On-Road Performance
Unlike the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor doesn’t share the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Raptor comes with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, giving drivers a 4,500-pound towing capacity and an EPA-rated 15 mpg city and 16 mpg highway on premium gas, recommended by Ford.
Cars.com claims steering feel and handling are “significantly improved” over the other Bronco models. Borrowing its heavier-duty suspension and steering components from its F-150 Raptor cousin, it will track well on the road with a stiffer ride despite being 8.2 inches wider in the front and 8.6 wider in the rear than the standard Bronco. In fact, it’s so vast that it comes with a myriad of government-mandated exterior lights required on vehicles more than 80 inches wide.
Nevertheless, gas mileage and steering feel are most likely low on the list for Bronco hopefuls. What you want to hear about is how it handles off-road.
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Off-Road Performance
The Bronco’s standard 37-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, while quiet on the pavement, provide an ample footprint to make your mark in the wilderness without letting off the gas. The HOSS (High performance, Off-rad, Stability, Suspension) 4.0 suspension with 13 inches of travel in the front and 13 in the rear encourages the Bronco to gallop over rough terrain.
It’s bolstered by 3.1-inch diameter Fox live-value shocks and a self-dampening suspension that can measure the Bronco’s height 500 times a second, ensuring a controlled blast through the desert without bottoming out.
For more pre-runner-style excitement, the Bronco Raptor includes a “Baja mode” tune activating a unique anti-lag system in the twin-turbocharged V6 that turns the exhaust noise up to 11—but that may not be a selling point for some who wanted a V8 rumble. Yet, the Bronco Raptor isn’t only about high-speed dune running; it can handle the technical stuff, too.
With its shorter wheelbase—29.5 inches shorter than the F-150 Raptor—the Bronco can smash tight trails with a Dana 50 heavy-duty rear axle, beefier front and rear driveshafts, and a 3/16-inch-thick front skid plate. It also has 13.1 inches of ground clearance to sail over many undercarriage hazards—4.8 inches more than a base Bronco. Its low-speed nimbleness is further enhanced through Ford’s intuitive Trail One-Pedal driving, Trail Control, and Trail Turn Assist.
Inside the Raptor
The interior of the Bronco Raptor is where it shares much from the rest of the off-road-ready lineup. It has the same smart-looking infotainment and tech features found in the pricier Bronco models. Still, it includes Raptor-specific styling cues like carbon fiber and “Code Orange” accents, notably one at the top of the steering wheel to ensure you keep the wheels pointed straight on the dunes.
Some say there’s a decent amount of wind noise in the cabin at speed. Considering the Bronco Raptor’s doors and roof are removable, that should be expected. Regardless, front and rear visibility may be an issue for some, given the Bronco Raptor’s massive A-pillars and full-size spare tire mounted on the back.
Should You Buy a 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor?
The Bronco Raptor is listed on the manufacturer’s website, starting at $68,500. However, per Ford’s website, “the current model year is no longer available for retail order.”
The Bronco Raptor seems to warm and jostle the hearts and minds of car reviewers nationwide. Whether it’s the look, capability, or heritage that piques your interest and begins to burn a hole in your wallet, get in line for a 2023 model. Orders may be taken as early as this autumn.
