The Ford Bronco Raptor is an absolute monster of an off-road machine. With the few days I spent behind the wheel, I was instantly sold. There’s just something so satisfying about that iconic shape paired with a massive set of tires and a nice coating of dust and dirt. That being said, everything has its shortcomings. So, here are three features we love about driving the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor and two things we aren’t so fond of.

Traction is a non-issue when driving the Ford Bronco Raptor Off-Road

When it comes to off-road adventuring, the Raptor’s 37-inch tires and fantastic four-wheel drive system mean you’ve got nothing to worry about. Even when climbing some super steep inclines with very loose dirt beneath the tires, it had no problems. In fact, I didn’t even have to put it in four-wheel drive for a lot of my off-road adventures.

Fortunately, when I did need four-wheel drive, the quick switching format found in the Raptor made it a no-brainer. Couple power to all four with the locking front and rear differentials, and you’ve got a way out of virtually any sticky situation. My one gripe is that I would like to be able to lock the rear differential when in 2WD mode.

Suspension travel is nothing short of exquisite

It’s really hard to put the feeling of cruising over rough terrain at speed without feeling it into words. If you’ve never experienced long-travel suspension before, it’s something to put on your bucket list, undoubtedly.

With 13 inches of travel in the front and 14 in the rear, you can happily run right over the top of dips and bumps. I went into this drive pretty unfamiliar with this phenomenon. So, the result was me having the time of my life while hardly stretching the Bronco Raptor’s legs.

The Ford Bronco Raptor has plenty of power

Whether you’re blazing through the desert or just need a little boost to pass on the interstate, the Bronco Raptor has your back. It is relentlessly heavy, with a curb weight of nearly 6,000 pounds. However, the powerplant under the hood more than makes up for that.

The 3.0-liter Ecoboost engine under the hood of the 2022 Bronco Raptor is a twin-turbo V6 that pumps out 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. According to Hennessey, it can sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds. That’s faster than a Fiesta ST with over twice the weight and 37-inch tires.

The fuel economy is not kind to your wallet

Putting the word “Eco” in the engine title is a bit laughable. Really, it’s just boost. Boost is great! However, it does not play well with the 2022 Bronco Raptor’s 37-inch tires and gearing.

Over the course of my 500+ mile drive with the Bronco Raptor, I ventured across the desert, through LA traffic, and down to San Diego. Average fuel economy? 16.1 miles per gallon. Yikes.

When you put it in the context of other Bronco models, though, it isn’t all that bad. The fuel economy doesn’t drop much with all the extra power and features you get from a Raptor vs. a high-trim Bronco model with the Sasquatch package.

The removable hard top is pretty noisy on the freeway

This is a bit of a tradeoff you have to deal with with a removable top. So, it’s a bit nitpicky to complain about. I’m going to do it anyway.

The wind noise seems pretty subtle at first when you’re at interstate speeds. Eventually, though, it picks away at your mental state until you’ve about entirely lost it. Maybe that’s just a personal issue; I digress. At any rate, between this and the fuel economy, I wouldn’t volunteer to take a Bronco Raptor on a cross-country trip.

Overall, the Ford Bronco Raptor is an absolute dream come true when it comes to off-road playtime. It’s not the most ideal daily driver, but it could certainly be a lot worse. Be sure to check out the video at the top of the page for my full outlook on the Bronco Raptor!