Ford Bronco Owners Have Some Confusing Complaints About Their SUVs
Sometimes owners have complaints about their vehicles that don’t make much sense. Certain vehicle features are inherent to the segment, and complaining is about as effective as whistling in the wind. In JD Power’s review of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, owners noted a few aspects they didn’t like that call into question why they bought a Ford Bronco in the first place.
How JD Power obtains consumer feedback for vehicle reviews
Automotive publications strive to offer readers car owner perspectives on the vehicles they review. JD Power garners those perspectives in part through an annual survey, the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, where they ask owners to rank vehicles in 10 different categories.
JD Power has issued this study for the past 24 years to get a good sense of drivers’ excitement about and emotional attachment to their vehicles.
The latest APEAL data included some interesting trends, among them that owners’ overall satisfaction with new gas-powered vehicles has decreased for the first time in 14 years. JD Power attributes this to concerns about decreasing fuel economy and range in this category, which is completely understandable given the higher gas prices Americans have dealt with over the past few years.
Another interesting fact is that gas-powered vehicle owners are still a bit more satisfied with their fuel economy and range than EV owners. But that gap has narrowed substantially. In fact, it’s almost indistinguishable at this point, doubtlessly driven by the improved range and charging times that new EVs now enjoy.
But when it comes to specific vehicle reviews, JD Power uses APEAL respondent feedback about each vehicle’s exterior styling, driving feel, starting, safety, powertrain, interior, infotainment, comfort, access, and fuel economy.
Examining how respondents consider these 10 aspects gives JD Power great insight into each vehicle’s quality, reliability, and owner satisfaction.
What owners said about the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
When it comes to the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, JD Power had a lot of good things to say about the compact SUV. The publication noted its power, size, and off-road capability as foremost among its strengths.
The Raptor is powered by a 410-hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that generates 440 lb-ft of torque. These figures represent 88-hp and 25 lb-ft boosts over the previous year’s model.
It’s also equipped with numerous off-road features, including internal-bypass dampers, fluid reservoirs integrated with the front and rear shocks, huge tires, and electronic front and rear locking differentials. And even though it’s built for off-roading, the Raptor still offers drivers upscale options like suede and leather interior trim, keyless entry, and generous tech amenities.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, APEAL respondents most enjoyed the Raptor’s exterior look, its driving feel, and its driving start-up. With the Bronco Raptor, Ford really focuses on providing an off-road experience in a modern SUV. And on that score, it delivers quite nicely.
What owners didn’t like about the Bronco Raptor
Oddly enough, Bronco Raptor owners found fault with its fuel economy. While it’s an abysmal combined 15 mpg, it’s also not surprising that this SUV would have such poor fuel economy. If you’re looking for fuel economy in general, SUVs aren’t the vehicle to get. And if you’re looking for a fuel-efficient SUV, hybrids or EVs are always better than gas-powered models.
Additionally, owners took issue with the ease of getting in and out of the Bronco Raptor. While the Bronco is large for its segment, that is kind of the point. It was an SUV designed to be driven off-road. Further, its high ground clearance is clearly visible as soon as you see it. This issue is apparent from a simple test drive. And if a prospective buyer overlooked it, it seems a bit silly to take issue with it after the fact.
JD Power wasn’t especially enamored of the SUV, ranking it last of the 17 compact SUVs they reviewed. Citing visibility issues, cabin noise, fuel economy, and supply chain issues, JD Power’s review suggests the Bronco is an SUV to avoid.
