Is The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Really Worth $30k More Than the Ram 1500 TRX?
Ford’s F-150 Raptor dominated the battle of the factory-built super trucks for over a decade. Then Ram launched its Hellcat-powered TRX. Now, Ford is answering the challenge with the Raptor R. You may have noticed that Ford’s supercharged desert racing truck makes less horsepower and costs $30,355 more than the flagship Ram. Here’s why the Raptor R may still may be worth its high asking price.
| Ram 1500 TRX | Ford F-150 Raptor R | |
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged “Hellcat” V8 | 5.2-liter supercharged “Predator” V8 |
| Horsepower | 702 @ 6,100 rpm | 700 @ @ 6,650 rpm |
| Torque | 650 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm | 640 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm |
| Weight | 6,439 lbs | 6,050 lbs |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 9.2 lbs/horsepower | 8.5 lbs/horsepower |
| Transmission | ZF 8-speed automatic | Ford 10-speed automatic |
| MSRP | $78,790 | $109,145 |
The Ford Raptor R is more powerful than the Ram 1500 TRX
Numbers don’t lie, do they? The Ram 1500 TRX makes two more horsepower and 10 more lb-ft of torque than the Ford F-150 Raptor R. But if you think “more powerful” is as simple as engine output, think again.
Let’s break down the number: The Ram 1500 TRX has about 3% more power than the new Ford Raptor R. But Ford managed to shave the Raptor R’s weight down to 6,050 pounds. The TRX officially weighs 6,439, but some reviewers report it tips the scales at 6,866 pounds.
What does this mean? The Raptor R has an 8% better power-to-weight ratio than the Ram TRX. This ratio is especially important in off-road trucks. In certain conditions, a 4×4 truck’s weight is more important than a road truck’s. Most off-roaders would prefer a slight drop in power if it comes with a drastic drop in weight.
What’s more, the F-150 Raptor makes more power at lower rpm. Finally, the Raptor enjoys a beefed-up version of Ford’s new ten-speed automatic transmission while the TRX struggles along with Ram’s eight-speed.
The Ford Raptor R comes with an $11,000 suspension upgrade
When Ford unveiled the F-150 Raptor’s third generation, many 4×4 fans expected a V8 Raptor. Instead, they got a standard V6-powered F-150 Raptor and a version riding on 37-inch tires.
The new Raptor 37 is the world’s first half-ton fitted with 37-inch tires at the factory. This Ford-tuned lift kit includes 24-inch rear coils and magnetic damping. With all of the advanced off-road technology, the Raptor 37 MSRP runs $11k higher than the base model.
Partway through the 2022 model year, Ford is launching the V8-powered Raptor R. While this new truck is defined by its supercharged engine, based on the 5.2-liter Shelby GT500 V8, the improvements do not stop there. The new Raptor R comes standard with 37-inch tires and all the suspension upgrades enjoyed by the Raptor 37.
The new F-150 Raptor R’s price is steep
While Ford’s latest top-trim F-150 Raptor objectively improves on the Ram 1500 TRX in several metrics, it falls behind in price. The F-150 Raptor’s base price is $109,145. That’s expensive for a truck, even a flagship supertruck.
Some off-roading fans might prefer the Raptor R. Meanwhile, others might decide its six-figure price tag is simply too high and opt for the Ram TRX.
Next, read about how the TRX inspired the Raptor R or see a comparison between these two supertrucks in the video below:
