The Ford F-150 Raptor is a coveted desert runner. Even for people who never plan to see their tires in the sand, the Raptor retains a certain aura. The cool points are undeniable, and this truck is highly capable off-road. The Ford Raptor EcoBoost engine definitely provides ample power, but how can it compete with a competitor that has a supercharged Hemi V8 engine under the hood?

The Ford Raptor EcoBoost engine is an EcoBeast, for sure. But it’s not as brawny as the Ram 1500 TRX pickup’s power. So can the Raptor, in fact, compete?

Is the Ford Raptor a good truck?

Yes, if you want a beastly truck to romp around off-road the Ford Raptor is a great pickup truck. The first generation ran from 2010 – 2014. This version is the SVT Ford F-150 Raptor. Today’s version is the Ford Raptor EcoBoost engine with up to 450 horsepower.

Some people still look for the SVT Raptor over the newer models because of the beefier V8 engine, though it was rated for about 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. However, the newer generations continue shaving weight off the Raptor. The 2020 Ford Raptor, for example, is lighter than the previous models.

The newer Raptor model can really make the most of the high output EcoBoost V6 engine and its 510 pound-feet of torque. This still looks a little lackluster compared with the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 Hemi engine that creates up to 702 horsepower. However, it’s also important to remember that the 6,350 pound Ram 1500 TRX is heavier than the 5,697 pound Ford F-150 Raptor.

From 2015 to 2020, the Ford F-150 Raptor is in its second generation. Some changes are cooking up for 2021, though Ford hasn’t yet released the full story. The second generation Ford F-150 Raptors are equipped with an EcoBoost that is, all things considered, an absolute beast. On paper, it doesn’t look super competitive with the 702 horsepower Hemi in the Ram 1500 TRX.

The 2020 Ford Raptor EcoBoost engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. It’s good for up to 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. While this is ample power, it still looks a bit weak next to the Ram TRX numbers.

What engine is in the 2021 Ram 1400 TRX?

If you check out the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX on the Ram Trucks website, you’ll see the truck claims best-in-class torque and horsepower. This is one of the most decorated pickup trucks we’ve seen in a while, winning many awards from several different critics this year.

Under the hood of the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX pickup truck is a 702 horsepower 6.2-liter Hemi V8. The Ram TRX has 650 pound-feet of torque and a 4.5-second running time from 0-60 mph. If you want a powerful truck, this one needs to be on your shortlist. It also has specialized suspension tuned for the tough stuff. In addition, the Ram TRX has an array of drive modes for maximum handling no matter what the driving conditions.

When does the 2021 Raptor come out?

According to MotorTrend, there are some changes on the horizon for the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. While we agree with their musing that the Raptor could come out with few mechanical changes other than a little tweaking to the EcoBoost engine. These tweaks could bring the horsepower count up to about 500.

The new third generation Ford Raptor is set to come out early next year. There will definitely be style upgrades to the body. Plus the powertrain has to make a move if it wants to compete with the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. A hybrid addition to the powertrain options could improve horsepower and torque. But it also might not exactly reach the Raptor’s target demographic.

We all hope to see a truly competitive new powertrain option. For some time, there’s been some talk of a Ford Raptor with the Mustang Shelby GT500 engine. This would mean a 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor with a 760 horsepower 5.2-liter V8 engine. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Ford will drop the Raptor’s EcoBoost V6 engine. But it does mean there might be some exciting new options revealed for the Raptor’s third generation.