The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor had its moments. It was beefier, with rigid suspensions, hardier chassis to endure any demanding environment, and a stouter powertrain. Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Now we have the Ford Raptor R. Here’s why it’s among the best-redesigned SUVs for 2023. 

Ultimate power

For most car enthusiasts and owners, Ford means power. The Ford Raptor R‘s is no exception. While the Raptor models have been the epitome of power in the Ford F-150 universe, the Raptor R, codenamed ‘Carnivore,’ according to Ford Authority, is the ultimate power king. 

It holds the crown of the most powerful Ford Raptor to ever come out of the Ford Dearborn plant and the most powerful 2023 Ford model. Thanks to a massive V8 engine, driving this behemoth is a great way to immortalize it in stone. 

Redesigned to handle even the toughest terrain

The Ford Raptor R’s predecessors could handle rough terrain effortlessly and emerge on the other side unscathed. The “Ford” signature on the massive grille and intimidating and bossy stance isn’t the only thing this SUV gets right. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful, but it’s also the most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet.

All three generations of F-150 Raptors have been inspired by the extreme desert-racing trophy trucks that compete in the Baja 1000. However, none delivers the level of performance the Raptor R does. You can now call it the ultimate Raptor. 

A better-than-ever personal driving experience

Nothing beats driving a powerful SUV that you can customize. To ensure you get the most out of your driving experience, Ford introduced seven drive modes in the 2023 Ford Raptor R; Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Off-Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl.  

These modes let you customize the steering, stiffness of the suspension, the car’s exhaust note, and throttle responsiveness. You also get more control over how your SUV handles the excess torque thanks to a distinctive dual exhaust system with a true pass-through muffler and active valve system. You can even customize and save a single mode as your default. 

Class-leading ground clearance

The most powerful Raptor takes offroading a notch higher by offering class-leading ground clearance. Ford redesigned the car’s front spring rate with a 5% boost. If that’s not enough, the Raptor R is fitted with factory standard exclusive massive 37-inch tires. On top of that, it’s raised 13.1 inches above the ground. 

The abundance of ground clearing ensures you clear all obstacles, regardless of the terrain. The third-generation suspensions and shocks make every ride, every drive, and adventure better than the last. 

The supercharged Ford V8 is back

According to Hotcars, once a rumor and now confirmed by Ford, the V6 is bowing out to make room for the V8. The return of the supercharged V8, or in Motortrend‘s words, the ‘T-Rex Predator,’ has to be the best redesign of any SUV in the market today. 

Ford got the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine from the Shelby Mustang GT500, made some serious changes, and into the Raptor R. Ford coupled the 5.2-liter V8 Predator engine with an impressive 2.65-liter Eaton supercharger to give it some much-needed oomph, more than the Mustang. 

Behold, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R now gives you a whopping 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. And you wonder why the Raptor R is among the best-redesigned SUVs for 2023.