Welcome to the Wilderdad 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor review. This is an off-road SUV that packs a wicked punch. The Bronco Raptor comes with a powerful engine, advanced off-road capabilities, and a comfortable interior. While it has some downsides, it’s an impressive option for anyone looking for a high-performance off-roading vehicle. Before we get into the full review we’ve got to take a quick look at the legendary history of the Ford Bronco!
History of the Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco has a rich history that dates back to 1966. It was introduced as a direct competitor to the Jeep CJ-5. The original Bronco was a bare-bones off-roader with no power steering or air conditioning. Despite its basic design, it quickly became known for its ruggedness and capability.
Over the years, the Bronco evolved and became more luxurious. The fifth generation Bronco, which was introduced in 1992, was a full-sized SUV with all the amenities. However, production of the Bronco ceased in 1996, leaving fans of the iconic vehicle disappointed.
Fast forward to 2023, and the Bronco is back, better than ever. The new Bronco pays homage to the original, with a boxy design and plenty of off-road capability. But it also features modern amenities like a touchscreen infotainment system and advanced safety features.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Review: Engine Specs
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This is a significant improvement over the previous generation, which had a 2.7-liter V6 that produced 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
The new engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth shifts and quick acceleration. The Bronco Raptor also features Ford’s Terrain Management System, which allows the driver to select from several different driving modes, including sand, mud, and rock crawl. Let’s move on to the rest of the Ford Bronco Raptor review.
Ford Bronco Raptor Pros:
- Powerful Engine: The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful engines in its class.
- Excellent Off-Road Capability: The Bronco Raptor comes with advanced off-road features like Trail Turn Assist, Trail Control, and a Terrain Management System.
- Spacious and Comfortable Interior: The seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of head and legroom for both front and rear passengers.
- Impressive Safety Features: The Bronco Raptor has a number of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
- Fun to Drive: The Bronco Raptor is a blast to drive, thanks to its powerful engine and advanced off-road capabilities.
Ford Bronco Raptor Cons:
- Expensive: The Bronco Raptor has a high price tag, which may be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
- Poor Fuel Economy: The Bronco Raptor has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, which is below average for its class.
- Limited Cargo Space: The Bronco Raptor’s cargo area is smaller than some of its competitors, which may be a drawback for buyers who need extra storage.
- Some Cheap Interior Materials: While the Bronco Raptor’s interior is spacious and comfortable, some of the materials used feel cheap, which is disappointing given the high price of the vehicle.
A quick reminder: every car or truck I review is judged on 5 Ultimate Dad Car Factors: Comfort, Safety, Reliability, Environmental Friendliness, and Fun Factor. Each factor is scored on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best. Let’s see how the Bronco Raptor fared starting with Comfort.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
Comfort Score = 3 out of 5
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor has a spacious and comfortable interior. The seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of head and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The seats are also adjustable, which makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
The Bronco Raptor also features a number of amenities that make it a great choice for long road trips. It comes with a touchscreen infotainment system, which is easy to use and includes features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is also compatible with FordPass Connect, which allows you to control certain vehicle features from your phone.
Other comfort features include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Bronco Raptor’s interior is also relatively quiet, which makes for a more pleasant driving experience. So, for all that I give the Bronco Raptor a comfort score of 3 out of 5.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
Safety Score = 4 out of 5
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor has a number of safety features, which is a must-have for any off-road vehicle. Some of the safety features included in the Bronco Raptor are:
Adaptive Cruise Control: This feature allows you to set a speed and distance from the vehicle in front of you. The system will automatically adjust your speed to maintain a safe distance.
Lane Departure Warning: This feature alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane without signaling.
Automatic Emergency Braking: This feature will apply the brakes if it detects an imminent collision.
Blind Spot Monitoring: This feature alerts you if there’s a vehicle in your blind spot.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This feature alerts you if there’s a vehicle approaching from the side as you’re backing up.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
Reliability Score = 4 out of 5
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is a brand new vehicle, so it’s difficult to say how reliable it will be in the long term. However, Ford has a good reputation for producing reliable vehicles, and the new Bronco has undergone extensive testing to ensure that it’s ready for any adventure.
The Bronco Raptor also comes with a standard three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, as well as a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, Ford offers a range of extended warranty options for added peace of mind.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
Environmental Friendliness Score = 2 out of 5
Off-road vehicles are notorious for their poor fuel efficiency, and unfortunately, the Bronco Raptor is no exception. It has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. However, it’s worth noting that these numbers are fairly typical for this type of vehicle. That being said, the Bronco Raptor does come with a number of features designed to minimize its impact on the environment. For example, it has an EcoBoost engine that uses advanced technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The vehicle also features auto start-stop technology, which shuts off the engine when you’re idling to conserve fuel.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor
Fun Factor Score = 5 out of 5
At the end of the day, the most important thing about any off-road vehicle is how much fun it is to drive. And in this regard, the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor definitely delivers. Its powerful engine and advanced suspension system make it a blast to take off-road, while its comfortable interior and long list of amenities make it a pleasure to drive on the highway.
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is an impressive vehicle that lives up to the hype. With its powerful engine, advanced suspension system, and long list of features, it’s a great choice for anyone who loves to take their vehicle off-road. And with its comfortable interior, extensive safety features, and good reliability, it’s also a great choice for everyday driving.
Of course, the Bronco Raptor isn’t perfect. Its poor fuel economy and high price tag may be a turn-off for some buyers, and its size and weight can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spots. But hey, you can’t have it all in a single vehicle. I’d say the fun factor and off-road capability of the Bronco Raptor far outweigh its downsides. That wraps up this Ford Bronco Raptor review so give it a test drive and let us know what you think!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.