If the first vehicle that springs to mind when free-associating “off-road” is the Jeep Wrangler, the resurrected-for-2021 Ford Bronco would like to have a word — but if it’s the all-new 2022 Bronco Raptor, them’s fightin’ words. Like its full-size counterpart, the F-150 Raptor pickup truck, the Bronco Raptor is the top-performing terrain attack vehicle in the mid-size SUV’s lineup. Does the Bronco Raptor make a rock-crawling case as a serious threat to the Wrangler’s position atop the hill? Yes. Is it the peak of perfection? No.
In one of Cars.com’s most popular articles of the past week — a rapid-fire roundup of the SUV’s pros and cons — we give this Bronco brownie points for its robust 418-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6; off-road enhancements to its suspension, steering components, tires and track width; surprising drivability on the asphalt; aggressive, purpose-appropriate exterior styling; and, of course, its impressive off-the-pavement prowess. Conversely, cons include a disappointing V-6 engine sound, along with notable wind and road noise; obstructed outward visibility to the sides and rear; lackluster gas mileage coupled with a premium fuel recommendation; and an overall width that’s not exactly accommodating to maneuvering through everyday life.
For the full details on the things we like and the things we loathe about the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, follow the link below to the No. 6 news story of the week.
Joining our weekly countdown way down at the bottom is a piece of news that may be less interesting to off-road enthusiasts but of note to the economically advantaged eco-conscious. Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, announced pricing for the all-new, all-electric version of its full-size sedan, the G80. The unironically named Electrified G80 will start at a hefty $80,920 (including destination but excluding any federal, state or local tax incentives) — a price that gets buyers two powerful electric motors, all-wheel drive, a manufacturer-estimated 282 miles of driving range on a charge and promising charge times. All that sounding pretty good so far? Well, would-be buyers would be better off being residents of either the eastern or western U.S., because those are the only regions it’ll be available in for now.
For more on the arrival of the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80, follow the link below to the No. 10 news story of the week.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mazda CX-50, Volvo C40 Recharge and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. California Vows to Kill Gas-Powered Cars by 2035, But Is it Feasible?
2. What Does the EV Tax Credit Overhaul Mean for Car Shoppers?
3. 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Orders Reopen, Prices Swell
4. Cars.com’s 2022 Car Seat Fit Report Card
5. 2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Looks Aren’t Everything
6. Is the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor a Good SUV? 5 Things We Like, 4 We Don’t
7. 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Review: Trading Practicality for Style
8. Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?
9. 2023 Dodge Hornet Up Close: Italian Beef, American Seasoning
10. 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Priced at Just Over $80,000
Keyword: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Ford Bronco Raptor Defuses Genesis Electrified G80