Raptor R's supercharged thrills Interior quality matches price Doesn't sacrifice pickup utility Paying for it at the pump Off-road tires' poor on-road grip More rivals than ever If you want Baja-ready capability in a pickup you can drive every day, the Ford F-150 Raptor and Raptor R could be the right trucks for you. Upgrades to Ford's popular full-size F-150 give Raptor models the capability to tackle any terrain. Competitors include other beefed-up big rigs like the Ram 1500 TRX SRT, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, and Rivian R1T. What's New Ford shaves about $4,000 from the F-150 Raptor's starting price for 2027 with a new base model that retains the pickup's off-road hardware but deletes equipment such as a head-up display, foglamps, 2-kW Pro Power Onboard capability, Mobile Office package, power passenger seat, underseat storage, and power-adjustable steering column. If you go for the stripper F-150 Raptor, you also get an eight-speaker sound system instead of a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup. The sacrifice is worth it for a sub-$80,000 truck with monstrous off-road performance. What We Think The F-150 Raptor is the Raptor that launched Ford's off-road performance line that now includes upgraded versions of the Bronco SUV and midsize Ranger pickup. In its latest incarnation, the 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor gets a powerful twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, a reinforced frame, and Fox Live-Valve shocks. Raptor R models receive a supercharged V-8 that delivers ferocious acceleration and a fearsome sound. These enhancements, in addition to other tweaks that prepare the F-150 for dune-jumping duty, make Raptor models a hoot to drive when the pavement ends. The F-150 Raptor is comfortable on the road, too. Ford equips enough tech and convenience features to make for easy use on the daily. You can even use the Raptor as a work truck; it still posts solid towing and hauling figures. There are drawbacks to purpose-built vehicles like the F-150 Raptor and Raptor R, of course. Fuel economy takes a dive, and on-road grip suffers due to the equipment of off-road tires. There's another issue that's more of a Ford problem than a drawback to consumers. With more off-road trucks available on the market now than ever, shoppers are spoiled for choice when it comes to boulder-thumping pickups. Still, those that go for the 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor or Raptor R won't be disappointed. Top-Ranked Competitors: MotorTrend Tested The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine developing 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It receives a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. In our testing, the F-150 Raptor launched from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Go for the 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor R, and you get a 5.2-liter V-8 engine churning out a thunderous 720 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. This model rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. There's competition from Ram in the 1500 pickup. The RHO launches from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds while the new TRX SRT gets the job done in an as-tested 3.8 seconds. MPGs and Range The regular 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor returns 15/18 mpg city/highway with its twin-turbo V-6 engine. Range is a road-trip-worthy 576 miles. Don't buy the 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor R if you care about fuel economy even a little bit. This supercharged pickup is good for an EPA-rated 10/15 mpg, but we flirted with single-digit mileage during our real-world testing of this high-performance truck. Range is 432 miles. Driver Assist Features The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor is standard with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance suite. It also bundles some of the more desirable tech that's optional on lower-level versions of the F-150 model range. Standard Features The Co-Pilot 360 suite comes standard with front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. F-150 Raptor models also get a 360-degree camera, trailer backup assist, and trailer reversing guidance. Towing and Payload The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor is good for more than off-road driving. It can tow up to 8,200 pounds with the standard twin-turbo V-6 engine. Upgrading to the Raptor R enables 8,700 pounds of towing capacity thanks to the extra-powerful supercharged V-8. Payload maxes out at 1,400 pounds. That's less than the rest of the F-150 range, which is rated from 1,840 to 3,250 pounds. Technology Infotainment Ford outfits the 2027 F-150 Raptor with dual 12.0-inch displays. One is the digital gauge cluster, and the other is the infotainment touchscreen. You're reminded that you're driving a Raptor or Raptor R thanks to model-specific graphics and performance-inspired accents. Raptor variants get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and trail maps. Ford also includes a Wi-Fi hotspot and a wireless charging pad. Sound System An eight-speaker sound system is now standard on the 2027 F-150 Raptor. The 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen HD setup is now optional as part of the 801A package. Available Upgrades Last year, the Raptor came standard with a head-up display, a power-adjustable steering column, foglamps, 2-kW Pro Power Onboard capability, Mobile Office package, power passenger seat, and underseat storage. You now have to go beyond the base model to the 801A equipment group to get these features. Value Standard Features The base version of the 2027 F-150 Raptor is well equipped, even with the new stripped-down 800A entry-level package. You still get all the essentials like Ford Trail Control, trail one-pedal driving, trail turn assistance, and off-road chassis upgrades. Pricing begins under $78,000 for the 2027 model year. 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor R Pricing The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor R carries a premium over the standard Raptor. Ford asks a starting price around $115,000 for the version of its off-road pickup truck that uses a supercharged V-8 engine. Order banks are open now for both versions of the F-150 Raptor with deliveries beginning early in 2027. What Equipment Does the F-150 Raptor Use? Ford outfits several enhancements to get the 2027 F-150 ready for off-road use. It equips dual Live Valve shocks from Fox, which use position-sensitive compression and variable rebound controls, plus five-link rear suspension with extra-long trialing arms. The Raptor also gets a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs. Exterior upgrades include front bumper with accessory compatibility, model-specific wheels with 37-inch tires, forged front tow hooks, and a distinctive blacked-out grille. Ford's off-road tech includes its Terrain Management System with seven drive modes, Trail Control, and one-pedal driving for better throttle modulation in crawling situations. Raptor R models receive further enhancements such as Ford's Power Dome hood and unique graphics.
Liked by Leo Fortin, Oliver LeblancLiked by Leo Fortin, Oliver Leblanc
Liked by Leo Fortin, Oliver Leblanc
