At its core, the Ford Raptor is a pickup truck. But this Blue Oval is a pickup truck in the way that an F-14 Tomcat is an airplane, Madison Square Garden is a venue, or Woodward Ave is a street. Immediately upon its release in 2010, this rig wowed both enthusiasts and the automotive press with its combination of everyday utility and bareknuckle performance. Immediately, it became an icon.
In the off-road pickup segment, the Raptor has been such a formidable opponent that it took over a decade for a proper competitor to arrive. That competitor is the RAM 1500 TRX, and until the Raptor R arrives sometime this year, Ma Mopar's machine will have the edge in the power department. But make no mistake: Ford's factory Trophy Truck is a wicked machine that'll handle virtually any terrain in its path. So I was stoked to get to check out the latest version of Ford's dune-tackling, desert-conquering pickup.
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Exterior
The Raptor's size alone provides it with acres of presence, and design elements like the enormous FORD letters in the grille emphasize its footprint. One interesting bit of trivia about the front fascia? The three orange lights at the top of the grille aren't just there to look cool, as regulations require any vehicle over 80 inches wide to have them, to help other drivers grasp the sheer size. Generally, that rule applies to commercial vehicles - but the Raptor is a special case.
Even though I'm over six feet tall, I had to stand on my tiptoes to get a proper look at the contrasting flared section at the center of the hood. It's an aggressive piece of kit which says Raptor on the side, and matched the black wheel arches, front bumper, and giant grille. But my favorite exterior elements were the optional 17-inch forged aluminum wheels, which were wrapped in 35-inch off-road rubber. If that's not enough for you, Ford actually offers a 37-inch tire package, but it's safe to say that you'll never have to worry about curbing the wheels either way.
The Raptor might be optimized for off-road performance, but the designers didn't forget about everyday functionality either. For example, when the tailgate is folded down, you can pull a set of steps from its top, to make it easier to climb into the bed. To help steady yourself, there's a pull-out handle inset right next to it. Yup, tailgates have certainly come a long way.
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Interior
As you'd expect from an off-road beast, the Raptor sits up high. But climbing in is no problem, thanks to the wide, non-slip coated running boards. Once in the cabin, what's striking is just how luxurious everything feels. Ford has spent a lot of time and treasure optimizing the interiors of its beloved F-Series, and that's on full display here.
The leather seats are wide, exceptionally comfortable, and feature both heating and cooling functions. Plus, the center console feels as big as a kitchen island. To feel cramped, you'd likely have to be as big as a professional basketball player, even in the rear seats. In a nod to the fact that many F-150 owners use their trucks as mobile offices, with a push of a button, the gear lever folds down. Then, the lid of the console can fold forward, and provide a flat surface perfect for writing notes or placing a laptop. Speaking of laptops, you won't have to worry about running low on power in the Raptor, as there's a household outlet at the bottom of the dash, right next to a wireless charging pad, and both USB C and USB A plugs.
Like the Bronco I drove late last year, there's a row of auxiliary switches in the ceiling, so if you're looking to add off-road lighting or a winch to your rig, it's essentially a plug-and-play operation. In a nod to the Raptor's speedy spirit, there's a red leather strip at the 12 o-clock point on the steering wheel. That's something mostly seen in performance cars, and it looks boss. Another performance touch I appreciated were the beefy shift paddles behind the wheel. Not only do they feel great on your fingertips, the plus and minus marks are cut out of the metal, which is a subtle, but fantastic, touch.
To match the cavernous interior, the designers fitted the Raptor with a large 12-inch touchscreen, and the resolution is razor sharp. And while this is a big unit, it's also surprisingly unobtrusive, as it doesn't stick up over the dash. Functionality wise, Ford's SYNC 4 is a breeze to use, in that any function never feels more than a tap or two away, and it responds to inputs quickly. Fortunately, the climate controls and the heated seats have physical controls, and like everything else in the cabin, feel robust and high-quality.
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Performance
While the first-generation Raptor packed a 5.4-liter V8, the sole powertrain option for the latest model is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 mated to a ten-speed automatic. Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that this drop in displacement is something that keyboard warriors have seized upon to criticize. But the fact of the matter is that with 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque on tap, the smaller six-pot is more powerful than the previous mill. At 14 city and 18 highway, it's no fuel sipper, but it's also more efficient than its elder sibling too. So I think we can call that a win. But let's be honest here. If you're looking for a fuel-sipping commuter, the Raptor probably isn't on your list.
The Raptor was designed to tackle punishing terrain like the legendary Baja 1000 course, and as a result, it's packed to the gills with heavy duty hardware. New for 2021 is a sophisticated five-link rear suspension system, which utilizes coil springs as opposed to the leaf-spring setup traditionally seen on pickups. At all four corners, cutting-edge Fox internal-bypass shocks handle damping duties, and ground clearance has been increased over an inch, to 13.1 inches over the previous model. Additionally, the bash plate visible under the front bumper signals it's ready to rock the rough stuff.
Hit the gas, and the Raptor moves forward with authority, if not blinding speed. According to Ford, it'll make the jump from zero to 60 mph in the mid-five second range, which is more than quick enough for something the size of a battleship. There are four exhaust settings on the Raptor, and even in Normal mode, the engine is loud enough that wide open throttle will announce your presence to folks out of visual range. Fortunately, along with the Performance and Off-Road modes, there's Quiet mode, so Raptor buyers won't make enemies out of their neighbors.
From the wheel, drivers can also customize steering and suspension settings, and there are five drive modes to suit different terrains. These include Sport, Tow/Haul, Normal, Off-Road, Baja, Slippery, and Rock Crawl, with Baja being the setting of choice for high-speed off-road adventures. Like many other modern 4x4s, the Raptor also comes equipped with Trail Control, which is best described as an off-road cruise control, and makes easy work of treacherous ascents and descents.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the latest Raptor is how well it performs on the road, because just a few years ago, a machine with this kind of capability would feel like a tractor on pavement. But I was blown away by how easy it was to drive, and while the exhaust is loud and there's some tire noise, overall the ride was pretty cushy. That said, while this truck is geared toward off-road use, it's still an F-150. So it can haul 1,400 pounds in the bed, and when properly equipped, it'll tow 8,200 pounds.
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Safety
The Raptor was equipped with a robust suite of safety features, including Blind-Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Lane-Departure Warning. And while backup cameras are now a required feature for all new vehicles, it's worth noting that the 360-degree unit in the Raptor is particularly excellent. Along with offering a host of selectable views, including inside the bed and above the trailer hitch, the resolution is fantastic, which makes parting this battleship easier than you might initially think it'd be.
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Overall
The MSRP on my tester was $64,145. Adding package 801A, which includes an upgraded B&O sound system, the tow package, 360-degree camera, and navigation, upped the price by $6,150. Additional options, including the Rapid Red Metallic paint ($395), 17-inch wheels ($1,895), and ToughBed liner ($595) contributed to an as-tested price of $76,870. That's hardly chump change, but in an era when pickup prices are headed for the stratosphere, the Ford F-150 Raptor remains a ton of truck for the money.
So if you've ever been curious about the Blue Oval's weapons-grade rig, head to your local AutoNation Ford dealer to check one out for yourself!
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John Coyle | Jan 11, 2022
