2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is the best in class, in a segment without any rivals
Before you start comparing it with the RAM TRX, you need to remember the fact that this is not an all-out performance offering, but more of a well-rounded “do-it-all” option. It still doesn’t change the fact that it is the fastest F-150 until Ford comes up with a faster version.
It’s been a while trucks are not just for construction sites, manufacturers started to build more well-rounded options with several different trims. 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor, with minimal compromises compared to a regular F-150, offers more off-road capability and outright performance which makes it the most well-rounded truck in the market.
Exterior and Interior
As a best-selling vehicle, F150 has several different trims, but the Raptor has always been the performance oriented offering since from 2010s. It was a revolutionary step to combine performance drivetrain with a work truck chassis, but it became so popular with the extreme rugged looks, higher ground clearance and wide body.
Compared to the regular F-150, it has a distinctive big grille, hood, wider stance with wide body fenders and unpainted fender flares, huge metal skid plate and most importantly 37″ inch tires that can handle extreme off-roading. Like the other F-150s, it still looks very masculine, with a lot of straight and sharp body lines in the front end.
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor only comes with a crew-cab body style, which Ford calls it SuperCrew. Like the body style, you only get one bed size, which is 5-1/2′. As you expect from the performance truck, you don’t get the biggest bed size, which is one of the few compromises if you plan to use it for work.
The rear design is just like any other truck, just a little bit wider fenders as well as dual exhaust tips in the back. Ford also decided to add lots of decals to the rear fenders, and wanted to make sure that you are running on 37″ wheels which is an interesting choice.
Like the regular F-150 models, you get the same tailgate functionality and that’s pretty impressive from a performance oriented truck. Some of those features are tailgate step, cleats on each side to tie down long items, and pockets to attach clamps. It also has a quirky tailgate work surface that offers several functions such as phone, pencil holder, ruler and a cupholder.
Like the bed, you get the same functionality when you get behind the steering wheel. You get pretty much the same dashboard with the same huge infotainment system, physical buttons placed all over the center dashboard, as well as same digital gauge cluster that is also available in higher end F-150 trims.
What’s different is more important, as those are small but pretty distinctive differences. You get the sporty seats with Raptor badges, and front seats come with heating and ventilating option. The driver’s seat has memory function and it has a lot of adjustment options.
The rear seats have tons of legroom and headroom, as it is the SuperCrew version. I was expecting more comfort features such as the heated rear seats. But functionality wise, it is very good as bottom cushions can be folded up for additional vertical storage space.
Engine and Drivetrain
2022 F-150 has several different type of engines, but Raptor only comes with the high output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine that pumps out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the older models, there is no V8 option available but twin turbo V6 has a lot of midrange torque and unique sound.
Raptor’s engine is paired with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels that you can choose different modes. The four wheel drive mode also offers low gearing mode, as well as limited rear locking differential for better off road capability.
Driving Impressions and Features
Right off the bat, 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor feels huge behind the steering wheel, as it barely fits to the regular lanes on a public road due to the extended track width. So if you are looking for rugged driving experience, look no further.
Of course, it is not just the looks. As it comes with optional huge 37″ wheels, makes the Raptor even more off-road capable as it increases the ground clearance all the way up to 13.1 inches. It also comes with Fox Racing shock absorbers that offers better control over different terrain and speed.
The double wishbone front suspension has few differences, but there is a bigger difference when it comes to the rear suspension, as it comes with a five-link rear coil-spring suspension system instead of leaf spring that is used in most modern trucks.
You will not find extreme off road features like you do with the latest Ford Bronco like disabling sway bar or a front locker, but you still get low gear ratios as well as limited locking diff in the rear, and also by having extreme ground clearance, the Raptor is pretty much unstoppable in off-road.
Of course, you can’t have it all. 37″ all terrain tires are loud, the drivetrain is not the smoothest, and it would not feel like 450 hp vehicle due to the excessive weight. So the Raptor is not designed for long highway driving, or pavement. It belongs to off-road and extreme conditions.
Though it is not the optimal choice for long highway trips due to the off-road oriented setup, it is quite comfortable thanks to the soft suspension setup. It can be adjusted as it offers multiple different settings based on road conditions, but either way it definitely feels big and there is quite a bit of a body roll.
Speaking of adjustability, you can adjust driving modes and exhaust, suspension, steering setup from the steering wheel which also means it has a lot of buttons and it takes time to get used to the layout. All physical buttons feel solid and you don’t have to fully rely on the digital screen to use essential features.
The infotainment system is huge, and Ford did a great job with the latest infotainment system. It not only has great resolution and touch screen feedback, but the software is pretty smooth with almost no lag and it comes with wireless CarPlay. I also like the fact that it comes with fully digital gauge cluster, but I wish it offered more customization.
Last but not least, we have to talk about the towing capacity. Although this is a performance and off-road oriented option, that doesn’t mean you can’t tow with the Raptor. It tows maximum of 8200 lbs (3720 kg) and has a payload capacity of 1400 lbs (635 kg) which is not bad considering it is not designed for towing
Pricing and the Verdict
At the end of the day, it is really hard not to like the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor. Until Ford comes up with faster Raptor that can actually compete with the RAM TRX, it is the fastest and the most off-road capable F-150. It not only offers traditional truck features, but also adds performance and off-road aspect with two compromises.
The first compromise is the fuel economy, which is quite normal when you want to have everything in a truck that weighs over 5500 lbs. We were averaging around 19.0L / 100 km which can be even more if you do a lot of stop and go traffic. You just can’t have it all.
The second and most important compromise is the price tag. F-150 price range varies a lot, but with all the optional features, it is not hard to get the Raptor’s price tag close to 6 figure numbers. 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor starts around $88,000 CAD, but our tester had the 801A package, as well as 17″ Forged aluminum bead-lock capable wheel and Raptor 37 package, the total comes up to $106,000.
For more details – please visit www.ford.ca
