2022 Ford Ranger Raptor X Review

The Ranger Raptor X sits atop the Ranger lineup as Ford’s toughest, sportiest and most premium flagship dual-cab ute, but just how well does it translate to the road, and to the needs of Australian families?

Let’s put it under the microscope to find out.

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Ford Ranger - RAPTOR X 2.0 (4x4) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Ford Ranger car page.

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What Features Does the Ford Ranger Raptor X Have?

The flagship Ford Ranger Raptor X comes riding on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, and receives a matte-finish for the front grille and wheel arches, as well as a specific suspension tune, front sport seats, leather and suede upholstery, red tow hooks, extended sports bar, atop the standard Ranger features. 

Range Features:

• 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres 

• Specialised suspension tune 

• Matte-finish for the front grille & wheel arches 

• Front sport seats

• Leather & suede upholstery 

• Red tow hooks 

• Extended sports bar

Ford Ranger Raptor X Colours

The Ford Ranger Raptor X is available in a choice of colours, including Arctic White, Aluminium Metallic, Absolute Black, Code Orange, Blue Lightning, Sedona Orange, Conquer Grey and Meteor Grey.

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

On the road, the Ranger Raptor is one of the best-handling dual-cab utes you’ll find on the market. The platform remains sure-footed and incredibly flat when pushed through the corners, only held back by its large-profile off-road tyres. 

Power is supplied by a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel producing 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque which is paired with a 10-speed automatic that makes for delightfully powerful and smooth acceleration on the road.

The steering is relatively lightweight, adding to its appeal as an everyday driver while offering a decent amount of feedback as you pick up speed. 

Thanks to some heavy-duty independent coil-over suspension from Fox Racing, with a Watts linkage rear end designed to take a beating while offering some serious performance on and off-road. This also translates to an excellent ride quality that soaks up bumps without a problem. 

It’s a high quality setup, and in spite of its hardcore aspirations, the Raptor is perhaps the pick of the bunch for those looking for a lifestyle vehicle, as opposed to a heavy-duty workhorse. 

The Raptor offers a wider track than the standard Ranger which means that while it’s a bit more difficult to navigate in traffic and while parking, the driver benefits from added stability while cornering. 

When the sealed roads end and the off-road trails begin, the Raptor feels unstoppable, whether you’re throwing it into deep mud or sand, or navigating ruts and large rocks- it just keeps going. 

Ground clearance has been raised up to 283mm, with a wading depth standing at an impressive 850mm. The approach and departure angles are rated at 32.5 & 24 degrees respectively, which translates to a seemingly unstoppable package when you’re pushing into the Great Outdoors.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While it might be billed as the most hardcore Ranger available, the Raptor is surprisingly a perfect option for those with a family. 

Stepping inside, the driver is treated to a sporty interior design with the addition of bucket seats and red stitching making its way throughout the upholstery. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and are positioned lower than you might expect in a package like this, making it feel like you’re driving a car, rather than a massive dual-cab ute. 

The cabin is filled with practical storage elements, while Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as satellite navigation and a view of the rear camera while parking. 

The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for the dual-cab segment, with more than enough head and legroom on offer in the back of the Raptor to accommodate adults without a problem, so kids won’t have any troubles, either.

In terms of tray space, the load length measures 1,549mm while the width is rated at 1,560mm, with the tray receiving a slip-resistant tub-liner, power outlet and an extended sports bar. 

Towing capacities have been dropped for the Raptor over the rest of the Ranger lineup, which means payload and braked towing capacities drop to 749kg and 2,500kg respectively.

Is it Safe? 

The Ford Ranger Raptor has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, with autonomous emergency braking that features pedestrian detection, lane-keep assistance, lane-departure warnings, anti-lock brakes, traffic sign recognition and curtain airbags as standard. 

While it might lack some active safety features for the price, the Ranger Raptor remains on par for the segment when it comes to its safety credentials. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Ranger Raptor is officially rated at 8.2L/100km on a combined cycle, which effectively matches key fuel economy figures you’ll find in its competitors. 

Our Verdict: Is the Ford Ranger Raptor Worth it?

For all it’s aggressive styling, we think that the Raptor platform is perhaps one of the best options for Australian families looking for a dual cab ute that can perform on the road, on the worksite and while pushed off-road. 

The widened track underneath provides an incredibly stable and sure-footed ride quality, while the coil-spring suspension and huge off-road tyres provide perhaps the best ride quality for the segment. 

This does, however, come at the cost of towing and payload capacity, so before you make a purchase, be sure that this is a sacrifice you’re willing to make. 

We also think that something bearing the Raptor badge could use some extra speed, rather than match its key rivals, but as a complete package, the Raptor is immensely impressive and well-deserving of a spot on your dual-cab ute shortlist. 

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Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited KM warranty

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

3. 749kg payload; 2,500kg braked towing capacity

4. 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel produces 157kW/500Nm

5. 10-speed automatic transmission

Pros 

• Impressive off-road performance 

• Solid handling, easy to steer 

• Hardcore Coil springs from Fox Racing 

• Spacious and practical cabin

Cons

• 10-speed automatic can hunt for gears at times 

• In need of a speed injection 

• Reduced payload and towing capacities over the standard Ranger 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Ford Ranger Raptor Competition