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Thanks: Ram Trucks @ramtruck1365/videos 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor Starting at: $ Highs: Hell hath no fury, king of the hills and dunes, immensely smooth ride. Lows: Not kind on the wallet, twin-turbo V-6's buzz is no match for the supercharged V-8's growl, this is how big too big is. Verdict: The F-150 Raptor's incredible off-road chops don't muddy its everyday comfort, but there's no easy way to fit this big beast into a parking-lot spot. Overview The Ford F-150 Raptor pumps out so much fun and such oversize thrills, you'd assume that it had been outlawed years ago. Think of it as a full-size F-150 that's been fed nothing but creatine, dumbbells, and gallons of Bang Energy drink during development. The Raptor—a 2024 Editors' Choice honoree—muscles out 450 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V-6 bolted to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor R is the bodybuilder in the family, with a more glorious roar from its 720-hp supercharged V-8. With every tool in the box besides subtlety, the Raptor's Fox Dual Live Valve dampers and long-travel suspension make flying over rough terrain marshmallow soft, and even when it isn't blasting down ORV trails doing its best WRC rally-car impression, the Raptor's incredibly comfortable ride makes it feel as smooth as an absurdly tall luxury car. The Raptor is on the endangered species list of high-horsepower pickups now that the 702-hp Ram 1500 TRX is to be discontinued, leaving the 835-hp all-electric Rivian R1T as a somewhat obscure competitor. What's New for 2024? The F-150 Raptor goes under the knife for 2024, joining the normal F-150 with a visual refresh and minor equipment update. It's still using the same bones as the fourteenth-generation F-series pickup that went on sale in 2021. The Raptor now gets available Fox Dual Live Valve shocks, which are an evolution of the dampers installed on the Raptor back in 2019. Raptors with 37-inch tires come with modified bumper caps that Ford says increase capability, and an optional LED lightbar can also be mounted to this fancy modular bumper. Wider front tow hooks, as well as new headlights make for a meaner-looking pickup. Shelter Green is also added as a new color for Raptor. But, don't let all these new fancy decorations overshadow the more brag-worthy update. Ford squeezes a few more ponies out of the Raptor R for 2024, bringing the output of the V-8 to 720 horsepower, a 20-hp increase over last year. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Beneath the F-150 Raptor's hood is the familiar high-output version of Ford's 450-hp twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6. It breathes through a exhaust system that gives the V-6 a deep growl, but its exhalations still pale in comparison to the V-8's thunder. The V-6 still pairs with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission that feeds all four wheels through a standard four-wheel-drive system. The Raptor R is an even bigger predator. It uses the supercharged V-8 from the Shelby GT500, tuned for about 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. (That number will likely edge slightly upward this year.) Along with other chassis enhancements, a selection of 17-inch rims, and standard 35-inch tires, the Raptor is also available with a set of 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 all-terrain tires for better approach, departure, and breakover angles. The Raptor R comes standard with the 37s, which add 1.1 inches of ground clearance, raising the Raptor R's belly to a height 13 inches above the Earth. Every Raptor rides on a sophisticated suspension that includes Fox internal-bypass dampers and a five-link rear coil-spring setup. Only those optioned with 37-inch tires, however, get the new Fox Dual Live Valve shocks with continuously variable rebound control. Tuned by the Ford Performance folks, the dampers promise a smarter and smoother ride. In our initial test drive, we sampled the updated Raptor off-road and found it to have incredible traction and ride quality on even the most treacherous terrain. Read More
