We already know that the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor’s $68,500 base price makes it twice as expensive as a base 4-door Bronco, and requires $20,000 of extra outlay versus the Bronco Wildtrak. But judging by official economy figures it looks like the purchase price isn’t the end of the expense for Raptor buyers.
Bronco fans on the Bronco6G forum recently got a look at a window sticker for one of the hot new Ford trucks, revealing that the high performance Raptor is rated at just 15 mpg city, 16 mpg highway, and 15 mpg overall. That compares with a 20/22/21 mpg rating for the 2.3-liter four-cylinder Bronco in entry level trim.
But to be fair to the Raptor, that’s not really the whole story. Order your 2.3 Bronco in trail-loving Badlands trim with a manual transmission and those numbers tumble to 16/18/17 mpg, which is actually worse than the 17/18/17 mpg figures attributed to the 2.7-liter V6 Ecoboost Badlands with the 10-speed automatic option.
So maybe the Raptor’s 15 mpg combined rating, while hardly welcome given how gas prices have rocketed over the last year, isn’t as bad as it first looks. And you do at least get a big jump up in performance for your small jump down in economy. The 2.3-liter Bronco makes 300 hp [304 PS], and the 2.7 cranks out 330 hp [335 PS], while Ford says it’s targeting over 400 hp [406 PS] for the Raptor courtesy of a tough iron-block 3.0-liter Ecoboost V6.
Related: 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Extreme Off-Roader Bows With Over 400HP For $68,500
Power is transmitted to the road via a 10-speed gearbox, similar to the one found in the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. The four-wheel drive system will feature seven different “G.O.A.T” modes for off-road exploration including a Baja mode that actives a turbo anti-lag system designed for “high-speed desert runs.”
Reaction to the Raptor’s economy figures on the Bronco6G forum seemed mixed. Some joked about the bad timing of buying such a thirsty car when gas in some states has topped $6 per gallon, and highlighted how out of touch the estimated annual fuel cost figure of $2,350 is because it is based on a $2.35 gallon.
But others claim they’re not concerned because their existing Broncos already achieve more than the official mpg figures, while another faction says it simply doesn’t care: when your back catalog of vehicles included classic muscle cars and big-block trucks that return close to single-digit economy, 15 mpg is almost Prius territory.
H/T to Doug at Bronco6G
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor has surpassed Ford’s target of 400 horsepower [298kW]; it has been confirmed through C.E.O. Jim Farley on Twitter that it has an output of 420 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque which is quite impressive. This output will be punched out of a 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
This article will outline the newest information on all you need to know about the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor, including its interior and exterior design, engine, pricing, release date, features of packages, and more. Keep reading for more information.
Overview
Ford has just done a Bronco Raptor reveal, and we can say that the new 2023 Raptor is said to be the king above all other Broncos; the new Bronco Sport, the Regular Bronco, and the Broncos Sasquatch package.
Ten years ago, Ford introduced a Raptor version of its F-150 pickup truck, which was more powerful, had more off-road capabilities, and had a beefier look.
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They have done the same to the Bronco, which has 420 horsepower, as listed above, and some significant upgrades than the standard model, making it stronger, aggressive, and capable. It is the best choice for anyone looking to purchase a high-performance off-road S.U.V.
What’s New for 2023?
The tires are a major thing that distinguishes the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor from the standard Bronco. This vehicle comes standard with 37-inch tires, making them the largest tires that have been fitted to any production S.U.V. in existence. Even the F-150 Raptor comes standard with 35-inch tires.
Ford has added quite a few items to the tires and off-roading capability of the 2023 Raptor, which makes it more desirable, and one of them is additional ground clearance.
Ford says they have added over 13 inches of ground clearance to the 2023 Raptor, which is about four and a half inches more than the standard Bronco and an inch and a half more ground clearance than a Bronco’s Sasquatch.
The 2023 Raptor is also considerably more comprehensive than the standard Bronco; Ford says it is 9.8 inches wider than the regular Bronco and almost 5 inches wider than a Bronco’s Sasquatch.
It is a massive vehicle, and to handle all that weight, it comes with fender flares over the front and rear wheels [to ensure the tires do not spit rocks onto innocent bystanders] with mud flaps attached to them.
Ford says the bumper’s end caps are removable, allowing for more significant front wheel travel. Another upgrade at the Raptor’s front is a highly massive skid plate under the vehicle that goes back pretty far. It is designed to protect the Bronco Raptor during its off-road driving adventures.
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2022 Ford Bronco Raptor – Price
Another noticeable change between the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor and the regular Bronco is the pricing. Ford says that the Bronco Raptor’s price will be around $70,000, whereas its rivals, such as the Wrangler 392 [which has a big V8 engine under the hood], cost $75,000. This means that the Raptor is cheaper and has less power.
| Starting at | Seating for [2-door/4-door] | 4-Door Cargo [Cu. Ft.] |
| $ 70.045 | 5 [4-door only] | 73 |
Ford Bronco Raptor Engine, Transmission, and Power
Under the hood, you have a twin-turbo 3.0 liter V6 that produces about 420 horsepower, which is a pretty significant upgrade over the top engine in the regular Bronco, which is also a twin-turbo V6. Still, it produces about 330 horsepower, so the Bronco Raptor makes about 90 horsepower more.
This engine will probably be paired to a modern four-wheel drive and a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Another thing to know about the Raptor’s power train is that it is not the same engine as the one in the F-150 Raptor. The latter uses a slightly larger V6 engine with more power, a 3.5 liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 450 horsepower. This shows that Ford is making different twin-turbo V6 engines with similar power ranges.
When it comes to power, the 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor has an advantage over the regular Bronco. It comes with competition-level axles to increase the Raptor’s capability.
Ford says it has been reinforced to take a beating, and they increased the track width [dramatically], which is over eight inches wider than a standard Bronco and four and a half inches wider than a Bronco Sasquatch.
Ford has also made dramatic improvements to the suspension by adding Fox shocks designed to take a beating off the pavement on trails [serious off-road performance]. There are also new shock towers than the standard Bronco and Sasquatch, which provides more wheel travel.
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| Engine Specifications | 2.3L EcoBoost® | 2.7L EcoBoost® | 3.0L EcoBoost® |
| Engine type | 2.3L Ti-VCT GTDI I-4 | 2.7L Ti-VCT GTDI V-6 | 3.0L Ti-VCT GTDI V-6 |
| Drive type | 4×4 | 4×4 | 4×4 |
| Exhaust | Single | Single | Dual |
| Transmission type | 7-Speed Manual/10-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower [regular fuel] | 275 | 315 | – |
| Torque [regular fuel] | 315 | 410 | – |
| Horsepower [premium fuel] | 300*,** | 330*,** | – |
| Torque [premium fuel] | 325*,** | 415*,** | – |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 | 10.0:1 | – |
| Valve lifters | Direct Acting Mechanical Buckets | Roller Finger Follower | Roller Finger Follower |
| Engine block material | Aluminum | Compacted Graphite Iron [CGI] | Compacted Graphite Iron [CGI] |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Induction system | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Fuel delivery | Direct injection | Ported Fuel/Direct injection [PFDI] | Direct injection |
| Fuel [minimum] | Regular unleaded | Regular unleaded | – |
| EPA-Estimated Ratings Four Wheel Drive [Actual mileage will vary] | Vehicle not rated at the time of release | Vehicle not rated at the time of release | – |
| *Horsepower and torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349 standard. | |||
| **Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. |
Fuel Economy
There are many mixed reactions to this high-performance vehicle’s fuel economy rate. At the end of the day, we have come to the conclusion that Bronco fans are not going to order the Raptor for its gas mileage but for its impressive performance.
The Raptor has a fuel economy rate of 15 mpg [miles per gallon] in the city, 16 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. This is slightly low compared to the fuel economy rating of the 2.3-liter four-cylinder Bronco in entry trim level [20 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 21 mpg overall].
Special Upgrades
There are a lot of distinctive upgrades in the 2023 Bronco Raptor, which distinguishes it from the standard Bronco. The first thing is the grill with Ford and black lettering going across it, adding to its aggressiveness.
Another upgrade is the lighting up front; there is a model amber lighting signature which Ford says is exclusive to the Raptor models. You also have three orange lights situated directly above the Ford lettering, which is government-mandated.
The regulation states that if your vehicle is more than 80 inches wide, you have to have three orange marker lights in the center. And since the Raptor fits that description, it comes with the three marker lights.
This regulation also states that you must have two orange marker lights in the front of the car at the edges. Ford has installed these two lights in the mirrors, one on the passenger side and the other on the driver’s side.
This same regulation also says you have to have red lights in the back. Ford has integrated three red lights into the third brake light of the Bronco Raptor. There are also red lights situated on the backside of the mirrors.
Technology
The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor will use the ten-speed gearbox, which is used in the F-150 and Raptor Ranger variants. It comes with dual exhausts, which are situated somewhat under the bumper. They have several different modes ranging from a quiet to a Baja mode.
Infotainment System
The large center touchscreen is 12 inches and is an optional feature in the Bronco Raptor; you get a smaller screen for the standard feature. The center screen is very easy to use, straightforward and responsive. You can also see and operate multiple things at once.
The infotainment system should have modern features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It should also come with a Bang & Olufsen stereo system for music lovers.
One disadvantage with the center infotainment screen is the camera system is not impressive. You can access different camera angles with high resolution, but it is not the perfect choice for an off-roading vehicle as it is not very advanced.
Gauge Cluster Screen
The gauge cluster screen is also large and full color with some impressive touches. One of these is a raptor information screen which gives you access to all kinds of information about the current situation of your vehicle. You can check the temperature, tire pressure, elevation, etc.
A new display mode comes with the Bronco Raptor and is called the performance gauge cluster display mode. The gauge cluster reorients itself in a performance way to prioritize all the information you need to know if you are off-roading. The tachometer, tire pressure, and every other information are hugely displayed.
The Ford Raptor has a detailed look of its new screen, an upgrade from the analog and digital cluster of the regular Bronco. When you switch from one drive mode to the other, an animation will be played on the digital cluster.
Ford says these animations were put together by videogame developers, and they aim to capture the performance of each drive mode setting using speed, colors, and camera angles.
The Raptor features seven different G.O.A.T. [Goes Over All-Terrain] modes for off-road driving, which are listed below.
Different Drive Modes and Their Display
- Sport Mode
This is displayed in the digital cluster using red and white colors and shows the vehicle in a track environment. This drive mode handles city and highway driving very well while giving you an exciting experience.
- Baja Mode
Baja mode is designed for high-speed desert runs by activating a turbo anti-lag system. It uses orange highlights and shows a vehicle driving across a desert scene.
- Rock Crawl Mode
This driving mode brings out the Raptor’s rock crawling abilities. It is displayed showing a Raptor slow crawling over rocks. Activating this mode optimizes the vehicle for aggressive and low-speed climbing maneuvers.
- Normal Mode
This is the normal driving mode displayed using blue colors and shows a vehicle in an everyday driving scene.
- Off-Road Mode
Activating off-road mode in the Raptor prepares your vehicle for uneven, rugged, muddy, and rutted terrain. It shows an off-road environment using different shades of brown.
- Slippery Mode
This driving mode is displayed using a blue light which shows a vehicle in rainy conditions. It is activated when driving on loose surfaces.
- Tow/Haul Mode
When this mode is activated, the gauges turn yellow, showing a vehicle towing a trailer. This highlights the Raptor’s increased tow rating of 4,500 pounds and for people who want to tow with their Bronco.
Interior Design
The 2023 Bronco Raptor is a blue vehicle also available in code orange, a distinctive color for the F-150 Raptor. If you get your Raptor in blue, you get code orange accents in the interior [on the grab handle, the steering wheel, gear selector stitching, the seats, etc.].
The seats are more heavily bolstered than the seats in the standard Bronco. They are designed to keep you in place when driving at high speed or doing some desert cornering. They are made with a suede leather material with orange stitching and accents.
The leather is an attractive addition and optional; the standard option on the Bronco Raptor is vinyl seats. The base seats are easier to hose out if you plan to go on many off-roading adventures and get your car dirty all the time.
Another interior upgrade in the Bronco Raptor is the steering wheel which is thicker than the one in the standard Bronco models. The thickness makes it easier to grip. There are new buttons on the steering wheel, and one is the exhaust button which allows you to change the exhaust through the various modes.
There are switches on the ceiling that say aux 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. They are called up-fitter switches, but they do not do anything. This is because they are there for you if you want to add accessories [a light bar or a winch]. You can run the wiring to the switches as they are pre-installed.
There are some pretty exciting switches situated above the center infotainment screen. They are primarily for off-roading purposes. You have your hazard lights, a sway bar disconnect button, etc. There is also a little power port on the dashboard for plugging devices such as your dash cam and GoPros.
Unlike other cars, all window and power mirror switches are in the center console. They are not mounted on the doors because they are removable, and so is the roof.
The roof has extra reinforcements when you are going on some severe off-roading adventure. There is a b-pillar crossbar and a c-pillar crossbar to provide adequate rigidity.
| Interior Dimensions [projected] | 2-Door | 4-Door |
| Headroom [in.] | ||
| First row [Hard Top] | 41.0 | 40.8 |
| First row [Soft Top] | N/A | 43.3 |
| Second row [Hard Top] | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Second row [Soft Top] | N/A | 41.1 |
| Leg room [in.] | ||
| First row | 43.1 | 43.1 |
| Second row | 35.7 | 36.3 |
| Hip room [in.] | ||
| First row | 56.3 | 55.9 |
| Second row | 43.3 | 54.8 |
| Shoulder room [in.] | ||
| First row | 57.1 | 57.1 |
| Second row | 51.8 | 56.5 |
Comfort and Cargo
The backseat is not all that interesting, and neither is it enormous. It is not a tight space either, but just average. It is a decent space for adults and a convenient space for kids. The seat back is pretty upright, and although it is adjustable, it will still feel pretty upright.
There is a little storage compartment on the back of the front seats and a cargo net with a code orange accent. Two power window switches are located at the back of the front center console for your rear doors. On the left side, you have USB ports, and on the right side, a household power outlet.
The cargo area is easy to access; first, you open the door and then the window. It is a relatively reasonably sized cargo area with a 12-volt power outlet on the side and extra storage space under the floor.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Most of the driver assistance technology in the 2023 Raptor is said to be similar to the one in the standard Bronco. The crash test results of the Bronco Raptor are displayed on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [I.I.H.S.] and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] websites.
Some of the safety features in the 2023 Raptor will probably include:
- Standard lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning.
- Standard rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.
- Standard automated emergency braking and forward-collision warning.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford offers a powertrain and limited warranty, but unlike its competitors [Jeep], it does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance. You have access to powertrain warranty coverage for 60,000 miles or five years. And lastly, limited warranty coverage for 36,000 miles or three years.
Frequently Asked Questions [F.A.Q.s]
How much will a Bronco Raptor Cost?
Ford says the 2023 Bronco Raptor will have a starting price of $70,000.
When can I order a 2022-2023 Bronco Raptor?
Ford is no longer accepting custom orders for the 2022 Bronco Raptor. There is no official on-sale date for the 2023 Raptor.
How much is a 2023 Bronco fully loaded?
The 2023 Raptor fully loaded is said to start at $70,000, including destination.
Will there be a 2-door Bronco Raptor?
The Bronco Raptor will not receive a two-door variant. It is only available in a four-door body style.
Will the 2023 Bronco have a V8?
No, the 2023 Bronco Raptor has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces up to 420 horsepower.
How tall is the Bronco Raptor?
We know that the 2023 Raptor is 9.8 inches wider than the standard Bronco and almost 5 inches wider than a Bronco’s Sasquatch.
Conclusion
The 2023 Bronco Raptor is said to be the king of Bronco Hill, with its incredible styling, impressive performance, and unique features. The only drawback to this vehicle is its thirst for gas, but Raptor fans seem not to be bothered about this.