2025 Ford Bronco Raptor Review

Don’t expect front-row parking in the 2025 Ford Bronco Raptor — not that you’ll suddenly be shunned from the spots closest to the entrance of your neighbourhood grocery store.

Instead, it’s simple: you just won’t fit. Well, at least not comfortably — for you or anyone else. Such are the tribulations that come with this overbuilt, dune-bashing version of Ford’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler. And it’s a price some of you surely won’t mind paying, hence why you’re here to begin with. The actual price, though? Well, that might be a little more difficult to stomach.

Value 5 / 10

Looking for something similar in execution to the exceptionally capable Jeep Wrangler Rubicon? That’s what the Bronco’s optional Sasquatch package is for — a combination that will set you back at least $77,330 for a four-door model like this one in top Badlands trim. That’s before tax but including freight, by the way; that non-negotiable fee is set at $2,295. It also puts the Bronco somewhere between the Wrangler’s Rubicon ($69,090) and Rubicon X ($80,085) packages.

But this is a different beast altogether, and it’s priced accordingly. Ford wants a whopping $118,220 for the Bronco Raptor — a figure that can swell to in excess of $135,000 before the government’s share, as was the case with this tester. Don’t forget that a six-figure starting price also means you’ll be paying the federal luxury tax, too, so set aside an extra few grand for that.

Styling 10 / 10

Of course, only you can decide whether or not that’s too much money for this machine, although it isn’t hard to see where the extra spend is going compared to the Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch kit. For starters, it sheds the rest of the lineup’s approachable aesthetic — the retro-inspired Bronco Heritage Edition in particular is about as affable as they come — for something much more menacing.

Credit the stance, with enormous overfenders doing their best to hide humongous 37-inch all-terrain tires. If you’re curious, the track width — that’s the distance between the centres of the tires — is at least 160 mm (6.3 in) wider than a Sasquatch-equipped example, while the Bronco Raptor is 239 mm (9.4 in) wider overall. That means the trio of amber lights across the grille aren’t just for show — they’re there to meet federal regulations for oversized vehicles.

Features 9 / 10

Of course, that stance is about more than styling; it’s necessary to accommodate all the extra equipment tucked up underneath the Bronco Raptor. It rides high on a specially tuned Fox suspension setup that provides 330 mm (13.0 in) of travel up front and 356 mm (14.0 in) in the back, plus there’s the same sort of electronic locking axles and disconnecting front sway bar as you get with the Sasquatch kit (and, it’s worth noting, either of the Wrangler’s Rubicon trims).

Inside, there’s a whole bank of overhead auxiliary switches for running off-road lights, winches, or whatever else you can think of, while the front seats are heated and the stereo delivers sound through 12 speakers. Both the instrument display and infotainment screens span 12 inches from corner to corner, and there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Power 9 / 10

The Raptor is the only one in the Bronco bunch to be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6. Shared with Ford’s Ranger pickup with the same Raptor treatment, the engine generates a hearty 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque — slightly more than it does under its sibling’s hood (405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque). Alas, the only transmission offered is a 10-speed automatic, although it works well with the rest of the drivetrain to motivate this machine on- and off-road.

Ford has also fitted the Bronco Raptor with a variable exhaust system that has four different settings including a silent mode. And while it sounds good from the outside, the 3.0L doesn’t offer occupants much audible exhilaration. Instead, it’s disappointingly demure considering all the excitement it’s capable of — particularly when the pavement ends.

Driving Feel 9 / 10

Whether this Raptor version or otherwise, the Bronco has the Wrangler rather handily beat when it comes to driving manners. Oh, sure, it’s about as noisy inside at highway speeds, but that’s mostly a result of the removable roof and doors and, in this case, the monstrous all-terrain tires it rides on. Instead, it’s the way it drives that shines, with the Bronco’s independent front suspension making all the difference compared to its rival’s solid front axle.

Where Jeep’s most iconic model has a tendency to wander all over the road, the Bronco tracks well, with the ability to effortlessly stay inside its designated lane of travel. Even with its squishy tires and baja-bashing suspension, piloting this off-roader doesn’t feel like a chore. The variable steering rack even manages to be surprisingly responsive (although the body tends to list and roll when cornering aggressively).

Comfort 8 / 10

While not quite as cozy as a crossover, the Bronco Raptor comes with enough creature comforts to be considered commodious. Yes, the leather upholstery you see here is an expensive add-on at $3,145; but the front seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, while the climate control system is of the dual-zone automatic variety. Even the ride quality is reasonable, and not just because of those big tires, although some road imperfections can be a bit jarring.

Fuel Economy 5 / 10

With its meaty tires, exposed undercarriage, and removable sections of roof, the Bronco Raptor has more drag than a season of RuPaul’s All Stars. That’s why it’s rated to burn 15.3 L/100 km combined — a number that proved achievable, although only with generous use of rear- rather than four-wheel drive. While Ford recommends 91-octane fuel, it can run on regular-grade gas.

Practicality 9 / 10

Although its width alone means the Bronco Raptor is better suited to open expanses than tight and technical trails, it has all the stuff it needs to negotiate obstacles of all kinds. If it’s sand dunes you’re after, be prepared to bounce and bound your way over them at a high rate of travel thanks to that trick suspension with its bypass valves and acres of travel.

If your off-road ambitions involve tiptoeing across rock formations and other impediments, this rig is happy to oblige, with all kinds of suspension articulation as well as those locking axles. There’s also a handful of drive modes tailored to different terrain, plus high- and low-range four-wheel drive gearing to suit the situation at hand. Oh, and the surround-view cameras make it easier to keep an eye out for potential obstructions, as do the removable roof and doors.

More fundamentally, this specialized Raptor kit is only offered with the Bronco’s four-door body style, which means there’s enough space inside to make any adventure a family affair. Cargo room is more than reasonable, too, with 1,085 L behind the back seats and 2,350 L with them folded. The only issue is they don’t fold flat, plus the side-hinged tailgate and flip-up glass mean accessing the back has its limitations. The Bronco Raptor can tow 2,041 kg (4,500 lb).

User-Friendliness 6 / 10

Naturally, climbing in and out of a vehicle of this stature won’t be easy for everyone. Steel rock sliders are hidden behind removable running boards (also made of steel) that make the task at least a little more manageable, plus there are handles to help hoist yourself up. Either way, 333 mm (13.1 in) of ground clearance is a lot to overcome, so consider this a friendly warning.

Once inside, the driver’s seat provides commanding sightlines — again, they get better with the roof and doors removed — although the full-size spare bolted to the back obstructs what can be seen in the rearview mirror. Otherwise, the switchgear makes sense, with a full complement of physical controls including rubberized buttons atop the dash for systems like the differential locks and disconnecting sway bar.

That leaves the lateral space the Bronco Raptor occupies as the only other major consideration, and not just when you’re parking. At 2,174 mm (85.6 in) across, this behemoth adds a certain degree of anxiety to driving, where it’s likely to creep awfully close to one lane marking or the other, as well as street-parked traffic, whether you want it to or not. Such are the risks involved with piloting a vehicle that’s wider than your typical heavy-duty truck.

Safety 9 / 10

On the subject of lane markings, they’re another area the Bronco has a leg up on its rival from Jeep, since lane departure warning and keeping systems are both available  — and standard with the Raptor kit — whereas the Wrangler only offers the former. While Ford’s hands-free highway drive assist system, known as BlueCruise, isn’t available, the Bronco Raptor comes with an entire suite of features including automatic emergency braking and more.

The Verdict

If you’ve made it this far, it’s presumably because you don’t find those parking woes too bothersome, and the same goes for the similar ones that involve sidling up to lane markings. Either that or you’re brave enough to take the wait-and-see approach and figure it out from there. Regardless, the Bronco Raptor is a rare beast — not just for how few Ford is sure to sell, but also for its unique positioning in the marketplace.

While there are similarly executed trucks out there, including Raptor versions of Ford’s own Ranger and F-150, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind off-roader that has a capability — and a look — all its own. And on the plus side, parking a little farther from the front of the lot will leave you some extra time to admire it before your next adventure.