The 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor is so wide, I feel like it needed a warning label similar to what you see on big rigs rolling down the highway.
Okay that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is a large vehicle, both in girth and height.
Also, large? The price point, at an as-tested cost of $126,630.
That price includes more than 10 grand in options added to the $114,275 base price. Add-ons include $3,645 for leather/suede seats, $3,495 for Raptor Code Orange appearance package and $2,195 for carbon fibre accents in the cabin.
That appearance package was one I would have done without as the Raptor doesn’t need the help to get one’s attention.
Powertrain: Propelling this behemoth is a 3.0-litre V6 engine paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The powerful engine delivers 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque in a very loud manner.
Power delivery from the engine was relatively effective, and despite its weight, the engine gets the Raptor galloping in a hurry and it is a surprisingly stable drive on pavement.
The Bronco Raptor is outfitted with a 4X4 system, when paired with a massive set of wheels (more on that later) and excellent ground clearance, means this vehicle will, in theory, gobble up any form of surface or obstacle in its path.
Given this weight and power, I was surprised that my average fuel economy for the week was 15.0 litres per 100 kilometres, better than then 15.3 L/100 km estimate. But even so, I spent more on a fuel in a week with the Bronco Raptor than on any other tester in recent memory.
The Bronco Raptor can not only go anywhere, but it is also rated to tow up to 2,040 kg (4,500 lbs).
Exterior: As you walk up to the Bronco Raptor, the first thing you notice is just how wide it is. So much so, that parking it in usual spots definitely makes things a challenge at times.
The next thing you notice is the massive 37-inch all-terrain tires on 17-inch dark carbonized gray alloy rims (part of the Code Orange group)
The spare tire is affixed to the rear hatch, making it rather heavy to open when needing to access the quite limited cargo area.
That aforementioned Code Orange appearance package adds decals on the rear third of the side of the Bronco, but I would save that money for something else.
The Bronco Raptor has a removeable hardtop roof and doors that can also be taken off to live the real open-air driving experience if you are headed off the beaten path, or even just for highway cruising on a summer’s day should that suit you.
Given its tall ride height, thankfully the Bronco Raptor has a sidestep that helps even the tallest of passengers access the interior. I found that the rear of the cabin is not the most spacious, with legroom that could be problematic for longer trips or rougher terrain.
Interior: The Code Orange package features extend to the cabin, including the bright orange seatbelts and a few other accent pieces.
Unlike the exterior of the Raptor which stands out for its width in comparison to the other Bronco models, the cabin is pretty much the same.
You do have the upgraded leather seating in our tester, embroidered with Raptor badging, in addition to features like a heated steering wheel, rubberized flooring, an overhead set of auxiliary switches, wireless device charging and more.
A feature I noticed was a USB plug on top of the dash near the windshield, which could come in handy for dashcams or other devices.
Because of the removable doors, the controls for the power winds are in the centre console, which also houses the dial to control the 4X4 system.
Infotainment: The Bronco Raptor has a 12-inch touchscreen in the dashboard, powered by the Ford Sync 4 system, the latest iteration of the automaker’s really good infotainment system.
The Raptor features a sweet Bang & Olufsen sound system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer, as well as being compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also includes satellite radio and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
I experienced no issues with the system as the Sync setup has generally been a good setup for some time.
Drive: The first thing you notice about the Bronco Raptor on the road is how loud the cabin is. Even with some sound deadening material in the headliner, it can get to some rather annoying levels that require some elevated voices to understand your passengers.
Overall, the ride is palatable but can get rough at times. The 4X4 system works in collaboration with the G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of terrain) drive modes.
To assist with off-roading on the Raptor, it features Trail Control and Trail One-Pedal Driving, as well as an enhanced suspension.
2024 Ford Bronco Raptor
2024 Ford Bronco Raptor
2024 Ford Bronco Raptor
Conclusion: It’s big, it’s bold, it’s …. Beautiful? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it may be that to some.
That being said, the Bronco Raptor is definitely a way to make a statement, although a very expensive one.
It has the power and setup to handle anything an owner can potentially throw at it, on or off-road. It can seat up to five passengers and has a pretty generous cargo capacity behind the rear bench, making it a good weekend getaway ride.
2024 Ford Bronco Raptor
Price as tested: $126,630.00
Freight: $2,095.00
Configuration: Front engine/4X4
Engine/transmission: 3.0-litre V6/ 10-speed automatic
Power/torque: 418 horsepower/ 440 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (80 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 15.3 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 15.0 L/100 km
Warranties: 3-years/60,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Toyota 4Runner
Website: Ford Canada