Ford Ranger Raptor

A Baja-inspired beast, the apex predator of the pick-up truck segment, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor.

Imbued with Ford Performance DNA, it blends raw power with technical precision, offering the most advanced technology in a Ranger.

Two guises for the Malaysian market. Ranger Raptor 2.0L (diesel) and Ranger Raptor 3.0L (petrol), tagging at MYR 248,888 and MYR 259,888, respectively.

Prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and comes with a standard five-year/160,000 KM warranty.

Five exterior colours. Code Orange, Absolute Black, Arctic White, Conquer Grey, and Blue Lightning.

The 2023 Ranger Raptor has a straightforward and modern dashboard, with soft pad panels draping the layout. 

Upholstery is of suede and leather combination, finished in Ebony Black with Code Orange colour scheme.

All the elements are placed logically and driver-centric, for a better driving experience. Overall, the craftsmanship is premium quality. 

Installed in both guises is a 12.4-Inch TFT Colour Multi-Information Display (MID).

Interior of the five-seater is upholstered in leather, finished in Ebony Black with Code Orange details, and accentuated by a set of ‘Raptor Scheme’ floor mats. 

Equipped up front are jet fighter-inspired sport seats with a 10-way adjustable configuration (auto/driver – manual/passenger), and lumbar support. 

Cabin space is ample for front and rear occupants, as it offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms. The space is very generous due to its stocky body design.

Fitted is a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel (sport – Ranger Raptor 3.0L), highlighted by a ring-marker in orange (top) and a ‘Raptor’ logo (bottom).

It comes with multi-function controls (media, vehicle settings), magnesium-casted paddle shifters, and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic).

The steering is aided via a setup of Rack and Pinion, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).

Numerous storage areas. E.g., side door and backseat pockets, partitioned storages in the centre console, dashboard and rear under-seat, sizable flatbed, and a decent-sized glove box.

There are six cup holders, two up front and two in the rear. There are also four bottle holders, one each in the side door pocket.

Weighing in at 2,423 KG (Ranger Raptor 2.0L), 2,430 KG (Ranger Raptor 3.0L), the 2023 Ranger Raptor stands at 5,381 MM long, 2,028 MM wide, 1,922 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,270 MM.

Blocky and athletic, it exudes an overall robustly-aggressive outlook with its large and very commanding exterior.

The front-end’s standout features are flared wheel arches, and a bold ‘F-O-R-D’ Block on an all-black grille.

Sporty, these elements are paired to a ‘Raptor Scheme’ detached-style bumper that sees a set of fog lamps, and a lower-integrated air-vent.

Symmetrically-designed, the rear-end is also sporty and robust, compensating the front nicely with clean, angular contours.

Featured are flared wheel arches, with the Ford, Ranger and Raptor scripts boldly plastered on the tailgate.

Separating the guises is a ‘Raptor Scheme’ bumper. A hidden single-tailpipe system (Ranger Raptor 2.0L) and a protruding double-tailpipe system (Ranger Raptor 3.0L). 

The headlamps are very Ford F-150 Lightning-esque, commandingly-sized and uniquely-striking.

They are Matrix LED units with C-clamp LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), predictive curve lights, glare-free high beams, and auto-dynamic levelling. 

Rectangular in shape and vertically-aligned, the wraparound tail lamps contribute enough aesthetic to the rear, gelling well with other elements. 

Fitted are full LED units (Ranger Raptor 3.0L) featuring an integrated blind spot radar system. Also, included is a tailgate-mounted LED stop lamp.

Installed are power-adjustable and -retractable side mirrors, with turn signals (Intelligent 3-Blink), puddle lamps, cameras, and blind spot monitor.

Both guises plough on a set of 17-Inch multi-spoke, all-black alloy rims, wrapped in 285/70 R17, BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres.

The 2023 Ranger Raptor features the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop/Go and Lane Centring, Lane Departure Warning and Assist (LDW), Blind Spot Detection System, Automatic High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Manual Speed Limiter (MSL), Multi Collision Brake, Active Park Assist 2.0, Evasive Steer Assist, 360-degree camera, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist (BA), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Rollover Mitigation (ROM), Trailer Sway Assist, Adaptive Load Control (ALC), Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Reverse Brake Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver, driver knee, front passenger, sides, curtains), seat belts (front - reminder, pretensioner, anchor), parking sensors (6-front, 6-rear), parking cameras, security (MyKey, Perimeter Anti-theft - Valet Mode), tailgate lock, and security alarm with immobiliser.

Flanking the driver unit is a 12-Inch portrait-oriented multi-touchscreen display, featuring the Ford SYNC 4A system.

Said setup supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless), navigation, USB, and Bluetooth.

Featured is an eight-speaker setup of the Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Riling up the 2023 Ranger Raptor is a petrol and diesel powertrain setup.

Ranger Raptor 2.0L gets a 2.0-Litre, bi-turbo in-line four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 207 HP at 3,750 RPM and 500 NM of torque at 1,750 to 2,000 RPM.

Ranger Raptor 3.0L harbours a 3.0-Litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 petrol engine, pumping out 392 HP at 5,650 RPM and 583 NM of torque at 3,500 RPM.

Mated to the mill is a 10-speed automatic, featuring an Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly (ESOF) 4x4 shift system. Paddle shifters are also equipped.

A permanent four-wheel drive (4WD) system, featuring an electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case with four settings. 4WD Auto, 2WD High, 4WD High and 4WD Low (4A, 2H, 4H, 4L).

Fitted is a fuel tank capacity of 80-Litres.

The 2023 Ranger Raptor gets smart keyless entry system with engine start/stop button, headlamps with auto levelling and high beam functions, multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, dual-zone electronic climate control, power-adjustable seats, illumination system (push-start, map, footwell), 360-degree camera, parking sensors (rear), wireless charger, blind spot monitor, electronic parking brake, electronic gear shifter, paddle shifters, and bedliner.

There are rear air vents located at the rear section of the centre console.

Coming with a robustly-tuned suspension system, it provides an overall greater confidence on the road, especially when taking corners. 

Collectively, it has great damping force and optimal balance for improved stability, and better steering response and flexibility for improved handling.

Ranger Raptor 2.0L sees a setup of double wishbone with coil spring, featuring FOX 2.5-Inch Live Valve Shock absorbers (front), and coil spring with Watt’s Linkage (rear).

Ranger Raptor 3.0L gets the same front setup, but the rear sees a coil spring featuring FOX 2.5-Inch Live Valve Shock absorbers with Watt’s Linkage.

Elsewhere, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a sporty driving dynamic for all that all-terrain needs.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor offers a thrilling new side to the Ranger line-up with its dynamic powertrain and commanding demeanour.

Its exterior is striking with robustly-boxy and powerful contours, while the interior is premium built with quality materials and refined detailing. 

Then, its performance dynamic which is highly off-road-oriented makes it even more engaging to drive, and the suite of ADAS is a major bonus.

Overall, the 2023 Ranger Raptor is satisfactory, a well-blended four-wheeler, combining design, performance and practicality.