2022 Ford Bronco Raptor 4x4 - Bottom Line Review

BUCKING, YET TO BE BROKEN, DESERT RUNNER:

On the road to the raging battle of off-road there are evermore four wheelin' sport utility steeds chomping at the bit to traverse all earthen surfaces, whether dirt, mud, sand or rock. Last year even revived the storied bucking Ford Bronco SUV to satiate the demand.

However, conquering the desert at full gallop, requires a select purpose bred all-terrain runner, akin to your Arabian, Akhal-Tekes, Azteca and even Mustang. Stock SUV's have been upfitted for Baja or Dakar competition duty for decades. Now, out of America's Great Lakes region, the Blue Oval Performance team brings the first factory Ultra-4 derived, high performance barren terrain stampeder, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.

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WHAT: 2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door Advanced Raptor 4x4. As with all other Ford off-road models designated "Raptor," this is the new desert runner version of the U725 6th generation Bronco (introduced for 2021) exclusively available as a four door [removable] hard-top. As with the related T6 Ford Ranger pickup truck the Bronco features a fully boxed-out frame as well as aluminum hood and tailgate.

Standard Powertrain: intercooled twin-turbocharged 3.0L DOHC 24V DI gas V-6 w/ idle Start/ Stop = 400 hp / 415 lb-ft @3500 rpm + 10-spd. torque converter planetary automatic transaxle

• Active exhaust, steering wheel switched

By Comparison:

• -70 hp, -55 (91 AKI) lb-ft vs. Jeep Wrangler JL 4-Door Rubicon 392 6.4L V-8

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: The not ready for dune racing stock Broncos have done the current generation SAV's heritage proud and pretty much all can be upfitted with all sorts of off-road duds. However, the Bronco Raptor looks the Ultra-4 racer part of the wild equine only the most fearless will break, constantly bucking and snorting even without the motor running.

What is most visually memorable about the Bronco Raptor is (as with other Raptors) what is observable in forward traffic's rear view mirror. [Removable] fender and rear quarter panel flares widen the Bronco Raptor by 4" on either sides. messages that it takes no prisoners when it comes to terrain. The more timidly stenciled "Bronco" is replaced by a darkened, broader "FORD" lettering, filling the similarly darkened latticed upper grille, topped by a triad of amber clearance lamps. (Too bad the lettering isn't reversed "ambulance" style.) The hood is fitted with a darkened, vented Power Dome engine bay heat extractor. Body color venting is fitted to the upper fenders. The removable slim line open, wide "V" front bumper now matches the formidable hardened aluminum bash plate.

Tapering rock rail running boards run the length of each side of the Bronco Raptor. Unique colors, such as the tested model's "Eruption Green" hue stand in contrast to the pricey optional black & white stripe decals on the hood and upper rear quarter panels.

Tailgating the Bronco Raptor betrays minor rear alterations including a planar bumper (replacing the standard hemispherical cut) and a backing plate spacing the humongous 37" inch BF Goodrich K02 spare from the swing gate mount. The traditional outboard single "F" shape taillamp assembly is now split. A darkened "RAPTOR" badge is adhered to the lower left side swing gate.

Reprised Bronco cues have the darkened wing mirror arms extending from the windshield wiper arm cover across the A-pillars. Tandem lateral belt and lower cheat line creases and darkened rock rails wrap the body. The green house is usefully tall and an upward kink commences after the C-pillar. Hinges for the removable apertures are mounted internally.

Off-Road Functional: √ Heavy duty, powder coated, open frame, steel front bumper; √ Clad rear bumper; √ 2 front, 2 rear tow hooks; √ Darkened fender tie-down hooks; √ High strength aluminum front, rear, transfer case, fuel tank bash plates; √ Manual fold extended wing mirrors; √ Swing-gate mounted full spare tire on wheel; √ Tapering, crinkle finish, rock rail running boards

WHY: Snorting Bronc Goes Pounding & Conquering Sand.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Autumn 2022

WHERE: Ford new consumer truck dealers

WHERE MADE: Wayne, Michigan, U.S.A.

WHERE TO: Not much is likely to stop the Bronco Raptor from acquiring territory. As if the ten automatic transmission gears won't suffice there is Trail Control pedal-less crawl. AdvanceTrac 4x4 Automatic mode senses slip and yaw to adjust transfer case e-clutch pack engagement. Torque is swiftly and imperceptibly shuttled between rear and front, even on 45 degree grades. G.O.A.Terrain management is manipulated by rotating a collar on the center console four wheel drive selector. There is a programmed throttle response and transfer case slippage for seven terrain conditions...including Baja (presumably for desert competition).

Ford Bronco Raptor stands nearly half a foot higher over obstacles than a Bronco Black Diamond. There is more than a foot of suspension travel, and the front stabilizer can disconnect over uneven paths. Indeed, the e-locking DANA Spicer front & rear axle differentials can fully free-wheel on the rocks. By comparison the Bronco Everglades is a superlative creek forder and a lighter Bronc Wildtrak Sasquatch trim can billy goat over boulders better.

As a flying predator of a untamed horse, Bronco Raptor's true specialty is the racing over dusty / sandy terrain. Available beadlock forged wheels hold tires in place, as ultra-low tire pressures optimize grip at speed. Bypass valve shocks keeps fluid cooler for more rapid wheel control, especially during terrain jump landing compression - rebound cycles. Those mammoth forged control arm aluminum castings and beefy knuckles endow the Bronco Raptor with a geometry for sharper turn in. Progressive rate coil over springs and stiffer bushings keep the greater sprung deflect lean from the extra mass of the bigger engine and thicker body pillars.

HOW STRONG & LIMBER: Bronco Raptor power & drivetrains are welcome Ford Explorer ST SUV transplants. The only giveaway that the slushbox has non-sequentially skipped to 10th gear by 40mph is the gauge cluster indicator. Dual exhaust pipes muster a coarse rumble 2-cylinder deficit to V-8 burble. Even noise emanating from mammoth aggressive treaded all-terrain BF Goodrich rubber is barely intrusive. Whether it be the low effort steering or the most compliant of the 9 damper valvings.

Twist the G.O.A.Terrain management dial to Street mode. Depress the steering wheel variable effort setting to Sport. Put heavy foot into that soft accelerator pedal. Feel the Fox dampers open the bypass valves and flow the fluid faster. Thence follows a manifestation of absolutely controllable mayhem. The twin turbos spool up simultaneously matched by the gearbox 3-gear down-shift skip for a rush of near traction breaking thrust. Bends at speed are attacked with flatter attitude than most sporty crossovers, bereft of bob or lean, but without the harshness of axle tramp over pavement breaks.

Despite a hastier ratio electric assisted steering rack and heftier wind, input commands to the extra-wide, off-road Raptor rubber nets less than razor sharp road response, though nothing disconcerting. Dune springing for maximum suspension travel, managed by high-flow bypass damping, admirably quells most bob and harshness on the front double wishbone rear Hotchkiss solid axle chassis. Body lean, is noticeable and sounds a warning to avoiding last moment swerves. The oversized disc rotors are linked to a long travel pedal though consistent firmness is eventually found.

HOW FAR: 16 mpg combined fuel economy; 450 miles highway range

• observed combined fuel economy =  +14% vs. Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon 392

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 2+3 occupancy; √ Requires less parking area than Jeep Wrangler; √ Segment leading nominal cargo room

HOW USEFUL:  √ Split rear cargo bay lower swing-gate + upper backlight liftgate; √ 60:40 split 2nd Row fold-down seat backs; √ All-weather rubberized cabin floor pan with drains; √ 1st Row full fore center console deep storage management; √ Front seat backs aft Molle loop-hook connector panels + net map pockets; ♦ Heavy duty large duty cargo floor loop hook anchors x 4; ♦ Cargo bay 12 V x 1 outlet; ♦ Row 1 & 2 door net slim map pockets; ♦ Cupholders x 2, Row 1

♦♦ Removable 4 Panel hard roof, Row 1 T-roof panels removable by hand, Row 2 and Cargo bay panels removable by two persons with supplied tools. ♦♦

HOW SAFE: Good IIHS scores, except Acceptable passenger's side front small overlap; STANDARD: √ 6 airbags; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Audible rear park warning; √ Roll mitigation; √ MyKey restrictive access; √ Forward collision, pedestrian detection warning w/ avoidance braking*; √ Hill Descent control;  √ 2nd Row occupant minder; √ Automatic high beam headlamps; -1 Dim headlight broadcast

• *Roadblazing.com can attest the automatic full force collision avoidance braking actually worked on the Bronco Raptor during a stop and go traffic commute.

INCLUDED standard Advanced Driver Assist: Ford Co-Pilot360: √ Blind Spot, rear cross traffic Warning; √ Post collision S.O.S. alert; √ Lane Departure Warning & Keep Assist; √ Evasive Steering Assist; √ Adaptive Cruise Control; √ Driver Alert warning 360° surround camera;  √ Forward park sensor

• Luxury Package (not included on 2022 MY test model) adds full adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist.

HOW FRIENDLY: The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor pretty penny price premium is primarily dedicated to the hardware. Will the big spenders, few whose will ever set enter their BFG K02's on a Baja course, care that most of lower order Bronc's minimalist cockpit layout and displays have been retained? Perhaps the greater transgression is the lack of true off-road performance graphics in the Sync3 infotainment screen, in comparison to Jeep Wrangler's latest UConnect 5.0 off-road Performance Pages. (Instead all the performance displays remain cluttered within the variable MFI display of the single dial instrument cluster.)

Cabin plastics have to more durable than refined, especially since grit will make its way inside, but Land Rover Defender materials define "refined industrial." As a reminder that the Bronco R comes from Ford Performance, leather wrapped sport steering wheel, dashboard vent louver levers, dashboard edge and first row passenger's center console passenger side grab bars are touched up in Code Orange, to match the contrasting panel stitching. Optional cabin carbon fiber trim accents are too sparsely applied to be worth the cost.

√ Sueded insert leather seating; √ Sport bolstered, heated front bucket seats, 8-way + lumbar power adjust; √ Heated folding side mirrors; √ A-Pillar, 2nd row headliner grab handles; √ Digital instrument cluster w/ configurable multi-function LCD display; √ Tilt/ telescoping heated leather wrapped Ford Performance steering wheel w/ horizontal spoke MFI, driver assist controls & audio switches; √ Magnesium Ford Performance steering wheel dorsal mount transmission shift paddles; √ 2-zone auto climate control; √ Tandem contrast stitched soft-touch upper dash-top & door elbow panels.

+1 Cool Gizmo(s): √ Upfitter accessory switches x 6 (upper dashboard); √ Removable 4-section hard top, tools included.

HOW CONNECTED: √ MyFord Sync4 center dash embedded 12.0"-inch tri-pane, capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; √ Bluetooth & voice command hands-free communications; √ GPS Navigation + voice guidance ( avail. w/ FordPass Connected); √ 10-speaker, 660 Watt, 6-channel DSP B&O Play premium streaming audio + HD radio;  √ SMS messaging; √ USB-A x 2, USB-C x 2 (Rows 1, 2), 12V x 2 (center stack).

• -1 Non-concealed forward center console wireless device storage

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:

√ Android Auto / Apple Car Play smart phone projection; √ MyFord Sync4 Apps include Pandora, IHeart streaming music

• +1 MyFord Sync4 voice commands for climate, audio, SMS

By Subscription: √ Sirius XM satellite radio; √ FordPass Connected Wi-Fi 4G LTE hot spot (by Verizon Wireless)

HOW MUCH: $75,720 for a 2022 Ford Bronco 4-Door Advanced Raptor 10-speed automatic hard-top (includes one day's desert driving instruction at Ford Performance Bronco Off-Roadeo Raptor Experience, at Mt. Potosi outside las Vegas, Nevada).

• ** For the 2023 MY, Bronco Raptor base price rose 22% from $68,500 to $85,580 and up another 5% to $90,030 for MY 2024 **

WHAT'S MISSING: Better power window switch access; Less sticker shock (starting MY 2023)

ANY COMPETITION: Jeep Wrangler JL 4-Door Rubicon 392 V-8 : +1 the big bad 6.4L Hemi V-8, new UConnect 5.0 infotainment