The Raptor is the Ford Ranger line-up’s high-end, high-performance ute that everyone knows about – but this version has a V6 engine, an upgraded suspension set-up and drive modes aimed at making it a built-for-purpose adventure machine.
But while it’s great for high-speed off-road shenanigans, does it have potential as a touring 4WD?
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 7/10
This Raptor is a five-seat dual-cab ute with a 3.0 V6 petrol engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, all for an as-tested price-tag of $90,440 (excluding on-road costs). It has 'Code Orange' prestige paint ($700) and a power roller shutter ($3800) included in that pricing.
Standard features include an 12.0-inch centre-mounted portrait touchscreen multimedia system (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a 12.4-inch customisable digital cluster, heated and ventilated leather-accented 10-way power-adjustable front seats as well as selectable steering, damper and exhaust modes.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
It also has a variety of drive modes ('Normal', 'Sport', 'Slippery', 'Mud/Ruts', 'Sand', 'Baja', 'Rock Crawl'), Ford Performance-developed Fox 2.5-inch live-valve internal-bypass shock absorbers, electronically-controlled front and rear diff locks, 285/70 R17 BF Goodrich K02 all-terrain tyres, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual tow hooks and a 2.3mm steel front bash plate.
Exterior paint choices include 'Arctic White' (at no extra cost) or 'Shadow Black', 'Meteor Grey', 'Conquer Grey', Code Orange (on our test vehicle) and 'Blue Lightning' – each costing $700.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The Raptor is 5380mm long (with a 3270mm wheelbase), 2208mm wide, 1926mm high and it has a listed kerb weight of 2473kg.
This ute has been engineered – and marketed – as a high-performance off-road vehicle, so, in line with that it has a wide stance (with a 1710mm wheel track front and rear), big wheel arches, chunky side-steps and substantial tyres (BFGoodrich K02 high performance all-terrains, 285/70R17 on 17-inch alloys).
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Marcus Craft)
The Ford Performance Seats are embossed with the Raptor logo and there’s Code Orange accented stitching on the trim – so there’s Buckley’s chance of forgetting you’re in a Raptor.
The Raptor is one of the more distinctive-looking utes in a mainstream market flooded with vehicles of very similar appearance and, in terms of overall design, it easily takes on the likes of the Nissan Navara Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport, if not besting them.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 7/10
The Raptor’s interior is spacious but has a welcoming cosy feel and (despite Raptor logos and Code Orange stitching throughout) the cabin retains a low-level, cool atmosphere.
All controls are easy enough to operate – a lot of functions are accessed and adjusted via the 12-inch multimedia touchscreen and sometimes you have to repeatedly jab your finger at the screen to work your way through menus and sub-menus to reach the function you need. Thankfully, plenty of functions are via tangible off-screen buttons.
There are USB ports and a power socket up front and storage spaces in all of the usual places you’d expect: a two-level glove box, some hidey-holes (for your wallet, keys etc), a centre console, cupholders and bottle receptacles in the doors.
The sporty front seats are comfortable enough for long-distance trips and the back row is easily big enough for three kids or two adults and one man-child.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
Rear-seat passengers have air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders and a space for a bottle in each door.
The Raptor’s tub is 1541mm long, 526mm deep, and 1578mm wide (with 1218mm between the wheel-arches). Load height is 870mm.
The tray has a spray-in tub-liner that seems quite durable, four tie-down points and a 12V socket.
Our test vehicle also had the optional power roller shutter ($3800). In the past, in any utes with a power or manual roller shutter, the storage drum for the roller shutter occupied quite a lot of otherwise useable space in the tub, but that’s no longer the case.
This is an impressive set-up – punchy off the mark, smooth and refined at highway speeds – it just trucks along – and overall it offers a controlled and comfortable driving experience.
Its selectable driving modes include Normal, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Baja, and Rock Crawl.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
Driving – What's it like to drive? 8/10
This is a Raptor review so you might expect I’d be justified in spending the entire test doing donuts in the sand and taking on jumps that would make dirt-bikers wince, but as much as I wanted to, I didn’t. I live in the real world so my tests are about how a vehicle performs in day-to-day driving and especially off-roading.
But to reach the dirt you have to drive a bit of blacktop – so how does the Raptor perform on-road?
Once underway, there is plenty of good news about the Raptor because it is nice to drive on road: a composed stance, impressive acceleration with more get-up-and-go thrust under foot courtesy of the V6 and comfortable ride and handling. This is an easy-driving 4WD ute.
For a vehicle intended to be a great go-fast machine on dirt roads and gravel tracks – which, of course, it is – the Raptor is a pleasant surprise on bitumen – refined and comfortable with its off-road-suited long-travel Fox suspension that soaks up the worst lumps and bumps of back-road blacktop, yielding a smoothed-out plush ride.
As a bonus the steering has a sharp feel and a nice balanced weight to it – you can cycle through different modes ('Normal', 'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Off-Road') to find your favourite – and the gutsy V6 and clever transmission is a supremely relaxed pairing.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Marcus Craft)
There are also selectable damper modes ('Normal', 'Off-Road', 'Sport') and exhaust modes ('Quiet', 'Normal', 'Sport', 'Baja'). The latter exhaust setting is only available when in off-road mode and is more of a novelty, but still fun to play around with and a cool addition to the Raptor package.
On the open highway at 110km/h, the Raptor sits nicely, with that wider wheel track giving this ute a settled posture, and it comfortably trucks along the road, no matter how bumpy that road becomes.
Then you take it off the sealed surface.
The Raptor has all the mechanicals and the tech set-up for driving dirt roads and gravel tracks at speed, there’s no denying that, but all of those factors don't necessarily make it a good 4WD or indeed a good 4WD touring vehicle.
However, it is.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
It’s smooth and refined on fast dirt tracks and gravel roads – it’s right at home. The Raptor has that aforementioned wide wheel track and, even if the terrain is particularly severe, it drives comfortably.
And any doubts about its ability to tackle low-range 4WDing are swiftly dispelled.
I scaled several of our favourite set-piece hill-climbs without the front or rear diffs locked, and the Raptor did it with absolute control and absolute ease.
It's very capable and ticks all the boxes in terms of ground clearance (listed as 272mm), off-road angles (approach: 32 degrees, departure 24 (with towbar, 27 without) and rampover 24 degrees) and wading depth (850mm).
There’s ample torque available and it’s delivered in an even-handed manner; the Raptor has front and rear diff locks; and the driver-assist tech set-up is comprehensive and low-key effective.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Marcus Craft)
Case in point, I used 'Trail Control' mode (a form of low-range ‘feet-off-the-pedals’ cruise control) to set the speed (2.0km/h) for a steep hill and it kept the Raptor to that speed – complete control at all times, no matter how the severity of the incline changed.
The Raptor also has an onboard 360-degree camera system, giving the driver the ability to see forward of the vehicle, which is handy because this ute has a substantial bonnet. You can't see the track in front of you over the bonnet, especially when climbing a steep hill.
It’s such a great combination of mechanicals and driver-assist tech and Fox shocks, long wheel travel and proper all-terrain tires (BFGoodrich K02s) that it’s a near-complete package, especially in terms of being an effective off-road vehicle.
But if you’re considering a Raptor as a touring vehicle, there are some things working against it – and those things have to do with weight.
Payload in the Raptor, at just over 717kg, is not spectacular, but it’s in line with a lot of modern dual-cab utes. However, it’s far from ideal if you're looking at putting aftermarket equipment on it or even loading up with camping gear.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Brett Sullivan)
And another thing is the Raptor doesn't have an industry standard braked towing capacity for a dual-cab ute: it can legally tow 2500kg – the industry standard for similarly sized utes is 3500kg. Unbraked towing capacity is 750kg.
And though the driver-assist tech onboard is comprehensive and effective, the Raptor misses out on a tow/haul drive mode.
For your reference, kerb weight is listed as 2473kg, GVM is 3130kg, and GCM is 5370kg.
If you’re looking specifically for a tow vehicle, then look elsewhere, but if you're looking for thrills and fun in a capable off-road vehicle, the Raptor should be at the top of your list.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 7/10
The Raptor has an official fuel consumption figure of 11.5L/100km on a combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle.
I recorded 14.2L/100km on this test. I did a lot of high- and low-range 4WDing and the Raptor was never working hard.
The Raptor has an 80L fuel tank so, going by my on-test fuel-consumption figure, you could reasonably expect a driving range of about 563km from a full tank.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Marcus Craft)
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 7/10
The Raptor does not have an ANCAP safety rating because it has not been tested.
As standard it has nine airbags (front, side, knee and full-length curtain (driver & passenger and far side driver front airbag), and driver-assist tech includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, tyre-pressure monitoring, a 360-degree camera and more.
2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (image: Marcus Craft)
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10
Servicing is scheduled for every 12 months or 15,000km and each visit costs $379 which is competitive – but check with your local dealership for the most up-to-date details.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is a purpose-built adventure ute. It is comfortable to drive on-road and very capable off-road.
It’s a high-end, high-performance ute with a V6 engine, an upgraded suspension set-up and drive modes aimed at making it a built-for-purpose adventure machine.
It is, however, laser-focused on doing one thing supremely well – driving at speed on unsealed surfaces – and that means it falls short in a few other areas.
It's day-to-day drivability is less than ideal because of its size and fuel consumption and it lacks some potential as a touring 4WD because of its payload and the fact its towing capacity is below the industry standard.
But those factors aren't going to sway someone who is truly keen for the fun and thrills of driving a Raptor.
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