2020 Ford F-150 Raptor

2020 Ford F-150 Raptor Review: One-Of-A-Kind Off-Road Killer

If you want to crush a trail and boast about having the biggest and baddest F-150 on the road, the Raptor is the ultimate off-road truck with mad bodywork and enough power to embarrass hot hatches. While it’s usable on the road, provided that said road is wide enough, the F-150 Raptor is built for aggressive off-roading, with Fox shocks and long-travel suspension allowing owners to bulldoze over rocks and jumps without so much as a hint of complaint. Powered by the same 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 found in the GT supercar, the Raptor produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Managing the output is a ten-speed SelectShift automatic transmission that distributes thrust to all four wheels. The whole package combines to create a vehicle that is more than just an aggressive-looking truck – it’s a genuine trail thumper that enjoys abuse.

Read in this review:

• Exterior Design 10 /10
• Performance 10 /10
• Fuel Economy 6 /10
• Interior & Cargo 10 /10
• Infotainment & Features 10 /10
• Reliability 10 /10
• Safety 9 /10
• Value For Money 9 /10

2020 Ford F-150 Raptor Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2019 F-150 Raptor?

The 2019 model of the F-150 Raptor received a few major changes that included a suspension upgrade and the addition of Trail Control – essentially cruise control for treacherous terrain. With a comprehensive improvement for that model, Ford saw no reason to update the model for 2020 besides some color changes: Lead Foot and Rapid Red are now available.

Pros and Cons

• Incredible suspension
• Exceptionally powerful engine
• Impressive standard features
• Standard off-road assists
• Roomy cabin

• Too big to park easily
• Pricey compared to regular pickups
• Infotainment system and basic cabin design are falling behind the times

What’s the Price of the 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor?

The Ford Raptor starts at $53,205 for the Extended Cab variant, before the $1,595 destination charge. Opting for the Crew Cab variant brings that figure to $56,190. Fully loaded, the Raptor will boast features like a heated second row, voice-activated navigation, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a 360-degree camera, and vibrant Rapid Red paint – as well as a sticker price of just under $80k.

2020 Ford F-150 Raptor Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Handling and Driving Impressions

While the engine is impressive, all that power would go to waste without a good suspension setup. Fox variable damping shock absorbers take care of this, making for a truck that has wheel articulation abilities usually only seen on Dakar race trucks. One of the few vehicles that almost encourages you to make and take absurd jumps, the Raptor is able to plow through some of the harshest terrain with its occupants barely even registering the environment. Thanks to variable drive modes, the Raptor can switch its throttle, gearshifts, and steering responses along with the traction control and stability programs to adapt to various scenarios. Mud/Sand, Weather, and Rock Crawl modes do exactly what they imply, but Baja mode is the truly zany option. This is the mode that you activate when you want to traverse bumpy terrain as fast as possible. Essentially like a track mode for supercars, this mode makes the best use of the Raptors off-roading abilities at speed. While all this may sound appealing to the enthusiast, the question of ride comfort may remain. However, those Fox shocks are so good that the cabin always feels serene, and is, arguably, better insulated from surface imperfections than in any other F-150. This translates to exceptional ride comfort on the road too, with the only downside being a dive of the nose under heavy braking and a slight lifting thereof under sudden acceleration. Speaking of the on-road manners, the brakes perform well and don’t bite too aggressively, and in normal mode, the steering is light enough to save you from overdeveloping your forearms when parking.

Verdict: Is the 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor A Good Truck?

The Ford F-150 Raptor is in a class of its own, being the only pickup that is expressly designed to take big off-road jumps and shrug them off just as easily as climbing a curb. While some pickups may be able to tow more or haul more stuff in the back, and lesser models within the F-150 range can be had with a bigger load bed, the Raptor is unfazed and doesn’t give a damn about conventional capacities for work-related tasks. The Raptor is literally the supercar of the off-road world and doesn’t apologize for it. It can handle the roughest terrain, accelerate like a bat out of hell, and still maintain good on-road manners and ride comfort. While the interior is starting to feel a little dated and the fuel economy is atrocious, the Raptor makes up for that by being the most fun you can have in a truck without risking indecent exposure. If we could have one, we wouldn’t hesitate. We’d just need to widen the garage door.

What Ford F-150 Raptor Model Should I Buy?

The Raptor isn’t too cheap in base form, but we’d definitely opt for the Crew Cab configuration to maximize passenger space. We’d also spec the 801A Mid equipment group for its more comfortable heated seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, and power rear window. This also adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a useful addition when you’re a few feet higher than most other traffic. In addition, we’d opt for the 360-degree parking camera, a necessity for those who reside anywhere that narrow streets or tight parking spaces are found.

2020 Ford F-150 Raptor Specs

The Raptor is essentially an off-road racer that you can buy off a factory floor. With incredible suspension articulation ability and a powerhouse of an engine up front, the Raptor is capable of not just smashing through and over obstacles, it can handle jumps too. Thanks to a system called Trail Control, you can also set a speed and let the Raptor determine throttle inputs for whatever kind of terrain you’re on, letting the computer manage wheel slip. For those interested in on-road comfort too, heated and ventilated seats and a Bang & Olufsen sound system can also be specced.

Performance Specs

Engine and Transmission

Steering

Wheels

Tires

Fuel and MPG

Fuel Economy

Fuel Tank

Emissions

Dimensions and Measurement

Exterior Dimensions

Interior Space

Weight and Towing

Cargo Space

Colors and Materials

Standard Exterior Colors

Additional Packages

Equipment Group 801A Mid

Tailgate Applique FORD, Power-Sliding Rear Window, privacy tint and defrost, Power-Adjustable Pedals

Equipment Group 802A Luxury

Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column w/Memory, Memory System (Seat, Pedal, Exterior Mirror), Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, Power Glass Heated Sideview Mirrors, turn signal and LED security approach lamps, Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation, pinch-to-zoom capability, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, Note: SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link includes a 5-year prepaid subscription, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii, SiriusXM audio and data services each require a subscription sold separately, or as a package, by Sirius XM Radio Inc, If you decide to continue service after your trail, the subscription plan you choose will automatically renew thereafter and you will be charged according to your chosen payment method at then-current rates, Fees and taxes apply, To cancel you must call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349, See SiriusXM customer agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com, All fees and programming subject to change, Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are the trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc, Remote Start System w/Remote Tailgate Release, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), cross-traffic alert and trailer tow monitoring (BLIS sensor in taillamp), Intelligent Access w/Push-Button Start, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Ambient Lighting – Ice Blue Color Only, Radio: B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, HD Radio, SiriusXM radio, 10 speakers and subwoofer, Note: When ordered w/voice-activated navigation system (50N) SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link includes a 5-year prepaid subscription, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii, SiriusXM audio and data services each require a subscription sold separately, or as a package, by Sirius XM Radio Inc, If you decide to continue service after your trial, the subscription plan you choose will automatically renew thereafter and you will be charged according to your chosen payment method at then-current rates, Fees and taxes apply, To cancel you must call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349, See SiriusXM Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com, All fees and programming subject to change, Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc, Advanced Security Pack, SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and inclination/intrusion sensors, LED Sideview Mirror Spotlights, high-intensity LED security approach lamps, Tailgate Applique FORD, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, LED Box Lighting, 360 Degree Camera, Power-Sliding Rear Window, privacy tint and defrost, Power-Adjustable Pedals, 4.10 Front Axle w/Torsen Differential, Universal Garage Door Opener, Heated Steering Wheel, 8″ Productivity Screen

Raptor Carbon Fiber Package

unique high gloss black carbon fiber dash and door appliques and media bin door, Unique High Gloss Black Carbon Fiber Shift Knob

Raptor Interior Color Blue Accent Package

aluminum dash panels, unique high gloss black carbon fiber dash and door appliques and media bin door, Unique High Gloss Black Carbon Fiber Shift Knob

Raptor Technology Package

Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers, heated wiper park, Lane Keeping System w/Alert & Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control w/Stop-and-Go