My buddy Josh Ashcroft has a knack for leading me down questionable paths, especially when I’m reviewing a new off-road vehicle. It seems every review starts with a slightly harrowing driving situation, usually orchestrated by Josh. Looking back, it’s a recurring theme, and perhaps a testament to Josh’s adventurous (or slightly masochistic) spirit.
This held true during my recent test drive of the Ford Bronco Raptor in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest, near the Overland Expo Pacific Northwest grounds. Josh, along with Winslow Sandler in his Jeep Wrangler JKU, and myself in the Bronco Raptor, were navigating the forest’s seemingly endless network of trails. Our mission, seemingly futile, was to rediscover a trail Josh had vaguely remembered from a decade prior.
We spent a day encountering dead ends, locked gates, and fallen logs that tested the limits of our vehicles. Only the Bronco Raptor, with its impressive capabilities, managed to climb over some of the larger obstacles. Frustration was mounting, and the idea of abandoning the trail hunt for a refreshing lake swim was becoming increasingly appealing.
Around midday, we stopped for lunch at yet another dead-end trail, tantalizingly close to a lake marked on our maps. Like many trails that weekend, we were just short of our destination. Over hastily made sandwiches, Josh studied our maps, tracing a faint gray line on his Gaia GPS app. He proposed one last possibility: “It might be this 10-mile arc through the woods here.”
Skeptical, I raised an eyebrow. After numerous dead ends, could this faint track be the elusive trail we were seeking? Adding to my hesitation, reaching this potential trail would require backtracking for a couple of hours. I was unsure.
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2022 Ford Bronco Raptor navigating a rocky trail in Deschutes National Forest during an overlanding adventure.
Photo by Nick Jaynes
Close-up of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s front suspension showcasing its robust off-road components.
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The wide fender flares of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor are highlighted as it tackles a narrow trail.
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Rear view of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor climbing over a fallen log, demonstrating its impressive clearance.
Despite my doubts, after our quick lunch, we reached a fork in the road. Left led to the faint 10-mile arc, right towards the (likely) lake. I paused, considering our options. Should we take the easy route to the lake, or embrace the adventure and explore the mystery trail?
“Fine,” I conceded with a sigh. “Let’s try that track.”
Unleashing the Raptor: More Than Just Desert Running
Since its debut in 2009, the F-150 Raptor established the Raptor nameplate as synonymous with high-speed desert running – think blasting through Johnson Valley at 70 mph. This, according to Ford, was the Raptor’s domain.
READ MORE: Community Spotlight: Bronco Ambassador Chad Brown
However, my off-roading philosophy leans towards slow and controlled navigation – “as slow as possible, as fast as necessary.” Therefore, the Raptor concept hadn’t particularly resonated with me until Ford Performance applied the Raptor treatment to the all-new Bronco. That definitely sparked my interest.
Transforming the iconic Bronco into a Raptor-worthy machine involved significant engineering upgrades. For a detailed breakdown, The Autopian offers an excellent deep dive into the engineering behind the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.
Key features that stood out to me included the factory 37-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, performance-tuned FOX piggyback reservoir suspension, and the powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
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Side profile of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor showcasing its aggressive stance and large 37-inch tires.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor badge is prominently displayed, signifying its high-performance off-road capabilities.
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Interior shot of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor highlighting its spacious cabin and advanced technology features.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor boasts impressive specifications: 400 horsepower, 13.1 inches of ground clearance, front and rear locking differentials, G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes, and a combined 24 inches of digital screen real estate in the dashboard.
To accommodate the Bronco Raptor’s wide track and 37-inch tires, designers implemented substantial fender flares. While some jokingly compared them to kiddie pools, their size is undeniable. With mirrors folded, the Bronco Raptor’s width reaches a staggering 85.7 inches, exceeding even the RAM 2500’s 79.5 inches by over six inches.
Despite the oversized flares, the Bronco Raptor presents a striking appearance from the front and sides. However, the rear view, in my opinion, is less appealing – a rather wide-hipped stance. Regardless of aesthetics, its off-road capability is undeniable, and that’s what truly matters.
Navigating the 10-Mile Black Diamond Trail in the Bronco Raptor
About 90 minutes after lunch, we stumbled upon the entrance to Josh’s long-lost trail. Our gamble had paid off. Josh warned us that the beginning was “kind of rocky,” but the rest, he remembered, was relatively tame.
However, upon seeing the first rock shelf, Winslow and I exchanged knowing glances. This trail seemed significantly more challenging than Josh had initially suggested. “I don’t remember this part,” Josh yelled back from his LR3. This phrase would become a recurring theme over the next five hours as we unknowingly embarked on a genuine 10-mile black diamond trail.
This trail was unforgiving. It relentlessly crawled across miles of volcanic rock, tightly flanked by towering conifers – some of the most challenging terrain for any 4×4, especially one as wide as the Bronco Raptor. There were no breaks, no easy sections, just a continuous barrage of trees and rocks for the entire 10-mile stretch.
Adding to the tension, remnants of broken side-by-sides littered the trail. My anxiety levels spiked. If side-by-sides are breaking apart on this trail, what are our chances?
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor tackling a steep and rocky section of the black diamond trail.
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Close-up of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s 37-inch BFGoodrich tires providing excellent grip on challenging terrain.
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Another shot of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor navigating the narrow and tree-lined black diamond trail.
Engaging the front and rear lockers and utilizing the ‘Rock Crawl’ G.O.A.T. Mode, the Bronco Raptor, equipped with its 37-inch BFGs, handled the trail with remarkable composure. However, my focus was rarely straight ahead. My eyes constantly flicked between the side mirrors and the 12-inch center touchscreen.
In the mirrors, I nervously watched the wide fender flares narrowly avoid scraping against massive tree trunks. On the center touchscreen, the forward-facing camera provided a crucial view of the terrain ahead, especially since the Bronco’s nose was often pointed skyward on the steep inclines. While I’ve used forward-facing cameras before, I’d never relied on one as heavily as I did in the Bronco Raptor. Thanks to this high-resolution camera, I’m certain I averted numerous boulder collisions.
Mile after arduous mile, I somehow managed to maneuver the widebody 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor through the tight confines of trees and over sharp rocks without damaging any body panels or sidewalls.
By the time we decided to call it a night, we were utterly exhausted. My brain felt fried from the constant concentration required to keep the Bronco Raptor unscathed. In my own vehicles, I’m a cautious overlander, but I become hypervigilant when driving someone else’s rig. While I was eager to test Ford’s latest 4×4, I certainly didn’t want to return it damaged.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Driving Experience: A Revelation On and Off-Road
Having previously driven the Bronco 4-Door Black Diamond trim last summer, I anticipated a somewhat similar driving experience with the Bronco Raptor. How different could it really be?
READ MORE: Bronco Rears Back for Another Round of Ride at Overland Expo 2022
As it turned out, the driving experience was entirely different.
The Ford 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine is truly exceptional. It delivers V8-like power with V6 fuel economy. And with the exhaust set to Baja Mode (one of four modes, including a neighbor-friendly “Quiet” mode), it roars and snarls like a Jaguar – the car, not the feline.
Paired with the rapid-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, which feels more like a dual-clutch system than a traditional automatic, the engine’s capabilities are fully realized. However, this lightning-fast shifting becomes less desirable in 4Low.
In 4Low, the transmission’s eagerness to shift gears, while excellent at full throttle in the desert, results in a noticeable bucking sensation between first and second gear during slow-speed rock crawling. This can be mitigated by manually shifting using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
During my 549.9 miles with the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, it averaged 15 miles per gallon. Considering it’s a widebody 4×4 with 400 horsepower and riding on 37-inch tires, this fuel economy is quite impressive.
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Front three-quarter view of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor highlighting its aggressive front fascia and wide stance.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor parked on a scenic overlook, showcasing its overlanding potential.
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Close-up of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s FOX suspension system, emphasizing its advanced damping technology.
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Interior detail of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor’s steering wheel and paddle shifters, designed for performance driving.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor driving on a paved road, highlighting its surprisingly comfortable on-road manners.
On the highway, the Bronco Raptor surprised me even more than it did off-road. I expected it to excel off-road, but its on-road performance was less certain. Instead of wandering and wallowing, as I anticipated with 37-inch tires, the Bronco Raptor rode more like a Range Rover. This refined on-road behavior is attributable to its independent front suspension, particularly the piggyback reservoir FOX shocks. Ford Performance and FOX engineers have created world-class shocks, tuned for both high-speed Baja runs and comfortable daily driving.
Driving the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is genuinely enjoyable across all types of terrain.
Is the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor an Overlander? Surprisingly Versatile
At the end of the challenging 10-mile black diamond trail, we found a relatively flat spot to park. After putting the Bronco Raptor in park and turning off the ignition, I unfolded my cot in the dirt and collapsed onto it. Gazing up at the evening sky, watching the clouds drift by, I reflected on the day. We had unintentionally conquered the most difficult trail I had ever driven, and I was completely spent.
Before this trip, a Ford representative had suggested that the Bronco Raptor wasn’t primarily designed for overlanding. Despite its 37-inch tires and potent powertrain, it was conceived more as a desert runner than a technical trail machine.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor parked at a campsite, showcasing its suitability for overlanding adventures.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor navigating a rutted trail at speed in Baja mode, demonstrating its desert running capabilities.
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The author resting on a cot next to the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor after a long day of off-roading.
Initially, I dismissed this notion. However, after driving the Bronco Raptor through a 10-mile black diamond trail, I began to understand the representative’s point.
Earlier in our journey, before tackling the black diamond, we encountered a straight, heavily rutted trail. Seeing an opportunity to test the Bronco’s high-speed capabilities, I engaged Baja Mode and floored the accelerator. The Bronco Raptor surged forward, effortlessly gliding over the terrain for about half a mile. It was an unprecedented sensation. The large rocks, holes, and ruts seemed to vanish, intimidated by the approaching Bronco. Rather than being pulverized by the 37-inch BFGs, the obstacles simply yielded and disappeared beneath the wheels.
Lying on my cot later, I realized that moment was the Bronco Raptor’s true element. It handled the black diamond trail admirably, but that wasn’t its primary purpose.
So, am I dismissing the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor as an overlanding vehicle? Not at all.
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Front view of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor showcasing its imposing grille and Raptor badging.
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The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor flexing its suspension on uneven terrain, highlighting its off-road prowess.
The Bronco Raptor possesses one of the finest powertrains, suspension systems, and interiors I’ve ever experienced in a factory 4×4. It’s truly exceptional engineering, and the Ford Performance team deserves immense credit. In my opinion, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is the finest factory off-roader I’ve ever driven – period.
“I’ll bet there will be about three people who ever use the Bronco Raptor for overlanding,” the Ford representative had chuckled.
I sincerely hope he’s wrong. I hope many owners prove him wrong. Confining this incredible machine solely to desert racing would be a missed opportunity. Its expert engineering is too versatile to be limited to a single terrain type. We overlanders should embrace the G.O.A.T. Modes and truly take the Bronco Raptor over any type of terrain – especially for overlanding adventures.
