2017 Raptor: The Jekyll & Hyde of Trucks
Ford’s Hot New Truck Offers Best of Both Worlds: Stealth-Like On-Road Control and Wildly Unchallenged Power to Tackle Any Off-Road Terrain
In most cases, having a dual personality isn’t considered a positive trait. Such is the case with the classic story Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which documents the two conflicting personalities within one man. But as Sue Mead at the Bucks County Courier Times points out, dual personalities can sometimes be a good thing, especially when you’re talking about the 2017 Raptor.
Mead’s interesting take on the new Raptor makes some excellent points. We’ve all focused solely on the new truck’s incredible off road capability. But the Raptor also brings with it fantastic on-road manners, which is a real challenge in a purpose-built off-roader. The 2017 Ford Raptor rides better and possesses both improved ergonomics and visibility over the outgoing truck.
Electronic driving modes make transitioning between high-speed desert runs and highway cruising a snap. Whether you want to go rock crawling or drag racing, there’s a mode for it. And the insides that surround you are quite luxurious and comfortable. Switches and knobs are easy to reach and intelligently laid out.
The 2017 Raptor is a true Mr. Hyde off-road, eating up trails with no remorse.
It’s also like Dr. Jekyll, with impeccably controlled on-road handling.
We often harp on the new Raptor’s power increase over the old one, but efficiency reaches new levels as well. The switch to the widely panned twin turbo Ecoboost V6 brings not only significant improvements in horsepower and torque, but also a 23 percent increase in fuel economy.
The 2017 Raptor has been well documented as a true Mr. Hyde off-road, eating up rocks and trails with no remorse. But it’s also fully capable of behaving like Dr. Jekyll, with impeccably controlled on-road handling. And that’s the true magic of the new Raptor: Ford’s ability to harness split personalities and make them something special.
