2019 Raptor Easily Conquers Pavement, Says Auto Critic
Ford’s Raptor slays dirt trails and sand dunes, but how does it perform as a daily driver? Quite well, according to Washington news site WTOP.
There’s nothing in the full-size truck segment that can match the F-150 Raptor. Competitors have tried, but so far they haven’t been able to field a truck that can run toe-to-toe with Ford’s mightiest F-150. It’s the most well-rounded, dedicated off-roader that comes straight from the factory. And at its core, it’s an F-150. That’s the icing on the cake.
Undoubtedly, there will be some owners who never take their Raptors off-road. How does a vehicle designed for asphalt-free excursions fare in everyday situations? That’s what Washington news site WTOP‘s Mike Parris set to find out when he reviewed the 2019 model. Ultimately, he found the truck to be an exceedingly capable vehicle for people who just want a cool and capable on-road truck.
A Surprisingly Civilized Beast
It’s extremely easy to look at the Raptor and come to the conclusion that it couldn’t perform well in everyday situations. That’s probably something a lot of non-enthusiasts think when looking at the specialized F-150. Fortunately, the opposite is true. Parris discovered a truck well suited for mall duty. “While it’s very comfortable spending a day in the dirt off-road, that suspension also pays off with a smooth ride on the pavement. Bumps are soaked up nicely to a near luxury car feel and it seems the quicker you hit the bumps the smoother the ride is,” says Parris. The newly introduced Fox “Live Valve” shocks likely contributed to the Raptor’s exceptional on-road performance. Basically, Fox designed their shocks to more quickly adapt to changing road conditions. That’s a technology useful for on and off-road applications.
Living With a Raptor
Obviously, the Raptor is great. But no vehicle is perfect. Not everyone will find such a large truck suitable for their needs. Maneuvering the Raptor takes skill and patience, and non-truck owners might struggle with such a long and wide vehicle. “The Raptor is even wider than the normal F-150 so it can be a bit of chore in tighter spaces and it takes up most of the lane it occupies,” says Parris. Another spaced related problem relates specifically to the SuperCab model. Passenger space is limited when compared to the SuperCrew, which has a full four door setup and more interior space.
That being said, Parris still found the truck up to the task of navigating the urban jungle. He enjoyed the 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 and how it interacted with the 10 speed automatic. The Raptor’s interior accoutrements also made an impression on him. “It has a high-end interior and killer good looks to help justify the cost,” says Parris. The Raptor’s Alcantara trimmed Recaro seats probably contributed to his conclusions. Overall, it’s pretty incredible the Raptor is viewed as a legitimate luxury vehicle. Ford deserves a kudos for pulling that off.
No compromise vehicles are tough to find. Fortunately, Ford is committed to building an entire lineup around the concept. The company now sells hybrid vehicles with all-wheel drive systems that operate exactly like their regular internal combustion counterparts. And their niche products have been broadened to appeal to as many potential customers as possible. That’s where the Raptor comes in. From the factory, it’s designed to crush off-road hazards and competently behave itself on the pavement. Truly the best of both worlds.
Photos: WTOP
