If you’re looking for the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup truck, you might want to check out the new 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R. This is not your average Raptor. This is a Raptor with a supercharged V8 engine that cranks out 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful F-150 Raptor ever.
But the Raptor R is not just about brute force. It’s also about extreme off-road capability, thanks to its long-travel suspension, FOX Live Valve shocks, 37-inch all-terrain tires, and class-best ground clearance. Whether you’re blasting through the sand, crawling over rocks, or jumping over dunes, the Raptor R can handle it all.
In this blog post, we’ll give you a detailed review of the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R. We’ll cover its features, specs, pricing, and comparisons with its main rival, the Ram TRX. We’ll also tell you how to order one if you’re interested.
What Are the Specs and Top Speed of the Raptor R?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R has some impressive specs that make it stand out from other pickup trucks. Before we get into the specifics. Take a look at some of the key numbers at a glance:
Engine: 5.2-liter supercharged V8
Horsepower: 700 hp
Torque: 640 lb-ft
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
Curb weight: 6,180 lbs
Wheelbase: 145.4 inches
Length: 232.6 inches
Width: 96 inches
Height: 80.6 inches
Ground clearance: 13.1 inches
Approach angle: 33.1 degrees
Departure angle: 24.9 degrees
Breakover angle: 24.4 degrees
Towing capacity: 7,500 lbs
Payload capacity: 1,200 lbs
Fuel economy: 10 mpg city / 15 mpg highway / 12 mpg combined
As for the top speed of the Raptor R, Ford has not officially announced it yet, but some sources suggest it could be around 140 mph.
That’s not very fast compared to some sports cars or even some sedans, but it’s still impressive for a truck that weighs over three tons and has massive off-road tires.
What’s New for 2023?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is an all-new model that joins the regular F-150 Raptor in the Ford Performance lineup.
The main difference between the two is the engine.
While the regular Raptor has a turbocharged V6 that makes 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, the Raptor R has a supercharged V8 that makes 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque.
This is the same engine that powers the Mustang Shelby GT500, one of the coolest high-performance sports cars on the market today. Ford Performance optimized it for off-road use by recalibrating the supercharger pulley and increasing the air intake volume.
The result is a truck that can do 0-60 mph in the high three-second range and has more torque at low and mid-range speeds. That’s impressive for a full-size pickup truck that weighs over 6,000 pounds.
The other difference between the regular Raptor and the Raptor R is the styling. The Raptor R has some subtle cues that distinguish it from its sibling, such as:
- A power dome on the hood that’s higher and more aggressive
- Desert-inspired graphics on the sides and hood that have little eights to signify the V8 engine
- Red accents on the badges and interior
- Black RECARO front seats with carbon fiber streaked with signature Ford Performance Code Orange accents
Other than that, the Raptor R shares most of its features and equipment with the regular Raptor, which means it has:
- A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- A four-wheel-drive system with seven different drive modes
- A high-strength steel frame and an aluminum-alloy body
- A coil-spring rear suspension with a five-link design and a Panhard rod
- A front independent suspension with forged aluminum control arms
- An electronic locking rear differential and a Torsen front limited-slip differential
- Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers and 15-inch rotors
- A dual exhaust system with active valves
- A trail control system that acts like an off-road cruise control
- A trail turn assist system that brakes the inside rear wheel to improve the turning radius
- A SYNC 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen
- A digital gauge cluster with a 12-inch screen
- A fold-down gear lever and a fold-out center console table
- A power-sliding rear window
- A tailgate with a ruler, vice clamps, and a pen holder
- A tailgate step with a railing
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist
- Heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel
- Wireless charging and multiple power outlets
How Does It Compare to the Ram TRX?
The obvious competitor for the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is the Ram TRX, which is also a supercharged V8 off-road pickup truck that debuted in 2020. The Ram TRX has 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, which is slightly more than the Raptor R.
However, the Ram TRX is also slightly heavier than the Raptor R, weighing about 6,400 pounds versus just under 6,200 pounds for the Ford. That means they are essentially neck-and-neck in terms of acceleration and performance.
Throttle House, a great car YouTube channel, has done a drag race between the Raptor R and the TRX, and they are basically tied in most races.
As for off-road capability, both trucks have impressive features and specs, but the Raptor R has some advantages over the TRX, such as:
- Larger tires (37 inches versus 35 inches)
- Higher ground clearance (13.1 inches versus 11.8 inches)
- Better approach angle (33.1 degrees versus 30.2 degrees)
- Better departure angle (24.9 degrees versus 23.5 degrees)
- Better break-over angle (24.4 degrees versus 21.9 degrees)
- More suspension travel (14 inches front and 15 inches rear versus 13 inches front and 14 inches rear)
The Ram TRX, on the other hand, has some advantages over the Raptor R, such as:
- More towing capacity (8,100 pounds versus 7,500 pounds)
- More payload capacity (1,310 pounds versus 1,200 pounds)
- A launch control system
- A head-up display
- A Harman Kardon sound system
How Does It Perform Off-Road?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is designed to conquer any off-road challenge with ease. It has a robust chassis that features high-strength steel frame rails, aluminum body panels, and composite fenders.
It has a coil-spring rear suspension that replaces the leaf springs found on other F-150 models, improving lateral stability and traction.
It also has FOX Live Valve shocks that adjust automatically to different terrain conditions, providing up to 14 inches of front suspension travel and 15 inches of rear suspension travel.
The Raptor R also has an advanced four-wheel-drive system that offers four modes: two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive auto, four-wheel drive high, and four-wheel drive low. It also has an electronic locking rear differential and an available Torsen limited-slip front differential that enhance grip on slippery surfaces.
The truck also features Trail Control, which is like cruise control for off-road driving, allowing the driver to set a speed and focus on steering while the truck manages throttle and braking.
The Raptor R also comes with seven drive modes that adjust various parameters such as throttle response, transmission shift points, steering feel, stability control, and exhaust sound. These modes are:
- Normal: For everyday driving on paved roads
- Sport: For more spirited driving on paved roads
- Slippery: For driving on wet or icy roads
- Tow/Haul: For towing or hauling heavy loads
- Baja: For high-speed desert running
- Rock Crawl: For low-speed rock crawling
- Mud/Sand: For driving on muddy or sandy terrain
The Raptor R also has impressive off-road dimensions that allow it to tackle steep angles and obstacles.
It has an approach angle of 33.1 degrees, a break-over angle of 24.4 degrees, and a departure angle of 24.9 degrees. It also has a ground clearance of 13.1 inches and can ford up to 32 inches of water.
How Much Does It Cost and How to Order One?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R starts at $109,145, which is about $27,000 more than a regular Raptor with the 37-inch tire package. That’s also more expensive than a Ram TRX, which starts at around $84,000.
However, the Raptor R has very few options to add to its price tag. The only choices you have are the paint color and the sunroof. The Ram TRX, on the other hand, has a lot of options that can easily push its price into the six-figure range.
If you’re interested in ordering a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, you can do so now by visiting Ford’s website or contacting your local Ford dealer. However, be prepared to wait for a while before you get your truck, as production is set to start this fall, and demand is expected to be high.
Ford is also limiting the production of the Raptor R to only 10,000 units for the 2023 model year, so you might want to act fast if you want to secure one of these supercharged beasts.
What Are Some of the Quirks and Features of the Raptor R?
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R has some quirks and features that make it unique and fun to drive.
Here are some of them:
The fold-down gear lever
If you press a button next to the gear lever, it will automatically fold down, allowing you to unfold the center console and use it as a table. This is useful if you want to do some paperwork or use a laptop on your job site or in your truck.
The tailgate with a ruler, vice clamps, and a pen holder
The tailgate of the Raptor R has some handy features that make it more than just a tailgate. It has a ruler integrated into the top of it in case you need to measure something.
It also has vice clamps on either side that let you secure something on the tailgate if you want to cut or saw it. And it has a spot for a pen so you can write something down on your
The tailgate step with a railing
The tailgate of the Raptor R also has a step that pops out from under it, making it easier to climb into the bed. The step also has a railing that extends from the side of the tailgate, giving you something to hold onto for balance and safety.
The power-sliding rear window
The Raptor R has a rear window that can slide open or close with the push of a button. This is useful if you want to let some fresh air in or communicate with someone. It also has a defroster that can clear the window in cold weather.
The digital gauge cluster with a 12-inch screen
The Raptor R has a digital gauge cluster that can display various information and graphics depending on the drive mode you select.
For example, if you choose Baja mode, which is designed for high-speed desert running, the gauge cluster will show you a large tachometer, a gear indicator, and a G-force meter.
If you choose Rock Crawl mode, which is designed for low-speed rock climbing, the gauge cluster will show you a pitch and roll angle indicator, a wheel articulation graphic, and a front camera view.
The SYNC 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen
The Raptor R has a SYNC 4 infotainment system that can control various functions and features of the truck. It has a 12-inch touchscreen that can display maps, music, phone calls, settings, and more.
It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, meaning you can connect your smartphone without using a cable. It also has wireless charging and multiple power outlets for your devices.
The trail control system
The Raptor R has a trail control system that acts like an off-road cruise control. It can automatically adjust the speed and braking of the truck to maintain a set pace over rough terrain.
You can set the speed from 1 to 20 mph using the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. This is useful if you want to focus on steering and navigating rather than modulating the throttle and brake pedals.
The trail turn assist system
The Raptor R has a trail turn assist system that can help you make tight turns off-road. It works by braking the inside rear wheel while sending more torque to the outside rear wheel, creating a pivot effect that reduces the turning radius.
You can activate this system by pressing a button on the dashboard.
Final Verdict
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is a supercharged V8 beast that can fly over the desert and outrun almost anything on the road. It’s the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup truck that delivers incredible power, capability, and fun.
However, it’s also very expensive, very thirsty, and very subtle compared to the regular Raptor or the Ram TRX. It’s not a truck for everyone, but it’s a truck for those who want the best of the best in this segment.
If you’re looking for a truck that can do it all and make you smile every time you drive it, you might want to check out the new 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R.
