We waited long enough! How does the new supercharged-V8 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R handle the dunes? Is it really better than the Ram TRX? Here is my first-drive review.
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
The Raptor R is based on the 3rd-generation F-150 Raptor chassis and platform. It has a very similar FOX 3.1 Live Valve suspension system as the other Raptor trucks. The 5.2-liter Predator SC V8 adds just about 100 pounds to the truck. Is it about the same truck as any other new Raptor? No!
The aforementioned 5.2-liter supercharged V8 is a gem. We all know the power numbers (700 hp @ 6,650 rpm and 640 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm), but what I did not immediately expect is how quickly this engine revs and builds power. Just step on the loud pedal, the beefed-up 10-speed automatic transmission seems to always be in the correct gear, and the revs build to the redline in a blink of an eye. Redline? It’s somewhere near 7,000 rpm. Simply put – this does not feel like a truck engine. It feels like they put a sports car engine into a truck, and it’s glorious.
How about the Ram TRX comparison? These two trucks are quite similar. The TRX puts a smile on your face every time you hit the throttle. The Ram’s 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 and its supercharger come to a boil with magnificent sound. However, the Predator V8 just feels a bit more rev-happy than the larger Hellcat.
So what’s going on here? Well, these are high-performance trucks, so we need to look at the power-to-wait ratio for these big beasts.
| Ford F-150 Raptor R | Ram TRX | |
| Curb Weight | 5,984 lbs | 6,350 lbs |
| Engine | 5.2L SC V8 | 6.2L SC V8 |
| Power | 700 hp @ 6,650 rpm | 702 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 640 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm | 650 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed Auto | 8-speed Auto |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 4.10-to-1 | 3.55-to-1 |
| Tires | 37-inch BFG AT KO2 | 35-inch Goodyear Territory MT |
| Top Speed | 112 MPH (tire limited) | 118 MPH (tire limited) |
| – | – | – |
| Power to Weight | 8.548 lbs/hp | 9.045 lbs/hp |
| – | – | – |
| 2WD mode? | Yes | No |
| 4LO? | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Locker? | Yes | Yes |
| Front Locker? | No | No |
| – | – | – |
| Starting Price | $109,145 | $82,000 approx. for 2022 |
As you can see, the Raptor R and the Ram TRX are quite a bit different on paper as well. The Raptor R has a significant power-to-weight advantage. The TRX must carry an extra half a pound for every horsepower. It means that these two trucks may have nearly identical 0-60 MPH acceleration times.
I did a real-world Raptor R 0-60 MPH on a slightly damp pavement in Sport mode. The truck spun all four wheels and registered a 4.4-second 0-60 MPH. See the video below.
It’s very fun to launch this truck. Please stay tuned for a drag race and many more real-world reviews very soon.
Check out the full first-drive video here at the TFLtruck Youtube channel.
