December car of the month: 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor

by Michael Chen

posted on December 28, 2022

Harder. Wider. Faster. Stronger.

Feeling extra adventurous? The Ford Bronco Raptor was designed for a special breed of driver, one that doesn’t mind a few bumps on the road. For our final car of the month in 2022, we’re looking at LA Auto Spot’s Bronco Raptor. This enthusiast-oriented SUV will feel right at home in just about any environment you can throw at it.

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor

This down-and-dirty SUV is the latest vehicle to get the Raptor treatment, following in the footsteps of the F-150 Raptor. But what’s the difference between the Bronco and the Bronco Raptor? One thing’s for sure: You’ll be able to tell them apart at a glance. Both share the same body, but the Raptor clocks in at about 10 inches wider. It’s not just for show, either. The added size provides a huge boost to stability. That’s a nice quality to have when driving over a pothole, and essential when driving over rough terrain.

Take a peek under the hood, and you’ll find that the Raptor has more than enough power to deliver an exciting ride. The 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine produces a hefty 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. And yes, the exclusive hood and fender vents are fully functional to help dissipate heat from the engine bay. All that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s no option for a stick shift, but you can always take control of the paddle shifters if you prefer.

The Bronco Raptor is designed with several features that help it conquer all kinds of surfaces, most of which you won’t find in your typical American city. The four-wheel drive system is just the beginning. The terrain management system features a total of seven G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes. Drivers can select from Normal, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja. This last mode is especially designed to reduce turbo lag by ensuring the turbines stay spinning when your foot is off the throttle. 

All this hardware is supported by an off-road ready suspension, which Ford refers to as HOSS 4.0: High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension. It’s one of several components shared with the F-150 Raptor, with an eye-popping 13 inches of travel in the front and 14 inches in the rear. And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, the Raptor comes standard with a set of staggeringly large 37-inch tires and a full-size spare mounted to the rear. All the better for rock crawling with, my dear. Just keep in mind, off-roading is prohibited for vehicles booked on Turo.

You might expect an SUV designed for rough roads to have less than ideal handling through the corners. But as it turns out, the Bronco Raptor’s wide body adds a surprising amount of stability through a twisty mountain road. So if you’ve got a national park on your itinerary, your journey will be just as fun as your destination.

No matter where you take this big bad SUV, you can expect to arrive in style. While it’s hardly a luxury vehicle, the Bronco Raptor does come equipped with heated front-row seats and plenty of technology to keep you and four passengers plugged in. Sights and sounds include a large 12-inch LCD touchscreen and a seven-speaker audio system with subwoofer. But if your personal definition of style calls for an open-air experience, you can remove this Raptor’s hardtop and doors without much trouble. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen. 

The Bronco Raptor also comes standard with plenty of driver-assistive technology, which can be helpful when you least expect it. Highlights include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and a blind spot information system. There’s also hill start assist, which should be helpful if your adventures take you to higher elevations.

It’s safe to say that Ford’s most capable SUV can take on most any road condition you’ll come across this winter. And with so many outdoor hotspots near LA Auto Spot’s Bronco Raptor, there’s just one question left to answer. Where will you go first?

*Daily price is subject to change

Michael Chen

Michael has spent most of his career writing about cars. His passions all start with the letter S. That includes his Honda S2000, sustainability, and sushi.

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