The Raptor Dilemma: 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Vs. 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

While the F-150 Raptor is the OG, newcomers in the Bronco and Ranger variants deserve your attention! But which model deserves your money and why?

It's been well over a decade now since the original first-generation Ford Raptor hit the scene. There was nothing like this F-150 back in 2010, a factory-built truck modeled after Baja 1000 desert race runners, with its wide body fenders and burly V-8. The 6.2-liter engine put out 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque by 2014 at this generation's end, and the vehicle was one of the last to be branded by SVT, or Ford's Special Vehicle Team. SVT stood for "creating high-performance halo vehicles for the Ford lineup under the core values of performance, substance, exclusivity, and value...", and it became absorbed, along with Ford Racing, under the Ford Performance umbrella in 2014.

The second generation saw the Raptor powered by Ford's popular EcoBoost engine, a high-output version of the twin-turbo 3.5 liter V-6, pushing out an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Today this power plant carries over into the third-gen, along with the "Predator" GT500 motor that's tuned for the truck, in the Ram TRX battling Raptor R. The groundbreaking looks and jaw-dropping performance of the F-150 Raptor led to much success for the automaker, causing Ford to spawn other Raptor variants.

RELATED: Why The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor Will Be A Game Changer

The Bronco Raptor starts at $86,080, with seating for five, as a four-door body style only. It has an EPA-estimated 15mpg in the city, with a 16 mpg highway, powered by a 3.0 liter EcoBoost V-6. This engine delivers 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic only. This engine requires premium fuel. Zero to 60 sprint time is in less than six seconds.

The suspension is a HOSS 4.0 with FOX live valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers system, one that provides a max of 13 and 14 inches of wheel travel, front and rear respectively. As if this wasn't enough, 37-inch all-terrain tires are mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard. Cool features such as "Trail Control," "Trail Turn Assist," and "Trail One Pedal Drive," are included with this 10-speed. Must-have features such as Advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement, front, and rear electronic locking axles, and front stabilizer bar disconnect are standard.

Additional standard features for the interior are marine grade vinyl seats, rubberized flooring that's washout capable with integrated drain plugs, MOLLE panels for the driver and front passenger seat backs, and the Terrain Management System (TMS) with seven G.O.A.T. modes. These modes stand for "Goes Over Any Type of terrain."

For the exterior, there's a manual swing gate, with up to a 15-degree swing, and additional exoskeleton reinforcement. Of course, the doors and top are fully removable. Included are rock rails with removable running boards. Front and rear are two mounted tow hooks on each end, with a modular front bumper featuring removable end caps, along with LED fog and off-road lamps. Of course, the vehicle is loaded with skid plating, has flared fenders, and has a wider track. The 9.8-inch increase in the track makes it only an inch or so less than a Hummer H1. It's got 4.7 gears in the axles, with a towing capacity of up to 4,500 pounds.

RELATED: Ford Bronco Raptor vs Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

All this Raptor craze has Ford adding it to a vehicle geared towards the mid-size truck segment in the Ranger. Joining the likes of the F-150 and Bronco, this Raptor is powered by a 3.0 liter EcoBoost V-6, churning out 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle features a Watts link rear suspension, with class-exclusive 2.5-inch FOX live valve shocks. There's an advanced four-wheel drive system, with a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials. Drive modes are as follows: Normal; Tow/Haul; Sport; Slippery; Off-Road; Rock Crawl; and Baja. Even the active valve exhaust system can be tuned to different modes with Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja settings.

The Trail Control feature is also included, as is the 10-speed SelectShift automatic. Baja mode enables an anti-turbo-lag system, where the turbos keep spinning for three seconds after the driver lets off the throttle. This truck comes with flared fenders, and 33-inch tires mounted on 17-inch wheels, of which bead locks are available for those low trail pressures. Not unlike the other Raptor variants, there's a front bash plate, coupled with a dedicated engine, transfer case, and fuel tank shields. Six overhead Upfitter switches power off-road hardware.

This much anticipated Raptor version of the truck has yet to hit the United States, but it has an estimated starting selling price of $50,000 once it does. Also, Rangers are sold in no less than 180 countries worldwide currently, with notable differences between European and Australian Raptor versions in terms of power output. Ford claims the Ranger Raptor gets 10.4 inches of ground clearance, with a 32-degree approach angle. This is less than the Bronco Raptor's 13.1-inch and 47-degree respective numbers. The Ranger Raptor will have a towing capacity of 5,510 pounds, less than the regular Ranger, but more than the Bronco Raptor. Additionally, it'll have a payload capacity of 1,411 pounds, also less than the standard truck. Expect the fuel economy to not be thrifty given the power plant.

RELATED: Ford's Entire Raptor Lineup Ranked

These two Raptor vehicles, the Bronco and Ranger, are difficult to directly compare. They're from the same automaker but built to suit two different segments, even though they have many of the same characteristics. The Bronco is a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, making it a unique off-road SUV. Meanwhile, the Ranger competes with the likes of the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier, all of which are mid-size trucks. The Ranger Raptor can be thought of as more of a little brother to the full-size F-150 Raptor that preceded it.

If we were to compare what we know, both vehicles have similar attributes in Baja 1000-inspired styling and performance. They both feature tuned turbocharged motors, specifically designed unique suspension systems and off-road terrain modes. Both have skid plates and added trail accessories. Both have similar towing capabilities. Each vehicle has the latest and greatest that Ford has to offer, in terms of technology in infotainment and safety.

The key difference really, is the huge price gap, which appears to be in the $30,000 range. One pays quite the premium as well to elect the Bronco Raptor over the regular Bronco, the latter of which can be had with more options. This includes a seven-speed manual, a two-door body, and a selection of three available engines. Also, a major con of the Bronco Raptor, is that the wider track makes it difficult to live with from an urban standpoint.

On the flip side, the Ranger Raptor is a much more practical vehicle for being such a tuned machine. Not only can it tow more, but it can also haul. Being more like a smaller F-150 Raptor, it can be more maneuverable on the trails as well as in the city. With 33-inch tires, that's more rational than the large 37-inch tires that come with the Bronco Raptor. When paying tens of thousands less to boot, that's all hard to overlook. As capable as the Bronco Raptor may be, outside of hardcore off-road enthusiasts, most will fail to agree with its valuation and elect the Ranger Raptor instead.

Martin holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Working full-time as an Avionics Technician on fighter jets, he travels using a variety of vehicles, to include: a Camaro ZL1, F-150 FX4, Jeep Wrangler TJ, and CBR 600RR. Thus, he's always been interested in wheels, seeing them as something more than just what gets you from point A to Z. He admires style, performance, and longevity in these machines, while appreciating something even if it's not to his taste. Follow him on this ride and see where it goes!