Lately, car companies are going whack when it comes to upgrading their beloved bestsellers. So, of course, giant companies like Ford aren't gonna back down on this trend. They took their best-selling pickup truck, Ranger Raptor, and… “improved” it! Who knew they could still tweak this already towering behemoth with better specs, better comfort, better carrying capacity, better performance, and better looks. To be honest, the “new” face design kind of reminded us of RoboCop.

If you haven’t ridden one of these massive beauties yet then you’re missing out on the fun. Equipped with 2.0L Bi-Turbo In-line 4 valve Diesel Engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission on a 4WD or FWD platform configuration, this badass will show you exactly why it’s one of the All-time American favorites.

With that said, let’s talk about…

THE PROS

MADE FOR COMFORT

Aside from the obviously massive body this machine certainly has, there’s more than meets the eye and we plan to tell you all about them. Let us start with the first concern every pickup buyer wants to know…

“How spacious is it inside?”

Boasting overall dimensions of 5398 mm in length, 2028 mm in width, and 1873 mm in height, you can already tell this truck is huge! It can easily fit 3 people at the back without any sweat. There’s more than enough room for tall people (6ft and up) without sacrificing leg comfort. Further, people love the new improved Raptor because of its new features rather than its performance which is already a given.

SPACIOUS 5-SEATER CONFIGURATION

Unlike its predecessors, the 2022 Raptor doesn’t feel like going in a can to be packed together like sardines. Although it has the default 5-seater configuration, it is spacious. In addition, there are bolsters in the seats to achieve optimal comfort for the passengers’ backs. It’s not ultrasoft but it is quite reliable and comfy when you lay your back on it.

RAMPED UP MUSCLES: POWERFUL DRIVETRAIN

On the other hand, Ford didn’t shy away from equipping the 2022 Raptor with muscles to match its confident bulky looks. Underneath the hood, you’ll find a 2.0-L 16 valve 4 cylinder In-Line Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine that outputs 210 horsepower or the equivalent of 500 Newtons - meter of torque plus 1996cc of displacement... With that much power under your control, you can tow a sedan or hatchback without issues.

MORE VOLUME FOR THE BED MEANS MORE CARGO FOR YOU

Since this is a pickup truck we’re talking about, we shouldn’t forget the bed at the back out of all the functions it has. With a volume of 1.495 cubic meters, you can fit 4 balikbayan boxes side-by-side. 

ENGINEERED TO KEEP YOU FROM HARM’S WAY

Ford is well-equipped with safety features but more so in the new 2022 model. The 2022 Raptor comes with…

•Anti-Lock Braking System

•Child Safety Locks

•Driver Airbag

•Passenger Airbag

•Side Airbag-Front

•Rear Seat Belts

•Seat Belt Warning

•Crash Sensor

•Door Ajar Warning

•Side Impact Beams

•Front Impact Beams

•Traction Control

•Vehicle Stability Control System

•Engine Check Warning

•Electronic Brake Distribution

•Height Adjustable Front Seat Belts

•Day & Night Rear View Mirror

•Parking Sensors

•Rear Camera

These are the safety features Ford included in their Ford Ranger Raptor 2022. There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to safety. You are priceless. Ford knows that very well.

HIGH-SECURITY FEATURES

We’ve seen the new safety features as well as the performance specifications. But what good are those if your Raptor will just be taken away by strangers who have ill intentions? Thankfully, Ford got you covered with their Advanced Anti-Theft Security features such as:

•Engine Immobilizer

•Smart Access Card Entry

•Anti-Theft Alarm

•Anti-Theft Device

•Power Door Locks

•Central Locking

These are the favorable sides of the all-new 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor. But what about the least favorable sides of this truck?

Well, we’ve also included those in…

THE CONS

NERVE-WRACKING TURNS

Although “pogi” to the eyes of its users, one of the downsides of being bulky and muscular is the difficulty of maneuvering through tight spaces. Especially if you’re traveling in eskinitas in Metro Manila, you will definitely feel the anxiety that comes with worrying about the possibility of bumping into something or someone along the way.

LONG PERIODS OF PARTS AVAILABILITY

Since Ford isn’t manufactured locally, expect to have some delays and scarce supplies of the spare parts or upgrades because most probably it will be ordered abroad. Add, on top of that, the expensive fees and costs of delivery/freight to get it in the country.

IF YOU HURT THE TRUCK AND IT WILL HURT YOU, BACK… FINANCIALLY

Another thing that some users don’t like about this pickup truck despite it being nearly perfect is its high maintenance cost. Again, since I’ve already mentioned that the parts aren’t always readily available in the market, it also turns out that the maintenance such as changing oil, cleaning, paint job, and the like are about 2x as much as the Toyota Hilux’s expenses. This big boy’s toy isn’t for the thrifty. 

SOME RIVALS ARE WAY FASTER

There is no such thing as a perfect truck, the Raptor - although it's a champ in its own league - isn’t cut out for speed. At least not as fast as the other pickup trucks in the market like the Ram TRX, Rivian R1T, and others who compete in the “speed demon” category of the pickup truck community.

CONCLUSION

Even though there are a few downsides to the Raptor, we can’t deny that it is a powerhouse in the international market. The safety and comfort features are phenomenal. The performance is outstanding for a pickup truck this massive. And the interior is very spacious. It could fit 5 people without breaking a sweat. The 2022 Ford Raptor is for off-road enthusiasts who love to enjoy the mix of power, comfort, safety, and adventure!

Also Read: Five Best Features of the Ford Ranger Raptor