Ford Ranger Raptor 2023 Review

The competition in Malaysia's pickup truck market in 2023 is becoming increasingly intense. Consumer demand for pickup trucks has long shifted from purely functional attributes to a dual-purpose positioning of "family use + off-road," capable of handling daily commutes while also meeting the needs for weekend countryside exploration. Against this backdrop, the Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Diesel, as a popular model in the mid-size pickup truck segment, enters the market with a power output of 210PS, a torque of 500N·m, and a 5-year/160,000 km warranty policy. Does its combination of rugged design and practical features truly suit the needs of local users? This test drive will focus on aspects such as exterior, interior, space, and dynamic performance to bring readers the most authentic usage experience.

From a distance, the rugged style of the Ranger Raptor 2.0L Diesel is very striking, with overall dimensions of 5381mm×2028mm×1922mm, a wheelbase of 3270mm, and off-road tires sized 285/70 R17, giving it a commanding presence. The front face features a large black grille with the striking Ford logo embedded in the center. The two sharp LED headlights are connected to the edges of the grille, enhancing the visual width. The side profile of the body reveals straight lines with sturdy black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and side steps below, making it easier to get in and out while reinforcing its off-road appeal. At the rear, the vertical arrangement of the LED taillights provides high recognition, the rear bumper includes a trailer hitch, and the top spoiler adds a sporty vibe. As for the lighting system, LED daytime running lights and front and rear fog lights are standard, offering sufficient illumination at night to handle the complexities of outdoor routes.

Opening the door, the interior features black as the main color, accented with silver trim, presenting a simple and practical layout. The top of the center console is wrapped with soft-touch materials for a pleasant feel, while the lower portion uses hard plastic, with evenly aligned seams that match the standard of this price range. The 12-inch central touchscreen is the core of the interior, equipped with the Ford SYNC 4 system. The interface is smooth, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and has a straightforward operating logic that makes it easy to use. The instrument cluster uses a 12.4-inch TFT fully digital display screen, capable of showing information such as fuel consumption, four-wheel drive status, and tire pressure. The theme style changes in sync when switching driving modes. Regarding features, the front seats offer 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, ensuring comfort even during long drives. Dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, front wireless charging, and a 220V power outlet are all available, meeting the power needs of multiple passengers on the go. In terms of safety features, seven airbags, ABS, vehicle stability control, blind spot assist, lane departure warning, and active braking are all standard. ACC adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree surround view camera enhance the convenience of long-distance driving and parking.

Space performance is one of the advantages of the Ranger Raptor. The 3270mm wheelbase provides a spacious rear seating area. After adjusting the front seat to a comfortable position, the rear legroom still offers over two fist-widths, and there is about one fist of headroom, ensuring that even passengers as tall as 180cm won’t feel cramped. The rear seats can be folded down in proportions, expanding the trunk capacity, and combined with the 80L fuel tank, it offers sufficient storage capacity for long trips. In terms of storage, the door slots can hold two large bottles of mineral water, the central armrest box is quite deep, the front cup holders come with limiters, and the rear central armrest also has cup holders, showing attention to detail.

Powertrain: The 2.0T twin-turbocharged diesel engine delivers a maximum power of 154.5kW (210PS) and a peak torque of 500N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, ample torque is available at low RPMs, resulting in smooth starts, and the power response is prompt during acceleration. When overtaking, stepping hard on the accelerator will prompt the gearbox to downshift quickly. While the push-back sensation isn't particularly strong, it is adequately smooth. There are multiple driving modes such as Normal, Sport, and Off-Road available. When switched to Sport mode, the transmission shifts more aggressively, with RPMs staying in a higher range, making it suitable for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration.

In terms of handling, the front double-wishbone independent suspension combined with the rear five-link solid axle (with Watt's linkage) balances off-road and on-road performance. While driving on roads, the steering wheel offers moderate steering effort and precise handling, and body roll is well-controlled during cornering with no significant feeling of sway. When encountering bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most minor vibrations, and even larger potholes are effectively cushioned, ensuring passengers inside the car do not feel overly jolted. In terms of off-road capability, with a minimum ground clearance of 265mm, a part-time four-wheel-drive system, and a low-speed four-wheel-drive mode, tackling mud, sand, or mild cross-axle terrain poses no issues. However, the factory tires are more road-oriented, and for challenging off-road adventures, it's recommended to switch to professional off-road tires.

In terms of noise control, the idle noise of the diesel engine is slightly louder than petrol cars, but while driving, wind and tire noise are well-contained. At a speed of 100km/h, in-car conversations remain unaffected. Fuel consumption is moderate, with an official combined figure of 8.2L/100km. In actual city driving, it hovers around 9-10L, while highway driving can bring it down to 7-8L. With a full 80L fuel tank, the range can reach approximately 800km, making it suitable for long-distance travel.

Overall, the core advantages of the Ranger Raptor 2.0L Diesel are quite clear: a rugged exterior design, spacious interior, comprehensive safety features, and a balance of on-road and off-road performance. Compared to its rival, the Toyota Hilux Rogue (approx. RM 226,880), the Ranger Raptor is slightly more expensive but offers richer configurations, especially excelling in active safety systems and intelligent technology. When compared to the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete (approx. RM 199,900), the Ranger Raptor stands out with its better powertrain and suspension performance.

This vehicle suits two types of users: first, practical family users who need spacious interiors to cater to daily commuting and weekend family outings; and second, enthusiasts of mild off-road activities, as its rugged chassis and four-wheel-drive system can handle outdoor terrains while maintaining a comfortable on-road experience.

In conclusion, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Diesel is a well-balanced mid-size pickup truck that integrates both family and off-road functions. Its features and performance meet the needs of most users, making it a worthy choice in this market segment.