This week I’m excited to bring you the all-new 2022 Ford Bronco, a true off-roader and the most insane, over-the-top SUV I’ve ever driven. The Raptor has virtually nothing in common with the regular Broncos, not even the body.
This beauty features massive 37” tires and huge fender flares. Look at the width of this beast, it is over 7-feet wide, so wide it has to have marker lights in the grill, much like the F-150 Raptor. The grill is heavily vented as are the hood and fenders. The Raptor graphics ($1075) on the sides and hood are optional, but I really like them.
The Raptor comes with a 3-liter V6 twin-turbo EcoBoost, mated to a 10-speed shiftable automatic. Together they put out 418-horses and a strong 440-pound feet of torque. This almost 5800- pound SUV really moves and it sounds good doing it thanks to a true dual exhaust system that you can change the sound from the steering wheel. You can make it quiet or do what I do, keep it on Sport, which sounds fantastic.
I wasn’t sure what to expect inside and was surprised to find blue and red leather and suede seats that were bolstered, but not too much. They are heated and the driver’s seat is power.
An all-digital gauge cluster looks terrific and helps you configure all the settings to your liking. Once you get it like you like it, it is incredibly enjoyable.
Above the screen on top of the dash are your differential settings, which you need to configure if you do any serious off-roading.
This is also where you change the GOAT modes. Goat stands for: goes over any terrain. Turn the rotary dial to choose from normal, Sport, Baja, off-road, tow/haul, and Rock Crawl for serious off-road driving.
Up high, there are pre-wired upfitter switches for all your added equipment like a winch and additional exterior lighting.
Just below the armrest are the power window buttons. Although it seems like a funny spot for them, the doors come off, so with the buttons in the console, there are no wires to disconnect. In a brilliant move, the exterior mirrors are attached to the body, so when you take the doors off, the mirrors are still usable.
Back seat head and leg room are both good and the occupants get a fold down armrest, rear window buttons, USBs, and 110-volt power outlet.
Moving to the cargo area, you open the tailgate that has a matching spare tire and wheel on the outside, then raise the back glass. The cargo area has 35.6 cubic feet of cargo area, but if you lower the second-row seats, it increases to 77.6 cubic feet.
Let’s talk about configuring the Bronco. You can take all four doors off, the running boards, and the entire hardtop comes off, albeit it will take two people.
Most people will just remove two panels over the front seats to soak in the sun, sort of like T-Tops, and there is one larger panel over the second row seats. Although more complicated, you can remove the rest of the top. It would be a task, but can be done. The Bronco comes with all the tools needed to go completely topless.
The Bronco Raptor comes well equipped with many great features, especially on the safety front. You get adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, emergency braking, 360-degree cameras, blind spot monitoring, and a lot more.
Fuel economy is rated at 15 city, 16 highway, and 15 combined. MSRP as equipped is $81,085
Sadly, I did not get a chance to really go off-road with the Bronco Raptor, but can tell you there is no doubt in my mind it can do anything, anywhere.
The big surprise is how enjoyable the Raptor is as a daily driver. Acceleration is terrific, the exhaust sound is wonderful, and the ride is acceptable on the pavement.
This is truly an enjoyable SUV.
2022 Bronco Raptor in a few words: A mind-boggling, incredibly capable off-roader that doubles as a wonderful daily driver.