When I was still the new kid on the block here at Top Gear Philippines, I had the chance to ride the previous-generation Ford Ranger Raptor for a day, from dusk ’til dawn. It was then that I realized that it was really the most capable and comfortable truck out there.
And for years, it stood alone in its segment. Quite frankly, I’m not even sure what to call said segment—high-performance midsize pickups, perhaps? But of course, we all know that’s since changed with the not-so-recent arrival of the Toyota Hilux GR-S. Having tried out Toyota’s truck during the launch, however, something tells me this all-new Ranger Ranger Raptor still has the Japanese beat.
And that’s what I sought out to find when I was recently given the keys to this fan favorite from Ford. It’s not long in the tooth just yet, but it’s not that fresh either. What’s it going to be, then? Is the Ford Ranger Raptor still the pickup to beat in the market?
Styling
The Ranger Raptor still looks as menacing as ever, with a massive grille embossed with the letters F-O-R-D to remind other road users that it’s a Raptor coming in hot. But while the grille execution may be old, the front fascia gets the new-look C-shaped headlamps from this generation of the Ranger, adding a bit of class to the design to balance the ruggedness out.
There’s really not much to say about everything else, though, as it does still look much like the Ranger Raptor of old from the sides and the rear. It does get new taillights that look better than the old ones, and the reworked alloy wheels underneath aren’t half bad, either.
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Interior
Inside, the truck is adorned by an abundance of black leather, some red contrast stitching and trim, and a splash of Alcantara here and there. Honestly, I find this one of the nicest interiors among all pickups available in the market right now. Heck, it’s even better than what other SUVs have to offer.
It’s also a lively interior, with Raptor badges all around. It might look a bit too busy for some people, but I find the overall cabin design just right. It reminds you it’s a rugged truck you’re driving, but it also tells you that it’s a modern and technologically advanced piece of machinery.
Of course, it’s not the best in terms of space, but there’s decent legroom and headroom to go around for all four passengers. The fifth passenger might not have the best time, though, because the bulky center console will get in the way of people seated at the back.
Engine performance
The Ranger Raptor gets a familiar 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine that puts out 207hp and 500Nm of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic tranny. For a relatively smaller-displacement engine on a massive pickup, it’s peppy and responsive, and it has more than enough oomph around the powerband for anything you want the truck to do.
On the highway, there’s plenty of power on tap for overtaking, and thanks to the gearbox, it cruises smoothly on long, open stretches, keeping the revs low even when at triple-digit speeds. Off-road, it performs exceptionally well. Whether driving at speed or crawling through mud and rocks, the engine does as it’s told to do.
My only real gripe about this setup is that a few times—and do take this with a grain of salt, because it didn’t happen a lot—the transmission downshifted abruptly. I felt this while driving through city traffic. But apart from that, I have no other complaints. Fuel economy is also decent at 9km/L, considering the size and weight of this pickup. I’ve heard bad stories about the gasoline-powered V6’s fuel efficiency, so I’m happy with what I got with this diesel engine.
Ride and handling
I think the biggest strength of the Ranger Raptor isn’t its powertrain or its interior—it’s the ride. This breaks all matagtag stereotypes that people have of pickups. The Fox suspension underneath the Ranger Raptor is in a league of its own, and it just eats up everything in its path, especially with the chunky BFGoodrich tires that come as standard.
Speaking of tires, these can be loud, but you’ll barely hear them while you’re on the road. That’s a testament to the sound insulation inside the Ranger Raptor’s cabin. It makes the already comfy ride a lot more comfortable.
Off-road, it feels even better. On light trails, it won’t even feel like you’re not driving on cemented paths, especially when you’re blasting quickly through it. And there’s a lot of suspension articulation, so it can crawl through, say, huge rocks without the suspension bottoming out. The best part is it won’t even feel like anything out of the ordinary when you’re inside the vehicle.
The Ranger Raptor also handles very well, regardless of the terrain. Of course, there’s still more-than-noticeable body roll when you weave through the twisties of Talisay or when you exit that expressway interchange too quickly, but it won’t ever feel like the truck will tip over. And when you’re driving off-road and flying through the riverbed of Sacobia, it also won’t ever feel like you’re losing control of the pickup. There’s traction control available which you can switch off if you want to play around a bit, but as our features editor Anton Andres previously pointed out to me, the TCS still intervenes ever so slightly in extreme conditions even when it’s switched off, so it’s never fully off.
What’s most cumbersome with the Ranger Raptor, really, is when you’re driving it in the city. It’s too wide for most backroads around Metro Manila, and it’s a nightmare to park in certain malls with tight slots. Sure, there are parking cameras available which are also much appreciated, and the steering is also very light when you’re going slow, but the sheer mass of the pickup just makes it very difficult to have to maneuver it around all the time. Kudos to those who daily their Ranger Raptors, and at the same time, why?
Extra features
This is probably where the Ranger Raptor feels unmatched. Inside the cabin alone, there’s plenty of amenities to go around, including the massive infotainment system that’s now become a signature for Ford. It’s handy since it’s easy to see the display from wherever you’re seated inside the cabin, and props to Ford as well for adding physical buttons and knobs for the A/C despite adding the same controls to the head unit.
What the Ranger Raptor lacks are physical controls for auto-hold or the rear-locking differential. The former is understandable, but the latter is questionable. And it’s not like it’s a one-click affair, either. I know owners will eventually be familiarized enough making this process easier, but couldn’t have Ford just added a few more buttons for important controls like this? There are other off-road-oriented gizmos like the inclinometer, downhill assist with cruise control, and the off-road camera available, but the overall execution here could’ve still been improved further.
Complaints aside…it’s commendable that the Ranger Raptor comes complete with ADAS features like adaptive cruise control,lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. It’s as well-equipped in terms of safety features as the range-topping Everest. It also has a nice audio setup, which is a small bonus for some, but something I put much importance in.
There are also multiple storage spaces inside the cabin, as well as several USB-C and USB-A charging ports. There’s also the 220V power outlet in the second row.
It also has to be said that the Ranger Raptor has one of the best pickup beds in the business. It has tailgate assist, multiple tie-down points, and power outlets at the rear. It’s also ready-built for accessories like racks and sports bars and the like, removing the need to drill holes and such.
Verdict
There may already be a new direct competitor vying for the spot the Ranger Raptor has long been standing in, but even without a direct comparo, I still don’t think anyone’s overthrowing this Ford truck. In every department it still feels like a leader in its class, and it’s going to take a while before the likes of the Hilux can catch up.
It’s gotten way more expensive, now stickering for P2.345 million, but that’s still a good deal if you think about what that money can get you with the Raptor. If you’re looking for a daily driver or you need more than five seats, surely, this truck isn’t for you. Heck, even if it’s just the size that’s an issue for you and you find it hard to drive this massive pickup, then don’t get it. But if what you’re in the market for isn’t a people-hauling SUV but a true go-anywhere machine that’s got all the bells and whistles right off the factory, this is as good as it can get. And it’s comfortable, too—that’s not something you can say about a lot of pickups in this segment and price point. Actually, that’s not something you can say about a lot of pickups, period.
It’s already 2025, and the Ranger Raptor still feels like it’s in a league of its own. Of course, a proper Big Test might answer that, but we’ll save that for next time. Looking at it for what it is, I know it’s still the pickup to beat in the market.
SPECS: 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-turbo 4x4 AT
Price: P2,345,000
Engine: 2.0-liter turbodiesel I4
Power: 210hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Layout: 4WD
Seating: 5
Score: 9.5/10
More photos of the Ford Ranger Raptor 2025 2.0L Bi-turbo 4x4 AT:
