The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor continues the legacy of being a street-legal Trophy Truck, a high-performance off-road pickup designed for high-speed desert running and serious off-road terrain. It is available in two cab styles: the extended SuperCab and the larger SuperCrew (crew cab), both paired exclusively with a short, 5.5-foot cargo bed. The truck received significant updates for the 2019 model year, most notably an upgraded, adaptive suspension system, new wheel designs, and the addition of the "Trail Control" system.
Bred for Baja: A Look at the 2019 Raptor's Mission
The Raptor's entire design is dedicated to conquering challenging, high-speed off-road environments, inspired by Baja-style racing. It is fundamentally a standard F-150 but massively upgraded with advanced off-road equipment, a specialized long-travel suspension, and a widened body for greater stability.
This focus on performance off the pavement is evident in its enormous all-terrain tires and its class-leading suspension travel, allowing it to absorb major bumps and variations in topography with remarkable ease, often allowing the driver to maintain high speeds where other trucks would falter.
Unleash the Power: Engine and Drivetrain Specs
Powering the 2019 Raptor is a high-output, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Despite the previous generation's V8, this V6 is a bonkers performer, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This power is managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled via standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Four-wheel drive is standard.
The engine provides a broad swath of torque, launching the nearly three-ton truck from 0-60 mph in around 5.1 to 6 seconds. The transmission generally shifts quickly and seamlessly, though it can sometimes be slow to find the right gear during hard braking. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city / 18 mpg highway / 16 mpg combined.
Fox Racing Shocks: Suspension That Changes the Game
The key to the Raptor's off-road prowess is its trophy-truck-worthy long-travel suspension, offering 13 inches of travel in the front and nearly 14 inches in the rear. New for 2019 are the advanced Fox 3.0 internal bypass high-pressure gas shock absorbers with live valve technology.
This adaptive damping system can adjust the shock absorbers' stiffness in real-time, adapting to varying terrain off-road or different road surfaces on-pavement to maximize control and comfort. For instance, sensors can detect when the vehicle is airborne and set the shocks to "full-firm" to prevent the suspension from bottoming out upon landing.
How Does it Handle? On-Road Manners vs. Off-Road Dominance
Off-Road Dominance: This is where the Raptor shines. Its astonishing suspension and high ground clearance make it a master of high-speed desert cruising, rock crawling (aided by the new Trail Control system), and absorbing severe impacts. The new Trail Control system acts as a low-speed cruise control (from 1 to 20 mph), managing power and braking to each wheel and allowing the driver to focus entirely on steering around obstacles.
On-Road Manners: For a truck of its capability, the Raptor offers surprisingly comfortable on-road manners. The adaptive Fox shocks significantly smooth out the ride, easily soaking up speed bumps and potholes. However, its massive size (it's notably wider than a standard F-150) makes it cumbersome in tight city spaces and tricky for parallel parking. The soft suspension can also contribute to noticeable nose dive during hard on-pavement braking.
Iconic Presence: Exterior Design and Aggressive Styling
The 2019 Raptor has an unmistakably aggressive and imposing presence. It is distinguished by a purposeful, widened stance (approximately six inches wider than a standard F-150) with prominent fender flares. Key design elements include the massive "FORD" block lettering grille, skid plates, a specialized front bumper, and huge 315/70R17 B.F. Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires.
New for 2019 are updated wheel designs, which can optionally include bead-lock capability to help keep tires mounted when aired down for off-road use. The overall look is often described as resembling a high-tech military vehicle or a Transformer.
Functional and Comfortable: Inside the Raptor's Cabin
The Raptor's interior provides a mix of utilitarian function and comfort. It is available with desirable options that add a touch of luxury, such as heated and ventilated front seats and leather seating surfaces. The SuperCrew cab offers exceptional legroom and headroom in both rows, making the cabin feel vast and versatile for family transport. New for 2019 are optional Recaro front sport seats with unique color accents, which provide excellent bolstering and support, especially during spirited driving. Interior storage space, including the large center console, is among the best in its class.
Tech and Connectivity: Infotainment Features You Need to Know
The central technology feature is Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, which is presented on an 8-inch touchscreen. The system is robust and generally considered easy to use, providing helpful physical knobs for audio controls below the screen. Key connectivity features include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as FordPass Connect for 5G mobile hotspot internet access. The driver's information is displayed on a configurable screen between the large analog tachometer and speedometer dials.
What's the Damage? 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Pricing and Trims
The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is not broken down into traditional trim levels but rather by cab style and equipment groups. The price points are notably higher than most F-150 models, reflecting its high-performance, specialized components.
- Raptor SuperCab (Base MSRP): Starts at approximately $54,450 (including a hefty destination charge).
- Raptor SuperCrew (Base MSRP): Starts at approximately $57,435.
- The base model (known as the 800A) is utilitarian, but most buyers opt for higher-level equipment packages:
- Mid-Level (801A Package): Adds a moderate amount of features.
Luxury (802A Package): This top-line package adds substantial luxury and technology features, often pushing the price as tested well into the $70,000 to $75,000 range with all available options, such as the Recaro seats and exterior graphics packages.
Value Proposition: Is the Raptor Worth the Investment?
The Raptor is a niche vehicle, and for those who genuinely intend to use its extreme off-road capability, it absolutely delivers on its value proposition. It is essentially a production-model Trophy Truck that offers a level of high-speed off-road performance that few, if any, other factory vehicles can match right off the showroom floor. For the average buyer who primarily drives on pavement, the investment is likely overkill, as its size and fuel economy are drawbacks in city environments.
However, for the serious off-road enthusiast, the combination of performance, comfort, and sophisticated adaptive technology makes it worth the premium. It also holds its value well in the used market.
Rival Showdown: Raptor vs. the Competition
In the high-performance off-road pickup segment, the 2019 Raptor faces competition, most notably from the Ram 1500 Rebel and Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss. However, the Raptor stands in a class of its own due to its specialized suspension and extreme desert-running focus.
Raptor's Advantage: Superior long-travel suspension (especially the adaptive Fox shocks), specialized all-terrain tires, high-output engine, and Trail Control system. It is unmatched for high-speed desert performance.
Competitor's Angle: Rivals typically offer a more balanced mix of on-road comfort and off-road capability, often at a lower price point, but they cannot keep up with the Raptor when the terrain gets truly aggressive.
Common Questions Answered: Reliability and Maintenance
Generally, the 2019 Raptor shares the strong reliability ratings of the F-150 lineup, though it features a specialized engine and suspension.
Reliability: The F-150 is a top-selling, well-tested platform. The high-output EcoBoost V6 is a robust engine, but like any turbocharged motor, it requires attentive maintenance.
Maintenance: Due to its specialized components, routine maintenance and replacement parts (especially for the Fox Racing shocks and large all-terrain tires) will be more expensive than for a standard F-150. Owners should anticipate higher maintenance costs and a recommendation for premium fuel for optimal performance.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the 2019 Raptor?
The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is the perfect vehicle for a specific and enthusiastic buyer: The off-road performance junkie.
It is ideal for those who live in or frequently travel to areas with wide-open, rugged terrain—such as the arid West—where they can unleash its high-speed capability.
It's also a great fit for the buyer who wants the ultimate, no-compromise desert runner with the dual benefit of a comfortable, feature-rich cabin for daily family use.
It is not the best choice for a buyer prioritizing city maneuverability, maximum towing (other F-150 trims tow more), or low operating costs.
The Takeaway: Why the 2019 F-150 Raptor Still Reigns Supreme
The 2019 F-150 Raptor reinforces its position as the undisputed king of the factory-built high-performance off-road segment. The addition of the adaptive Fox shocks and the Trail Control system for the 2019 model year solidified its technological edge, making its astonishing blend of brutal power and pothole-smoothing, family-friendly duality even more refined. It is more than just a truck; it is a pulse-pounding, street-legal adventure machine that remains the ultimate pickup for pure, unadulterated off-road fun.
Consolation
For buyers who are attracted to the Raptor's rugged styling and capability but cannot justify the high price tag, the extreme off-road specialization, or the running costs, there is great consolation in the rest of the F-150 lineup. Other models, such as the Lariat, King Ranch, or an F-150 equipped with the FX4 Off-Road Package, still offer superb performance, exceptional comfort, and strong towing capacity, often blending these qualities with better fuel economy and a lower overall purchase price. The 2019 F-150 platform itself is a winner, ensuring that even if you don't choose the Raptor, you still get a world-class truck.
0 Comments