2022 Ford F-150 Raptor : is the third generation of Ford's legendary high-performance truck, and it's engineered to be the undisputed king of off-road pickups. Built for high-speed desert running, this truck blends the capability of a Baja racer with the technology and comfort of a modern luxury vehicle. This review examines if the 2022 model, with its all-new suspension and available 37-inch tires, truly maintains its status as the apex predator of the truck world.
Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Worth the Hype? An Honest Review
The massive hype surrounding the Raptor is real, but is it justified? For the average person, a truck this extreme is clear overkill. However, for the true off-road enthusiast, the 2022 Raptor is not just hype—it's a highly-specialized tool. It’s not just an appearance package; it's a completely different machine from a standard F-150. This review will honestly assess if its incredible performance is worth the premium price tag.
Unleashing the Beast: Our In-Depth 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Review
In this in-depth review, we are unleashing the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor to explore every detail. We will cover its potent engine, groundbreaking suspension, high-tech interior, and real-world off-road performance. If you want to know what it’s like to drive, own, and push this beast to its limits, you're in the right place.
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Specs: What's Under the Hood?
Under the hood of the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor, you will find a single, powerful engine choice. Ford continues to use its proven high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. While its main competitor focused on a V8, Ford's strategy for 2022 was to perfect this engine and pair it with a revolutionary new suspension system, focusing on balanced performance and lighter weight.
450 HP of Fury: A Breakdown of the Raptor's 3.5L EcoBoost Engine
The 2022 Raptor's 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is a beast, producing a massive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a smart, quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. For 2022, Ford also added a new active-valve exhaust system, allowing the driver to change the sound from a quiet rumble to a loud, aggressive roar—a huge improvement for the V6.
Beyond the Pavement: 2022 Raptor Off-Road Performance Review
The Raptor was built to dominate any terrain. The single biggest upgrade for the 2022 model is the all-new five-link rear suspension with coil springs. This replaces the old leaf-spring setup, giving the truck dramatically better handling, stability, and control. It allows the rear wheels to travel and articulate more, keeping the truck planted whether you're rock-crawling at low speed or flying across the desert.
FOX Shox & 37-Inch Tires: The Tech That Makes the Raptor Fly
The Raptor's "secret sauce" is its suspension technology. It comes with next-generation FOX 3.1 Live Valve internal bypass shocks. These smart shocks can electronically adjust their stiffness hundreds of times per second, giving you a soft, comfortable ride on the road and stiffening up instantly to absorb massive jumps and bumps off-road. For the first time, the 2022 Raptor was also available with a 37-inch Performance Package, offering 13.1 inches of ground clearance.
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Pricing: How Much Does This Beast Cost?
Owning the king of off-road trucks does not come cheap. The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor had a starting MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) of approximately $69,905 plus destination fees. This starting price gets you the base model with standard 35-inch tires.
Decoding the 2022 Raptor Price: Trims, Packages, and Must-Have Options
The starting price was just the beginning. The "must-have" option for many was the 37-Inch Performance Package, which cost several thousand dollars. Other major (and expensive) options were bundled into equipment groups, such as the 801A High package, which added a 18-speaker B&O sound system, Torsen front differential, and other tech. Fully loaded, a 2022 Raptor could easily exceed $80,000.
Is the 2022 Raptor a Good Value? Price vs. Performance
"Value" is relative. Compared to a standard F-150, the Raptor is a poor value for towing or hauling. But that's not its purpose. When you compare its price to the cost of building a custom off-road race truck, the Raptor is an incredible bargain. It offers world-class performance, a full factory warranty, and modern comfort for a fraction of the cost of a custom build.
Inside the Cockpit: 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Interior & Tech Review
Inside, the 2022 Raptor is just as impressive as the outside. It features the all-new F-150 interior, dominated by a standard 12-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch central touchscreen running Ford's SYNC 4 system. This gives you wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. With optional Recaro bucket seats and carbon-fiber accents, the cabin feels like a high-tech command center.
Can It Haul? 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Towing Capacity & Payload
While it's built on the F-150 platform, the Raptor's soft, long-travel suspension is designed for off-road performance, not maximum work. Because of this, its hauling numbers are lower than a standard F-150. The 2022 Raptor has a respectable conventional towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,400 pounds. It can still tow a boat or trailer, but it's not a dedicated workhorse.
2022 Raptor Fuel Economy: Real-World MPG for the 3.5L V6
You cannot expect a 450-horsepower, 6,000-pound truck on massive tires to be good on gas. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor was 15 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway (with 35-inch tires). Choosing the 37-inch tires drops those numbers slightly. In real-world driving, most owners report averaging around 14-15 MPG.
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor vs. Ram TRX: The Ultimate Off-Road War
In 2022, the ultimate truck war was the Raptor vs. the Ram TRX. This was a battle of two different philosophies. The TRX was all about brute force, using a 702-horsepower supercharged V8. The 2022 Raptor, with its 450-hp V6, couldn't compete in a drag race. Instead, the Raptor was the lighter, more agile, and more technically advanced truck, like a desert runner built for high-speed handling, while the TRX felt more like a muscle car.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor?
The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is an incredible and highly specialized machine. If you are a serious off-road enthusiast who demands extreme, factory-warrantied capability right out of the box, then yes, you should absolutely buy it. It is the most advanced and comfortable high-speed off-roader on the market. However, if you rarely leave the pavement, its high price, poor fuel economy, and massive size will be hard to justify.
Conclusion
The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is a true engineering marvel. By adding the 5-link rear suspension and the 37-inch tire option, Ford clearly separated the Raptor from all other trucks on the market. It's a purpose-built, high-performance vehicle that proves a truck can be both a comfortable daily driver and an unstoppable off-road weapon. It is, without a doubt, a king of its category.
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