By: Uday Mohan
March 18, 2026
There aren’t many nameplates that have lived as many lives as the Ford Bronco. It started as the honest, go-anywhere truck people adored for its simplicity and spirit. Then came the chase, the one everyone remembers, and the Bronco’s image was dragged through the mud in a way no marketing department could have ever prepared for. For years, the badge sat dormant, its legacy frozen in time. So when Ford brought the Bronco back, they didn’t just revive a model; they resurrected an icon. And now, with the Bronco Raptor, they’ve given it something the original never had: unapologetic, chest-thumping capability backed by Ford Performance.
There is absolutely nothing about the Raptor that gives off an imposter vibe. From the moment you see it towering on its massive 37-inch all-terrain tires, the largest factory-fitted tires on any Bronco, you know this thing wasn’t built for compromise. Ford backs that up with the Raptor’s heavy-duty suspension, its HOSS 4.0 system with FOX Live Valve dampers, and reinforced underpinnings designed to take punishment most SUVs only see in marketing videos. The ride height alone tells you this is a machine that expects to be challenged. And those FOX Live Valve dampers are a thing of beauty. Even if you aren’t running the Dakar, you are going to find yourself navigating potholes and speed bumps, and with this setup, they may as well not be there.
And the hardware doesn’t stop at the stance. You get a front locking differential, a rear locking differential, and a sway bar disconnect that gives the Raptor the kind of articulation you normally associate with purpose-built crawlers. It has 4H and 4L as expected, but Ford also gives you 4A, a smart, automatic four-wheel-drive mode that’s surprisingly useful when the weather turns or when you’re navigating mixed surfaces. It’s a small detail, but it shows Ford wasn’t just building a desert runner; they were building something you can actually live with.
Drive modes are where the Raptor really flexes. Each one transforms the truck in a way you can feel immediately. In the city, it settles into a surprisingly manageable hauler, with steering light enough and throttle response calm enough that you don’t feel like you’re piloting a monster truck through downtown Toronto. Switch to Baja mode, even if February roads don’t exactly encourage it, and the whole thing wakes up. The turbos sharpen, the suspension firms, and the Raptor suddenly feels like it’s daring you to find a dune or an ice-covered snowbank somewhere north of Barrie and just send it. Because ultimately, you will land on all fours and carry on as if nothing really happened.
Inside, the Raptor is far more civilized than its exterior suggests. The cabin is spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed, though not having rear heated seats at this trim level does feel like a missed opportunity. Materials feel durable without crossing into utilitarian. The recessed infotainment screen is quick, intuitive, and gives you what you need without burying key functions. Ford’s area lighting feature is a clever touch. Being able to illuminate the space around the truck is genuinely useful when you’re loading gear, setting up camp, or just trying to see where the snowbank ends and the ditch begins. The trunk, even with the rear seats up, provides more than enough space for most needs. Drop the seats, and you’re ready for just about anything, which reinforces the idea that this can fit into nearly every part of your life without much compromise.
Let’s not forget about the heart of this thing. On paper, a turbocharged V6 might sound like a downgrade for something wearing a Raptor badge. In reality, it’s anything but. In the right drive mode, this thing moves in a way that catches you off guard. No, it’s not going to dance through corners, not with those 37-inch tires, but straight-line thrust is absolutely there. The exhaust system, tuned by Ford Performance, gives the Raptor the voice it deserves, snapping through gears on the way up and settling into a deeper tone on the way back down.
What impressed me was the sound insulation. Despite having a removable roof, the cabin stays surprisingly quiet. You’ll hear wind at highway speeds, physics is physics, but considering the gaps inherent in a modular roof system, Ford has done an admirable job keeping the interior calm.
Manoeuvrability is where the Raptor shows its size. Around town, it’s manageable, but the A-pillars create a noticeable blind spot when you’re navigating tight parking lots or peeking around tall snowbanks. The truck’s width means you’re always aware of your lane position, and the A-pillars don’t do much to ease that tension. The rear window is small, obstructed, and barely useful, though Ford did at least give it a tiny wiper, a thoughtful, if slightly humorous detail.
For a truck built to conquer terrain, the lack of comprehensive off-road telemetry or expanded camera views is a bit disappointing. Other manufacturers offer more tools to help you place your wheels precisely when the trail gets technical. In the Raptor, you’re relying more on instinct and experience than on-screen guidance, which feels like a missed opportunity.
The 2025 Bronco Raptor is exactly what it claims to be: a purpose-built off-roader with the attitude to match. It’s loud, tall, wide, and completely unashamed of any of it. And after everything the Bronco name has been through, it’s good to see it wearing something this bold again.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: High Performance Off-Road SUV
Engine: 3.0L EcoBoost V6
Horsepower: 418HP
Torque: 440lb-ft
Gearbox: 10-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (hwy/city/combined): 14.8L/100, 15.7L/100, 15.3L/100
Observed Economy: 17.7L/100 (just a lot of fun)
Price As tested: $128,665 + fees + taxes
