2024 Ford F-150 Raptor Review

The 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor is a full-size, high-performance pickup truck with an off-road focus, starting at $78,440. This pickup is the F-150 lineup’s flagship model, able to tackle extreme terrain at high speeds while simultaneously offering comfortable on-road driving dynamics. The 2024 F-150 Raptor is the type of vehicle that you can go desert racing with and seamlessly transition into highway driving on your journey home.

MotoPickers Rating: 8.4/10

This performance manifests itself through aspects like a powerful engine and advanced traction control systems. The first generation F-150 Raptor was introduced in 2010 and ran until 2014. Ford kicked off the second generation in 2017 with a more powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine before introducing the full-size pickup’s third generation in 2021. The 2024 Raptor F-150 is part of this third generation, and the F-150 is currently in its 14th generation, which also began in 2021.

Ford’s 2024 Raptor F-150 differentiates itself from previous iterations with updated styling, including a new standard dual 12” central touchscreen and digital instrument panel. The previous year’s base V6 engine has been axed, and the PowerBoost hybrid model receives a price drop. Our review will explore whether the 2024 F-150 Raptor’s drawbacks, such as a lower towing capacity than other F-150 models and increased maneuvering difficulty, overshadow its cutting-edge tech and high performance that form a high price tag.

The 2024 F-150 Raptor’s primary rival is Ram’s 1500 TRX, so our review includes a section dedicated to comparing these two vehicles so you can better determine which is an ideal fit for you.

Exterior spotlight

One of the 2024 F-150 Raptor’s most eye-catching exterior features is its 37” all-terrain tires, which provide greater traction. Ford equips this pickup with several additional exterior elements balancing form and function, such as flared front fenders with air extractors, which improve aerodynamics and contribute to the model’s rugged appearance. Front and rear bumpers contain a performance accent color, and Ford offers an optional two-tone paint treatment.

Integrated marker lamps on this truck contain distinctive amber lights in the front grille and side mirrors. The front grille distinguishes itself with Ford block letters and is flanked by daytime running lamps, LED fog lamps, and LED reflector headlamps. However, LED projector headlights with dynamic bending are optional—a feature that should be standard given the vehicle’s price. Taillamps contain LED tech, and both headlamps and taillamps have black surround accents.

A cargo lamp helps you load/unload items at night, while a remote tailgate release and side running boards increase convenience. The driver’s side mirror is auto-dimming to reduce glare from trailing vehicles’ headlights.

Available exterior features include:

• Modular front bumper for easy attachment of accessories and a more rugged aesthetic
• Power tailgate
• Tailgate step with tailgate work surface
• Onboard scales with a smart hitch
• Drop-in or spray-in bedliner
• Skid plates
• Twin-panel moonroof

While skid plates and spray-in bedliner are two additional optional features that we believe should be standard, Ram’s 1500 TRX has similar available exterior offerings. The 2024 F-150 Raptor’s primary drawback is its size, which isn’t a negative during instances like off-roading but can easily generate frustration during parking attempts.

Interior close-up

Ford delivers a high-end interior for the 2024 F-150 Raptor via touches like genuine wood trim accents and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with thumb pads. This steering wheel offers an available heating feature and can also come with optional active orange stitching. Raptor-branded all-weather rubber floor mats show off the model’s nameplate while rain-sensing windshield wipers and an auto-dimming rearview mirror aid routine drives.

Front seats are heated and ventilated with cloth or leather and Alcantara suede trim with rhapsody blue accents upholstery. Available bucket seats contain multi contour leather. Heated rear seats are optional.

Gauges and meters cover the following areas:

• Fuel
• Oil pressure
• Transmission temperature
• Engine coolant temperature
• Speedometer
• Odometer
• Tachometer

Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control is standard, and the optional console work surface is optional. Drivers can select a vibrant red leather interior, but this color scheme feels a bit jarring compared to more traditional versions like black and gray leather.

Power and performance

During our review’s introduction, we established that the 2024 F-150 Raptor can readily handle challenging terrain like hills, rocks, and dunes while providing an exceptionally smooth on-road ride feel, even during high-speed driving. Let’s take a closer look at how this Ford achieves these impressive performance marks.

Drivers can select a 3.5-liter EcoBoost high-output V6 engine with 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, or 5.2-liter Supercharged high-output V8 with 720 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the twin-turbo V6 sounds far less capable than its supercharged counterpart, and engine feedback is essential to optimizing a high-performance truck. The 2024 F-150 Raptor contains a dual exhaust system with dual tailpipes under the rear bumper and an active valve exhaust system.

Available Fox dual-live valve internal bypass shocks within this pickup feature electronic control tech that protects against heat buildup while making fast adjustments to terrain changes. Anodized aluminum shock bodies with low-friction shock fluid resist frictional losses in the damper, making the suspension more adaptable, efficient, and durable. Drivers receive a 10-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) capability increases the 2024 F-150 Raptor’s versatility alongside selectable drive modes such as Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Baja, Rock Crawl, and Slippery. Auto start/stop tech helps with fuel economy, but mileage remains low at 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway.

Tech overview

Trail control with trail 1-pedal drive is a 2024 F-150 Raptor tech performance feature enhancing off-road capabilities. This system allows drivers to set a specific speed on rough terrain, resulting in automatic throttle and braking adjustments to maintain that pace. Automatic throttle and braking allow drivers to hone in on steering and navigating obstacles on challenging terrain. The feature’s one-pedal operation facilitates a driver’s ability to control braking and acceleration with just the accelerator pedal, reducing fatigue.

This high-performance pickup’s infotainment system is easy to use and connects to features like a Bang and Olufsen sound system with a competitive 18 speakers. SYNC 4 tech within the 2024 F-150 Raptor enhances natural voice recognition, and connected navigation comes with a one-year trial. Ford increases this pickup’s value with a heads-up display (HUD), which digitally projects information like your driving speed and navigation directions onto the windshield within your road line of sight.

A wireless smartphone charging pad is standard, along with pro trailer backup assist and trailer reverse guidance. Pro trailer backup assist allows you to use a knob on the dashboard to control a trailer’s direction when in reverse instead of the steering wheel for easier maneuvers, while trailer reverse guidance provides guidelines on the 12” infotainment display highlighting your vehicle’s dimensions and surroundings.

Safety capabilities

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) are the gold standard for evaluating vehicle passenger crash protection capabilities. While the IIHS hasn’t yet rated the 2024 F-150 Raptor, the NHTSA awarded this Ford its highest score of five stars. The NHTSA evaluates a vehicle’s front, side, and rollover crash protection.

A blind-spot information system with cross traffic alert and trailer tow coverage comes standard, but you won’t receive automatic steering assistance in addition to visual and audible hazard warnings. Adaptive cruise control uses automatic steering and acceleration to maintain your speed and a safe distance from the vehicle you’re following, and forward-collision warning detects cyclists, pedestrians, and other cars.

Pre-collision warning is complemented by pre-collision assist, which features automatic emergency and post-collision braking. Unlike the blind-spot information system feature, this Ford’s lane-keeping assist system provides automatic steering assistance that helps guide you back into your lane during drifting. The reverse sensing system will warn you when obstacles are detected in your reverse driving path, while a rearview camera offers additional assistance.

Ford’s 2024 F-150 Raptor is equipped to handle challenging off-roading scenarios, but if a rollover accident occurs, the safety canopy system with sensors will activate side-curtain airbags before the truck has fully rolled over. Curve control is another vital safety feature that helps you maintain control while cornering at higher speeds. Entering a corner too quickly will result in curve control, reducing engine power and applying corrective braking.

Trailer sway control applies brakes to individual wheels and refining engine power to do what its name suggests, and automatic on/off high beams accommodate oncoming traffic at night in a more convenient fashion.

Trim guide and owner considerations

There are two Ford F-150 Raptor trims: the F-150 Raptor and the F-150 Raptor R, the higher-performing variant. In addition to more horsepower, the 2024 F-150 Raptor R has a towing capacity of 8,700 lbs.—400 lbs. more than its standard counterpart. You’ll get standard 37” tires on an F-150 Raptor R, red recovery hooks, and unique Raptor bed decals. While the standard 2024 F-150 Raptor can handle off-roading, the F-150 Raptor R is more suited to challenges like rock crawling and desert racing.

The F-150 Raptor R’s upgrades result in a higher starting price of $109,145. Ford offers 2024 F-150 Raptor R buyers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, and five years of 60,000 miles of powertrain protection. Those seeking more efficiency will likely find the all-electric 2024 F-150 Lightning a better fit.

A 2024 F-150 Lightning offers 240-320 miles of range per charge, which isn’t a leader in the electric truck segment but is more efficient than its Raptor gas counterpart. While the F-150 Lightning has lower horsepower than the Raptor, ranging from 462 to 580, it has a higher maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. when properly equipped with the max trailer tow package.

Comparison to the Ram 1500 TRX

Ram’s 1500 TRX is more comparable to the F-150 Raptor R variant than the Raptor’s standard version. The 2024 Ram 1500 TRX has a lower starting price of $96,585. It’s also the model’s final edition limited to 4,000 units worldwide, increasing its appeal among potential buyers. The 2024 Ram 1500 TRX’s Hemi V8 engine produces 702 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.5-second 0-60 MPH time, barely losing out to the 2024 F-150 Raptor R in horsepower but slightly exceeding the Ford’s torque.

Drivers can tow up to 8,100 lbs with this Ram, but fuel economy is even lower than the F-150 Raptor at 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway.

Image: The Ram 1500 TRX has eight drive modes, two more than the Ford F-150 Raptor R. These drive modes include:

• Sport
• Tow
• Snow
• Auto
• Custom
• Mud/Sand
• Rock
• Baja

Drivers can select these modes using the infotainment display, which also measures 12”, or steering wheel buttons. While the Ram 1500 TRX matches the Ford F-150 Raptor’s 12” central infotainment display and 12” driver display, it has one more speaker at 19.

The Ram 2024 1500 TRX features 18” Beadlock wheels in satin titanium. Ram engineers have designed these wheels for the truck’s 35” tires, so while you could install 37” tires to match the F-150 Raptor, those behind this pickup don’t recommend it, as a larger tire will decrease performance and suspension capabilities during jumps.

Unlike Ford’s Raptor, this Ram’s clearance lights are atop its hood, and the bed contains a standard liner. However, the 1500 TRX’s bed material feels cheaper, especially with its sliding rail system for cargo management. One may be tempted to look more toward the 1500 TRX when seeing its lower starting price, but it’s essential to note that this Ram has more available equipment packages than its Ford competitor, which will drive up the price, while Ford integrates more standard features.

Final verdict

The 2024 F-150 Raptor and Raptor R are both capable trucks with quality style, especially in areas like the exterior’s front grille with Ford block lettering and available 37” tires. Still, we recommend the Raptor R over the standard version since its engine is far more satisfying in terms of sound feedback and overall performance. The Raptor may not have as high of a towing capacity as other vehicles within the F-150 lineup, but it compensates with cutting-edge tech, several standard safety features, and a cohesive interior.