The jumping-off point for our latest 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor encounter is the fact that Ford Performance changed its name to Ford Racing (watch the epic video below) this week. Giddy up! And, sure, the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor has seen its price increase incrementally to R1.27 million since launch.
But then again, there are plenty others playing in the million-Rand bakkie club these days in South Africa. Nevertheless, for those who can afford such a price tag, the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor actually represents incredibly good value. As we shall now explain below in six easy steps …
1. 2025 FORD RANGER RAPTOR
Value comes in many forms on the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor, so let’s start with the obvious stuff. Like the way it is substantially wider tracked and taller than a garden variety Wildtrak. 272 mm of ground clearance is way more than stock, and the ride height has increased markedly as a result. Front wheel travel is 32% improved and it has a colossal wading depth of 850 mm. You honestly feel like you can drive the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor over anything.
2. SHOCK AND AWE
And you should try, because with an approach angle of 32 degrees, departure angle of 27 degrees and break-over angle of 24 degrees, this is the most capable factory-built bakkie ever. There’s even a 2.3-mm steel bash plate for extra protection. Better still, the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor wears a coil-sprung Watt’s link rear suspension. And FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers. They’re custom high-strength items from Ford Racing that are very nearly competition-spec.
3. MAGIC CARPET RIDE
Ironically, for such a race-focussed setup, the on-road ride is sublimely comfortable. The 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor comes with standard-fit 17-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres. The result is a bakkie that is confidence inspiring to drive on road and simply exhilarating on gravel and off road. Impressively, there’s also precious little tyre roar from the chunky off-road rubber.
4. 2025 FORD RANGER RAPTOR PETROL POWER
The 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol in the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor is a lusty thing. There are precious few petrol-powered bakkies nowadays, which makes it memorable on that front alone. However, with 292 kW and 585 Nm of torque, it imbues the 2.4-tonne bakkie with great performance. You’ll reliably run from zero to 100 km/h sprint time in about 6.5 seconds. However, it is the pin-sharp throttle response and keenness to gallop all the way to the redline that’s truly memorable. Trust us, this really is a sports bakkie.
5. SPORTS INTERIOR
Based on a top-spec Ranger, the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor is already abundantly specced with a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and 360-degree cameras. Then you get lovely leather sport seats and a steering wheel with a red centre point like a proper racing car. There’s the brilliant 12.4-inch digital cluster with additional Raptor displays. And the excellent tablet-like 12-inch touchscreen that’s Apple CarPlay. Everything else is automatic, from the lights to wipers to climate control. There’s adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist, too.
6. BAJA BRILLIANCE
Then we get to the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor’s party trick – Baja mode. Even Raptor owners may miss this button altogether, wearing a rather obscure cactus emblem. But trust us when we say that Baja mode brings all the Raptor’s talents to the fore. It makes the engine even louder than Sport mode, the 10-speed auto’s shifts are sharper and the steering tighter. In this mode you’ll thrash, bash and dash across any type of terrain. There’s nothing more freeing then knowing you’re in a vehicle that can literally drive anywhere. Sand dunes, empty salt-pans, catching air over yumps, nothing is off limits in Baja mode.
2025 FORD RANGER RAPTOR VERDICT
There’s a reason for the Baja references sprinkled liberally throughout the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor. That’s because Ford Racing entered and completed the famous off-road race in these factory-spec cars as part of its development, which is just insane. Better still, its racing technology has made it a surprisingly brilliant bakkie in many other respects. Yes, it’s fast and simply amazing off-road, but it rides beautifully and quietly on tarmac. And this makes it an ideal warrior in any urban setting in South Africa.
THE FIGURES
- 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 4WD
- Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
- Power: 292 kW and 585 Nm of torque
- Performance: 6.5 sec 0-100 km/h (tested)
- Gearbox: 10-speed auto
- Economy: 11.50 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
- Price: R1 270 000
LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE 2025 FORD RANGER RAPTOR
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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