The new year has brought new off-roaders to the automotive market, and one happens to be Ford’s new Bronco. Already released to consumers, the Bronco comes standard with four-wheel drive and has an available, and highly capable, Sasquatch package that can be optioned on any trim level of the Bronco. The Sasquatch package makes the already capable off-roader even beefier with more off-roading equipment and higher ground clearance. The next step, though, would be to give the Bronco even more equipment, and Ford has answered the call yet again.

The all new Ford Bronco Raptor was first introduced in a teaser by Ford CEO, Jim Farley, on Twitter. On September 21st, 2021, Jim Farley posted a 17-second teaser video alongside the caption, “Hold on to your butts. #FordBroncoRaptor.” At that point, the Bronco Raptor was officially confirmed, and soon came the months of spy shots and camouflaged test mules. Now, the Bronco Raptor has been fully revealed, and it has received mixed reviews from Bronco and Raptor fans.

Featuring a 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 that pushes more than 400 horsepower, the Bronco Raptor pushes the boundaries with its BFGoodrich KO2 37-inch all-terrain tires that come standard straight from the factory. Keeping the Bronco up high are the same adaptive Fox Racing shocks that are featured on the F-150 Raptor. Alongside the long-travel suspension, the Bronco Raptor is essentially the same as the F-150 Raptor, but just a Bronco instead. One contingency, however, is that the Bronco Raptor is only available in a four-door model, not in a two-door.

The interior of the Bronco Raptor is almost identical to the regular Bronco, with only slight differences. For instance as with the F-150 Raptor, the steering wheel has a vertical line placed at 12 o’clock so the driver knows when they are driving straight. A new interior color is seen as well, but besides that, the rest of the interior is the same. Ford’s 12-inch horizontal infotainment screen is in place, and the seats have more bolster to cushion passengers as they go off-road.

However, the exterior is where the Bronco receives mixed reviews. With the Raptor package, the Bronco grew nearly 9 inches wider, almost just as wide as the F-150 Raptor. The way that this was achieved, though, has led to some critics stating that the fender flares look like the shoulder pads from the 1980s. Some like the wider flare, but most don’t. What makes this different, besides how massive they are, is that they are mounted over the top of the fenders rather than underneath. What needs to be understood, however, is that the fender flares are a necessity for the Bronco Raptor. Cooling the brakes, just as it’s done on the F-150 Raptor, is done through the use of a vent cut out on the flare itself. For that reason, the flares are essential to the Bronco Raptor, although they aren’t exactly appealing.

Other differences on the exterior of the Bronco Raptor include the traditional ‘FORD’ grille that has been on Raptor models since the original SVT Raptor. The new grille features three amber marker lights as they are required from the Department of Transportation on vehicles that are wider than average. Additionally, the taillights on the Bronco Raptor are seemingly ‘exposed’ as they appear to have no lens. Wrapped in a plastic outer molding, the taillights are also separated with the white reverse light in the middle. Small differences, however they change the look of the vehicle. With the Raptor bumpers in front and back, the undercarriage components are protected from rocks and other debris that might damage them.

Overall consumer response from the Bronco Raptor includes mostly positive and some negative remarks, but one thing remains the same on both sides: the Bronco Raptor has taken an already capable off-roader and expanded upon it to make an even better one. Now, there are two Ford’s offered as a Raptor, will we start seeing more of Ford’s fleet gain the Raptor nameplate?