• 2020
• 53223
• Automatic
• 2L Diesel

Launched in 2019, the Ranger Raptor is a unique proposition in the UK pickup truck market. Designed and engineered by Ford Performance – the same section of the Blue Oval responsible for the Ford GT supercar and the most potent Mustangs – the Raptor is built to do one thing: go as fast as possible off-road. It's almost impossible to over-stress what a serious piece of kit this is as a result.Driving the Raptor in the UK, the first thing that strikes you is how big it is. The extra width - and height - over the standard Ranger make a powerful impression when you walk up to the vehicle for the first time, and you can tell it appears very striking to other road users as well. From the inside, the width is a bit nerve-inducing at first. Country lanes and crowded town centres can suddenly feel rather narrow. But sitting so high you have a good view of the road ahead, so you should find you quickly adjust to the Raptor's size. Certainly, we were comfortably threading it through gaps within a couple of miles.It helps that the chassis and powertrain are so responsive. While it's still a shame the engine isn't a bit pokier given how special the rest of the pickup is, it feels lively enough in among British traffic, and the gearbox helps keep you firmly in the meaty part of the power band. Trying to use the gearbox manually can be slightly challenging, however, simply due to the sheer number of gears available - if you're at cruising speed and decide to downshift to increase acceleration for an overtaking move you have a lot of gears to get through before the truck really leaps forward under power. It sounds good, though, and best of all, the suspension is incredible. Amazingly comfortable over bumps (to the point where we didn't even notice some severe ones on the test route that nearly chucked a lesser Ranger off the road!) yet great for control and confidence in the corners. This really is a lovely piece of work. 12V power point front/rear, 12V power point in luggage

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