The Ranger Raptor, a perfect balance of fun and practicality, seeks off-roading opportunities like its stablemates. With a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 405 horsepower, it’s the most powerful mid-sized truck on the market. It’s impressive off-road with many rugged and refined features.

Last year, I reviewed a 2024 Ranger Lariat 2WD and liked it overall, but found the suspension unsettled, undulating like Jell-O when coming to a stop.

Ford has addressed the shortcomings with the 2025 Ranger Raptor’s high-performance off-road stability suspension system and Fox Live Valve shocks. The enhanced chassis tuning makes for a stable and composed ride on and off pavement.

The Raptor’s ride and handling is the best of Ford’s Raptor lineup which also includes the F-150 and Bronco. 

Nothing beats the F-150 Raptor R’s raw power. But the Ranger Raptor’s twin-turbo V6 has enough power to satisfy an enthusiast, myself included. It’s fast, but 0-60 mph performance could still be improved—hardly surprising for a 5,325-pound truck.

The engine has a sweet spot in the power band where power comes on strong. It pulls hard when passing or accelerating from a rolling start. On tap is an active exhaust system that allows drivers to switch between Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja modes, with Baja being an aggressive,  unmuffled setting for off-road use.

With 10.7 inches of ground clearance, full under-body skid plates, heavy-duty nerf bars protecting the sills, Roll Stability Control and 33-inch BF Goodrich KO3 all-terrain tires with bead locks, the Raptor is built for serious off-roading. But it’s also a comfortable and quiet highway cruiser, with a roomy cabin and a smooth ride.

The Raptor’s interior is a step up from the top-line Ranger Lariat. It features a handsome mix of textures, with leather and Alcantara upholstery, contrasting red stitching and “Raptor” embroidery.

The seats are comfortable, but I prefer more thigh support. The back seat is snug, but that’s expected in a midsize truck.

Technology-wise, the Raptor comes loaded. It includes a full suite of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure assist, rear cross-traffic alert and 360-degree cameras. The forward-facing camera is great to help avoid obstacles when off-roading.

The infotainment system includes built-in navigation and a Bang & Olufsen audio system that delivers excellent sound quality.

Another standout feature is the steerable headlights, which turn with the steering wheel to better illuminate curves in the road.

Ingress is tricky. The sport seats sit high and I bumped my head getting into the truck. My 5-foot-5 wife also had difficulty climbing in.

The Ranger Raptor falls short in fuel economy, with an EPA 16 miles per gallon city driving, 18 mpg on the highway. Despite an initial readout of 18.4 mpg when I received the truck, I averaged 14.2 mpg on a 150-mile round trip between Oakland and Santa Cruz, California.

The 5-foot bed is useful. I loaded a full pallet of luxury vinyl plank flooring with ease. But it’s not ideal; a 6-foot bed would be more useful.

The tailgate is well-designed with a torsion bar and a gas strut for smooth effortless operation. The spray-in bedliner is rugged and keeps cargo from sliding around.

The perimeter lighting is also a nice touch, illuminating the truck’s surroundings when unlocking the doors.

Pricing is competitive with an as-tested MSRP of $59,045 including bead lock wheels, spray in bed liner and destination charge.

The 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor, capable and comfortable, is an excellent mid-size, off-road truck. It’s not my choice as a daily driver, but an exciting choice for those who want a high-performance, go-anywhere vehicle.

The upcoming Ford Ranger Tremor may be the sweet spot in the Ranger lineup, especially if it incorporates the 3.0-liter V6. Until then, the Ranger Raptor is the most powerful and most competent mid-sized truck on the market.

For those who prioritize capability and fun over efficiency and practicality, the Ranger Raptor is a solid choice. It’s a billy goat on wheels and ready to take on just about anything.