2017 Ford F-150 Review

2017 Ford F-150 - Compelling Raptor offers bold looks with plenty of brawn.

By: Mark Bilek

The Ford F-150 Raptor is a factory-built and warranted performance truck that's part race car part off-road champion. To create the Raptor, Ford added a bevy of go-fast and off-road goodies to the standard F-150 SuperCab with 5'6" bed. The result is a vehicle that has no direct factory competition and a base price of $50,560.

Raptor comes with a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that cranks out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. It mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission and drives all four wheels through a 2-speed transfer case. Maximum payload is 1800 pounds and maximum towing capacity is 8000 pounds.

Raptor exclusives include a unique grille with FORD block letters, driver-selectable high-output off-road FOX Racing Shox, 6-mode terrain management system, electronic-locking rear differential, available TORSEN front differential and BF Goodrich KO2 off-road tires.

Raptor's powerful turbocharged engine provides ample acceleration at all speeds and can push this nearly 6000-pound truck from 0 - 60 mph in a scant 5.3 seconds. More impressive than the power it produces is the way the Raptor's engine remains refined around town and slogging in traffic. Part of that has to do with the new 10-speed automatic transmission that works so smoothly you hardly feel shifts, but the majority of the work comes from careful electronic turning to provide an engine that's as refined as it is powerful.

The proven off-road capable four-wheel-drive system is a bit of overkill on city streets, but you can feel confident that there's almost no road condition that can sideline this truck. At the same time, the electronic terrain management system takes the guesswork out of off-road driving and the adjustable suspension and off-road tires provide the ground clearance and traction to overcome nearly any obstacle.

EPA estimates for the 2017 Raptor are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Those are numbers you can expect to average as well -- provided proper right-foot judgment when driving around town. Dive deep into the go pedal and fuel economy plummets. The engine does have auto stop to help save fuel in city driving and thankfully the engine runs fine on regular-grade gasoline.

Driving Raptor is an exercise in contradictions. The laws of physics hold that a nearly 6000-pound vehicle with an extremely high center of gravity should not be able to a) provide a comfortable and composed ride, b) hold the road when the going gets twisty and c) tackle tough off-road trails. Yet, somehow the Raptor does all of these things and more. Of course, it's no sports sedan, but there's enough dry-road grip to inspire spirited driving. The suspension, on its softest setting, does a good job of gobbling up pavement imperfections and does not induce any wallow or head toss. Brakes have ample stopping power and the steering, though somewhat vague at parking speeds, firms up nicely on the highway.

Overall, Raptor feels very refined and composed on all but badly broken pavement. Noise levels are appropriate for the type of truck, but the off-road-ready tires create quite a ruckus on the highway and the engine snarls (appropriately) in hard acceleration. Perhaps the vehicle's overall size is its biggest drawback.

Inside the Raptor is typical F-150 with a serious dollop of extras and top-notch materials. Control layout is simple and intuitive and gauges are easy to read. The central touch-screen display is large and incorporates Android Auto and Apple Car Play into its SYNC3 operating system.

Front seats are heavily bolstered and provide great long-haul comfort. Head and leg room up front are great as well. Rear-seat-riding adults will find enough head and leg room, provided the front seats aren't pushed all the way back. Getting in and out is a chore because of the tall build.

Available only with the short box, Raptor doesn't offer as much cargo-carrying capacity of many other trucks. For most, its small bed will be more than enough, but adding a longer bed option would be nice. Inside, there is tons of storage, both covered and open, and lots of places to stow items. In addition, the rear seat bottoms fold to create additional interior storage if necessary.

All in all, Raptor is an amazing truck at an honest price. In fact, most are shocked to see it sticker at just $50K. You'd be hard pressed to buy a base F-150 and fit it with this level of equipment for less than $75,000. Even more impressive is the way it quietly goes about its job while still providing an unbelievable level or on- and off-road performance. Don't expect any discounts, but even at full-price, this truck is a deal.

Mark Bilek

Mark Bilek is the Senior Director of Communications and Technology for the Chicago Auto Trade Association and the General Manager for DriveChicago.com. He is also responsible for developing and maintaining the Chicago Auto Show Web site.

Mark has been reviewing vehicles for more than two decades. Previously, he was associate publisher at Consumer Guide, where he oversaw publication of Consumer Guide Car & Truck Test, Consumer Guide's Used Car Book, and ConsumerGuide.com. He was also responsible for publication of "Collectible Automobile" and various hardcover automotive titles. In 2001 and 2002 he served as president of a Midwest Automotive Media Association. Mark has appeared on NBC TV, ABC TV, Fox News, WGN and MotorTrend TV as an automotive consultant. He hosts the Drive Chicago radio show on WLS 890 AM and was a regular guest on WGN Radio's Steve & Johnnie show. Mark lives in the northwest suburbs with his wife and three sons.

2017 Ford F-150 Review

2017 Ford F-150 - Compelling Raptor offers bold looks with plenty of brawn.

Mark Bilek

Find Used Cars in Chicago or Chicago Car Dealers at DriveChicago.com

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