Ford‘s first dedicated off-roader came in the form of the original Bronco, which debuted in 1966. Ever since this point, the company has had an affinity for providing truly capable machines in its lineup of cars, with the past 15 or so years being particularly prevalent. In 2010, Ford released its first-generation Ford SVT Raptor, a pickup truck that would reshape the mold of how we view Ford’s off-road truck segment.
Ever since the first iteration of the Ford Raptor and its dominating success in capturing the hearts and minds of those who enjoy rougher surfaces but want a truck that is also comfortable and quick on the road, each generation has brought something new. With the Raptor’s acclaim came Ford’s true off-road renaissance, with more and more capable trucks being released. Not only that, but Ford even brought back the Bronco in 2021, solidifying their pride for that type of vehicle. But in some of Ford’s best years for off-roading, let’s look back on the array of Raptors and rank them based on just how capable they truly are.
Models are listed in ascending order based on sheer off-road ability, from the least capable to the most capable.
6
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (First Generation)
Sixth Best Off-Roading Raptor
If it were a competition for how iconic these models are, it would be a different story. But the original Raptor comes in last place in terms of its ability off-road. With the 6.2-liter Boss V8 engine and a generous 434 pound-feet, it was obvious this debut model was not mucking around, but by today’s standards, its off-road tech is primitive. It was purely in size and stature that allowed this truck to be capable, which is not to be underestimated. With FOX Racing 2.5-inch internal bypass shock absorbers, the F-150 SVT Raptor was able to absorb huge jumps without bottoming out and used a widened stance for stability on dunes. This excellent hardware proved it could be serious without being geeky.
When it comes to features in this area, the first-generation Raptor looks like a dinosaur in 2026. The magical gadgetry on the SVT doesn’t go much further than an off-road button, which changed throttle response to improve traction when sliding and allowed the ABS to subtly lock up on looser surfaces. This is the analog hero of the bunch, a pickup that proves that you can jump over dunes and get dirty without needing 100 buttons and a scientist to operate them for you.
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5
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor (Second Generation)
Fifth Best Off-Roading Raptor
The second generation of Raptor was the 2017 Ford F-150, which was released seven years after the original, bringing about the largest tech overhaul in terms of off-roading capability in the history of the Raptor line-up. It’s like evaluating two different eras of vehicles. The first shift, which is rare with newer iterations of older vehicles, is the second-generation 500-pound weight loss. The military-grade aluminum body wasn’t just lightweight; it was incredibly strong, and the resulting impact is a vehicle that simply doesn’t get bogged down as easily on loose surfaces and becomes more agile overall.
More Upgrades Over First-Generation Raptor
- FOX shocks are now active; they can now adjust 500 times per second
- Two inches more wheel travel compared to the original
- Could now climb steeper obstacles
- Baja mode creates turbo anti-lag for constant off-road power
- The 10-speed gearbox provided more versatility and response
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2021 Ford F-150 Raptor (Third Generation)
Fourth Best Off-Roading Raptor
We are only in fourth place, yes. But this is where the off-road capabilities on this list get serious, and become more incremental with each upgrade from this point. The main drawback with the previous two Raptors was the aging leaf spring suspension. The all-new five-link rear coil suspension with huge 24-inch trailing arms completely modernized the manner in which the Raptor would go off-road. The famous axle hop that is common in traditional leaf-spring trucks was eliminated. It made for an F-150 that was much more grounded than previous models, provided much more traction, and allowed the pickup to give more comfort to its passengers while on harsher terrain.
The third generation even improved upon the already impressive FOX shocks. It now featured 3.1-inch shocks, which adjusted damping rapidly through the measure of an array of sensors: steering angle, throttle position, and flight sensor, all of which fed back instantaneously, making all the vehicle’s tech truly work in unison. Finally, the one pedal drive allowed the truck to climb over objects with just the accelerator, removing the more tedious two-footing in tricky situations. The third-generation F-150 Raptor wasn’t just about being able to do more; it was about being able to do everything so much easier.
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3
2023+ Ford F-150 Raptor R
Third Best Off-Roading Raptor
When it comes to sheer off-roading ability, this was the first Raptor that was noticeable, but a less overwhelming upgrade over its predecessor. That’s not to say it’s not a valuable upgrade, because then you would be ignoring the colossal V8 engine. This truck uses the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500, and it was released with 700 horsepower. Obviously, this wasn’t even enough to pull off your drive, so Ford increased that to 720 horsepower for the 2024 refresh. This power meant the differentials were strengthened, the shifts on the 10-speed transmission were improved, and it was fitted with 37-inch tires. Even the FOX shocks were further advanced, giving a magic carpet ride over tough terrain. This showed that the 2024 F-150 Raptor R wasn’t just about a raw-power upgrade, but about furthering the quality of terrain control, too.
2024 Ford F-150 Performance Specs
|
Horsepower |
720 |
|
Torque |
640 Ib-ft |
|
Towing Capacity |
8,700 pounds |
|
Ground Clearance |
13.1 inches |
|
0 – 60 mph |
3.8 seconds |
|
Weight |
5,950 – 6,077 pounds |
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2
2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R (Shelby Baja Trim)
Second Best Off-Roading Raptor
The Raptor had become a monster with the Raptor R, but there was one main Achilles heel: its reaction to the gruesome desert heat. This Shelby Baja pack focuses on making the enormous power at your disposal much cooler than in the Raptor R. With seriously upgraded cooling technology, the Shelby Baja’s main off-roading advantage is its sustained endurance. The outgoing model would struggle with transmission and oil temperature, but this new model allows for hours of Baja-style driving in the desert without the Raptors’ computer systems cutting power due to exhaustion.
This model also took lighting to the extreme in the spirit of endurance. The inclusion of Baja-spec lighting with amber modes and long-range spotlights isn’t just bright; they are designed to be able to shine through dust effectively and allow you to see obstacles or dips up to 80 meters ahead in complete darkness. There is also an option for a 900-horsepower upgrade kit available, which can propel the Raptor even further into the realms of insanity.
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2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
The Best Off-Roading Raptor Ever
From the analog hero to the 720-horsepower supercharged extremes of desert nightcrawling, the Bronco is the first addition to this list that breaks the newer-is-better rule, and the only one that isn’t a pickup truck. Despite these differences, the true reason why the Bronco Raptor sticks out is that it is quite literally the ultimate off-roading machine for a variety of scenarios that even the Raptor R can’t handle. The main reason for this win is its incredible geometry. The more compact size of the Bronco instantly allows for approach angles and departure angles that the F-150 can’t physically cope with. The Bronco can point its front end at a 47-degree slope without touching it. For the Raptor and its 33-degree limit, this would be like hitting a brick wall.
- Pivot tech anchors the inside rear wheel, benefiting tiny-trail off-roading
- Rock crawl mode engages lockers and disconnects the sway bar
- Baja mode keeps the V6 in the power band for desert jumping
- High-performance off-road suspension 4.0 (HOSS) and FOX 3.1 Live Valve
- 13 inches of travel at the front, 14 at the rear
The Bronco is the vehicle on this list that can truly go anywhere and do anything. Half of that is down to its versatile agility, but the other half is down to how this is leveraged through intelligent features. Even where the Raptor R succeeds in dune jumping, the Bronco Raptor‘s suspension setup and lighter weight mean it can jump faster and harder. On the flipside, it can also conquer tight woodland trails that the F-150’s would get stuck on. The Raptor name has truly given the world some unique experiences, but outside of brute force, the Bronco Raptor shines the brightest almost every time.
Sources: Ford, CarEdge