2021 Ford F

When it arrived in 2009, the Ford F150 Raptor made a huge splash as the first pickup from a major manufacturer that could be driven fast off-road without getting damaged. Inspired by the Trophy Trucks that ruled the grueling Baja 1000 race, the production Ford Raptor had the upgraded frame, suspension, and power needed to create a new category for seriously capable off-road pickups.

No longer did your truck need a slew of aftermarket parts to perform well on the dirt. And no surprise, these Raptors sold well. Scads of them started showing up at off-road races, serving as pre-runner and support vehicles that could be driven to and from events.

Now, for 2021, there's an all-new Ford F150 Raptor, a 3rd-generation vehicle that goes on sale this summer.

This 2021 Ford F150 Raptor, available specifically as a SuperCrew model with a short bed, continues as a tremendously capable off-road pickup, but it has been improved in several notable ways.

For starters, the high-performance steel frame has been modified with taller and stronger shock towers for the modified front suspension, plus the rear section has been modified to accommodate the Raptor's all-new 5-link rear suspension. With extra-long trailing arms and extra-tall coil springs, the new Raptor also gets a Panhard bar, which keeps the live rear axle laterally located in relation to the frame, improving off-road traction.

There's 14 inches of front wheel travel and 15 inches in back, and massive Fox Live Valve shock absorbers have double the previous Raptor's damping control. Ford says the damping is adjusted up to 500 times a second for consistent and optimal chassis control.

The new 2021 Ford Raptor comes standard with 35-inch tires BFGoodrich All-Terrain K02 tires in size LT315/70R-17. For the first time, however, 37s will be available, in size 37 x 12.50R-17LT. This helps performance off-road, with improved approach and departure angles.

Note: If you get the 37s, the Raptor gets beefier dampers to handle the added unsprung weight. But for clearance reasons, suspension travel is reduced to 13 inches in front and 14.1 in back. On a positive note, the 37-inch spare tire fits beneath the Raptor's bed.

A Raptor on 35s can clear a 12-inch obstacle, and it has an approach angle of 31 degrees, a departure angle of 23.9 degrees, and a breakover angle of 22.7 degrees. With 37s, the new 2021 Raptor has 13.1 inches of clearance, an approach angle of 13.1 degrees, a departure angle of 24.9 degrees, and 24.4 degrees of breakover angle.

This is a truck that's 6 inches wider than a standard F150, and its bold new looks are highlighted by a power-dome hood with a large heat extractor. While Ford hasn't finalized the horsepower and torque figures for the Raptor's high-output EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6, we’re certain it won't match the supercharged 702-horsepower V8 in the Ram 1500 TRX. However, Ford has another arrow in its quiver: the Raptor R, which goes on sale in 2022 with an undisclosed powerplant (perhaps the Shelby GT500's supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with 760 horsepower?).

The 2021 Ford Raptor has a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $64,145. With a full load of options, the Raptor can exceed $80,000. The destination fee is $1,695.

KBB has not driven the 2021 Ford Raptor. Check back soon.

TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSeven selectable drive modes allow the Raptor driver to choose the best setting for the following conditions: Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl. Throttle mapping, transmission shift points, steering feel, and even the behavior of the transfer case all get optimized for the given conditions.

TRAIL 1-PEDAL DRIVEThis standard system makes extreme off-road driving, commonly called rock crawling, much easier. In these situations, a driver typically modulates the throttle and brake at the same time to keep the truck advancing. With Trail 1-Pedal Drive, however, those operations are controlled by just the throttle pedal. Press it to move the Raptor forward. Release it to brake. The Raptor brakes proportionally when the driver backs off the pedal.

With it now being based on the new Ford F150, the 2021 Raptor has an all-new interior, one that's designed to convey the Raptor's high level of performance.

To that end, there are available Recaro bucket seats with large side bolsters, and a new Raptor-specific steering wheel with a top centering mark and aluminum shift paddles. Other Raptor interior highlights include a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, overhead switches, and a 12-inch central touchscreen.

Additionally, the new Raptor interior is graced with advanced materials, unique finishes, and standard aluminum trim on its doors, instrument panel, and center console. There's also an available lockable storage compartment beneath the spacious rear seat. It looks like an ideal spot for your tow straps, high-lift jacks, or anything else you might need while out on the trail.

Three interior trim levels are available in the new Raptor: Base Series, High Series, and Accent Series.

When Ford set out to design its new Raptor, the company had two primary goals: It must look menacing, and it must be instantly recognizable as a Raptor.

On both counts, Ford has succeeded.

Ford says its designers took inspiration from the F-22 Raptor fighter jet in shaping the 2021 Raptor, which is packed with new technology and is about six inches wider than a typical F150. In front, there's a power dome hood and amber daytime running lights, along with a prominent black grille that has huge Ford lettering spanning its width. The heat extractor on the hood, as well as the functional side vents on the top trailing edges of the front fenders, were inspired specifically by the air intakes of the F-22.

In back, blacked-out LED taillights and an available large tailgate applique help accentuate the width of the new Raptor, which also features an obvious front skid plate that's wider and offers more forward protection. The front and back bumpers are steel, the rear a high-clearance design that allows the dual exhaust tips to be tucked up high.

Three 17-inch wheels are available, two with beadlock capability. What's more, two graphics packages also are available: one inspired by the F22 fighter and the other by desert racing. This latter Raptor rides on the 37-inch tires, and the number 37 features prominently on the Raptor's sides and tailgate.

In addition to its high-output twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, 10-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, and dual-range 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system with seven terrain-management driving modes, the new 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor comes loaded for bear.

Trail Control, a slow-speed offroad cruise control, is standard, as is Trail 1-Pedal Drive, a technology that makes rock crawling much easier. With the gas pedal controlling both the throttle and the brakes, the Raptor driver can better concentrate on the proper driving line.

Other standard hardware on the 2021 Ford Raptor includes adaptive cruise control and Sync 4 infotainment, which now has more natural voice control and real-time mapping. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, along with apps like Alexa.

A customizable 12-inch digital gauge cluster also is standard. It has a large area with Raptor-specific graphics and animations, plus off-road data and turn-by-turn navigation. A 12-inch center touchscreen allows Raptor owners to split the screen and control multiple functions such as navigation and stereo simultaneously.

All 2021 Ford Raptors also benefit from a standard Terrain Management System, which offers seven selectable drive modes: Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl. These drive modes adjust steering feel, transfer case behavior, the suspension damping, stability control, and transmission shift points.

On the safety front, all 2021 Raptors are equipped with CoPilot360 Ford's thorough safety suite.

A few notable options on the 2021 Ford F150 Raptor:

360-degree camera. With this package, the Raptor driver gets a super helpful in-cabin view of obstacles around the truck. The front view even shows the path of the Raptor's front wheels, which can help reduce the need for a spotter in tricky offroad situations. A button on the dash calls up the 360-degree view and rearview cameras whenever needed.

Pro Power Onboard. With this class-exclusive feature, Raptor owners can use their truck as a mobile generator with up to 2.0 kilowatts of power. Pro Power Onboard is perfect for running power tools at the job site.

Bang & Olufsen sound system. With 18 speakers, the optional Bang & Olufsen Unleashed sound system doesn't have to work that hard to overcome the throatier sounds of the new Raptor's exhaust.

Also available on the 2021 Ford Raptor: Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and Rigid fog lights for the front bumper. You can also order active auto-leveling LED headlamps that swivel to point their beams into corners.

Although official horsepower and torque figures haven't been released, the Ford F150 Raptor continues to be powered by a high-output twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Last year, this engine produced 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. With added compression and revised exhaust, the new 3rd-generation powerplant should exceed that in both categories.

Ford says the Raptor's high-output EcoBoost V6 has plenty of torque low in the rev range, where it's needed most. A pair of state-of-the-art turbos do their part, as do high-power cooling fans and a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio (up from 10.0:1 last year).

This high-performance Ford pickup also benefits from an X-pipe exhaust featuring 3-inch tubing and active sound-control valves, the first of their kind on a Raptor. A new pass-through muffler allows for a throatier growl, but there are four levels of driver-selectable exhaust sound: Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja.

As before, a Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission is on duty, bolted to a torque-on-demand transfer case. An electronic locking rear differential is standard; a Torsen limited-slip front differential is available. Both have 4:10:1 final-drive ratios.

Max payload of the Raptor has increased by 200 pounds, to 1,400 pounds. Max towing also has increased 200 pounds, to 8,200 pounds.

The 2021 Raptor, with its 36-gallon capacity, has a driving range in excess of 500 miles. It's rated by the EPA at 15 mpg city/16 mpg highway/15 mpg combined.

3.5-liter twin-turbo V6450 horsepower @ 5,850 rpm510 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy 15 mpg/16 mpg

2021 Ford F150 RaptorHigh-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo V610-speed automatic transmission w/paddle shifters4WD w/seven terrain modesOffroad suspension w/skidplatesActive suspension damping1-Pedal DriveFord CoPilot360 safety suite35-inch tires. Optional 37s

CoPilot360This thorough safety suite is standard on the 2021 Raptor. It includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian protection), hill-start assist, a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert (with braking), and a rearview camera with Dynamic Hitch Support.

Eight AirbagsAll 2021 Ford F150 Raptors come standard with eight airbags. There are frontal airbags for the driver and front passenger, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seat-mounted side-impact airbags also for those in front. Side canopy curtain-style airbags (that deploy from the headliner) protect both rows in side impacts.

SOS Post-Crash Alert SystemThis standard system will activate the Raptor's horn and turn on the emergency flashers in the event of an airbag deployment or a seatbelt pre-tensioner activation. This helps passersby and first responders quickly spot the stricken vehicle.

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