The fully-redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 has taken the truck world by storm with its incredible power, unmatched capability, and all-new features. However, there is one particular version of this iconic truck that no Ford fan will want to miss: the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. The Raptor has always been the most off-road-ready full-size truck available, and the brand-new third-generation Raptor takes things further than ever before. Nearly every aspect of this mighty vehicle has been upgraded and improved as part of Ford’s quest to produce the ultimate off-road machine.
While the iconic “FORD” grille continues to be the Raptor’s calling card, behind the grille, you will find a truck with more power, an improved suspension, cutting-edge technology, and helpful new features. From a brand-new coil spring rear-suspension that brings trophy truck performance to a production vehicle to two kilowatts of electrical generation for powering your tools and toys, the 2021 F-150 Raptor remains in a class of its own. Wherever you go, the Raptor is ready for adventure.
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The Raptor name has always meant powerful engines and incredible suspension performance, and nothing has changed with the 2021 F-150 Raptor. This truck has only grown more powerful and more capable in its third generation. From its EcoBoost engine to its FOX Live Valve shocks, this truck can take anything you throw at it in stride.
Under the hood of the 2021 Raptor, you will find a High-Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. This twin-turbocharged V6 offers simply incredible performance, topping out at 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. With that much power under your foot, you will be able to race through rough terrain and leap through the sky with ease.
That power is channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission that includes solid aluminum paddle shifters for instant manual gear changes. Four-wheel drive is also standard, as befits an off-road truck, and includes an innovative torque-on-demand transfer case. However, the Raptor’s four-wheel drive system is more capable than a typical truck and includes an electronic-locking rear differential and an available TORSEN front limited-slip differential. This combination provides true four-wheel grip in even the most difficult situations without the intervention of power-sapping traction control.
Power alone does not an off-road vehicle make - if that was the case, you would see Mustangs tearing up the trails. The single most important performance feature when leaving the blacktop behind is the suspension. High ground clearance, plenty of articulation, and large grippy tires are what sets an off-road machine apart from a street vehicle - and nowhere are those features better seen than in the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.
The suspension has always been the feature that has set the Raptor apart from the crowd, and Ford has left its competition in the dust with the improvements found in the third-generation model. To begin with, the traditional leaf spring rear suspension of the second-generation Raptor was replaced with an all-new five-link coil spring setup inspired by Baja trophy trucks. This allows for unprecedented levels of control and a full 15 inches of suspension travel. That new suspension geometry is further enhanced by larger 3.1-inch FOX adaptive shocks for optimal performance across all terrain.
The 2021 Raptor comes standard with oversized 35-inch tires that are already among the largest you will find on a production truck. However, if you opt for the Raptor 37 Performance Package, you will get massive 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires - the largest factory tires in its class. On top of providing more sidewall to absorb impacts, these larger tires increase the Raptor’s ground clearance from an already impressive 12 inches to an incredible 13.1 inches, with similar improvements to approach, breakover, and departure angles. This is truly a truck that is ready for the wild.
Inside the expansive crew cab of the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, you will discover all the technology that you would expect of a cutting-edge truck. This includes one of the most advanced infotainment systems on the market, as well as unique performance features designed to make the Raptor even more off-road ready. And of course, there are also all of the luxury features you would expect from a top-of-the-line Ford truck.
The centerpiece of the Raptor’s cab is a massive 12-inch infotainment display. This huge screen makes it easy to view camera angles on the trail, follow navigation instructions on the road, and access all your favorite apps and media. It even has a split-screen function, so you can do it all at the same time! But size is far from the only thing the Raptor’s infotainment has going for it - it also includes Ford’s brand-new SYNC 4 infotainment software.
SYNC 4 takes everything you love about the older SYNC 3 system and updates it for the new decade. It is more intuitive and more responsive than ever before and supports new features on top of the now-standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But the best aspect of the new software is that it is ever-evolving and will continue to improve over time thanks to over the air updates. As Ford develops new features, they will be automatically added to your truck.
When it comes to using technology to improve the off-roading experience, Ford continues to outdo itself. The new 2021 Raptor comes standard with Trail Control and Trail 1-Pedal Drive. These two features are invaluable when challenging the most difficult trails as they allow you to pay more attention to the task at hand. Trail Control is effectively cruise control for the trail––you simply set your speed, and the truck will maintain it as you cruise up, down, and through the obstacles you find. Trail 1-Pedal Drive comes into play when finer control is needed, automatically applying the brakes as you lift off the gas. That means no more dangerous and frustrating rollbacks as you slowly climb over obstacles.
The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is designed to be the unmatched king of off-road trucks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for all your daily tasks. Unlike many popular off-road machines, the Raptor is still a pickup truck first and foremost. That means you can load up the bed or hitch up a trailer and go about your life when you aren’t challenging the trails. And with the Raptor’s roomy SuperCrew cab, you will be able to transport all your family and friends in comfort wherever you go.
The 2021 Raptor is rated to haul up to 1,400 lbs of payload and can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Those are some noticeable improvements over the outgoing 2020 Raptor and put the new truck ahead of all its competitors. While you will still need a Ford Super Duty for the toughest of tasks, the 2021 Raptor is more than capable of handling anything that you would use a normal light-duty pickup for. And with the Raptor’s off-road capabilities, you will be able to get your cargo places that no other truck can manage.
For most vehicles, lots of power means limited range and spending more time at the pump than on the trail. However, with the 2021 Raptor, that is not the case. With a range of over 500 miles on a single tank of gas, you will be able to travel deep into the wild without worrying about needing to turn around and refuel. That sort of range is only achievable with Ford’s signature EcoBoost engine technology and is a real benefit of the turbocharged V6 engine.
New for 2021, the Raptor also offers a different sort of power - electrical power. With Pro Power Onboard, your truck can act as a mobile generator, bringing the comforts of home deep into the wild. With 2 kilowatts of available electrical power, you can run power tools, light up your campsite, or enliven your tailgate party without having to drag a generator with you taking up space in the bed. What other off-road vehicle can do that?