The next-generation 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is now out for the Philippine market. It looks vastly different from the outgoing model, though it borrows plenty of design cues from the next-generation Ford Ranger that locally debuted back in mid-2022.
The all-new Philippine-spec 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor
So, is it any better than the outgoing model in terms of specs? Well, let’s find out by comparing the new Ranger Raptor against the outgoing model in terms of design and mechanicals.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Old vs New: Exterior
To start, the new Ranger Raptor sports a new front fascia. It gets a larger, more squared-off grille than the old model. The large “Ford” grille trim element is still present, but the headlamps now have a vertical cluster arrangement.
Also, the daytime running lamps also appear to wrap around the entire headlamp cluster assuming a C shape. Meanwhile, the old Ranger Raptor had a pair of horizontally-oriented headlamps, with the daytime running lamps only reaching the side of the headlamp cluster.
Compare the old Ranger Raptor (left) and the new Ranger Raptor (right) using the slider
Down below, the new Ranger Raptor also gets an intake that is much wider than the old model’s. The beefy skid plate is still there, and the new foglamp housings look similar to the ones in the current model. Furthermore, the hood of the new Ranger Raptor looks flatter than the one on the old model.
On its side, the new off-road capable pickup truck retains the beefy fender flares that were present on the old model. Like the old model, it still has a large step-board made of cast aluminum.
The old Ranger Raptor's rear end
The rear of the new Ranger Raptor also received new designs which mirror the look of its front end. It now comes with a more compact-looking pair of taillights. The shape of the tailgate has also changed. The “Ranger” text is now stamped across the tailgate, accompanying the Raptor badge and a much larger Ford logo.
The bed section of the new Raptor is also angled to taper more toward the rear. This is in contrast to the old model’s mostly straight rear section. It seems that Ford was going for a better departure angle for the new Raptor.
A view of the new Ranger Raptor's rear
Other exterior features carried over to the next-gen Raptor are a factory-installed bedliner, rain-sensing wipers, a 12-volt power outlet for the bed, and power-folding side mirrors. The 17-inch alloy wheels also now come with a new design.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Old vs New: Interior
Like the old Ranger Raptor, the new one’s cabin can comfortably seat up to five occupants. The interior, however, is much more colorful thanks to orange accents. In contrast, the old model had a mostly dark-colored interior. Furthermore, it also gets sports seats which appear to have deeper bolstering compared to the old Ranger Raptor’s seats.
Inside the old Ranger Raptor's cockpit
The arrangement of the center console also has a more vertical orientation compared to the old model. The AC controls are still physical buttons, positioned below the new head unit, and there’s also a new cubby hole found forward for the gear-shift lever. Also, the dashboard on the new Raptor appears to be flatter, whereas the old Raptor had this prominent bulge over its gauge cluster.
Speaking of the gear-shift lever, it also has a new design. Compared to the old one, it looks more compact and stubbier. The terrain mode selector was also moved behind the cupholders, which are now situated further forward. The rearrangement of this part of the interior is thanks to the fact that the new Ranger Raptor no longer uses a hand-operated parking brake, but more on this later.
The new Ranger Raptor's dash and steering wheel
Beyond that, we are certain that this new Ranger Raptor also has the same amenities as the old model. We’re referring to automatic air-conditioning, an electrochromic rear-view mirror, a push-to-start button, USB charging ports, leather seat wraps, and electronically adjustable front seats.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Old vs New: Tech & Safety
For entertainment, the new 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor now comes with a 12-inch touchscreen. This is in contrast to the old Ranger Raptor, which was kitted out with a smaller eight-inch unit. For connectivity, this new head unit now has wireless Apple CarPlay. Like the old Ranger Raptor, it also has Bluetooth and Android Auto.
The old model's touchscreen headunit
The driver is also provided with a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster, an upgrade from the analog instrumentation on the old model. This new cluster is capable of displaying different vehicle parameters like oil temperature, exterior, and interior temperature, as well as vehicle orientation angles.
Safety-wise, the new Ranger Raptor is as competent as the old Ranger Raptor. The former also gets tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, ISOFIX child seat anchors, stability control, traction control, speed-sensing door locks, an engine immobilizer, and a car alarm.
The new Ranger Raptor's massive touchscreen
It also comes standard with plenty of driver-assist features which were also present in the old model. These include a lane departure warning system, autonomous emergency braking, hill-descent control, hill-descent control, and lane-keeping aid, among others. The new model does get a more advanced adaptive cruise control system, whereas the old one came with standard cruise control.
The new Raptor also gets seven airbags, which is one more than the old model.
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Old vs New: Engine
The new Philippine-spec 2023 Ranger Raptor retains the same 2.0-liter Bi-turbo diesel engine that was also present on the older model. Its engine output has also remained unchanged at 207 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. Like the old Raptor, the new model still uses a 10-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters for its manual mode.
The current Philippine-spec Ford Ranger Raptor uses a 2.0-biturbo diesel engine
Like the old model, the new Ranger Raptor also uses a set of Fox shock absorbers. However, these are the next-gen Fox Live Valve dampers with bottom-out protection and Teflon-infused oil. According to Ford, this has 50 percent less friction compared to the old Raptor’s Fox shocks.
The Philippine-spec next-gen Ranger Raptor from the rear while going off-road
As mentioned, the new Ranger Raptor also comes with an electronic parking brake. As a result, the new model’s center stack has more space, and so allowed Ford to rearrange the controls situated in this section of the interior to be more ergonomic.
For more news about the all-new 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor, keep reading here on the Philippines' largest automotive portal.