After racking up universally positive reviews at launch, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R has gone on to put its supercharged Ford 5.2L V8 to good use, leaning on all 700 of its horsepower to rack up drag racing wins against everything from a modified C6 Corvette to a new Toyota GR Supra to the Cadillac Escalade-V and Ram TRX. Now, former Tonight Show host and mega car collector Jay Leno has had his turn behind the wheel of the muscular hauler, and he walked away every bit as impressed as his colleagues, it seems.
Right off the bat, Leno notes that the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R and its V8 grunt just “never gets old,” but what’s even more impressive about this package is that it’s good for all sorts of things, whether that be taking a date to prom, embarking on some fun off-road adventure, commuting to work, hauling the family around town, or taking down vaunted sports cars at the drag strip.
After getting on the gas multiple times, Leno notes that “horsepower can cure any problem,” but he also touches on one interesting attribute that applies to even the regular Raptor – how comfortable it is out on the road. The same high-tech suspension and meaty tires that make the Raptor so good off-road also provide a cushy, comfortable ride on the pavement, which is why many seek them out – even if they have no plans to go off-roading at all.
In spite of its size, Leno notes that the Raptor R also has excellent steering and beefy brakes that make it feel as if “you’ve shed 3,500 pounds when you get in it.” Overall, the comedian and certified car guy has nothing but praise for the mighty V8-powered pickup in every possible aspect – highlighting the fact that it isn’t just a one-trick pony, after all.
We’ll have more on the Raptor R soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-150 news, Ford F-150 Raptor news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
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