The Ford F-150 Raptor R is an off-road killer, powered by the supercharged Ford 5.2L V8 with a mere 720 horsepower just a tap of the throttle away. To answer the muscular off-road pickup offered by the Blue Oval, Ram cooked up the Ram 1500 TRX – which the F-150 Raptor R practically ate for lunch in a test of the two pickups. Now that the 1500 TRX is discontinued, the Ram 1500 RHO has stepped up to the plate, but even it can’t hold a candle to the F-150 Raptor R’s ludicrous V8- powered heart.
Emme Hall Edmunds put the two pickups to the test, documenting the results on YouTube. She says that the Ford F-150 Raptor R and Ram 1500 RHO are relatively approachable options for buyers who want go-fast off-road performance, but ponders the question: is there such a thing as too much power? The good news, though, is that both pickups have a specially designed suspension to back up their immense power.
The Ford F-150 Raptor R makes short work of the quarter-mile dirt course at Hall’s disposal. Despite not having launch control, the F-150 Raptor R rises to the challenge – almost quite literally as it rears back on its haunches on launch. It gallops to 110 mph without breaking a sweat, and it’s a tough act to follow. The 1500 RHO is definitely not as fast as the Raptor R, but it’s still a thrilling run with its twin-turbocharged V6 throwing 540 horsepower.
The Ford F-150 Raptor R also eats up the “whoops” portion of the course, its suspension easily absorbing the bumps and jumps as Hall flies across the desert. So does the 1500 RHO, which handles the true jump a bit better than the Raptor R.
In conclusion, while both models are fun as hell to drive, the Ford F-150 Raptor R comes out on top. While the 1500 RHO is probably more practical and cost effective (at around $70K versus the Raptor R’s $115K price tag) in the long run, the Raptor R is just plain fun thanks to its V8 powerhouse.
“My heart is with this V8,” Hall says. “Do I need over 700 horsepower? No. Do I need 37-inch tires? Absolutely not. But do I need this truck? 100 percent… It’s an emotional decision, and this vehicle just makes me smile. And the sound! The sound is amazing.”
For whatever it’s worth, the Raptor R is the winner when pitted against the GMC Hummer EV, too.
Comments
I believe the engine in the Ram is an INLINE 6 cylinder rather than a V6.
Still a piece of junk
Yeah, different classes of trucks, TBH. The Raptor R is on the level of the TRX and the RHO at the level of the basic V6 Raptor.
The RHO (540HP) fits in between the Raptor R (700HP) and the base Raptor (450HP).
It probably comes down to whether you spend any time off-road. That is where either Raptor performs better.
I drove a 2025 Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn with the inline 6 with 540hp the other day!! It was fun to drive and quick too!! The Raptor R is just way more thrilling to drive with 720hp on tap!! Nothing like the sound of the supercharged V8!! Music to my ears!! The Raptor R is in a class of it’s own!
The Raptor R is overpriced. Dollar for dollar I would take the RHO all day everyday.