The Ford Raptor nameplate represents the Blue Oval’s lineup of off-road-ready performance pickups and SUVs. Currently, it encompasses the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ford Ranger Raptor, and Ford Bronco Raptor – all rugged, body-on-frame vehicles. In the age of high-performance off-road machines, Ford Authority can’t help but wonder if it’s high time Ford added a unibody Raptor model to its repertoire.
Our curiosity was piqued by a supposed Ford Bronco Sport “Raptor” that recently surfaced. While that particular model turned out to be a fake, it got the gears turning. As previously stated, all Ford Raptor models to date have been body-on-frame pickups or SUVs. The first vehicle to wear the Raptor nameplate was the 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor. The Ford Ranger Raptor joined the lineup overseas for the 2019 model year before finally making it to North America as a 2024 model. The most recent addition was the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, which represented the first time an SUV was granted the Raptor nameplate.
There are a handful of unibody Blue Oval models that would lend themselves well to the Ford Raptor line. There’s nothing that says it has to be a body-on-frame exclusive. Keep in mind that the ST nameplate began as a car-only brand, including the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta, before being introduced to the crossover scene with the arrival of the Ford Edge ST and Ford Explorer ST in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Think of it. The Ford Maverick is begging for a Raptor variant. It’s already gotten the Lobo trim, which currently represents its high-performance model, but that’s geared toward the street truck scene, not off-road. The Ford Explorer Raptor would be a great addition, too, bringing rugged off-road performance to the popular crossover. And the Ford Bronco Sport is begging for a Raptor variant, too, just like its big brother, the regular Bronco – and, clearly, we’re not the only ones to think that.
Let us know where you stand, dear reader – should there be a unibody Ford Raptor added to the lineup? Vote in the poll below to let us know, and make your voice heard in the comments section, too.
Interest-free financing and more on compact luxury crossover.
Another carbon part for the newest pony car.
A pretty cool tailgating rig, we'd say.
It's unclear what those export markets will consist of.
It didn't top every category, but was the best all-around.
The term could also be used on merchandise.
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Nope. Jimmy has enough on his plate trying to outdo the Corvette. He's swamped!
I’d say no to unibody Raptors. The only new Raptor I’d like to see is the BOF Everest (which is based on the Ranger). That would give a 3 row seat option SUV with the Raptor name plate. And please bring the Everest to the NA market to compete with the Toyota 4Runner.
Nope. Ford bends frames "raptors" as is as parking lot interns and outsourcing doesn't work. Unibody? Designed for the car wash just like "trim" packages. Sad thought based on track record with a real frame. How many to buy back now????
NO! It’s a shame when a brand cultivates a reputation and image and is able to command a premium both at sale and at resale, and then destroys that reputation and value by extending it to lesser vehicles. Chevrolet’s “SS” brand comes to mind but also the German’s with AMG-Line, BMW’s M-style, etc. even Fird has already done it with “ST-Line”. Raptor has come to mean a very focused off-road package performing at a very high level. You’ve already got Tremor, Timberline, FX4 etc. to use. Or put those marketing flunkies to work and come up with a new brand.
Lmao. Still trying to milk that bronco sport idea after you fell for that little "mule." let it go.
Sure, Raptor should represent a standard like the ST brand as long as it fits the vehicle. People are hung up on the body-on-frame vs. unibody debate (and for whatever reason conflate the issue as to what constitutes a "real" truck even though there have been plenty of unibody trucks over the years) but as long as the vehicle in question sticks to the brand ideology then I don't see a problem.
I think whatever they put the Raptor name on should have a V8. The Bronco Raptors look amazing, but that 6 cylinder sucks and sounds awful. Same with the pickups.
I am the proud owner of a Cactus Gray 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands.
YES!! I mean yes please!!
Why not have 2 or 3 performance variants, though? Like the Bronco, Ranger, Explorer, etc. As stated, even the Maverick 2 performance variations.
Ford really could have 2 or more performance variants for rhe Bronco Sport. Anything from Everglades, Timberline, Badlands, Sasquatch, Tremor and of course the Raptor. Sorry if I missed any.
Btw, I the idea of a B.S. LOBO. If done properly a LOBO version of the Bronco Sport could be incredible also.
But, give a B.S. a Raptor version with better/stronger AWD setup and rear end, 300-350-ish 🐎, the suspension should definitely be stronger and yes maybe 1.5" taller. A few body tweaks & a little body & underside armor. Various lights, a actual winch mount and/or winch up front. Think sorta Baja meets Overlanding is the best way I could describe it.
Nope
Sure, why not. People get way too passionate about badges, and vehicle "heritage", and other non-intrinsic things. If Ford wants to put the 2.3L Ecoboost in a Bronco Sport, add a locking diff, lift it 1.5", and put wider wheels/tires/flares on it, then go for it. Will people pay $50K for such a beast? There may be a small number of people that would. I just bought a 2025 Bronco Sport and wouldn't have even entertained the thought of spending that much for a daily driver (that's why I bought the baby Bronco and not the big Bronco.) It's a fun vehicle as it is. "Raptor" is nothing more than a trim line. Doesn't matter if it is on a unibody or a BoF vehicle.