Morons at MotorTrend

[SubaruRaptor]

I didn't even make it halfway through the written review, but having watched the ZR2 vs RRaptor review previously I didn't expect much from them. I was used to the shifter within one test drive, it really isn't hard to figure it out. Maybe I'm just used to non-traditional shifters from daily driving a 2014 Grand Cherokee and an Audi A6 over the years. Or maybe its Maybeline

I can't comment on offroad performance since the dealer wouldn't let me hoon on my test drive, but the pothole filled Louisiana roads I was on felt way better in the RRaptor than the ZR2 Colorado that I test drove.

My favorite line in it was that the only "Raptor" part of the Ranger Raptor was how pillowy the ride was on the road. Like, what? Did they hit their heads before they started writing that article?

The issue is not the shape of the shifter, its the tactile feel of progressing through the gears and everyone agrees its fine 90% of the time, but in situations where you need to act quickly, the notches are not prominent enough to avoid shifting into the wrong gear. This is going to be exaggerated a bit by most reviewers because they are constantly using new/different/unique shifting mechanism per car per week. The majority of folks are going to get to use to it quickly and it wont be an issue.

I would agree with them, that overall there isnt too much that makes the Ranger Raptor a Raptor besides the decals and suspension and its faster. if you look at the F-150 Raptor vs non Raptor, you have various upgrades across the board in the amenities department which distinguish it more. The Ranger shares a lot with its other trims, so the Raptor portion just comes down to the fact its fully loaded and then a few extra on top, is the point they are making with it.

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[SubaruRaptor]

You havent watched enough content in general then to understand that their thoughts are in-line with other outlets and youtubers.

 

[JustNick]

The issue is not the shape of the shifter, its the tactile feel of progressing through the gears and everyone agrees its fine 90% of the time, but in situations where you need to act quickly, the notches are not prominent enough to avoid shifting into the wrong gear. This is going to be exaggerated a bit by most reviewers because they are constantly using new/different/unique shifting mechanism per car per week. The majority of folks are going to get to use to it quickly and it wont be an issue.

I would agree with them, that overall there isnt too much that makes the Ranger Raptor a Raptor besides the decals and suspension and its faster. if you look at the F-150 Raptor vs non Raptor, you have various upgrades across the board in the amenities department which distinguish it more. The Ranger shares a lot with its other trims, so the Raptor portion just comes down to the fact its fully loaded and then a few extra on top, is the point they are making with it.

I mean considering most of a vehicle's ability to offroad is it's suspension, I would say that plays a huge part in it being a Raptor. And the same thing can be said about the F150's amenities, those can be optioned in on other trims, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with that one? What amenities are you talking about that can be optioned on an F150 Raptor that can't be on say a Platinum or a Limited?

 

[T-Rev]

I have driven 100 or so miles at up to 60mph on gravel with frequent washboard sections and found the truck to be very stable. I run 36 psi front and 32 psi rear. I was either in Baja mode or sport mode with suspension set to off-road. The only time it felt squirrely is when in 2wd with rear locker and breaking traction with throttle which is to be expected.

 

[Jason B]

You havent watched enough content in general then to understand that their thoughts are in-line with other outlets and youtubers.

Yeah, but that's a problem with modern day 'journalists'. They are repeaters, not reporters.
Thet research other BS reviews and incorporate that into their own review.
I don't know how many 'reviews' of the 6G Ranger I've seen that say that it's underpowered, poor gas milage, lacks modern safety features, and overall outdated.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

I mean considering most of a vehicle's ability to offroad is it's suspension, I would say that plays a huge part in it being a Raptor. And the same thing can be said about the F150's amenities, those can be optioned in on other trims, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with that one? What amenities are you talking about that can be optioned on an F150 Raptor that can't be on say a Platinum or a Limited?

* Raptor has the 12 inch LCD display, trail control, heads up display. To my knowledge those things cant be optioned on any of the other trims.

 

[dfritz]

They’re not wrong about the trucks performance in gravel washboard.

I live on a gravel washboard road and drive on them a lot. It's probably unfair to compare the Ranger to a Subie ( I have two of 'em) on gravel. The Subaru AWD system really tames washboard and I' m used to flying around a uphill corner on my way home. Big surprise yesterday in my Ranger, however. The Ranger in 2WD is a bit squirrelly if you over do the throttle. Not particularly worse than any other pickup, but still a bit out of character and surprising from the great handling you get used to driving the Ranger on other road surfaces. I'm not planning on shifting in 4wd every time I'm driving on gravel, but I am going to be more careful as I almost ruined my new seat covers.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

Yeah, but that's a problem with modern day 'journalists'. They are repeaters, not reporters.
Thet research other BS reviews and incorporate that into their own review.
I don't know how many 'reviews' of the 6G Ranger I've seen that say that it's underpowered, poor gas milage, lacks modern safety features, and overall outdated.

I mean, id agree on small youtubers. But the larger ones not so much.

The thing most folks dont take into consideration with reviews on anything, is the person doing the review. If that person consistently hates things you consistently like across multiple reviews you then adapt what they say. Looking at a single review from a single source never get syou the full picture on anything. You need to read or watch multiple reviews from the same person (not outlet, but person) to get a feel for how they rate and review things. Most folks dont do that.

 

[rwolfcastle]

You havent watched enough content in general then to understand that their thoughts are in-line with other outlets and youtubers.

Their thoughts on the shifter are the only thing that's consistent with other reviews. NOBODY is saying the RRaptor doesn't perform well off-road, or even that it doesn't perform as well as the competitors. I'm not some fan-boy that thinks you have to give a good review of the car I like, I just think your review should be in good faith.

If they complained about no air vents in the rear, or the lack of ventilated seats and HUD, those are fair criticisms. It's also a fair criticism to say that the ZR2 is better at rock-crawling because it has a better approach angle, but to act like it's not a Raptor off-road is insane, and when you're literally the only review in the entire world (yes, I've seen reviews from UK, AU, Phillippines, South America, etc.) saying it doesn't perform well off-road, then your publication can't be taken seriously.

 

[John E Davies]

They’re not wrong about the trucks performance in gravel washboard.

I live on a gravel washboard road and drive on them a lot. It's probably unfair to compare the Ranger to a Subie ( I have two of 'em) on gravel. The Subaru AWD system really tames washboard and I' m used to flying around a uphill corner on my way home. Big surprise yesterday in my Ranger, however. The Ranger in 2WD is a bit squirrelly if you over do the throttle. Not particularly worse than any other pickup, but still a bit out of character and surprising from the great handling you get used to driving the Ranger on other road surfaces. I'm not planning on shifting in 4wd every time I'm driving on gravel, but I am going to be more careful as I almost ruined my new seat covers.

LOL, comparing your truck in 2wd to an AWD Subie is just silly. At least put your drive into 4A so the front tires can assist. 4H is better yet, is it so hard to push a button when you are on gravel? If so, I think you bought the wrong truck. Don’t blame the vehicle for your operator error!

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[SurfRanger]

They’re not wrong about the trucks performance in gravel washboard.

I live on a gravel washboard road and drive on them a lot. It's probably unfair to compare the Ranger to a Subie ( I have two of 'em) on gravel. The Subaru AWD system really tames washboard and I' m used to flying around a uphill corner on my way home. Big surprise yesterday in my Ranger, however. The Ranger in 2WD is a bit squirrelly if you over do the throttle. Not particularly worse than any other pickup, but still a bit out of character and surprising from the great handling you get used to driving the Ranger on other road surfaces. I'm not planning on shifting in 4wd every time I'm driving on gravel, but I am going to be more careful as I almost ruined my new seat covers.

The only strange thing with the suspension that ive noticed is on subtle concrete highway "washboards" seems to really resonate with the truck in a bad way and I feel like I’m jittering more than the cars in front of me and behind me when I look at them. Otherwise I did a bunch of highway-tire-pressure (38-42 as they heated up in the 115º heat) washboard fire roads and it was quite controlled and fun at high speeds. I also was aired down to around 22 later in the trip for a bunch of natl forrest high speed off-road stuff and it handles all the whoops and washboards just as good as my buddies gen3 raptor with 37 package.

 

[wolf32v]

You havent watched enough content in general then to understand that their thoughts are in-line with other outlets and youtubers.

Not true TFL one the biggest youtube sites about trucks who has had the Raptor Ranger for allot longer time than the other outlets Loves the Ranger Raptor and state it is the best in the mid size trucks. They state it just the best offroad and on road than the other mid sizers. The Ranger Raptor is not just a Ranger with all the options. It for one thing has a totally different rear end and suspension with coil springs and not leafs like the ZR2. The Ranger also has a different frame, that is reinforced compared to the stock Ranger. Its has a total different engine V6 unlike ZR2 that gets the same engine as the stock truck which is a slow 4. The ZR2 is more closer to the stock truck with the same old leaf spring suspension other than different shocks. Driving Sports TV even choose the Ranger Raptor over the other midsize ZR2 bison. That Motor Trend review was a joke period they did not like the ability to change the vehicle and were too lazy and wanted everything done for them. I love that you can change the truck to suit your mood. Plus that V6 is the game changer performance wise in the Mid size market.

 

[wolf32v]

They’re not wrong about the trucks performance in gravel washboard. I just spent a week driving forest roads in New Mexico and the truck was down right dangerous on 30-40mph washboard gravel. My friends 15 year old Subaru Forester was better there.

Did you have it in gravel mode or Auto awd that would help on gravel roads or wash boards surfaces. That is what the different modes are for atleast put it in auto 4wd like the Subaru has then tells us the difference.

 

[wolf32v]

They’re not wrong about the trucks performance in gravel washboard.

I live on a gravel washboard road and drive on them a lot. It's probably unfair to compare the Ranger to a Subie ( I have two of 'em) on gravel. The Subaru AWD system really tames washboard and I' m used to flying around a uphill corner on my way home. Big surprise yesterday in my Ranger, however. The Ranger in 2WD is a bit squirrelly if you over do the throttle. Not particularly worse than any other pickup, but still a bit out of character and surprising from the great handling you get used to driving the Ranger on other road surfaces. I'm not planning on shifting in 4wd every time I'm driving on gravel, but I am going to be more careful as I almost ruined my new seat covers.

On gravel 2wd is always going to be a problem and loose. That is why there is a gravel mode or at least put it into auto AWD mode so the truck can adjust it self to the surface that is what the settings are for. If you dont want to change anything put it in 4wd auto so the truck can do it all.

 

[wolf32v]

* Raptor has the 12 inch LCD display, trail control, heads up display. To my knowledge those things cant be optioned on any of the other trims.

Lariat up can get all those features standard on the King Ranch and up.

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