The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Makes a Newbie Wheel Like a Pro

The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. Photo: Emme Hall

There are so many cool features in the new top trim of this SUV, you’ll be off-roading like a boss in no time.

So you want to hit some off-road trails but are just a little overwhelmed by all the new big trucks and SUVs available for dirt shenanigans? Girl, the 2022 Bronco Raptor has you covered. With all kinds of standard features that help newbies drive like an ace, the new four-wheel drive SUV from Ford can take you from zero to hero lickity split. Here are a few of my favorites.

Related: Tackling the Rebelle Rally, the Female-Only Off-Road Rally, As A Newbie

Getting a little air in the Ford Bronco Raptor. Photo: Emme Hall

Terrain Management System

The Bronco Raptor comes standard with seven different drive modes, but you’ll want to spend your time in Off-Road, Baja or Rock Crawl mode. Each adjusts the transmission, transfer case, stability control and even exhaust sound to certain parameters. Just taking a little stroll on a gravel road? Off-Road is the ticket. If you want to go fast, select Baja mode. Rock Crawl is for those times when you’ve got a few crazy obstacles in your way. Just turn that dial and go!

Related: Ford Is Getting Serious About Off-Roading With the Bronco Raptor and the New Expedition

Crawling along in the Ford Bronco Raptor. Photo: Emme Hall

Tires Matter. A Lot

It doesn’t matter how great your drive modes are if you don’t have good tires. After all, tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touch the ground and when off-road they can be the major difference between getting home and getting stuck. Fortunately, the Bronco Raptor wears 37-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires that excel in the rocks, dirt and soft sand. Just be sure to air down to get a bigger footprint and more comfortable ride. 25 psi is good for rocks, lower if you’re going to be driving in soft sand.

Related: Off-Roading Reveals Cosmo Tire’s True Character

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. Photo: Emme Hall

Forward-facing Camera

With 13 inches of ground clearance, the Bronco can straddle almost anything, but it is tough to see over its hood. The forward-facing camera allows drivers to see what is out of their eye line, and even comes with predicted tire path technology. You’ll know if you’re about to hit a rock or drive into a giant hole.

Related: That Beautiful Line in the Sand? It Marks the Rally Jameel – the First All-Female Off Road Rally In Saudi Arabia

We’re going up! Photo: Emme Hall

Trail One-Pedal Drive

This is key when rock crawling, when drivers often have to brake with their left foot while keeping their right foot for throttle only. It’s tough to do, but Ford takes that skill out of the game with one-pedal driving. Lift the throttle and the Bronco Raptor will apply the brakes, no left foot needed.

Related: 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor Off Road Package is Shaking Things Up!

Using different drive modes in the 2022 Ford Bronco. Photo: Emme Hall

Trail Control

This works a bit like One-Pedal Drive, except that drivers don’t need to have their foot on the throttle at all. Simply set the speed, activate Trail Control and voilà– off-road cruise control. This leaves the driver free to just focus on their steering inputs.

Trail Turn Assist

If I had a nickel for every three-million point turn I’ve had to make on tight trails and I’d be a rich woman. This feature effectively reduces the Bronco Raptor’s turning radius by applying the brakes to the inside rear wheel. This is especially helpful when driving on narrow trails cut into the side of a mountain with multiple switchbacks. You won’t have to come close to the edge to make the turn.

Getting a little air in the Ford Bronco Raptor. Photo: Emme Hall

Once you get used to driving the Bronco Raptor and using these features, you can start to do some of the work yourself. Try left-foot braking, practice keeping a steady speed, heck maybe you’ll even want to use the paddle shifters and wring out all available power from the twin-turbo V6. You’ll be racing the Baja 1000 in no time!

Disclosure: I was Ford’s guest for this test drive but all opinions are my own.

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Emme Hall

Emme is an award winning off road driver and navigator, as well as an automotive journalist. She won the seven-day off-road navigational Rebelle Rally twice, once in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and once in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. She was part of the first team to bring an electric vehicle to the Rebelle Rally and was the first journalist to drive the Rivian R1T. She has competed around the world in races like the Baja 1000, the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles and the first all-women's motorsport Rally Jameel in Saudi Arabia. You can find her relating her adventures on podcasts like Off the Road Again, Rivian Stories, The Smoking Tire, Late Night Playset and The Truck Show Podcast, and in review videos for CNET. She lives in California with her off-road modified Miata, Buddy. Follow her on Instagram @yeahemme

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• The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Makes a Newbie Wheel Like a Pro - June 20, 2022