With sales up 10.7 percent on the strength of focused and ground-breaking product enhancements to its trucks and SUVs
Ford is America’s best-selling brand so far for 2023.
A few months ago, we reviewed the first standard full-hybrid pickup—the 2022 Maverick compact and the revolutionary all-electric full-size F-150 Lightning. The previous testers were impressive enough with base level trim. We recently welcomed the opportunity to drive the fancier versions, taking for a spin the Lariat level Maverick, the all-new Maverick Tremor, and the F-150 Lightning Platinum. Driving the 2023 Bronco Raptor SUV also made an impression that will be hard to top.
The Maverick successfully debuted in 2022, resurrecting the compact pickup to answer an underserved segment in the truck market for a no-frills right-sized truck, and making headlines with its starting price of $20K with a hybrid engine. 2023 models are available with the base 2.5-liter hybrid and automatic CV transmission producing 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. or optional Ecoboost 2.0-liter engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive, capable of 250 hp and 277-lb-ft torque.
The first 2023 Maverick that we drove had MSRP starting at $27,955 for the top-level Lariat trim level with the standard hybrid engine. Adding a black appearance package, Ford Co-Pilot 360, spray-in bedliner and floor liners, the delivered price was $32,395.
A new Tremor package can be added on 2023 XLT and Lariat level Mavericks with the Ecoboost engine and AWD to give the compact pickup some of the same off-road capability as its Ford truck cousins. Tremor adds a heavy-duty transmission cooler, upgraded shocks and running gear, an extra inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires. Our 2023 XLT Tremor had starting MSRP of $24,455. With AWD, Appearance Package, Co-Pilot360, splash guards and bedliner spray-in, it was $33,965 with delivery.
Part of the F-150 Lightning’s success comes from the fact that it drives and performs very close to the gas-powered or hybrid F-150s. Besides efficiency, speed is the real forte of the Platinum Lightning (tested 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat). The larger 131-kWh extended-range battery pack comes standard on the Platinum, providing up to 320 miles of range and boosting the truck’s output to 580 hp. Rated to tow a maximum of 10,000 pounds, it is important to note that Lightning has a little less capacity, and at Platinum level, towing capacity is reduced to 8,400 pounds. At the base level, Lightning’s pricing is comparable to the other F-150s, but the spread widens at the upper levels. MSRP for our 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum was $90,874, and just north of $94K with a few options and delivery fees. The MSRP on the other 2022 SuperCrew Platinums starts around $64K.
The Raptor nameplate designates the highest-performance versions of Ford’s F-150 and Ranger pickups, and now Raptor takes the Ford Bronco to a new level. The body of the Bronco Raptor is designed with 50% more rigidity. Raptor exclusive paddle shifters make steering precise and responsive. Stability is enhanced with massive fender flares that make the Raptor nearly 10 inches wider overall, stronger shock towers, 37-inch tires and the same wheel hubs as the F-150 Raptor. An electronically disconnecting sway bar and 13.1-inches of ground clearance makes rock-crawling like Sunday driving. Like Raptor pickups, Bronco Raptor is equally ready for desert racing with adaptive and remote-reservoir Fox suspension dampers. Ford’s 3.0L Ecoboost V6 engine delivers 418 horsepower and 440 bl-ft of torque for the four-door five-passenger 5,750-pound Bronco.
With all of the aforementioned as standard inclusions, MSRP for the Bronco Raptor starts from $70,095 including delivery. Our tester added the Lux Package for Adaptive Cruise Control, Bang & Olufsen Sound, Connected Built-In Nav and a few other convenient touches. Raptor graphics, keyless entry, 17” black beadlock wheels, code orange seat belts, interior carbon fiber wrap and leather-trim suede seats added another $10K. The fact that the MPG is reduced from 20 city/21 highway on the regular Bronco to 15 combined for the Raptor is a consideration but will not take it off the table for the true Raptor enthusiast.
STAY TUNED: Ford is increasing production at manufacturing plants across North America to meet strong customer demand with trucks and SUVs playing the major role in the success. All-new versions of Super Duty, Ranger and Escape along with a new Mustang are coming soon!
