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It looks like the Ram TRX finally has some competition. When Ford Motor Co. revealed its 2021 F-150 Raptor, there was a sad trombone playing somewhere in the background. We were hoping for a V-8 and got a meh V-6 instead. Today’s news, however, proves Ford still has a little fight left, and the Raptor R vs. TRX specs are an interesting read.

For giggles, we included the regular Raptor’s specs so you can see the similarities and differences.

While I’ll let the specs speak for themselves, I wanted to point out a four key takes aways.

It costs how much?

We’re certainly experiencing a little sticker shock here, because the Raptor R will have a base price of $109,145. Gulp. That’s nearly $30k more than the TRX, and we can’t quite wrap our minds around how Ford justifies this price tag. We don’t know what to say here other than, “Gulp.”

Premium fuel required

Though the Raptor R specs don’t specifically state it requires premium fuel, we guessed it would since the Ford Shelby GT500, which has the same engine, does require premium fuel. So, we asked, and Ford confirmed: The Raptor R will require premium fuel, whereas the regular Raptor with its turbo V-6 uses regular fuel.

In the Raptor R vs. TRX comparison, however, that’s a wash because TRX also requires premium fuel.

TRX still has more horsepower

I have to admit, I feel like this is a bit of a missed opportunity here. The so-called “Predator” engine delivers 760 horsepower in the GT500, but here it’s detuned to 700. Why? Why would they do that. At the very least, I’d expect 703 horsepower just to thumb its nose at the TRX. But it did not.

There better be Easter Eggs hidden somewhere on the Raptor R (like the TRX’s Tyrannosaurus Rex eating a Velociraptor on the engine cover) or I’m going to be really disappointed.

Raptor R has better ground clearance

I’m chalking the better ground clearance up to bigger tires. In the Raptor R vs. TRX comparo, you can see that standard tires on the Raptor R are 37s, whereas after doing a little tire size calculating, you can see the TRX’s are 35s. Standard tires on the regular Raptor are 35s, and the ground clearance between that and the TRX are nearly identical.

2022 Ford F-150 Raptor2023 Ford Raptor R2022 Ram 1500 TRX
Vehicle TypeSuperCrew 4X4SuperCrew 4X4Crew Cab 4X4
Base Price$72,350$109,145$80,685
Assembly locationCleveland, OhioDearborn, MichiganSterling Heights, Michigan
Engine3.5L twin-turbo V-65.2L supercharged V-86.2L supercharged V-8
Horsepower450700702
Torque510 lb-ft640 lb-ft650 lb-ft
Transmissions10-speed, SelectShift AT10-speed, SelectShift AT8-speed AT, TorqueFlight 8HP95
Drive ModesSlippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off-Road, Baja, Rock CrawlSlippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off-Road, Baja, Rock CrawlSport, Snow, Tow, Mud, Baja, Auto
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone with coil-over shock and cast aluminum lower control arm; High-output, gas-pressurized, electronically controlled, continuously variable compression
damping FOX Racing Shox, 3.1-inch damper, 0.875-inch rod diameter (standard)
Independent double-wishbone with coil-over shock and cast aluminum lower control arm; High-output, gas-pressurized, electronically controlled, continuously variable compression
damping FOX Racing Shox, 3.1-inch damper, 0.875-inch rod diameter (standard)
Upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, Bilstein e2 Blackhawk active performance shock
absorber
Rear Suspension5-link coil with Panhard rod; High-output, gas-pressurized, electronically controlled, continuously variable compression damping FOX Racing Shox, 3.1-inch damper, 0.875-inch rod diameter5-link coil with Panhard rod; High-output, gas-pressurized, electronically controlled, continuously variable compression damping FOX Racing Shox, 3.1-inch damper, 0.875-inch rod diameterFive-link with track bar, coil springs, Bilstein e2 Blackhawk active damping twin-tube
performance shock absorbers, solid axle
Fuel Tank Capacity36 gallons36 gallons33 gallons
Fuel requirementRegularPremiumPremium
Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined)14/18/15 MPG10/15/12 MPG10/14/12 MPG
Cargo Box5 ft, 5 inches5 ft, 5 inches5 ft, 7 inches
Cargo Box Volume52.8 cu ft52.8 cu ft53.9 cu ft
Cargo Box Length67.1 inches67.1 inches67.4 inches
Distance Btw Wheelhouses51.1 inches51.1 inches51.0 inches
Cargo Box Depth21.4 inches21.4 inches21.4 inches
Tire SizeLT315/70 R17 (standard); 37x12.50R17LT (optional)37x12.50R17LT325/65/R18
Wheelbase145.4 inches145.4 inches145.1 inches
Length232.6 inches232.6 inches232.9 inches
Height79.8 inches (w/ 35-inch tires); 80.7 inches (w/ 37-inch tires)80.6 inches80.9 inches
Width96 inches96 inches88.0 inches
Max Avail. Tow8,200 pounds8,700 pounds8,100 pounds
Max Payload1,400 pounds1,400 pounds1,310 pounds
Ground Clearance12.0 inches (35-inch tires); 13.1 inches (37-inch tires)13.1 inches11.8 inches
Aproach Angle31.0 degrees (35-inch tires); 33.1 degrees (37-inch tires)33.1 degrees30.2 degrees
Breakover Angle22.7 degrees (35-inch tires); 24.4 degrees (37-inch tires)24.4 degrees21.9 degrees
Departure Angle23.9 degrees (35-inch tires); 24.9 degrees (37-inch tires)24.9 degrees23.5 degrees
Skid Plates445
Max Water Fording32 inchesn/a32 inches

The bottom line on the Raptor R vs. TRX

When you look at the Raptor R vs. the TRX, you can see where one might edge out the other in certain areas. But, overall, these two vehicles are evenly matched in this last hurrah for the V-8 engine.

The biggest questions I still have: How much will it cost? Will there be launch control? When is Chevy stepping up to the plate to provide its own competitor?

Hopefully we’ll be able to answer all these questions soon, so stay tuned.

For more information on the 2023 Ford Raptor R, be sure to look at our full first-look debut article.

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Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is the Managing Editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as well as a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on car stuff for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY).

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