BBR - Raptor thoughts on the 392

[THE_SAVSQCH]

This was my issue when I looked at them. Sounded wonderful and went like he'll in a straight line, but it felt the same to me behind the wheel and inside than a Rubicon X with a $30k lower MSRP.

Jeep should have done more to differentiate the whole build, especially given how dated the JL interior feels versus a Bronco.

AZ I agree with that. Haven’t driven but that interior is yuck!

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[Edumakated]

392 owner. Love it.

I still like the Bronco Raptor though. I feel like it has a more imposing presence. It is probably a better vehicle for my needs, but I just can't get over the lack of performance.

 

[AZ_Craig]

392 owner. Love it.

I still like the Bronco Raptor though. I feel like it has a more imposing presence. It is probably a better vehicle for my needs, but I just can't get over the lack of performance.

If you define "performance" as simply 0 to 60 speed. Even without the pro-cal tune I find it pretty easy to break the rear tires out on the Braptor if you start aggressively from a stop. Additionally, I'd much rather be driving a Braptor than a 392 on a windy mountain road.

I felt like the 392 did not have steering nor brakes to match the engine honestly. Glorious in a straight line and the exhaust sound is intoxicating. First hairpin turn you come to though, better be careful you don't end up going off the damn road .

 

[HeliPilot]

I echo the post above. The handling of the Raptor cannot be touched by the Jeep. One of the best all around vehicles I’ve owned. Ford actually did themselves a dis-service, as I’m not likely to sell/trade my Raptor for any other vehicle. It’s that good.

 

[vrtical]

I find the vehicle pointless, does nothing well in any category well except make noise.

 

[AZ_Craig]

I echo the post above. The handling of the Raptor cannot be touched by the Jeep. One of the best all around vehicles I’ve owned. Ford actually did themselves a dis-service, as I’m not likely to sell/trade my Raptor for any other vehicle. It’s that good.

This is honestly how I feel also. Perhaps I'd like a bit more power, but I'll explore the pro-cal tune once that bug gets me (for now I'm enjoying being able to run 87 octane instead of 91).

I've owned or leased about 12 cars now in my life time. The Raptor is the first SUV I'm genuinely really happy with nearly all aspects of (as opposed to doing research on what I should replace it with 6 months after getting it. I honestly don't know if I'd swap it for anything other than maybe another Ford Performance product in the future and I hope to hold onto it till at least around 100K miles if not longer.

 

[AZ_Craig]

I find the vehicle pointless, does nothing well in any category well except make noise.

Isn't this typical of most Stellantis V8s however?

 

[HeliPilot]

This is honestly how I feel also. Perhaps I'd like a bit more power, but I'll explore the pro-cal tune once that bug gets me (for now I'm enjoying being able to run 87 octane instead of 91).

I've owned or leased about 12 cars now in my life time. The Raptor is the first SUV I'm genuinely really happy with nearly all aspects of (as opposed to doing research on what I should replace it with 6 months after getting it. I honestly don't know if I'd swap it for anything other than maybe another Ford Performance product in the future and I hope to hold onto it till at least around 100K miles if not longer.

My upgrades were adding FP Tune, FP Winch and factory soft top. No need to go any further.

 

[stampede1]

392 owner. Love it.

I still like the Bronco Raptor though. I feel like it has a more imposing presence. It is probably a better vehicle for my needs, but I just can't get over the lack of performance.

Performance is relative. The Raptor spanks the 392 in Baja style open desert running, as it should because of its suspension. Additionally, if you follow the Trail Recon videos, despite being a die hard Jeep guy, he sold his 392 due to problems encountered offroading that are evident in other 392s and could not be successfuly addressed by the manufacturer.

 

[Edumakated]

If you define "performance" as simply 0 to 60 speed. Even without the pro-cal tune I find it pretty easy to break the rear tires out on the Braptor if you start aggressively from a stop. Additionally, I'd much rather be driving a Braptor than a 392 on a windy mountain road.

I felt like the 392 did not have steering nor brakes to match the engine honestly. Glorious in a straight line and the exhaust sound is intoxicating. First hairpin turn you come to though, better be careful you don't end up going off the damn road .

They are night and day apart in terms of power. For me, the 0 to 60 (basically the traffic light to light performance) was a big draw. Most of my driving is in the city, so it mattered to me even if it is an off road vehicle. The power on tap and sound is intoxicating. It overrides all the other flaws of the Jeep for me.

I agree, the 392 handles like a three wheeled dump truck with a flat. However, none of these vehicles will ever drive as good as a proper sports car in the twisties.

Had Ford been able to deliver the Raptor back in '21/22 when I bought my 392 I would have in all likelihood purchased one. I still may but the 392 as been pretty flawless for my needs so hard to justify buying a Braptor now.

Like I said, I like Braptors. No hate at all (hence why I still lurk on this site). I just feel like Ford dropped the ball performance wise for a Halo type vehicle given current automotive performance specs.

 

[AZ_Craig]

They are night and day apart in terms of power. For me, the 0 to 60 (basically the traffic light to light performance) was a big draw. Most of my driving is in the city, so it mattered to me even if it is an off road vehicle. The power on tap and sound is intoxicating. It overrides all the other flaws of the Jeep for me.

I agree, the 392 handles like a three wheeled dump truck with a flat. However, none of these vehicles will ever drive as good as a proper sports car in the twisties.

Had Ford been able to deliver the Raptor back in '21/22 when I bought my 392 I would have in all likelihood purchased one. I still may but the 392 as been pretty flawless for my needs so hard to justify buying a Braptor now.

Like I said, I like Braptors. No hate at all (hence why I still lurk on this site). I just feel like Ford dropped the ball performance wise for a Halo type vehicle given current automotive performance specs.

So I've owned a lot of driving focused vehicles (Infinti G37-S Coupe, Audi TT-S, and VW Golf-R) and driven many more (for one thing, a lot of different BMWs and the Porsche Macan). What blows my mind with the Braptor is that it literally handles way better than anything on all terrain 37s ever should be able to, the suspension is truly black magic.

I'm a firm believer that vehicles that are quick need some degree of cornering and braking performance to back it up; otherwise the speed is more a liability than anything. I honestly think Ford pulled that off with the Braptor (and quick frankly, both the Raptor pickup trucks), but I found the 392 to be a handful (I did a freeway blast up to about 85 mph on my test drive and it did not feel settled at all). Braptor can cruise at 85 to 90 mph all day with it being chill and relaxed (this may sound quick to some, but try driving I15 in Utah with 80 mph limits and you'll see what I'm talking about).

And I get it with the 0 to 60... I partially picked up my EV6 GT for this exact reason (wait, I can get a $13K cap cost reduction on a lease that does 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds, sign me up!). It was fun for about the first 6 to 9 months. At this point I rarely launch it in GT mode since the chasis itself is not particularly settled and the car turns off traction control when you unlock the full HP from the motors. Hyundai did a lot more chasis work with the Ioniq 5N and it's a much better overall vehicle for this exact reason than the EV6 GT (which feels more like a electric muscle car). Power is great, but not when the car feels like it is on the verge of trying to killing you with one wrong move.

 

[Edumakated]

So I've owned a lot of driving focused vehicles (Infinti G37-S Coupe, Audi TT-S, and VW Golf-R) and driven many more (for one thing, a lot of different BMWs and the Porsche Macan). What blows my mind with the Braptor is that it literally handles way better than anything on all terrain 37s ever should be able to, the suspension is truly black magic.

I'm a firm believer that vehicles that are quick need some degree of cornering and braking performance to back it up; otherwise the speed is more a liability than anything. I honestly think Ford pulled that off with the Braptor (and quick frankly, both the Raptor pickup trucks), but I found the 392 to be a handful (I did a freeway blast up to about 85 mph on my test drive and it did not feel settled at all). Braptor can cruise at 85 to 90 mph all day with it being chill and relaxed (this may sound quick to some, but try driving I15 in Utah with 80 mph limits and you'll see what I'm talking about).

And I get it with the 0 to 60... I partially picked up my EV6 GT for this exact reason (wait, I can get a $13K cap cost reduction on a lease that does 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds, sign me up!). It was fun for about the first 6 to 9 months. At this point I rarely launch it in GT mode since the chasis itself is not particularly settled and the car turns off traction control when you unlock the full HP from the motors. Hyundai did a lot more chasis work with the Ioniq 5N and it's a much better overall vehicle for this exact reason than the EV6 GT (which feels more like a electric muscle car). Power is great, but not when the car feels like it is on the verge of trying to killing you with one wrong move.

The 392 does make your butt pucker in turns at 75+ mph on highway. However, I rarely drive fast and don't cut in and out of traffic on highway anyway, so I can deal with it. I've told people that you can't hooligan a 392 on the road like you can trackhawk/srt. I can admit its flaws.

 

[THE_SAVSQCH]

I LOVE the chat on this post!

 

[vrtical]

What blows my mind with the Braptor is that it literally handles way better than anything on all terrain 37s ever should be able to, the suspension is truly black magic.

Given my background in road racing (I hold several lic), this is very true, I whipped the braptor on TOTD with less then 500 miles on the clock, its impressive for sure, yeah it has its limitations in body roll and braking, but its way ahead of anything else in its class. I also have dirt tracked it, jumped it completely capable.

 

[THE_SAVSQCH]

Given my background in road racing (I hold several lic), this is very true, I whipped the braptor on TOTD with less then 500 miles on the clock, its impressive for sure, yeah it has its limitations in body roll and braking, but its way ahead of anything else in its class. I also have dirt tracked it, jumped it completely capable.

You sound badass dude!

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