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The Covid-19 outbreak has taken its toll on everyone. It’s time for a road trip to see different countryside scenes, breathe fresh air, and just enjoy a few liberties along the way. We took the Ford Ranger Raptor for this family road trip and visited some areas in the north and south of Negros Occidental. So here is my Ford Ranger Raptor Review as well as some scenic sights in the province.
- Related link: Stages of Dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic
In Quarantine for So Long
Covid-19 has drastically altered our lifestyles. Many people believed that the end of the lockdown last summer was the end of the virus. And that is probably the reason why the public has let their guard down in recent months, and now, we are in scary times because Bacolod City has way too many Covid-19 positive cases.
The threat has become very real and very near.
The past three weeks were witness to the surge of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases in Bacolod. We used to feel safer compared to other cities, but suddenly a daily average of 2 digits was added to the numbers for several days. It got really stressful reading the news.
We were supposed to drive the Ford Ranger Raptor last Aug 1-3. But because we were anticipating that the LGU might call for a city-wide lockdown, I requested that we reschedule. The following week was a bit tamer, however, our city’s health professionals were still worried.
So, I still felt like postponing again.
But the urge to finally go on a road trip, and on this magnif…. er majest…. er alluri… er captivating pickup truck, beckoned to me not to pass up the chance anymore. I am not hard selling here. I really fell in love with the Raptor when I got to drive it for a short while last year.
Time to Hit the Road
Being cooped up in our urban abode for so long can also be devastating for our mental health. So we need some space, somewhere to go, and something to do apart from our daily routine.
The safest thing to do right now when the Covid-19 threat is present is to go on a road trip and where there are not too many people. I have heard of friends bringing their kids to cemeteries on weekends because it is peaceful there, surrounded by trees, and it’s away from the crowds.
Dead people in tombs cannot harm us.
My Ford Ranger Raptor Review
So we set out and thanks to Ford Negros, we got to use the shiny Raptor in performance blue. As we took it out for a spin, here is my Ford Ranger Raptor Review.
Getting behind the wheel
The Raptor is another Ford vehicle that has won over my heart. I am a bit confused whether it is still part of the Ford Ranger series, or a vehicle that deserves to be distinguished from the rest.
Officially named the Ford Ranger Raptor, that name hints that it is related to the pickup truck series of Ford Philippines.
However, the Ford Ranger Raptor can also be a stand out vehicle. It is the beefed up version of the Ford Ranger, designed to travel off-road at high speeds.
Most of all, the Ford Ranger Raptor is a head-turner. While the innards could make you shout, “Shut up and take my money!” Its classy look, makes the driver shout, “I am the king of the road!”
Comfortable Drive to the Countryside
On the first day, we drove to the southeast of Negros Occidental.
At first, we wanted to see the beaches of Sipalay City. But with the lockdowns happening in the island, we feared that we would be denied entry and waste three hours of a one-way trip.
However, when we got to the entry point to the Mountain View Cafe in La Castellana, there was a checkpoint and we were also not allowed to enter. So literally, this was just a road trip, stopping along the way to buy some of the juiciest rambutan along the way.
The trip was pleasant, though the road was not really very challenging and too tame for a #BuiltFordTough vehicle.
All I can say at this point is that the Position Sensitive Damping shock absorbers on all four wheels by Fox Racing made the ride more pleasant indeed. And my wife also noticed the snug fit of the car seats for the riders. I wonder if I can just get that same chair and turn it into a pc gaming chair—even if I don’t play pc games anymore.
The Mountains and Beach of Silay City
Day 2. The plan was to visit another mountain cafe in Silay City and then a nearby beach. However, Covid-19 ruined our plans again. Even when we told the checkpoint personnel that we will just drive through, they still did not allow us to go in the area. So we decided to just drive around, through the airport express highway.
SYNC 3 Pairing
This time, I got the SYNC 3 to pair with my phone via USB. I was using a replacement, fast charging cable the previous day. On this attempt, I tried the original Huawei cable. And it was a successful merge. I can open Google Maps, Google Play (for music), and VLC Player (audio only, no video) on top of call and text features.
- Related: The New Huawei P30 Pro Amber Sunrise
The navigational tool or GPS interface on the control panel is configured for major streets of major cities only. Being able to jive Google Map with SYNC-3 was a big help. You can do a search of the location by typing on the screen or use your phone as a keyboard.
Using Google Maps
When the car is moving, it disables the keypad and will allow searches only using voice command.
Google map could not recognize the names I was saying out loud. Like if I search Lopez Jaena, I cannot simply say, “Lopez Hayna,” since when Maps gives us directions, it pronounces that as, “Lopez Jay-na”.
Aside from being able to get directions via Google Maps, I can play music that are stored on my phone via that interface.
And not only can you use the touch screen to navigate with the phone apps, some execution can be done via voice command.
“Play Bruno Mars Billionaire.”
“Call my wife.”
“Search Ford Negros.”
These are some of the commands you can say out loud. If you are driving alone, this can entertain you on the road. haha
Simple Seaside Thrills
Since we did not get to a mountain resort, we opted to look for a fishing spot and we were led to the MCC Seafood Restaurant. The kids got to fish and then we had a simple seafood lunch by a breezy cottage.
Our last stop was a bar by the sea, though guests are not allowed to enter the beach area. That was enough for the kids to play on the sand and for all of us to inhale some sea breeze.
Our 3-day Family Road Trip
This is the fourth time that we took a Ford vehicle for a spin. From the mountains of Silay City in the north and up to the municipality of La Castellana in the south, we rode in the comfort and safety of a Ford Ranger Raptor.
After the 3 day trip, I went back to driving our made-for-the-city mpv and it made me miss the Raptor. Too bad though, that though the Raptor has different modes for different terrains, like the Baja mode and other modes, we did not get to try those other modes out.
In fact, there are a lot of other features I did not mention here because the places we get to visit were limited.
Wildtrak or Raptor?
Which do I like more—the Wildtrak or Raptor? For this Ford Ranger Raptor review, I cannot directly compare the two vehicles.
I only drove the 4×2 Wildtrak and did not get to test the 4×4 version. I don’t want to pit the 4×2 Wildtrak against the Raptor, since the former has a Single Turbo 2.0L Engine only, while the latter has a Bi-Turbo Engine.
Read: Another Close Encounter with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Naturally, the Raptor’s engine can out-perform the Wildtrak’s. I found it easier to overtake slow-moving vehicles because, with the ability to accelerate faster, it takes lesser time to overtake the other vehicle. That also allows the driver to get back to his lane sooner.
Moreover, whatever speed I was on, I could not tell the difference. Chalk it to aerodynamics, or the suspension, or I don’t know. Unless I look at the speedometer, I cannot easily tell how fast I was going. It felt so stable even when going fast.
Well, there are many features, especially the safety features, which the Raptor have, that the Wildtrak also have.
What Kind of Pickup Truck Do You Need?
But then again, it actually depends on your purpose. Sales agents will ask what your purpose for the vehicle will be. And the Wildtrak have qualities that can win over the Raptor. For one, the Wildtrak can carry loads on its rear truck bed almost twice as much as the Raptor can.
Also, while I like the driving experience with the Raptor better, I missed the proximity sensors of the Wildtrak. I get warnings when other vehicles or objects are too close. Good thing, the Raptor also has the Park Assist.
Ask me if there is anything else you want to know after reading my Ford Ranger Raptor review in the comments below.
Contact Information
Want to own a Ford Ranger Raptor? Call or visit:
Ford Negros Dealership
Contact person: Trecia Javier, Branch Manager
Contact No.: 0917 351 9127
Address: Talisay Highway, Negros Occidental
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How much is the raptor? Is there a basic unit?
The Ranger Raptor as mentioned is sort of a stand-alone variant. Ford has a series of pickups called Ranger where the basic unit or base unit is the Ford Ranger 2.2L XLS 4×2 Manual Transmission at PHP1,082,000 and the supposedly being marketed as the top of the line of the series is the Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 AT. The Ranger Raptor is priced at PHP2,050,000.00.
Wow.. Safe ride with the Ford Ranger Raptor, Great for a Family’s long road trip out of town.
The scenery are awesome.
Yes. Great ride for long road trips!