2026 Ford F-150 Raptor R Review: 700 hp in the UAE Desert
Oliver Bennett·15 April 2026·11 min read
The Raptor R arrives in the UAE with a supercharged 5.2L V8, 700 hp and suspension built for 160 km/h desert blasts. We take it to the Empty Quarter and back.
Verdict
Pros: - 700 hp supercharged V8 is spectacular in every context - Fox Live Valve suspension is the best off-road suspension system in any production vehicle - Enormous load bed (1,780 mm) for UAE camping and expedition use
Cons: - 20+ L/100 km fuel consumption in UAE conditions - At 5,917 mm, parking in Dubai is a genuine challenge - AED 399,000 is significant for a pickup truck, however special
Price range: AED 399,000 (one trim) Best for: UAE off-road enthusiasts who camp regularly in the Empty Quarter Not for: City-only driving, fuel-economy focused buyers
Introduction
I drove the F-150 Raptor R from Dubai to the Liwa Oasis — 460 km — then spent a full day in the Empty Quarter's dunes before returning via Abu Dhabi. Total distance: 980 km. The Raptor R was remarkable throughout.
Key Specs
| Spec | F-150 Raptor | F-150 Raptor R |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 5.2L Predator V8 SC |
| Power | 450 hp | 700 hp |
| Torque | 691 Nm | 868 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.4 sec | 4.8 sec |
| Ground clearance | 274 mm | 292 mm |
| Price (AED) | 329,000 | 399,000 |
Interior Quality
The Raptor R's interior is functional rather than luxury-oriented — it is, after all, a working truck with a supercharged V8 and desert ambitions. The SYNC 4 system with 12-inch touchscreen is responsive and includes wireless CarPlay. The RECARO front seats — standard on the R — are extraordinarily supportive for high-speed desert driving.
Rear legroom is adequate for a SuperCrew configuration: 870 mm accommodates adults comfortably. The rear seat folds flat to create a sleeping surface — used by me on night 1 of the Liwa trip.
Driving Experience
The V8
The Predator V8 produces 700 hp and 868 Nm from a supercharged 5.2-litre architecture. The sound at full throttle is genuinely spectacular — a deep, layered supercharger whine over the V8's bass note. At 120 km/h on the Abu Dhabi–Liwa highway, it emits a continuous, purposeful low roar.
In the Dunes
The Fox Live Valve suspension — with 381 mm of front travel and 381 mm rear — processes the Empty Quarter's crests and troughs at speeds no other production vehicle can match without bottoming out. At 130 km/h across a flat section, the Raptor R felt composed. Over a sudden dune crest that would have sent most vehicles airborne, the suspension absorbed the landing with a single composed thump.
Fuel consumption over 980 km including heavy off-road use: 22.6 L/100 km — expected and budgeted.
Load Bed
The 1,780 mm load bed carries 4 jerry cans, 2 spare tyres, a full camping kit, and two additional recovery boards without exceeding the rated 1,000 kg payload. For UAE expedition driving, this is the most practically equipped vehicle available.
Our Verdict
The F-150 Raptor R at AED 399,000 is expensive for a pickup truck. It is also unrivalled for what it does — combining supercar power with off-road ability and practical payload capacity in a single, extreme vehicle. For UAE buyers who take their desert driving seriously, it is the definitive choice.
Recommended: F-150 Raptor R in Velocity Blue with Black Appearance Package.