Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0T vs Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0T in Malaysia: Same chassis, does RM14,000 only buy a different engine?

The Raptor has never been a sensible machine. Fox racing shocks, Baja mode, and a jump-ready chassis—having this kit on a pick-up truck is basically declaring, “I don't care about fuel consumption, nor do I care how much cargo the flatbed can haul.”

Ford has shoehorned two completely different powertrains into this very shell: a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel pushing 210 hp and 500 N·m, and a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol churning out 392 hp and 583 N·m. The diesel variant retails at RM248,888, whilst the V6 variant goes for RM262,888—a price premium of RM14,000.

Both trucks share the exact same chassis, suspension, seven airbags, 10-speed automatic transmission, 4WD system, rear differential lock, and an 80-litre fuel tank. The differences lie strictly under the bonnet, and come renewal time for road tax and visits to the petrol station. Hence, this isn't about “which offers higher spec”; it's a question of “which flavour of madness do you want?”

Powertrain

The diesel Raptor delivers its full 500 N·m from just 1,750 rpm, sustaining that punch past 2,000 rpm. Whether launching off the line, tackling steep inclines, or crawling over rutted terrain, you barely need to flex your right foot before the truck surges ahead.

Its 0-100 km/h sprint is clocked at 10.5 seconds—hardly blistering by performance pick-up standards, but the low-end shove arrives so early that off-road crawling and heavy-load take-offs allow for precise throttle modulation without waiting for the revs to climb.

The V6 Raptor takes until 3,500 rpm to unleash its full 583 N·m, but it packs a punchy 392 hp, doing the century sprint in just 5.9 seconds. This isn't just an “adequate” truck; this is a machine that can genuinely leave hot hatches scratching their heads at the traffic light GP.

The V6 exhaust note, top-end stretch, and the kick from rapid multi-gear downshifts on the 10AT belong to a completely different league compared to the oil-burner. The diesel feels “effortless,” but the V6 feels downright “thrilling.” That RM14,000 premium buys you the sheer highway drama served up by an extra 83 hp and 83 N·m.

Road Tax

With the diesel Raptor's 2.0-litre displacement, the annual road tax in Peninsular Malaysia sits at just RM438. The V6 Raptor's 2,956 cc lump, however, sends the annual road tax soaring to around RM1,570. That works out to a yearly deficit of RM1,132, or RM5,660 over five years—nearly half of the RM14,000 purchase price difference right there.

Fuel consumption follows the same narrative. The diesel Raptor claims an official combined figure of around 8.2 L/100 km, whereas the V6 is rated at approximately 13.8 L/100 km—and in the real world, the petrol V6 will drink considerably more.

If you clock over 20,000 km annually, the savings from diesel fuel and cheaper road tax will recoup a healthy chunk of that RM14,000 price gap within a few years. The V6's balance sheet screams “performance above all” from day one, whilst the diesel quietly cuts you some slack.

Buy While You Still Can

Here lies the biggest wildcard with the diesel Raptor. Ford has confirmed the worldwide retirement of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, meaning the Raptor 2.0 diesel in Malaysia is strictly sold on a while-stocks-last basis. The supply taps for brand-new diesel units are turning off, and once showroom units are gone, they're gone for good.

There are two sides to this coin.

On one hand, there is “scarcity”: the 500 N·m low-end torque and sensible fuel consumption retain a loyal following for off-road duties and cross-country mile-munching; once existing stock dries up, getting a brand-new diesel Raptor will be impossible.

On the other hand lies long-term ownership: running a discontinued engine means parts availability down the road must be factored in.

Ford's supply chain won't dry up overnight, of course, but long-term support ten years down the track won't match that of an engine still rolling off production lines. The V6 Raptor remains the core offering of the range, ensuring steady parts and service backup; V6 owners won't have to lose sleep over whether their engine is still being supported.

Chassis and Safety

Seven airbags, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, 360-degree camera, Fox adaptive dampers, Watt's link rear suspension, and rear differential lock—both trucks share the exact same kit list.

Factory warranty coverage is likewise identical at 5 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first. The RM14,000 premium nets zero equipment upgrades; it goes entirely towards what's under the hood.

Which to Choose?

The diesel Raptor is tailor-made for buyers who prioritise low-end torque, frequently venture off-road or haul heavy loads, are mindful of fuel bills and road tax, and are fully aware that the diesel variant is on borrowed time.

With 500 N·m coming alive from 1,750 rpm, low-speed crawls and technical climbs are effortless on the throttle, while an 8.2 L/100 km fuel rating and RM438 road tax offer genuine savings in running costs over time. The trade-offs are a 10.5-second century sprint and an engine facing global retirement.

The V6 Raptor is for those who put 392 hp and a 5.9-second sprint at the very top of their checklist. The high-rev rush of 583 N·m, the guttural V6 roar, and the sharp kickdowns from the 10-speed gearbox are sensations the diesel simply cannot match.

The penalties are the RM14,000 higher entry price, an annual road tax bill around RM1,570, and significantly heavier fuel stops. But if the whole point of buying a Raptor was to own a truck that is unapologetically fast, loud, and mental, the V6 is the one that lives up to the badge in full.

For a difference of RM14,000, both variants stand neck and neck in chassis engineering and safety features; the dividing line is drawn strictly under the bonnet and on your annual road tax disc. The diesel offers low-end muscle and sensible ownership costs alongside a closing window of opportunity.

The V6, on the other hand, trades that RM14,000 and higher running costs for the sheer adrenaline of 392 hp and sub-six-second pace. Neither is the “wrong” choice—it simply boils down to what kind of character you want waiting under your right foot.

Spec Comparison