Drivers can sometimes believe the myth that trucks are only good for limited environments, like job sites and farmland. We get it because it’s so common to see trucks in these environments. Only trucks get you the pickup beds that are so useful for places like ranches and construction sites. However, the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor, the off-road trim of Ford’s popular and versatile midsize truck, will have you rethinking everything you know about pickups. That’s because it has seven available drive modes that allow this truck to adapt to any terrain.
If you’ve always wanted a pickup but believed that the places you drive called for a sedan or SUV, think again. The 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor’s drive modes are ready to take you wherever you want to go. Below, we’ll take a look at what the seven modes are and when they’ll come in handy.
Normal Mode
Normal mode is your vehicle’s default mode. Each time you turn your vehicle off and back on, it will automatically reset to Normal mode. Offering a good balance of comfort and fuel economy, Normal mode is ideal for daily driving. So, if you have to run a lot of errands in town, drive between job sites that are primarily on paved roads, or tackle long freeway commutes, normal mode is your go-to mode.
Tow/Haul Mode
Do you plan on taking advantage of the Ranger Raptor’s 5,510 lbs of towing power? Then, you’ll want to switch to Tow/Haul mode. It minimizes transmission shifting and provides engine braking, both of which allow for a smoother ride and more command when towing. In this mode, you’ll have more control over the speed of your vehicle when going downhill. It even adjusts your steering and suspension for more comfort when towing. Whether you need to tow large equipment and trailers for work or for road trips and excursions, you’ll like the added command this mode gets you.
Sport Mode
Here’s a drive mode that often surprises folks shopping for a truck. Sport mode is designed for spirited driving, so if you genuinely love the act of driving—of zipping around corners with incredible precision and pushing your vehicle to its limits—you can have that experience in the Ranger Raptor, all the while enjoying the benefits of a pickup truck. Sport mode offers a sportier steering feel and boosts accelerator pedal response. Plus, the powertrain will maintain lower gears longer for improved acceleration. The result is a pickup that feels like it responds to your every movement instantly and with amazing accuracy.
Who do we like to recommend this mode to? Drivers who need a pickup truck for practical purposes during the week but who like to enjoy some thrilling driving during their time off. The existence of Sport mode means that you don’t need to have a separate dedicated vehicle for spirited driving in addition to your work truck—especially with the Ranger Raptor’s impressive 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Many individuals can’t afford or don’t have the space for more than one vehicle. But when you activate the Ranger’s Sport mode, you’ll feel like you’re in a whole different model.
Slippery Mode
Slippery mode works by optimizing gear shifts to improve traction when the roads are wet or icy. We like to make sure that anyone who often heads up into the mountains during winter knows about this mode because we recognize how treacherous it can be to drive after a heavy snowfall or when the roads are frozen over with ice. It’s really difficult for your tires to get a grip on the road when it’s covered with water, snow or ice, but when you activate Slippery mode, you should get the traction you need.
This mode takes advantage of the Ranger Raptor’s automatic four-wheel drive system and will even lock the front and rear differentials below 25 mph to make light work of truly bad conditions. The reality is that while some folks have the luxury of just staying home when extreme weather hits, not everyone has that option. People who work critical jobs or are responsible for responding to weather-related incidents have to go out there when others choose to stay home. If your job or lifestyle requires you to be out on slippery roads, you need a vehicle that can safely get you from point A to point B on them.
Baja Mode
Baja mode’s name can be deceiving because it sounds like it’s just for sand. In reality, Baja mode is right for any extreme off-road environment. If you’re dealing with uneven terrain but you still want to drive fast, Baja mode has you covered. It boosts throttle control and torque delivery while optimizing the performance of the Ranger Raptor’s 2.5-inch FOX Live Valve Racing Shocks. If you want to push your Ranger to the limits, switch to Baja mode.
We recommend Baja mode to off-road enthusiasts. So this isn’t necessarily for managing your commute through rough terrain; it’s for spirited driving for recreational purposes on rough terrain. Put simply, Baja mode is made for fun, so if you want to head out to the desert or some open land to enjoy some on-the-limit driving, use Baja mode.
Off-Road Mode
Off-Road mode is for travels over sand, gravel, mud, or just about any loose terrain your off-road adventures take you on. This mode adjusts accelerator response to help keep you moving in all types of environments and can even help dislodge your vehicle if you get stuck. You’ll experience improved suspension damping, so your drive doesn’t feel like a bumper car ride. When in this mode, your vehicle will automatically engage the locking differentials to force your wheels to spin at the same rate for improved traction.
If you like to enjoy your days off by ditching the pavement and exploring muddy trails, windy paths, creek-crossed terrain, and more, we recommend utilizing Off-Road mode. It will not only create a more comfortable ride but also help keep you from getting bogged down in treacherous terrain.
Rock Crawl Mode
Rock Crawl mode improves throttle response and transmission shift points for better command on the most technical terrain. This mode automatically engages four-wheel drive low and the locking differentials for maximum traction. If you’re leaving roads, paths, or really any place intended for vehicles behind you and looking to traverse boulder-scattered terrain, you need Rock Crawl mode. You don’t want to use this mode on hard-packed surfaces—it is specifically designed for undulating surfaces.
MyMode
Maybe none of the pre-set modes perfectly adapt to the environments you travel. No problem. The Ranger Raptor has a bonus mode! Just select MyMode, and you can customize everything from the steering response to the suspension stiffness to the rear electronic locker engagement and more. You can also control the exhaust sound and your four-wheel drive system. Once you’ve created your ideal MyMode, the vehicle will save the settings, so each time you reengage MyMode, it’ll go right back to where you left it. Only you’ll know where and when to engage this mode, but when you travel somewhere with unique terrain, you’ll be glad to have it.
Check Out the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor at Future Ford of Sacramento
Want to experience these seven awesome drive modes for yourself? Come visit us at Future Ford of Sacramento! We’d be happy to take you for a test drive in the exciting Ford Ranger Raptor. One of our knowledgeable sales team members can show you the many other perks of this midsize pickup that we didn’t cover today and help you select the right trim for your needs. We’ll take our time understanding what you’re looking for in a truck and send you home in the best one for your lifestyle at a price that fits your budget. Ford is known for its durable, well-designed, and fun-to-drive trucks, and the Ranger Raptor continues that reputation. Come find yours today!o
