I was wondering how people with families who use the Bronco Raptor daily would rate it? I’m a dad with a 3-year-old, and the idea of no rear AC vents kinda has me thinking twice.
It’s fine. We didn’t have rear vents growing up and we survived.
Dallas said:
It’s fine. We didn’t have rear vents growing up and we survived.
We grew up without AC at all. Kids these days have it too good 
Dallas said:
It’s fine. We didn’t have rear vents growing up and we survived.
We grew up without AC at all. Kids these days have it too good
Right? So spoiled lol
@nimrod
Then why are you so worried about it?
Flint said:
@nimrod
Then why are you so worried about it?
Haha it was a joke… didn’t mean to sound that serious
I use my Black Diamond as a daily driver. The HVAC system is strong enough to heat or cool the whole cabin, especially if you have a hardtop.
Westley said:
I use my Black Diamond as a daily driver. The HVAC system is strong enough to heat or cool the whole cabin, especially if you have a hardtop.
Same here. I’ve got a 4-door hardtop and it warms up fast in winter and cools down quickly in summer.
There’s a product from Mabett that helps direct air to the back seats. It works, but it’s not perfect. My kids don’t mind though, and when the weather’s nice, we usually have the windows down or the top off.
I don’t own a Raptor, but I got some portable car seat fans for my dog to keep him cool in the back.
Been using mine daily and never had any issues.
Not a Raptor, but I have a regular Bronco. I live in the Caribbean, and my 4-year-old sometimes complains that it’s not cool enough in the back. Usually, bumping up the fan speed for a minute or two fixes it.
Try getting one of those vent hose kits that attach to the front vents and direct air to the back. They work pretty well.
We’re a family of 5 with two teens and a toddler, and honestly, the lack of rear vents hasn’t been a big deal. The floor vents help keep things warm in winter, but we haven’t gone through a summer with it yet, so that could be different.
One thing to note, the newer models starting in 2025 have added rear vents and better lighting in the back. Speaking of lighting, the back seat lighting on our current model is pretty weak, but we found aftermarket solutions to help.
Another thing that might be an issue is the lack of cup holders. With a toddler, you’ll notice that quickly. Our minivan has tons of cup holders, but the Bronco only has two up front.
Also, getting a car seat in and out isn’t super easy. If you plan to put the seat in the middle, it can be tricky to buckle the kid in. We have a Badlands, and it’s a bit of a struggle, so I imagine it’s even harder with a Raptor.
On the plus side, the trunk space is great. We do travel hockey with a teenager, and there’s more than enough room for gear and luggage. Another bonus is the number of charging ports. There are plenty for everyone, which keeps road trips smooth.
Take your kid and gear on a test drive to see if it works for you. There are definitely trade-offs, but it’s all about what you’re willing to live with.
@Keegan
This is super helpful. I used to have a Challenger, so I’m kinda used to the poor backseat lighting and tight spaces. Right now, I have a Gladiator, and my kid loves it when the top is off or windows are down. Those vent hose kits sound like a good idea to keep things comfy. I’m planning to keep the Raptor long-term, so I’ve been trying to find out if the engine is reliable, and so far, it sounds like people have had good experiences.
We usually have the windows down unless my wife’s in the car. The kids do fine without rear vents. I get why it might be a concern, but it hasn’t been a deal-breaker for us.
I’ve got two kids under 3 and drive a Badlands daily. No issues keeping them comfortable.
Rory said:
I’ve got two kids under 3 and drive a Badlands daily. No issues keeping them comfortable.
I have a 4-month-old and a 4-year-old. The AC and heat in the Bronco work really well and can heat or cool the whole cabin fast.
We take ours everywhere, daily driver and family hauler. Works great for us.