The SVT Raptor entered showrooms in late 2009 as a dedicated off-roader. It debuted in 2010 and sales were much better than expected. It was powered by a 5.4 L (330 CID) engine, with a 6.2 L option. The 6.2 L (379 CID) engine has 411 horsepower (306 kW) and 434 ft·lbf (588 N·m) of torque. The suggested retail price was $3000 over the 5.4 L model. A six-speed automatic is standard. It has Fox Racing Shox internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs which allows for 11" of suspension travel in front, and 12" in the rear. It comes standard with 35" BFGoodrich All Terrain tires, and a rear Locking differential with a 4.10:1 gear ratio. Also, it is available in solid black, white, blue, and orange with a "digital mud" decal scheme as an option. In April 2011, Ford sold 1,186 Raptors, outselling Honda's Ridgeline. The first production Raptor, orange with the digital mud graphic, sold at an auction for $130,000. Ford donated all proceeds above the MSRP to charity. The race version, F-150 SVT Raptor R, was built for the Baja 1000 races. It uses a 6.2 L engine rated at 500 hp.

For 2011-2013, the SVT Raptor would be powered exclusively with the 6.2 L V8 as the only engine choice. Other notable changes to the 2011 SVT Raptor include availability in a 4-door Super Crew cab and a new color option Ingot Silver Metallic making the Raptor available in a total of five colors.

2012 Raptors eliminated the open differential in the front end in favor of a Torsen helical gear limited slip differential.

Body, frame, and features

From the A-pillar forward, the Raptor has a composite hood and fenders different from other F-150s and is bereft of the blue oval badge in the grille. SVT widened the track by 7 inches, and so its 5.5-foot box is unique to the Raptor as well. The Raptor's height is 2 inches over a standard Supercrew. It also features new, internal bypass shocks, designed by Fox Racing Shox.

The Raptor has new leaf springs and shocks, new front upper- and lower-A-arms, and a wider, thicker-walled rear axle. It's the first Ford with hill-descent control and comes with an electronic differential locker that lets the driver keep it locked at high speeds when the Raptor's Off Road Mode is engaged. Off Road Mode is a feature unique to the Raptor which allows more controlled, aggressive driving while in situations where increased traction and braking are necessary. The Raptor's Off Road Mode allows ABS, roll stability control and traction control to be completely turned off giving the driver total control over the driving experience. Off Road Mode also changes the Raptor's throttle sensitivity and transmission shift points causing a more linear power curve for low traction situations.

Towing capacity is up to 8,000 pounds with a 1,770-pound payload (Super Crew only). Interior changes include high-bolster seats, a special steering wheel, a redesigned center console and auxiliary switches connected to pre-wired pass though leads allowing ease of aftermarket product installation. Ford originally promised a value price and a multi-year run—final pricing came in at $42,000.00 for 2010.

2011 frame issues

In June 2011, a group of 14 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor owners took an off-roading trip, during which 10 of these 14 trucks suffered bent frames. The lack of other damage to the trucks led to speculation about potentially inadequate frame design. A Ford engineer from SVT stated the trucks were driven too fast and may have even had the Speed limiter removed.