I have been fortunate enough to have had 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 and now 2024 and a 2024R raptors. Others here could give you the technical differences, Ill focus on my personal experience. I was a Dodge guy for 30 years before my eyes beheld a glorious sight. The truck I had been searching for was actually out there. It had the look, not chromed out with bling, but muted with blacks and matte accents. It was unique, you could recognize coming down the road half a mile away that it was a raptor. It had the engine, a V8 that could git'r done on or off the road, and it had the suspension that made for a smooth ride. The saleman stroked my ego by telling me I had to be careful driving it, it had so much power. I lifted mine to mid perch and added 37's. Gen 1 was special. Improvements were made to the electronics and Gen 2 was better in that regard, but the trend was heading back to mediocrity. Is it a raptor or a regular F150? Hard to tell until you pass it. I hated the V6, what's next electric? It was a demotion from the V8 even if it had more power on paper, although the rapid red was the prettiest truck I have owned. Gen 2 were still great driving trucks and I'd rather own it than anything else out there at the time. Now my wife has a 2024 37 V6, she loves it, it sounds better, is an upgrade in every category over the 2019 she had. Really nice electronics, big screen for backing up, a camera that can look down at what you are hauling in your bed, beautiful. I now have the 2024R and it is the first truck I really have to be careful in. I can see stomping on it might lead to bad results, it has rediculous power. I was kidding but not kidding when i said try to keep the front tires on the ground. I would say for me, all other raptors were easier to drive because I could just go and not worry about anything except how fast i was going. The 37s do not handle as well as the 35's at high speed. I love them, i love the look, the truck stands taller, they are a comfortable ride but not as good at high speed. They will be great at the dunes though. Would I go back to a V6 with 35's, hells no.