First Look: The 2026 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X R (Roush Edition)
I recently had the opportunity to photograph—and drive—the first-ever collaboration between Nissan and Roush Performance. While Roush is legendary for their high-horsepower Ford builds, seeing their engineering applied to the 2026 Frontier PRO-4X platform marks a massive shift in the industry.
The Drive: "Cadillac" vs. Performance
I’ve spent the last few days driving this truck on the streets of Olympia, and the difference is immediate. If you’ve driven a standard PRO-4X, you know the suspension can feel almost "Cadillac-soft"—plush, but with a bit of float.
The Roush edition deletes that float entirely.
Thanks to the Öhlins custom suspension, the truck transforms into a strictly performance-tuned machine. It feels planted, responsive, and significantly more confident in corners without sacrificing daily drivability. It’s not just a lift kit; it’s a total recalibration of how the truck handles.
The Visual Details
My focus for this shoot was capturing the mechanical and aesthetic upgrades that set the 'R' edition apart.
The Stance: The distinct lift provided by the Öhlins setup gives it a presence the stock truck lacks.
The Trim: Gone is the standard gloss black plastic. Roush has replaced it with bespoke Titanium-finished accents on the grille, lower fascia, and skid plate that catch the light beautifully.
The Branding: From the custom "R" badging to the red tow hooks, the visual cues are subtle but aggressive.
Want to see the technical details? View my Full Resolution Gallery of the Frontier Roush Build to see the suspension and titanium specs up close.
Common Questions from the Community
Q: How does the ride quality compare to the stock PRO-4X?
A: The difference is immediate. The stock PRO-4X suspension often has a bit of "float" on the highway—it’s comfortable, but can feel soft in corners. The Roush x Öhlins setup deletes that float entirely. It feels significantly more planted and corners flatter, almost like a sport-tuned setup. You will feel small road imperfections more than the stock truck, but the trade-off is much higher confidence at speed and better control off-road.
Q: Will the 2-inch lift cause premature CV axle failure?
A: This is a common concern for Frontier owners, especially those running 2.5-inch leveling kits. The Roush edition is engineered at a 2.0-inch lift height, which appears to be the "safe zone" for the D41 platform’s factory CV geometry. Problems typically start occurring at the 2.5-inch mark where the angle becomes too steep for the boots to handle long-term. Roush also includes forged Upper Control Arms (UCAs) to ensure proper alignment and ball joint angles throughout the suspension cycle.
Q: How does the warranty work? Do I have to deal with Roush directly?
A: While the suspension and aesthetic components are covered by Roush (not Nissan directly), the service experience is designed to be seamless. You still bring the truck to your local Nissan dealership for service. The service advisors handle the claim and billing with Roush on the backend. For the owner, it is effectively the same "drop it off at the dealer" experience as a standard truck.
Q: Can I put these wheels on a 2WD Frontier?
A: Yes, and they are actually a great option for 2WD owners. The biggest challenge with aftermarket wheels on a non-lifted 2WD Frontier is the offset. Most aftermarket wheels poke out too far, creating a "skateboard" look if the truck isn't lifted. The Roush wheels (similar to NISMO off-road wheels) use a high positive offset (approx +30mm range) that keeps the tire tucked inside the fender for a clean, factory-style fitment.
