We pulled as much as the Rowher Flats staging space simply after midday. Nestled within the mountains north of Sleepy Valley, CA, it’s house to dozens of off-roading trails starting from the enjoyable to the actually difficult. I’m within the Roush F-150, outfitted with the tuner’s efficiency suspension equipment and a supercharger that pushes its 5.0-liter V8 to 705 horsepower.
Alongside me sits a good friend within the 2025 RAM 1500 RHO, the TRX’s V6-powered successor. Parked round us, you’ll discover an abundance of modified Jeep Wranglers, youngsters ripping round in ATVs, and households in four-seaters side-by-sides. Two off-roading novices in brand-new decked-out vans, what may go improper?
Whereas this isn’t a comparability piece between the Ford and the Ram, the Roush F-150 isn’t missing in potential rivals. With an as-tested value of $112,000, it prices about the identical as a equally optioned F-150 Raptor R. Given their comparable energy outputs, off-roading intentions, and beefed-up exteriors, can this modified truck show that Raptor isn’t all the time the reply?
As you would possibly anticipate, the Roush begins life as an ordinary F-150. The Michigan-based tuner works off the STX, XLT, and Lariat trims, with the one requirement being that you simply possibility Ford’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and all-wheel drive. My tester makes use of a completely loaded XLT as its base, benefiting from manufacturing unit upgrades comparable to a locking rear differential and many of the premium in-cabin extras out there for this truck.
Pricing for the Roush F-150 is difficult because of the sheer selection on supply. Whereas this bundle begins at $19,995 above the value of the bottom truck, it gives its personal checklist of ordinary and elective gear. In the usual class, you’ll discover Roush’s Efficiency Coil-Over Suspension, 20-inch satin black wheels, 33-inch Basic Grabber A/TX All-Terrain tires, and twin exhaust ideas. Visually, Roush provides a brand new branded grille, fender flares, hood extractors, and a entrance bumper cowl.
Since Roush constructed this specific truck to showcase its varied choices, it sports activities loads of elective upgrades. These embrace the Roush Off-Street Premium Package deal, which provides exterior lights, an lively exhaust system, an auxiliary change panel, and inside carbon fiber trim. Roush’s Premium Leather-based Package deal re-trims this truck’s inside with brown and black leather-based and contrasting stitching. The Prepared Package deal sneaks in a locked vault in its middle console, whereas new bedside graphics show the Roush title.
Due to a direct partnership between Ford and Roush, you may stroll into varied sellers nationwide and purchase one ready-made. Nonetheless, because of emissions rules, this tester’s $8,649 supercharger equipment needs to be bought individually and put in as an aftermarket element. Regardless of this, it’s nonetheless lined, as is the remainder of the truck, by Roush’s three-year/36,000-mile guarantee. Assuming {that a} comparatively optioned XLT prices round $70,000, this fully-loaded Roush F-150, together with the acquisition and set up of its supercharger, is available in at round $112,000.
With all-wheel drive engaged and this truck’s rear differential locked, we head straight for among the tougher trails Rowher Flats gives. As I observe my good friend within the Ram by the snaking path, the Roush showcases a few of its strengths. Just like the Raptor R, the RHO sports activities massively flared fenders, which means that because the path narrows, its paint makes contact with passing leaves and branches. Whereas the Roush F-150 sports activities wheel arch extensions, it’s not considerably wider than a inventory truck, making it extra maneuverable on these tight tracks.
Alongside its comparatively slim footprint, this truck advantages from two inches of additional floor clearance over a inventory XLT, courtesy of Roush’s leveling Efficiency Coil-Over Suspension. But regardless of elevating its nostril, this upgraded setup doesn’t have an effect on towing or payload rankings, nor does it intrude with Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise driver help system. Out on the paths, nevertheless, it implies that the Roush F-150 traverses tough surfaces with out transmitting pointless harshness by the cabin.
It’s an identical story on the street. Roush’s suspension setup feels well-dampened, bettering the inventory truck’s trip high quality whereas lifting its nostril. This coil-over system properly balances off-road efficiency and on-road consolation. In response to Roush, it has the good thing about not stressing any of the inventory truck’s joints and bushings. It additionally doesn’t increase the truck a lot as to not slot in house and multi-story parking garages.
As we proceed to climb, an indication out of my proper window signifies that we’ve now turned onto probably the most difficult trails on the park. Nonetheless, the Roush F-150 has but to battle. For one, it sits simply excessive sufficient off the bottom to not backside out in locations the place the RHO definitely does. Concurrently, its beefier wheel and tire bundle means I can crawl by tough surfaces with out concern of inviting a flat on the worst potential second.
Inside, the Roush F-150 advantages from some off-roading options shared with the Raptor and Raptor R. Essentially the most helpful is Ford’s 360-degree digicam system, which not solely gives a birds-eye view of the truck to extend its maneuverability, it additionally shows a reside feed of the street forward. This lets you higher place your tires out on the paths whereas additionally making avoiding rocks a breeze.
On open sections with extra forgiving surfaces, the Roush F-150 feels tremendously fast. It rips up varied hills simply and has sufficient energy to really feel quick, even on steeper grades. Its claimed 305-hp enhance on the crank over inventory definitely helps. The tuner achieves this by its Roush RS2650 TVS Supercharger, boosting this truck’s output to 705 hp and 635 pound-feet of torque. For context, the Raptor R’s supercharged 5.2-liter engine develops 720 hp and 640 lb-ft, making straightline efficiency a few degree taking part in discipline.
Disable traction management and ship energy solely to its rear wheels nevertheless, and the Roush F-150 is playful on free surfaces, effortlessly sliding round on command. On the identical time, its upgraded suspension retains physique motions settled, creating a sense of confidence. Whereas Ford’s 10-speed automated transmission tends to hunt for gears whereas not all the time being the smoothest, it’s fast underneath broad open throttle, permitting the Roush F-150 to really feel each bit as swift correctly.
It feels even faster on the street, with its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 delivering energy persistently to the redline whereas emitting a throaty word from its twin rear pipes. But even at greater speeds, Roush’s coilover suspension feels planted and cozy, giving this F-150 a real twin character.
Because the day continues and we crest a handful of the park’s peaks, it’s clear that though the Roush isn’t a trophy truck for the street just like the Raptor R, it’s tremendously succesful in its personal proper. Not solely has it matched the off-road efficiency of Ram’s flagship RHO, however it’s additionally achieved so with ease.
After all, the Raptor R has its benefits, particularly provided that the pair price about the identical. For one, each the Raptor and the Raptor R have a definite look that’s turn into an indicator of Ford’s off-roader. Concurrently, it’s a much more off-road-focused machine with a strengthened chassis, added floor clearance, long-travel suspension, and bigger wheel/tire choices. There’s additionally the matter of resale, with the Raptor traditionally retaining worth nicely within the used market.
Though they price about the identical, the Roush F-150 courts a barely completely different purchaser. It’s a milder off-roader as a result of it makes use of an ordinary F-150 XLT as its base. Regardless of this, my drive by Rowher Flats’ most difficult trails proves that it’s nonetheless tremendously succesful. The modified truck has the additional benefit of a real twin character, which doesn’t neglect that on-road consolation is equally vital.
Provided that it matches the Raptor R’s straight-line efficiency, its celebration piece is its superior towing capability. Whereas the R tops out at 8,700 lb, by retaining the inventory XLT’s towing score, the Roush F-150 can push that determine to 13,500 lb.
It’s additionally value declaring that the Roush gives better selection. Most of the elements this truck wears are bought as particular person upgrades to non-Roush-branded vans. Its supercharger is a major contributor to its elevated price ticket, a element that’s good to have however not required if a naturally aspirated truck will do.
As such, whereas the Ford F-150 Raptor R stays probably the most thrilling vans produced over the past decade, by sticking to a flexible persona, the Roush F-150 proves compelling in its personal proper.
