A Historic Name in Ford Muscle Cars Has Taken Its Talents to a Rugged Nissan Truck

The 2026 Nissan Frontier is getting an off-road suspension overhaul from an unexpected source.

Black four-door pickup truck with headlights on, positioned on a rocky dirt path at sunset with an orange and yellow sky in the background.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published August 19, 2025

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Updated August 19, 2025

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Given that the midsize truck market is headlined by options like the Ford Ranger Raptor and the Toyota Tacoma (TRD or not), even capable alternatives such as the Nissan PRO-4X can get lost in the shuffle.

However, Nissan has some big changes in store for 2026 that are sure to make its Frontier stand out from the crowd.

Not only is the pickup more off-road-ready than ever before, but it’s also gotten an overhaul courtesy of a name typically associated with tuning Ford vehicles: Roush.

Roush is bringing its expertise from tuning Ford pickups to the rugged Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.

Nissan

Feel the Roush

As part of its Frontier refresh for 2026, Nissan has partnered with Roush Performance (yes, the same tuner known for its ’90s and early 2000s Mustangs) to give the top-of-the-line PRO-4X trim an even more capable ‘R’ upgrade.

Now, it’s worth noting that the power plant stays the same — the PRO-4X R retains the Frontier’s 3.8-liter V6 rated at 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.

Green four-door pickup truck driving aggressively on a dusty, dry terrain, kicking up a large cloud of dust behind it. The truck has rugged off-road tires and a robust front grille, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background. — In a segment moving to turbocharged four-cylinders, the V6 of the Frontier is a unique value proposition.

However, the package includes overhauled suspension for better handling, beefier wheels and tires for improved off-road manners as well as slick aesthetic touches, like a titanium-painted skid plate and some red tow hooks.

Though that might not sound like enough to justify the premium over the ‘standard’ PRO-4X, the Roush Performance x Ohlins 2.0 Off-Road Suspension System amounts to a sizable upgrade.

Along with a 2-inch lift, it also features new upper control arms, 2-inch-diameter coilover shocks and rear cooling fins, among various other enhancements.

Close-up of a vehicle's suspension system showing a coil spring, shock absorber with "ROUSH" branding, control arm, and part of the wheel and tire. The components are mostly black with a red upper control arm and a yellow shock absorber. — Roush’s off-road suspension system brings a bevy of changes, including a lift, some new control arms and, of course, shocks.

A new Frontier

Nissan’s changes to the Frontier aren’t exclusive to its Roush collaboration, either. As part of the 2026 Frontier refresh, the automaker has given the truck several new options across its various trim levels.

For instance, the SV grade gets new LED headlights, remote start and a Dark Armor package that makes for a more understated appearance.

Bright orange Nissan pickup truck with black grille and rugged tires parked on a dirt road in a desert landscape with mountains in the background. — Nissan hasn’t forgotten about its regular PRO-X and PRO-4X Frontiers for 2026.

Likewise, the PRO-X and PRO-4X gain an eye-catching color option in the form of a lime and neon yellow combo known as ‘Citrus Strike.’

Rounded out by standard features, like a new drive mode selector, and optional upgrades, such as an All-Weather package, it makes for a compelling alternative to the likes of Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota — especially when you consider the price.

Dashboard center console of a Nissan Frontier featuring a touchscreen display showing a split rearview camera with parking guidelines and the message "Check surroundings for safety." Below the screen are audio and menu control buttons, a volume knob, and a tune/scroll knob. The word "FRONTIER" is prominently displayed in bold orange letters beneath the controls. The climate control panel shows dual temperature settings of 68°F and 72°F with various buttons for fan speed, mode, and air conditioning. Additional controls include a 4WD selector dial, a start/stop button, USB ports, parking assist button, and heated seat controls. The interior features black and orange stitching accents. — Even though it’s priced at less than $50,000, the Nissan Frontier comes laden with tech.

Pricing and availability

As was the case in previous years, the 2026 Nissan Frontier lineup is loaded with options.

So, although MSRP for a 4×2 Frontier S King Cab begins at $32,150, pricing for a 4×4 PRO-4X Crew Cab starts at $42,370.

Moreover, the PRO-4X by Roush tacks on an additional premium, taking that figure up to $47,960. You can head to the Nissan and Roush websites for more info or sign up to stay updated.

Green Nissan pickup truck with black grille, rugged tires, and red tow hooks, parked on a dry desert landscape with rocky hills in the background.

2026 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X R by Roush

Starts at $47,960

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.