Is a Roush Tuned F-150 a Superior V8 Alternative to Raptor?
As great as the Raptor is, the Roush F-150 offers up loads of power, tons of specs, V8 rumble, and a cheaper price tag.
Few trucks in recent history have received the immense amount of hype that we’ve bestowed upon the 2nd gen Ford Raptor. And truthfully, this revolutionary rig deserves every bit of it. But on the other hand, we also shouldn’t let the Raptor’s greatness blind us to other, perhaps even superior alternatives. Trucks like the new Roush F-150, a pickup that makes up for the Raptor’s V6 sins with a proper supercharged V8.
Now, it might seem bold to proclaim a tuner-built F-150 superior to the mighty Raptor, but that’s exactly what Parker Nirenstein, host of the immensely-popular YouTube channel Vehicle Virgins, is doing in this comprehensive head-to-head test. Of course, he has his reasons. Beginning with the fact that this top-level supercharged version produces a lofty 650 hp and 610 stump-pulling lb-ft of torque. But that isn’t all the Roush F-150 does well, of course.
It, like the Raptor, has Fox shocks, in this case giving the truck two additional inches of height up front. It also packs plenty of attractive body upgrades, nice wheels, and knobby Mickey Thompson tires. Throw in a throaty exhaust and interior enhancements, and the Roush F-150 is truly a nice, comprehensive package. But all of that stuff kind of goes away when you hit the road and smash the go pedal.
“Wow, that is impressive,” notes Nirenstein. “That sound is awesome! It’s something you absolutely do not get in the Raptor. That supercharger whine and grunt from the V8 is absolutely intoxicating.” But make no mistake, driving something with this much power requires no compromises. “What’s surprising me is just how easy this truck is to drive,” he says. “You’d expect with a 650 hp truck to struggle at lower speeds. That is not the case whatsoever.”
So, sure, the Roush F-150 is fun. But what makes it a superior choice to the Raptor? “One advantage of the Roush compared to the Raptor is that because it is based on a normal F-150 chassis, it qualifies for Ford incentives, sometimes up to $7,000,” says Nirenstein. In most cases, you’re lucky to get the Raptor for MSRP. In others, you’ll still pay a hefty markup. Spec it the right way, and you can steal a Roush F-150 in the $50k range.
Aside from the fact that you can spec the Roush any way you like, it’s also a more practical truck than the Raptor. “This F-150 is three inches narrower than the Raptor, so it’s easier to park in tight spots,” says the Vehicle Virgins host. And yes, the Raptor is likely more capable off-road. But as Nirenstein notes, “how often are you going to take your truck off road?”
At the end of the day, it’s easy to see why someone would buy a Roush F-150 over a Raptor. It’s less common, more powerful, potentially cheaper, and infinitely customizable. Throw in the fact that it has a V8 under the hood, and it’s not hard to see that there’s a clear winner in this Ford truck battle!
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