2020 Ford F-250 Tremor Review: Huge And Hugely Capable

One factor we’re sure of is that Ford is aware of how one can construct a correct off-roader. The F-150 Raptor, the brand new Bronco and Bronco Sport, and even the Ranger are all proof of that. So with a variety of successes already beneath its belt, final 12 months the corporate determined to increase these finest off-road bits to its Tremendous Responsibility truck vary, which bred the ultra-tough Ford F-250 Tremor you see right here.

The Tremor sits 10.8 inches off the bottom because of a hearty suspension raise, rides on 35-inch off-road tires, and comes with the selection of two highly effective engines – one gasoline and one diesel. Plus, there are a selection of devoted drive modes designed for varied terrain, like snow, mud, and rock. Merely put: The Ford F-250 Tremor can sort out something… besides tight parking tons.

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The F-250 Tremor is a really tough-looking truck, upping the aggressive issue in comparison with the usual Lariat mannequin on which our tester relies (the Tremor pack is accessible solely with the Crew Cab physique and on each trim however the base XL and range-topping Restricted).

One of many first stuff you discover are the large 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires, which wrap round 18-inch black wheels. Each of these are unique to the Tremor package deal. The package-exclusive grille additionally wears a sinister gloss black remedy between the headlights, ditching the F-250’s conventional chrome items and additional toughening up the look. And to offset these darkened components, our tester wears an eye-searing Speedy Crimson exterior (a $395 possibility) with “TREMOR” lettering lining the rear fender – the red-on-black is a killer combo that helps this truck stand out much more.

However there’s nothing within this F-250 to point that it is a Tremor mannequin in any respect – not even stitched floormats. That most likely has one thing to do with the truth that Ford considers the Tremor a package deal as a substitute of a standard trim stage. Nonetheless, the identical fundamental black and silvery plastic remedies on the steering wheel, middle console, and door panels carry over from the normal F-250 completely unchanged. You additionally get the identical fundamental black leather-based obtainable on the F-250, which is nothing particular.

Imagine it or not, the F-250 Tremor is definitely fairly comfy on the highway. Even with large tires and 10.8 inches of floor clearance, the suspension has palpable cushiness (for off-roading) that makes it really feel easy, even over imperfect pavement. The mushy leather-based seats are actually good to have as nicely, each entrance and rear, serving to buffer you from impacts even when the going does get powerful.

As with most full-size vehicles, the within of the F-250 Tremor is cavernous. Our Crew Cab tester – a full four-door possibility, the most important configuration you will get – includes a capacious 40.8 inches of entrance headroom and 43.9 inches of entrance legroom, whereas rear headroom sits at 40.4 inches and legroom is 43.6 inches. By comparability, that is about as a lot house as you get within the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The F-250 has comparatively light-weight steering, as nicely, which makes the in any other case large truck really feel fairly straightforward to maneuver, and physique roll is not as offensive as you would possibly assume. The one factor we might actually ding the F-250 for is sound infiltration from the engine and tires. The cabin itself is well-insulated – wind noise and sounds from pinging rocks not often enter the cabin – however there is no stopping the diesel observe nor the clunk of the knobby tires from making a ton of noise.

The F-250 Tremor options an 8.0-inch touchscreen that feels small, relative to the competitors; Ram gives a 12.0-inch tablet-style touchscreen in its vehicles. The interface additionally makes use of Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, which is straightforward to make use of, however isn’t good. The graphics are outdated, the display feels low-cost to the contact, and a few Ford merchandise have already adopted Sync 4, which is extra superior and has higher options. At the least you do get normal Apple CarPlay and Android Auto right here.

There are another neat options like a crisp productiveness display between the 2 analog gauges that gives varied readouts for issues like gas financial system, navigation, and drive modes. Plus, these planning on hauling boats, trailers, and so forth. get the Professional Trailer Backup Help with a 360-degree overhead digicam to make issues a bit simpler. The Tremor can also be obtainable with an built-in winch, though our tester lacked that individual possibility.

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Powering the F-250 Tremor we examined was a 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel packing 1,050 pound-feet and 475 horsepower, and paired to a easy 10-speed computerized transmission. This powertrain setup is seamless; the turbo spools shortly, inflicting an enormous surge of torque that propels the 7,262-pound pickup with ease. Mash the throttle and the F-250 Tremor strikes with real quickness.

The place the F-250 actually excels is off the highway, as its rugged Tremor package deal implies. We puttered across the hardest path we might discover – a dust highway appropriate for one thing just like the Subaru Outback – and located that the Tremor glides over bumps, rocks, and undulations with relative ease at average speeds (learn: 20 miles per hour).

At decrease speeds, the Tremor does really feel a bit heavy, and thus, harsher. The strong rear axle and leaf springs do not feel as composed over the more durable stuff as what you get within the Ram 2500 Energy Wagon’s extra trendy coil-sprung, five-link solid-rear axle.

At 20.3-foot lengthy as examined (with the Crew Cab configuration and 6.8-foot mattress) and standing at practically 7.0-feet tall, basic around-town usability is horrible. Navigating tight parking tons is a problem – it’s onerous to know precisely the place the car begins and ends – and the Tremor towers over every thing else on the highway, which makes it unnerving to drive in heavy visitors. This can be a truck for the nation, not tight roads.

And like most heavy-duty vehicles, the F-250 doesn’t have a ton of security options. Automated emergency braking is normal, and our tester does have two add-ons. The adaptive steering ($1,000) mechanically adjusts the steering ratio relying on the motive force’s habits, and the adaptive cruise management ($740) does a strong job on the freeway. Plus, the F-250 has a 360-degree overhead digicam for parking as a part of the Lariat trim – which is an absolute should given this monster truck’s measurement. Nonetheless, the F-250 nonetheless falls a bit quick within the bigger scope.

As with practically all heavy-duty vehicles, the EPA doesn’t present gas financial system figures for the F-250 Tremor, so we’re unable to present it a score. That stated, we usually noticed gas financial system within the mid-teens throughout our time with this truck.

The beginning worth for the 2021 Ford F-250 Lariat just like the one examined right here is $47,210, and choosing the Crew Cab configuration provides a further $2,330 to that worth, bringing the price of that individual truck to $49,540 (earlier than vacation spot charges). The Tremor package deal provides $3,975 to that value.

However choosing the Tremor additionally requires you to improve from the usual 6.2-liter V8 to the costlier 7.3-liter V8, in addition to go for four-wheel drive, quite than two-wheel. All instructed, choosing the Tremor package deal to the bottom F-250 Lariat Crew Cab provides a complete of $9,210 to the price – placing the price of the F-250 Tremor at $58,750 earlier than choices. And our tester has loads of them.

Selecting the 6.7-liter diesel engine as a substitute of the usual V8 will set you again an additional $10,495, and including the Lariat Sport package deal (renamed the Lariat Black Look Package deal for 2021) – which provides new visible cues, in addition to wheel nicely liners and a Powerful Mattress spray-in mattress liner – prices $4,295. The facility moonroof is an additional $1,495, the Speedy Crimson paint is a further $395, and there are a handful of different choices that deliver the full asking worth of the car examined to $83,490 after vacation spot and dealing with charges ($1,695).

By comparability, the Ram 2500 Energy Wagon begins at $53,550 earlier than choices, and comes with a typical Crew Cab configuration (identical to the Tremor) and a barely shorter 6-foot, 4.0-inch mattress. Which will look considerably cheaper than the F-250, however for the reason that Tremor is a package deal, you possibly can truly drop all the way down to an XLT Crew Cab mannequin, as a substitute of the Lariat examined right here, and take dwelling an F-250 Tremor for simply $52,320.