The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor Is a Superb Truck Nobody Will Buy: Review

Lukewarm take: The facelifted Ford F-150 Tremor is the best-looking full-size truck in the marketplace, helped alongside by the competitors; Ram’s providing is good-looking if not barely disproportionate, and the Silverado with its bizarre notched headlights is visually off-putting. The GMC Sierra is sweet sufficient, so long as you don’t thoughts vans that smile. And the Toyota Tundra’s hilariously giant grille appears like one thing the Street Runner would paint on a wall to trick Wile E. Coyote.

The F-150 Tremor additionally has one thing none of these vans have: symmetry. The headlight housings are proportionately sized to the entrance of the truck, bracketed neatly in an oblong grille with a visually thrilling mesh sample. If the Tremor’s appears have been ascribed to a Venn diagram, it’d be smack within the heart of conservative, macho, and extreme. And the Tremor drives nearly as good because it appears.

Sadly, there’s an issue with the Tremor. Really, there are 81,000 of them.

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Earlier than we get to that costly elephant within the room, let’s take a better take a look at this explicit F-150 Tremor. It wears a coat of Iconic Silver paint that, frankly, could be boring with out the orange hues and black wheels from this trim’s off-road upfit. 

Talking as somebody so very uninterested in grey and silver automobiles, this could be my most popular spec for the beefy pickup. And it’s definitely beefy, due virtually completely to the 33-inch Common Grabbers on 18-inch wheels that contribute to its barely greater journey peak. Ford additionally offers the Tremor its personal entrance knuckles, management arms, tie-rods, and dampers. On the again, you’ll discover upgraded leaf springs.

Add the optionally available Tremor Excessive Tools Group and the truck will get a Torsen differential up entrance. It’s additionally the one strategy to get the Raptor’s switch case with the auto 4×4 setting. And when you just like the cool modular entrance bumper, you’ll must verify this feature field. Not solely does it look acceptable on the Tremor, nevertheless it offers the truck a 27.6-degree method angle for off-road obstacles. Solely the Raptor provides higher method clearance within the F-150 household, and Tremor’s 24.3-degree departure angle truly beats the Raptor. 

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Execs: Rockstar Appears to be like, Wonderful On Or Off-Street, Professional Entry Tailgate Is Easy And Efficient

I didn’t encounter something past some small hills and severely rutted trails in my off-road adventures, however at no level did I ever really feel in the slightest degree involved about getting caught. Even with out the Torsen entrance locker, I battle to see conditions the place the Tremor will get severely hung up. The truck feels assured and deliberate over obstacles, whilst its suspension stretches out over uneven terrain. Until you’re crawling over logs or rocky cliffs, the upgraded mechanicals aren’t a giant deal. Sadly, getting different Tremor options requires the optionally available gear group.

However what about on-road efficiency? The Tremor’s knobby tires didn’t convey extreme noise to the cabin. Nor was the Tremor’s upgraded suspension harsh on the bottom. It does exhibit a bit extra firmness versus a typical F-150, however that doesn’t translate to a flinty journey. 

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

As a substitute, the Tremor feels extra poised on pavement, one thing that grabbed my consideration by way of a pair of 35-mph corners on my weekly journey to the grocery retailer. Observe to self: stow the groceries within the again seat subsequent time.

None of this ought to be shocking, although. The mechanical bits for the 2024 Tremor are the identical as earlier than, proper all the way down to the selection of a 5.0-liter V-8 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. Each engines make 400 horsepower, however you’ll get an additional 100 pound-feet of torque with the turbo six. My truck had the six, although gas mileage was extra like a V-8. I averaged simply 17.2 miles per gallon, and that was largely on rural highways. Earlier this yr, I managed 19.2 mpg from a Ram 1500 Restricted with the 540-hp twin-turbo inline-six. Ford must do higher right here.

Ford has carried out higher with a few of the new options on the 2024 F-150. The Professional Entry Tailgate isn’t as handy as Ram’s Multifunction tailgate, which may open all the best way even with a trailer connected. However Ford’s setup has detents that hold the middle door from hitting a trailer jack, and it opens sufficient for entry to the mattress. Furthermore, its visible symmetry makes the Ford’s tailgate extra aesthetically pleasing when a trailer isn’t related. 

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Cons: Drinks Gasoline Like It’s Completely happy Hour, Clunky Transmission, Raptor Worth Tag

The symmetry is mirrored contained in the Tremor by a brand new standard-issue 12.0-inch digital driver show matching the 12.0-inch heart display. The driving force show is configurable relying on the drive mode you’re in, however every setting presents fundamental info clearly and effectively and appears unbelievable doing it. Switching to off-road mode swaps the tachometer for a big compass whereas including pitch and roll gauges. Within the center you get a view of the Tremor’s drivetrain with info on the steering angle and differential locks. Very cool. 

The airplane nerd in me needs the inclinometer readouts out there for all drive modes, and luckily, you’ll be able to configure the show to point out them. You may also plug them into the new-for-2024 heads-up show. When I discovered myself in a herd of deer on a very late night time in rural Michigan, I used to be notably grateful for the HUD—to not point out the F-150’s beneficiant suite of driver help programs. I’m glad to say no deer have been harmed throughout this evaluate.

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

My tenure with the Tremor wasn’t completely trouble-free, although. The headlights fogged up like an early November storm after a go to to the automobile wash. Apparently that is regular because of the housings being vented. The fog dissipated inside a half-hour, nevertheless it’s annoying to see the headlights in your costly new truck crammed with moisture. 

On various events, the 10-speed transmission thumped arduous on upshifts. To be truthful, this can be a media car that’s seemingly seen some hefty off-road trials. However I’m additionally conscious that Ford is among the many most-recalled manufacturers in America.  

These points didn’t stop me from loving the Tremor. It’s an excellent all-around pickup, however alas, it’s time to speak about these 81,000 issues. With all the pieces added in, this well-equipped Tremor prices $81,865. For the file, that’s $1,330 greater than a zero-option Raptor, which nonetheless will get you an opulent leather-based inside with options galore and 50 extra horsepower. However it will get worse. The identical $81,000 will get you a properly optioned Ram 1500 RHO with extra off-road prowess, easy on-road manners, and 540 hp below the hood.

Photograph by: Christopher Smith / Motor1

You possibly can purchase a Tremor at its $66,145 beginning value, however Ford bundles essentially the most fascinating options into the $11,710 Tremor Excessive Tools Group. Apart from the entrance diff and automated 4×4 engagement, it’s the one strategy to get the heads-up show and the modular entrance bumper—two must-haves. Luxurious gadgets like heated/cooled reminiscence seats and the 14-speaker B&O stereo are in there, as is the 360-degree digital camera. Different packages just like the Mattress Utility, Cellular Workplace, and Tow/Haul teams—which can be found as standalone choices—are bundled in there too. Frankly, it’s a ridiculous quantity of compelled options simply to get a pair you actually need, and it sours the entire Tremor expertise for me. 

As cool because the Tremor is, it’s a troublesome promote even at its $66,145 beginning value. The Ram 1500 RHO begins simply over $70,000, and I’d solely select the Ford if I might get it with the HUD, the entrance bumper, the 360-degree digital camera, and the Professional Entry Tailgate. Even then, I’m not so positive the F-150’s symmetrical styling would win me over. Now that the RHO is on sale, I believe many patrons will come to the identical conclusion. 

Till Ford reels within the pricing, the Tremor will largely sit on dealership heaps as a halo car as an alternative of getting enjoyable because the reasonably priced Raptor various it was designed to be.

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Christopher Smith / Motor1