As SUVs and crossovers grow to be much more road-focused, automakers have been having a blast releasing extra off-road-oriented trim ranges of those automobiles that started off off-road-y to start with. Honda has TrailSport, Hyundai has XRT, Kia has X-Professional, Jeep has Trailhawk, Subaru has Wilderness, Toyota has TRD Professional… I may go on. Ford’s equal is the Tremor moniker, which is now a trim on the Expedition, F-150, Maverick, and Tremendous Obligation. For 2026 the Explorer is gaining a Tremor variant too, taking the place of the previous Timberline mannequin.
Ford says the brand new Tremor is essentially the most “off-road succesful” Explorer it is ever made, however the modifications aren’t almost as in depth as what you get on one in every of Ford’s Raptor fashions. The Explorer Tremor distinctive styling cues and plenty of orange accents, lifted suspension, all-terrain tires and extra underbody safety. In contrast to the Timberline, it is also accessible with the Explorer’s extra highly effective engine possibility, which ought to make up for its pretty gentle off-road enhancements. Perhaps Jeep can be extra impressed by this one.
Barely higher off-road chops
This technology of Explorer is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth, having been on sale since 2019, and I am not a fan of the facelift it acquired final yr. The Tremor would not change a lot. An orange bar operating via the massive grille homes high-intensity LED lights meant for off-roading, which it’s a must to activate by tapping via a pair menus within the touchscreen. There is a silver skid plate within the bumper’s chin that Ford says is useful, with orange tow hooks within the barely reshaped decrease grille opening, and the rear bumper additionally will get a skid plate and a few orange accents. The Tremor’s colour palette is identical as different Explorers.
The Tremor has an inch extra floor clearance than a standard Explorer for a complete of 8.7 inches, and distinctive 18-inch wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, sized 265/65. Ford says the Tremor’s method, departure and breakover angles are all a level or two higher than a typical Explorer, however that may simply be chalked as much as the brand new tires and taller suspension. Ford did give the Tremor distinctive springs and sway bars, no less than.
Extra energy accessible
Not a lot is completely different on the within both. The black leather-based seats have suede facilities and orange stitching, with “Tremor” stitched into the seatbacks in orange. There’s orange stitching on the dashboard, door panels, heart console and different areas, and the Tremor has rubber flooring mats. In any other case, it is normal Explorer fare. Non-obligatory options will embrace massaging entrance seats and a 14-speaker B&O sound system. Ford’s Copilot 360 2.0 suite of driver-assist programs can be normal, and hands-free BlueCruise 1.5 is offered.
The largest information is the supply of a extra highly effective engine. The previous Timberline was solely supplied with a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 making 300 horsepower, which stays the Tremor’s base engine, however clients may also be capable of order a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. Ford is not but saying how a lot the Explorer Tremor will value, however order books are open now and it’ll begin reaching sellers close to the tip of 2025.
Daniel Golson / Jalopnik
Daniel Golson / Jalopnik
Daniel Golson / Jalopnik
