Ford has taken its beloved Ranger and given it a rugged makeover with the new Tremor, and I am pleased as punch. In my humblest of opinions, this is the beefiest and best Ranger in the next-gen line-up. It’s designed specifically for off-road enthusiasts. I had the keys for a week, and let’s just say, I was very reluctant to give them back after my test week was done.
Eye-Catching Design
Straight off the bat, the Tremor stands out with its unique aesthetic touches. Borrowing some styling tips from the XLT Ranger, it features a distinctive honeycomb front grille, grey exterior accents, extended wheel arch mouldings (seriously, this just makes it look mean), and prominent ‘Tremor’ badges. Normally, I’m not a fan of badges and stickers on a car, but the Tremor badge looks cool. The off-road-ready wheels enhance its utilitarian appeal. For those who recall the FX4 model, the Tremor essentially takes its place, exuding a back-to-basics, adventure-ready charm. This is the “people’s” Raptor (let’s face it, not everyone has over a million rand to drop on the beast that is the Raptor).
Interior & Comfort
Inside, the Tremor is tailored for practicality. Vinyl-covered seats and flooring make it easy to clean and more resistant to water. Ford literally promotes this as a vehicle you can “hose” down after mud gets in. The seats are adorned with the ‘Tremor’ logo, a fan favourite of mine, and the cabin features Ford’s 12.0-inch infotainment system. Comfort and handling are epic, to say the least. With a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg, a wading depth of 800mm, and a ground clearance of 261mm, the Tremor is as practical as it is comfortable. It effortlessly adapts to any environment.
Enhanced Performance
The Tremor comes with significant performance upgrades, mirroring those in the Wildtrak X. This includes Bilstein dampers, which increase the track by 30mm and the ride height by 24mm. General Tire AT3 all-terrain tyres on 17-inch wheels further boost its off-road credentials. Additional features like a front steel bash plate, underbody protection, a fuel tank bash plate, and a transfer case protector add to its ruggedness and capability to withstand the most treacherous terrains.
Software enhancements are also a highlight, with Rock Crawl mode for the 4×4 system, Trail Control (off-road cruise control), and Trail Turn Assist. My absolute highlight is the Trail Turn Assist, similar to the tank turn on the G-Wagon, but more practical. It helps reduce the turning radius by braking the inside wheel during low-speed off-road manoeuvres, so no need to go back and forth on a sharp turn. This baby wiggles its way in the right direction with ease. Disclaimer: It takes a bit of trust in the tech, but once you do, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Driving Experience
Under the bonnet, the Tremor houses a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine delivering 154 kW and 500 Nm of torque through a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Although this engine and gearbox combo is carried over from the previous Ranger, it feels better calibrated, offering a more predictable and punchy performance. On the road, the Tremor does exhibit more tyre noise than its counterparts, a trade-off for its all-terrain capabilities. However, its ride quality is exceptional, with the upgraded suspension absorbing road imperfections impressively well.
Off-road, the Tremor shines. After attending the local launch, where we properly put the Tremor through its paces while professionals were an arm’s length away, I didn’t feel the need to push it hard off-road. Instead, I did more practical daily drives with a little play in the sand at the Atlantis dunes, and it handled that with ease. I can vouch for its “easy to clean” interior as I forgot a window open while scaling a dune. I could have left that test out, to be honest; the Tremor was easy to clean, however, the sand in my ears was not so easy to get out.
Fuel Economy
Here’s where I lost a little faith, but I can overlook it as I was giving it “gas” whenever the opportunity allowed. Ford claims a fuel consumption of 7.5L/100km for the Tremor. I got closer to 10.9L/100km with my light off-road shenanigans.
Safety and Pricing
The Tremor maintains Ford’s high safety standards, with the Ranger receiving a 5-Star EuroNCAP safety rating. It scored well across various categories, ensuring peace of mind for both adult and child occupants.
Priced at R978,600, the Tremor slots below the Wildtrak X in the Ranger line-up, competing with models like the Toyota Hilux GR-Sport and Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. It comes with a 4-year/120,000km warranty, with an optional service plan.
Verdict
The Ford Ranger Tremor is an off-road champion designed for adventure seekers. While it may not be perfect, with its relatively high fuel consumption and slightly noisier ride, it excels in offering a rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything experience. For those who love exploring off the beaten path, the Tremor is a fantastic choice.
