The Ford Range Tremor brings serious off-road capability to the popular midsize pickup — here's a closer look

Matthew DeBordSep 17, 2020, 17:51 IST

Ford Ranger TremorFord

It isn't a Raptor, but Ford has added a $4,290 Tremor off-roading package to its midsize pickup truck, the Ranger.
The Tremor brings serious capability to a vehicle that already had an excellent 4x4 offering.
The off-road features don't compromise the Ranger's hauling ability or its towing capacity.
The Ranger Tremor is powered by a 270-horsepower, turbocharged V6 that makes 310 pound-feet of torque.

To give you an idea of just how popular high-performance, off-road-optimized pickup trucks have become, witness the unmitigated desire Ford fans have expressed for a Raptor version of the Ford Ranger, which returned to the US market in late 2018.

The Raptor designation, for now, remains with the full-size F-150 alone. And it's not as if the Ranger is weak in the backwoods; the available FX4 off-road package is more than adequate for most weekend warriors.

Of course, the competition is selling the exceptionally capable Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, and don't forget about the Jeep Gladiator, which was reverse-engineered from the demands of transiting territory where there are no roads and never will be.

So to keep pace, this week Ford announced the Ranger Tremor, which the Blue Oval is calling the most capable off-roading midsize it's ever built for US customers.

The Ranger pleased me greatly when I reviewed it, so I'm looking forward to crack at the Tremor. Until then, here's a look at Ford's mighty midsize off-roader:

Ford sold 89,571 Rangers last year and clearly intends to add to that total with the new Ranger Tremor, a pickup that has no interest in asphalt.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

The Tremor package is a $4,290 extra for 2021 Rangers at the "mid-XLT and high Lariat" trim levels, Ford said.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

The Tremor name dates to 2014, when an off-roading package was added for the F-150. More recently, it's been an option for the F-250 and F-350 heavy-duty pickups.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

The Ranger Tremor's capabilities start with ground clearance, which is nearly an inch better than the SuperCrew design the new pickup takes as its starting point.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

With the Tremor package, Ranger owners can "can punch it in a washout with gusto," Ford said.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

Propelling the Ranger Tremor is a 2.3-liter, turbocharged V6, making 270 horsepower with 310 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the four-wheel-drive system through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

Propelling the Ranger Tremor is a 2.3-liter, turbocharged V6, making 270 horsepower with 310 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the four-wheel-drive system through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

FOX monotube dampers deliver the best of both worlds, Ford said. The Ranger Tremor can handle everyday pavement as well as rock-strewn landscapes.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

The interior is moderately premium, thanks to the Tremor package's availability on the Ranger's upper trim levels. There are Miko inserts — a type of synthetic suede — along with Tremor branding on the seats.

Ford Ranger Tremor Ford

The interior is moderately premium, thanks to the Tremor package's availability on the Ranger's upper trim levels. There are Miko inserts — a type of synthetic suede — along with Tremor branding on the seats.

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The Ford Range Tremor brings serious off-road capability to the popular midsize pickup — here's a closer look

Ford sold 89,571 Rangers last year and clearly intends to add to that total with the new Ranger Tremor, a pickup that has no interest in asphalt.

The Tremor package is a $4,290 extra for 2021 Rangers at the "mid-XLT and high Lariat" trim levels, Ford said.

The Tremor name dates to 2014, when an off-roading package was added for the F-150. More recently, it's been an option for the F-250 and F-350 heavy-duty pickups.

The Ranger Tremor's capabilities start with ground clearance, which is nearly an inch better than the SuperCrew design the new pickup takes as its starting point.

With the Tremor package, Ranger owners can "can punch it in a washout with gusto," Ford said.

Propelling the Ranger Tremor is a 2.3-liter, turbocharged V6, making 270 horsepower with 310 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the four-wheel-drive system through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

FOX monotube dampers deliver the best of both worlds, Ford said. The Ranger Tremor can handle everyday pavement as well as rock-strewn landscapes.

The interior is moderately premium, thanks to the Tremor package's availability on the Ranger's upper trim levels. There are Miko inserts — a type of synthetic suede — along with Tremor branding on the seats.