Ford has been on a roll with new product launches as of late, earning positive reviews for the 2021 Ford Bronco this past July, the 2022 Ford Maverick earlier this month, and the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT just a week ago. Now, the 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor is starting to hit the streets, which means that we’re able to scope out the very first round of reviews for the new trim level, which slots in between the F-150 equipped with the FX4 Off-Road Package and the more hardcore F-150 Raptor. And that is apparently the equivalent of a sweet spot, according to reviewers.
Drew Dorian of Car and Driver calls the 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor a “decaf Raptor,” which is less capable than its big brother, but also a bit easier to live with.
“The Raptor’s high-powered, high-flying antics aren’t something the Tremor can mimic, but rock crawling, hill climbing, and mud flinging are well within the new truck’s wheelhouse,” Dorian says. “A unique styling kit helps the F-150 Tremor look the part too. With a $51,200 starting price, the Tremor is accessible to a broader range of buyers, and it doesn’t require as many compromises as the more performance-focused Raptor.”
While the F-150 Tremor features a few milder upgrades over a stock pickup, Frank Markus of MotorTrend came away impressed by its off-road capability.
“Color us impressed with the general capability of this package,” Markus said. “The 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires deliver reasonable grip, the 3.73:1 axle ratio and 2.64:1 low-range ratio combine for a decent 46.2:1 crawl ratio, and the locking rear and optional Torsen front diff ensure this Ford makes the most of the available traction. This Tremor represents a reasonable midpoint, biased closer to Raptor than to FX4 in terms of capability, that should be a reasonable match for a similarly configured Ram 1500 Rebel with a Hemi. Chevy’s Silverado ZR2 may hold an off-road performance advantage with its Multimatic spool-valve dampers, though likely at a higher price point and certainly with a lower capacity for towing and hauling.”
Craig Cole of Roadshow notes that while the Tremor isn’t just good off-road, either – it’s also a pretty nice pickup overall.
“This rough-and-tumble pickup splits the difference between workaday trim levels and the steroid-pumping Raptor,” Cole says. “That midlevel positioning sounds like it could be the worst of both worlds, but the Tremor is rugged, refined, and outrageously easy to live with every day. Altogether, this pickup’s design upgrades are tasteful and attractive, making it (arguably) the best-looking model in the sprawling F-150 lineup. This truck delivers more than your typical F-150 without going overboard, offering extra capability while maintaining its composure and refinement. If you’re looking for an off-road-ready full-size pickup, put this on your shortlist.”
We’ll have more on the F-150 Tremor soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
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