F-150 TREMOR review: Not a Baby Raptor, but still a great SUV - Ford-Trucks.com (2023)

The F-150 TREMOR is a huge improvement over the FX4 package, but it lacks the Raptor's sublime suspension.Still, it would be hard to build a new F-150 as well in the aftermarket for less money. Recommended!

Before Ford launches the 2022Tremendous F-150If you wanted to hit the streets in an F-150, you had two options. buy aboy, which is overkill for most people. Or opt for the FX4 package. The FX4 package, available on all F-150 trims, upgrades the rear differential and shock absorbers, adding additional skid plates and off-road drive modes. It's a good starter pack... let down by tires that are more on-road focused than off-road.

The F-150 Tremor solves the dilemma by offering a third option. A true factory all-rounder that is above the FX4 package but below the Raptor's Baja/halo glory.

Features and Specifications of the F-150 Tremor

Visually speaking, not a package, but a trim level like the XLT or the Lariat, the Tremor reveals itself through body-colored bumpers, active orange accents, front recovery hooks and various "TREMOR" badging. Ford has also added side vents and (possibly functional) hood vents. 33-inch General Grabber tires wrap around 18-inch matte gray wheels, giving the truck an inch-wider appearance. Inside, you'll find signature two-tone seating, dark gray accents and the five-passenger console shifter design. (Sorry, bench fans.)

Underneath, revised front hub joints and upper control arms combine with Tremor-specific single-tube front shocks for an extra inch of travel up front. And out back, Tremor-branded twin-tube shocks help give the truck an extra 1.5 inches of travel. The standard rear differential is an electronic locking with 3.73:1 gears. Up front, you can opt for a Raptor-spec Torsen differential for greater 4WD control.

With all the performance, features and added extras the Raptor packs like skid plates, recovery hooks, dual exhausts and side rails, it's no wonder people start calling it the Baby Raptor. Especially when Tremor drops the Raptor's price by around $20,000.

Prices and changes from 2023

Here in 2022, the F-150 Tremor is available in three trim group levels. Standard, Medium and High. They are equivalent to the XL, XLT and Lariat models, respectively. And the only engine available is the 3.5L EcoBoost (400 HP, 500 lb-ft of torque). Pricing, including destination, currently starts at around $56,000 for a Tremor without an option. The Tremor Mid starts at around $62,000. And the Tremor High will set you back at least $69,500.

But times (and tremors) are changing.Starting with model year 2023—

• The 5.0 L Coyote V8 will now be the standard engine. (3.5L EcoBoost optional)
• Only the mid and high tiers of the team pool will remain (probably due to the upcomingXL-based F-150 Rattler).
• Pricing will now start at around $62,000 including destination.
• Ford is also ditching the entry-level Raptor, leading to a bigger price difference between the Tremor High and the more affordable Raptor (more on that later).

Price as tested (income opportunity?)

Our 2022 Ford F-150 Tremor, decked out in Stone Gray Metallic, is a mid-level rig (aka the 401A) and here's how the option list breaks down:

• Tremor 401A Series Equipment Group $6,065.00
• Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 $ 750,00
• Electric sliding rear window $350.00
• Pro Power OnBoard -2KW $ 995,00
• Indoor work surface $165
• Tow Package $1,090
• Lockable Partitioned Storage $215
• Front axle with Torsen differential $500
• Rear Door Step $430
• 360 Degree Camera Bundle $765
• Bedliner – Spray resistant EN $595
• Destination and Delivery: $1,695.00

What does he bring?MSRP totals $63,120.

To be clear, this is not cheap. But here's a little context. The Tremor is actually $135 cheaper than the2021 F-150 PowerBoost FX4 we reviewed last year. To be fair, the PowerBoost powertrain typically costs about $1,750 more than the standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost. But in terms of interior amenities like the larger SYNC 4 screen and features, these two trucks are nearly identical.

In other words, the whole Tremor package only seems to add about $2,000 to the cost of a similarly speced F-150 CrewCab FX4. What a bargain in terms of ride quality and bona fides off-road.

In the old built versus bought debate, it would be nearly impossible to upgrade wheels, tires, shocks, and better gears and differentials for this aftermarket price. Plus, the Tremor is a true special edition performance truck designed for fun right off the dealer lot. All covered by warranty.

Off road driving impressions

Do yourself a favor. NEVER ride a Tremor side by side with a Raptor. To answer the question everyone is asking, no, Tremor is not a baby Raptor. The Raptor's adjustable Fox shocks and long-travel suspension components provide an off-road experience like no other. You can literally drive a Raptor off-road two to three times faster than any other F-150 in almost any configuration. (Except for crawling on rocks.)

That aside, Tremor isn't far behind. You are welcome.

Ford has tuned the new shocks, "for smoother damping at low speeds, with added damping and control for more severe off-road events". And along with the added suspension travel and taller tires, the package adds up to a 27.6-degree approach angle, 21.2-degree wind angle, and 24.3-degree departure angle.

In other words, you're not taking a Tremor for complex obstacles reserved for Broncos and Wranglers. BUT Tremor loves to run trails and climb mountains. During our testing at Rohwer Flat OHV in Southern California, the Tremor's powerful engine felt completely unburned. The tires easily found traction on loose gravel and dirt (even at full factory pressures). And multiple drive modes applied as much or as little traction control as desired.

Do you want to make donuts in the dirt? No problem! Want to make sure torque meets traction? I have you there too!

In short, the F-150 Tremor loves to play in the dirt, just like any regular F-150 can haul gear to a job site (or kids on a weekend adventure). Sure, it could use a little more ground clearance (optional 35s maybe?). And it's not smooth like Raptor. But if you keep the speed low, it's capable and safe.

Outside, in the 100-degree desert mountain sun, Tremor is barely breaking a sweat.

good manners in the city

I love driving off-road focused special editions like the Raptor,shivering,Sasquatch bronco, youTundra TRD Pro. Why? Because they are also the best drivers on the road. I'm not exactly sure how this works from an engineering point of view, to be honest. Though I suspect the bigger tires and suspension tuning for big bumps smooth out road imperfections.

Regardless, the Tremor handles better in the city and on the highway than most F-150s (except the Lightning and Raptor). The 3.5L EcoBoost pulls hard throughout the rev range and smokes on the tires when braking in a dig. Body roll remains, as you'd expect from tall, heavy things. But the overall effect feels a little muted and more controllable overall. And these low-speed tuned shocks love to get over bumps faster.

The only downside to driving experiences involves imperfect road conditions. Roads with washboard type damage shakes the truck (see the video above for an example), but again, it's not as bad as most trucks. I guess we could also talk about how the 3.5L EcoBoost lacks a soul, from a sonic perspective. That seems like a waste of a good dual exhaust. But with the Coyote coming out next year, we can't wait to test this version out and let all those ponies sing... even if someone sacrifices 90 pound-feet. of torque in the process.

final thoughts

Spending time with the F-150 Tremor for this review, I came away with a number of different but mostly positive thoughts. Overall, it's a fantastic factory SUV. It's not a baby Raptor, mind you. But Tremor is powerful, smooth and capable. It's the kind of truck that can literally do EVERYTHING from towing and hauling to family adventures and weekends with the kids. Plus, it's a pretty solid bargain in the sense that it would be difficult to replicate one in the aftermarket if you started with a similarly spec FX4 model.

Oh, and a quick word about timing and recommendations...

As you can see in the video above, when I filmed the video review, I recommended that people skip Tremor High and try to find a Raptor with no options. At the time, the price was surprisingly close, between $3,000 and $5,000. But with the Raptor ditching its entry-level trim for 2023 in favor of its mid- and high-end trim levels, that changes a few things. Furthermore, starting next year, Tremor's base will also disappear...

All this context to say, if you're looking for a factory SUV in the coming months/year, here's my advice:

• If you're looking for the XL model, check out the Rattler in 2023 (or see if you can find an entry-level 2022 Tremor, though I doubt anyone has one out there).
• If you're looking at the XLT or Lariat version, go ahead and consider the Tremor, which will still be $10,000 to $15,000 cheaper than the more affordable Raptor (not including dealer markups).
• If you want the best off-road truck possible, get the Raptor.

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