Coyote V8-powered F-150 Tremor tested off-road

Last year marked the 75th anniversary of Ford’s iconic F-series trucks as well as the re-introduction of the model to Australian Ford showrooms.

As always for passionate F-truck people, there was a lot to be excited about, particularly with the introduction of the 2023 F-150 Tremor boasting a V8 engine as standard, with the option of going to the 3.5L EcoBoost.

However, for Australians, this beast remains a distant dream, as the Tremor, along with its V8 engine, apparently won’t make their way Down Under.

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Due to its enormous population, the US market is graced with 8 different variants of the F-150, all with countless options for comfort, styling, drivetrain and aesthetics, plus a grand total of seven different engine options.

The coolest is definitely the High-Output 5.2L Supercharged V8 which comes standard in the F-150 Raptor R, or can be optioned up in the regular Raptor.

Somehow, even though I know the Raptor R would have been loads of fun to drive on my recent US road trip, my bank balance after visits to the petrol pump is much happier having opted for the 5.0L Coyote-powered Tremor.

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What is it?

Some call the F-150 Tremor the ‘Baby Raptor’ and you’d be forgiven if you hadn’t noticed that it’d moved in on the FX4 model, which has disappeared from the current F-150 line-up in the USA.

Before you option it up, the Tremor starts at US$61,330, which means it’s still more than the XLT and Lariat (models sold here in Australia), but a few grand cheaper than the King Ranch and Platinum luxury-style trucks.

Surprisingly though, the base Raptor is only around US$15,000 dearer, so if you had the choice and the funds you’d probably go for a Raptor. Above that is the luxury Limited model.

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What sets the Tremor apart from the other road going F-150s is its off-road package and subtle Raptor-esque styling.

Mechanically, the Tremor comes standard with a rear locking diff which is also available in the Raptor, but unlike the Raptor and every other model, the Tremor has a robust 9.75-inch rear axle. It also comes as standard with the fancier electronic 10-speed transmission as opposed to the unique Hybrid HEV 10-speed transmission that is standard in the lower models.

What does this mean? Well from the point of view of driving the car, it’s extremely smooth and effortless, and it also gives you all of the driving modes that the Raptor comes with, except instead of Baja, it has Deep Snow/Sand.

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4x4 system

Funnily enough I was lucky to find snow as we headed south from Nevada into Flagstaff Arizona.

I was a tad nervous at first as I dipped the front wheels into it, but the Tremor ate it up and I actually ended up having a bit of fun in the white stuff. The standard transfer case behind the transmission is a part-time 4x4 system with high and low range (2H, 4H and 4L), but the vehicle I was driving was equipped with the optional two-speed Hi-Lock transfer case, which essentially adds a 4A mode added on-road traction (2H, 4A, 4H and 4L).

I tackled some rocky trails in Rock Crawl mode and found the Tremor to be extremely capable at getting up some reasonably tricky tracks.

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The Tremor is also equipped with additional bash plates and rugged side steps that make it suitable and capable in standard form for getting away on the weekends.

The area we’d stumbled upon turned out to be a well known 4X4 stomping ground in Sedona known as Broken Arrow, and if you’re ever in that area, I highly recommend it.

On a couple of occasions I used the Slippery Mode on some icy roads in Arizona, and when driving through torrential rain in San Diego. Each time it was very stable and gave me a great deal of confidence in the vehicle.

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This was also the case when we hit some dirt roads east of Phoenix where I decided to have a bit of play and went for Sport mode.

To be honest, I thought it would be a bit more out of control, but the Tremor, with its unique-to-this-model off-road suspension package, felt planted and confidence inspiring.

Unlike the road-going models it comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 33-inch (275/70R18) General Grabber All Terrain tyres.

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A smooth ride

With regards to the road trip itself, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have the Tremor in Eco mode a lot of the time.

It’s quiet, smooth, way more efficient and is only a twist of the driving-modes knob away from Normal and Sport modes. That, in addition to the commonly found active cruise control and lane-departure assist, makes for a very comfortable and safe ride.

The interior is unique to this model and features the Tremor logo in multiple places around the cabin including the heated and air conditioned seats.

Like other models, however, the Tremor has a fold-out workstation and stowable shifter, not to mention an absolutely brilliant infotainment system with a whopping 15.5-inch screen and the option to upgrade to a B&O audio system. 

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In the rear, there’s loads of legroom and passenger power outlet options, and the seat can be stowed when not in use, transforming the rear of the cabin into a large luggage space.

On the outside, while it doesn’t look as rugged and beefy as the Raptor, the Tremor still scores a unique look thanks to its grille, bonnet vents, side vents and decals, not to mention the big chunky side steps.

On more than a few occasions during our road trip, people commented along the lines of ‘Oh cool, that’s the Tremor package’, so Ford obviously did something right when it released this low-carb Raptor.

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Aftershock

After doing more than 2000 miles (3200km) across three states in the F-150 Tremor, as we meandered back to the urban sprawl of Los Angeles to return it, a tinge of melancholy set in, knowing that this experience is one that, for now, remains beyond the reach of Aussie shores.

Ford’s commemoration of the F-Series truck’s 75th-year with the F-150 Tremor is a testament to the enduring legacy and continuous evolution of the Effie. Having built millions of these iconic vehicles to date, the F-150 Tremor adds a new layer to this rich tapestry, combining an iconic V8 engine with the finesse provided by modern engineering. 

Yet despite the fact that neither the Tremor nor the V8 engine option is destined for the Australian market, the allure of this American marvel is undeniable.

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While only two models of the F-series have made their way to our shores through Ford, tales of people traversing the vast expanses of the American landscape in a vehicle as commanding as the F-150 Tremor are bound to ignite the wanderlust in us all.

As we mark another chapter in the history of the F-series, the 2023 Ford F-150 Tremor stands as a celebration of all that has come before and a tantalising glimpse of what the future holds... even if it’s one that we can only admire from afar.

The journey across Southern California, Las Vegas, Arizona and San Diego in the F-150 Tremor was more than just a road trip; it was an odyssey and a chance for two good mates to hit the road together, in the perfect rig for the trip.

Given that Ford has barely dipped its toes in the water here in Australia bringing in the EcoBoost XLT and Lariat models, there might still be a chance for the Tremor to see our shores… or maybe even the F-150 Raptor given the popularity of the Ranger version. Only popularity, sales and time will tell.

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