2024 Ford Ranger Tremor review (video)

Aussies certainly loves their utes. So much so that the segment enjoys one of the highest sales-to-human population ratios in the world. According to VFACTS 2023 figures, utes made up one in five new vehicles sold.

In the midst of riding that wave of popularity is the number one best-seller, the Ford Ranger, which finally topped the Toyota HiLux in 2023. VFACTS figures reveal monthly volumes hover around 4500 units per month, or 26 per cent of all ute sales.

The Ranger’s popularity is so strong that Ford can justify offering no less than 22 variants. One of them is a limited release spec that we’re exploring here today; the Tremor. It is designed to meet the demand of buyers who want all the off-road upgrades of the flagship Raptor, but without the luxury finishes and the $90k price tag. We have spent a week with a set of keys to one of just 1150 examples to be sent to Aussie shores.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel
Output: 154kW@3750rpm / 500Nm@1750-2000rpm
Gearbox: 10-speed auto
Drive type: RWD/4WD dual-range with rear diff lock
Wheels: F & R: 17×8.0, 265/70
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2355kg
Power-to-weight: 15.29:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.7L/100km
Our consumption: 9.6L/100km

Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/Diesel
Power efficiency: 17.70kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.81 seconds*
0-100km/h: 10.80 seconds*
60-110km/h: 8.30 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.83 seconds at 126.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.612g*
100-0km/h braking: 46.89m in 3.61 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.128g*
Decibel at idle: 47*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 81*
Starting price: $69,690

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: How much does it cost?

The Tremor sets you back at $69,690 (excluding on-road costs). This plots it roughly in the middle of the $36,880 to $90,440 price range of all Ranger variants. Unlike the range-topping Raptor, this comes exclusively with the smaller 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine instead of the hefty 3.0-litre turbo petrol of the Raptor. It misses out on the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 as well.

But it inherits Bilstein remote reservoir off-road suspension, a heavy-duty power steering system, all-terrain tyres, some additional off-road assistance systems, and extra underbody protection.

Among its off-road-oriented ute competitors on the market, the Tremor aligns closely with the Toyota HiLux GR Sport and the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior. They retail for $74,310 and $71,265, which makes the Tremor competitively priced among those rivals but still a rather expensive purchase in general. As trending with all new vehicles since the global pandemic.

All Fords are covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. In terms of ongoing costs, servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first 10 services at a Ford service centre will cost $400, $480, $510, $740, $400, $585, $400, $740, $510, and then $480. Ford also offers a pre-paid service plan for $1385 for the first four services. Paying upfront saves you $745.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Interior & packaging

The overall design of the Ranger successfully appeals to the audience it targets. It embodies a robust and bold ‘move out of my way’ look that features a squarish yet rounded-off edge silhouette. Big, bulky and commanding. Specifically, for the Tremor, light touches make it stand out from the rest; ‘Tremor’ branding and front grille, 17-inch black alloys, a tough front bash plate and sports bar, integrated auxiliary driving lights, cast aluminium side steps, and box steps situated behind the rear wheels.

Inside, the touches are subtler, with the biggest differences being reserved for off-road improvements. You get floor mats and leather seats with ‘Tremor’ embroidered branding, and overhead auxiliary switches so you can easily integrate your own aftermarket accessories. Otherwise, it gets by with a predominantly hard plastic, hardwearing but practical interior. There are thoughtful storage areas, including a handy shelf along the passenger side dash, a large centre console, and a sunglasses holder on the ceiling.

One small practicality gripe is in the gear e-shifter. It is too light to run through the gear selector track, which means it is too easy to move it too far and select park when you want reverse. It is designed to be able to move through the tracks to the Park position itself when you turn the engine off in D. Some also may not like the door exit latches. Exiting involves squeezing a lever against the grab handle instead of the usual latch pull. We got used it quickly and did not have a problem with it.

Space is also not an issue, with abundant room for all passenger positions. Everyone is well accommodated with class-leading room for a dual-cab ute, and rear air vents for those in the second row. The seats are also appropriately bolstered for support over off-road terrains, but soft enough to flex around bigger body frames.

On the tech front, the Tremor is fitted with the same brightly designed, portrait-oriented 10.1-inch centre screen with Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment system as the rest of the range – except the Platinum and Wildtrak, which score a 12.4-inch version. You also get the must-have Apple and Android wireless app connections. We appreciate how the air-conditioning functions are always separated out at the bottom of the screen, even when apps are running so that you can quickly access frequently adjusted functions. An 8.0-inch concise and customisable digital instrument cluster sits in front of the steering wheel.

Moving to the rear bed, it is easily accessed with those side box steps located behind the wheels, or by dropping the counterbalanced tailgate. The bed itself has lights for those night time moments, and it offers six tie-down hoops, attachment points, and a 12-volt outlet. Overall, it measures 525mm in height, 1468mm in length, and 1520mm in width, with a payload of up to 901kg.

Other notable standard inclusions for the Tremor comprise of autonomous emergency braking, junction assist, car/pedestrian/cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, blind-spot assist with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning and road edge detection, rear parking sensors, reverse camera, lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Powertrain & handling

The solely offered 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel is one that is always ready to pounce. 154kW does not seem like much, but it is one of the most powerful four-cylinder options in this class. There is minimal lag or delay, with decent highway pull for this type of thing. And 500Nm of torque is a healthy way to back up any loads or hills.

With a 10-speed automatic transmission, the revs are easily matched to maximise power. It always seems to have a lower gear ready to go when you need it for a hasty pick-up. No lazy or lagging diesel hesitation here. It is also notably smooth through the many changes it makes. Across the standard 0-100km/h sprint, we clocked a best of 10.80 seconds.

Fuel consumption is not too outrageous compared to the rest of the segment, and considering its heavy 2300kg weight. Officially, it is marked to average 8.7L/100km. Though, during our week with the Tremor, we averaged 9.6L/100km. That’s not too bad considering this is wearing chunky off-road tyres.

All Rangers already receive oodles of off-road functions, and the Tremor builds on this further. You get selectable four-wheel drive with low range gearing, various terrain modes including ‘rock crawl’ (which are only available on the Tremor and Raptor), rear differential lock, trail turn assist, trail control and hill descent control.

These off-road features are in conjunction with a robust core structure and suspension setup. The Bilstein dampers allow for extra oil capacity to pair with taller springs, increasing ride height by 26mm. The suspension feels tighter than the average off-road SUV and emanates a notion that you can bounce over practically anything that our Aussie bush will throw at it.

It also gives you the confidence to smash over bumps at higher speeds without feeling like you’re going to break something. With a generous 261mm ground clearance, a 32-degree approach angle, and General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, the Tremor performs strongly off road.

On the flip side, on-road comfort takes a slight hit with that suspension upgrade. Bumps and speed humps are still tackled with the utmost confidence, but you do feel them in the cabin. At least it provides minimal ‘boaty’ characteristics on faster corners, which is a common trait for brute utes in this market. The all-terrain tyres also expectedly result in louder road noise in the cabin.

The steering is pleasantly light, resulting in easy manoeuvrability in hairy off-road situations, or tight car spaces. As it goes with workhorses like this, more turns to lock are required than your average hatchback.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Strong off-road capabilities: Features like low-range, a rear differential lock and chunky all-terrain tyres make it a genuine beast on challenging terrains.
• Huge screens: They are clean and nicely-presented, with the centre screen air-con adjustments always separated out.
• Handy practical features: Like bright LED lighting in the bed, built in box steps behind rear wheel, and plenty of anchor points.
• Bilstein suspension: The perfect compromise between Dakar Rally capability, on-road body management, and decent comfort.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Key considerations before you buy

• Only available with 2.0TTD: The Tremor misses out on the V6 diesel.
• Limited run: Ford is only making 1150 Tremors, so act fast.
• Road noise: If you’re spending lots of your time on the tarmac, the louder all-terrain tyres are probably not for you.

2024 Ford Ranger Tremor: Video