Ford Ranger Tremor (2024) Launch Review

The Ford Ranger Tremor – an attractively packaged and offroad-ready mid-range offering in the Blue Oval’s bakkie line-up – has touched down in South Africa. We recently grabbed the chance to put the newcomer through its paces on a 4×4 trail.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) recently added 2 derivatives to its Ranger line-up; we have already reported on Ranger Platinum, but what you see here is a much more affordable prospect.

Meet the Ranger Tremor. Just as the Ranger Wildtrak X is a Wildtrak variant aimed at 4x4ing enthusiasts, the Tremor is based on the XLT-grade bakkie, but features additional off-road-oriented enhancements.

What is a Ranger Tremor?

If local off-roading enthusiasts were wondering: “How can I get the best bang-for-buck off-road bakkie without having to breach the R1-million mark?”, well, the Ford Ranger Tremor is the Blue Oval’s answer.

Its appearance is suitably bold. Those black 17-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 265/40 R17 Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres) grab your attention, as does the beefier grille with extra lighting. Other notable changes include the tubular sports bar, aluminium side steps, Tremor badges and wider wheel-arch mouldings.

Inside, the Tremor is equipped with the usual T6.2 Ford Ranger fare, such as a digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented touchscreen powered by the Blue Oval’s SYNC 4A infotainment system. However, it also comes fitted with a rugged vinyl floor instead of carpet trim, which means you won’t struggle to scrub dirtied footwells clean. Fittingly, the seats are also trimmed in vinyl and feature Tremor badging.

The Tremor’s 154 kW 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbocharged diesel engine is mated with a 10-speed auto transmission. It directs as much as 500 Nm of torque to all wheels via a full-time 4-wheel-drive system (offering 2High, 4High, 4Low and 4Auto). When required, the diff lock can be activated electronically.

Does it have enough off-roading goodies?

If you want to traverse rough off-road terrain (at considerable speed – if you like), the 3.0T V6 double cab Raptor 4WD is ideal for the task, but let’s face it – the Raptor is priced beyond R1.2 million and even the Wildtrak X costs “more than a bar”. If you, like most of us, can only dream of owning those bakkies, then the Tremor has more than enough hardware and tech to carry it through some challenging terrain.

Apart from its all-terrain tackies, the Tremor is fitted with a steel bash plate, dual front recovery hooks, specially-developed Bilstein dampers, Trail Turn assist and Trail Cruise Control, with Rock Crawl mode added to the already comprehensive drive modes (Normal, Eco, Tow, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand). It sits 30 mm wider and 24 mm higher than a standard Ranger and its ground clearance is raised to 261 mm.

What is the Ranger Tremor like to drive?

FMCSA was eager to showcase the off-road prowess of its newcomer, so we weren’t at all surprised (or disappointed) that the launch route comprised mostly dirt roads and off-road routes. Before we get stuck into the bakkie’s 4×4 capabilities, we’d like to note that the chunky off-road tyres were remarkably quiet. It truly impressed us; in the past, all-terrain tyres have tended to drone and rumble at triple-digit speeds.

Our drive took place at the Grabouw 4×4 trail – a technically challenging course that included some tricky undulations, deep holes and sharp turns. The smart Trail Turn Assist function, which essentially locks the inside wheel to help pivot the vehicle (tighten its turning circle), easily dealt with the latter.

Impressively, during trickier sections of the course, where we would probably have felt compelled to activate 4L (4Low or low range) in some other vehicles, the Tremor made steady progress in 4High. Those Grabber AT3s and the Tremor’s additional ground clearance certainly proved their worth!

Suffice it to say, the Ford Ranger Tremor is one seriously capable vehicle in the right hands. It’s a good thing that FMCSA offers Tremor buyers a free 4×4 driving course if they buy one of these vehicles…

How much does the Ranger Tremor cost in South Africa?

Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo double cab Tremor 4WD

R977 500

The price includes Ford’s 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year/unlimited km roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. As a reminder, customers can purchase service or maintenance plans valid for up to 8 years or 135 000 km. For example, a 6-year/90 000 km service plan costs an additional R23 959.10 (March 2024). There are various warranty extension options too.

Summary

With a price tag of just under R1 million (March 2024), the Ford Ranger Tremor offers reasonably good value for money for 4x4ing enthusiasts who seek a bakkie with considerable off-road capability straight from the factory. If overlanding and adventuring in the untamed wild is your idea of a good time (and it is, perhaps to more outdoorsy people than you think), then this might be the double-cab bakkie for you.

The Tremor’s biturbo engine is willing; its full-time 4-wheel-drive system (with several off-road drive modes to choose from) is laughably user-friendly (even for novices) and, thanks to its raised ride height and deeply grooved plump tyres, the bakkie will clamber over many – if not most – obstacles with ease.

For the average consumer, the normal XLT 4×4 (upon which the Tremor is based) is probably the bakkie all they would ever need, but if you desire a 4×4 double cab with extra attitude (kerb appeal), as well as the off-roading goodies to match the show, this newcomer certainly tugs at the ol’ heartstrings.

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