NZ’s top-seller, the Ford Ranger, has added another string to their bow. It’s called the Tremor and it’s out to shake things up in the ute market.
The Tremor is the middle child in the Ranger family, bridging the gap between the dutiful daily grind of the regular Rangers and the more flamboyant, performance-driven antics of the Raptor. With a price tag of $74,990, the Tremor is not just a truck, it’s a statement that utility and adventure don’t have to live in separate postcodes.
Let’s start with the Herculean heart that beats under the bonnet, Ford’s trusty 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. Pair that with a smooth ten-speed automatic and a ‘4A’ transfer case, and you’re looking at a powerhouse that’s ready to drop the monotony and pick up the pace. Think of it as your Monday-to-Friday champion that transforms into your Saturday-onwards escapist, making a convincing bid for being the ideal Ranger.
Aesthetically, the Tremor has done its homework. Between its distinctive C-clamp LED headlights lies a grille only found on this model, setting it apart with subtlety, sort of like a reserved introvert who knows exactly when to make their power moves. Those 17-inch Asphalt Black alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres are basically a welcome mat, inviting rough terrains to make an attempt at out-matching its prowess. Factor in wider tracks, wheel arch extensions, and cast aluminium side steps in a shade of ‘Bolder Grey’, and you’ve got a truck that not only talks the talk but walks the off-road trek.
Inside, the Tremor doesn’t throw austerity out with the mud splashes. The cabin offers a smart vinyl and leather interior that’s functionally posh, with the model’s moniker stitched into the front seat backrests, a reminder of its adventurous pedigree. While the eight-way adjustable driver’s seat is a nod to comfort, the manual setup for the passenger seat keeps things grounded (unless you’re one of the pampered few in the Wildtrak or Raptor). Enter the dual-zone air conditioning, making sure even the backseat bandits remain as cool as the scenarios you’re gearing up to tackle.
For those that love your off-road accessories, there is a bank of auxiliary switches where your sunnies would generally rest, from here you can easily hook up your winch, floodlights etc or just use them as a pretend pre-flight routine as I did.
The digital infotainment offers an 8-inch driver’s cluster and a crisp 10-inch central screen, delivering your maps and tunes with contemporary flair—though it gives a nod of deference to its bigger-screen siblings in the lineup. Yet, when clocking in that utilitarian charm, the Tremor reinforces its fraternal charisma, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Raptor (minus the extroverted swagger).
On the road, (which is unfortunately all I managed to do in the Tremor), it’s as composed as the come, even in the horrible Auckland rains, it ran well on the tarmac without a hint of slip – and that’s completely unladen too. Oddly, I found the transmission would hunt from time to time, but I feel that this was just a one-off as I know how good the gearbox truly is. And even with those giant ‘grabber’s’, the cabin remained Ranger quiet, without an annoying rubber meets tarmac’ drone.
If we were to sum up the Ford Ranger Tremor, it would be a capable blend of brawn and brain, equipped to meet the demands of serious off-road connoisseurs while treating its occupants to quiet comfort. Whether towing up to 3,500kg or handling a rugged trail head-on, it assures you of its abilities without screaming for attention, no midlife crisis in sight here.
So, before you decide to drop the substantial yet justifiable cash, picture this: you’re behind the wheel of a truck that’s equally at home on a school run as it is on a steep, rocky incline. In the adventure of life, the Ford Ranger Tremor is your sturdy companion, ringing true to the creed of forging its own path, one grippy, refined step at a time.
