2024 Ford Maverick Tremor Real World Review
The capabilities of modern trucks at the top of the food chain are downright impressive. This is especially true for those looking for a turnkey off-roader. Ford Raptor’s and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon’s check all of the right boxes for those searching for the ultimate off-road performance package. The truth is, however, those vehicles often far exceed the needs of most.
This is why we believe the Ford Maverick Tremor is such an outstanding value. Opting for the Tremor package offers many of the features you’d expect from an off-road oriented truck. Items such as a rear differential locker, high-clearance front bumper, steel skidplate, factory suspension lift and 29-inch-tall all-terrain tires. The best part is you can get this all for around $34,000 — an absolute bargain compared to the other off-road oriented trucks on the market.
Sure, we do wish the hybrid powertrain was available with the Tremor package. That being said, we do like the favor the power of the 2.0L EcoBoost and found it still delivers respectable fuel economy numbers. In this article, we’ll dive into what we’ve learned so far living with our 2024 Ford Maverick XLT Tremor. This includes it’s on, and importantly to us, off-road performance.
XLT
Our truck is an XLT trim truck with a finish. This color combination with the orange accents, unique front end, and 1-inch lift give it a more aggressive stance, which helps it stand out nicely from the other Maverick trims.
Power & Economy
The only powertrain offered with the Tremor package is the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Putting out 250hp and 277 lb.-ft of torque, the powerplant is more than adequate for this lightweight platform. While we were a bit surprised at how noisy the engine is, the real-world fuel economy has been better than the EPA estimates. Currently, we are seeing 22 city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Geared For Go
Backing the 2.0L is an eight-speed automatic which does an excellent job at finding the right gear and shifting seamless. While the Tremor does not have a traditional two-speed transfer case, it does have a Tremor-specific differential ratio of 3.81:1. This, combined with the 4.69:1 first gear gives the truck excellent power off of the line and helps in off-road conditions. More on that later.
Comfort
We love the seats in our XLT. From a comfort and styling perspective, Ford did an excellent job making the small truck feel roomy and not overly cheap inside. While we do hear a few rattles from time to time, it’s nothing that is consistent or bothersome enough to take it to the dealer. With a car seat and booster seat in the back, you can still fit an adult (albeit tightly) between the two.
Going Nomad
One area we did upgrade on the truck is the tires. We swapped out the original 29-inch-tall treads for a 235/65R17 set of Nitto Nomad Grapplers. As one of the only all-terrain tires on the market that’s engineered for the lightweight Maverick platform, it’s truly a great tire for those who need more off-road performance and a 3-Peak Snowflake rating. For the sand, gravel, and often muddy backroads we often see, this tire has worked incredibly well.
Ground Clearance
The Ford Maverick Tremor has 9.4 inches of ground clearance, which is the most of any of its direct competitors. Not only do you have more clearance, but the majority of the truck’s vitals have skidplate protection. To put this ground clearance figure in perspective, a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport only boasts 9.7 inches.
Approach
The Tremor package gets a unique front bumper and exposed tow hooks. This creates a 30.7-degree approach angle, a tremendous upgrade compared to the standard front end.
Drive Modes
If you are looking to get the most off-road performance out of your Tremor, the Mud/Ruts drive mode works the best. While the intelligent all-wheel drive system on the truck is remarkably effective, this drive mode will give you the right parameters to power through rougher sections of trail. Here, the traction control is turned off, the clutch pack transferring power to the rear differential is locked, and the truck will start off in first gear.
Locked Up
One of the biggest selling points of the Tremor package is that it has a dual-clutch pack rear differential. When engaged using the push button inside of the cab, this setup works the same as a rear differential locker. This means both rear tires will turn at the same speed when engaged, making it much easier to navigate uneven and challenging terrain.
Flexibility
Having the rear locker is incredibly important on the Maverick as the suspension travel is limited and articulation admittedly isn’t great. Twisting the truck even slightly off-road often results in a tire lifting off of the ground. Obviously, a tire in the air isn’t one fighting for traction. So, the rear differential being locked helps compensate for the suspension shortcomings.
Overland Light
In the world of overweight overlanders, this may be the best alternative for someone just looking to explore backcountry roads and the occasional light trail. With a 16.5-gallon tank, you have plenty of range to get you out to a remote camping or fishing destination without worry.
Steering Input
One of our biggest gripes with this truck is how heavy the steering feels on the interstate. It’s as though the electric assist cuts out entirely, creating a very heavy feel that can be taxing on long drives. Around town, this isn’t an issue. We think a simple firmware update could help dial the steering in better for highway speeds, but only time will tell.
Best Maverick Yet?
As of writing this, the only two direct competitors to the Maverick are the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline. In terms of off-road capabilities and package features, the Ford Maverick Tremor has them beat. In a perfect world, you could opt for a Tremor with the hybrid powertrain. In fact, as much as we like the power of the 2.0L EcoBoost, we’d be willing to trade it out for the quieter and more fuel-efficient hybrid. The compact size of the truck makes it incredibly easy to drive and is spacious enough for a family of four. The ride quality is pleasant enough on-road, and for the light off-roading we’ve experienced, it’s ample (dropping the air pressure still helps). Sure, it’s not going to replace the off-road capabilities that something like the new Ford Ranger Raptor can deliver. That being said, it’s half the price of that truck and will likely handle most of the desert two-track the Ranger is built for (at a much slower pace of course). If you are being honest with yourself as to what you really need from a pickup, we think you may find the Maverick Tremor just might be truck enough.
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