The new for 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor joins the growing Tremor sub-brand which adds off-road chops to more plebeian versions of your everyday Fords. Currently, the F-series trucks (yes even the 250/350) are offered in Tremor trim along with the Maverick and Expedition.
And Tremor is the right name for this trim level, because you aren’t getting an avalanche or earthquake of upgrades, but just enough that you can feel the difference. Like a Tremor…clever.
Red and blue - exterior Design
The latest Explorer is a lovely product, both in quality and appearance and the Tremor only adds to the excellent packaging, even if, like me, you can’t help but see “cop car.” You start with the conventional Explorer bones, which are very default SUV-like, eschewing swoopy crossover lines in favour of a traditional three-box design.
There’s a large blacked out front grille with a unique-to-the-Tremor orange horizontal bar that integrates “off-road” lights (which for the life of me I couldn’t figure out how to turn on). There’s also proper front tow hooks in the same colour and a revised front bumper that improves approach angles for off-roading.
The side profile remains fairly nondescript, unless your eagle eye can notice the one inch lift provided by the upgraded suspension. What you will notice are the knobby all-terrain tires, which themselves are wrapped in 18-inch black wheels with a unique spicy orange accent.
The Tremor’s rear end sees the deletion of a chrome tipped exhaust in favour of a revised rear bumper and hidden exhausts to help prevent damage when off-roading. Look closely and you’ll spot some additional spicy orange accents. It’s all done tastefully and with a respectable level of restraint.
Quality matters - INTERIOR Accommodation
If you haven’t been in a Ford product in a while it might be worth your while. The Michigan-built Explorer is put together very well, with a nice contrast of materials and very little cheap plastics to speak of. The dash features a high resolution digital gauge cluster with excellent graphics and black levels. Ditto with the 13.2” infotainment screen, which is right-sized and easy to use.
Ford gets points for a proper volume knob, but is devoid of many physical controls on the dash. Fret not though, the steering wheel has a slew of classic physical buttons making it easy to navigate most of your primary functions.
The seats are clad in a suede and leather mix with an embroidered Tremor logo and orange stitching that matches the stitch on the dash and doors. They are comfy both front and back, and even offer a modicum of side bolstering to keep you in place during spirited driving. The third row is best for short trips or your least favourite child, but it's easy to get back there and is par for the course for this segment.
Sleeper? - Powertrain
The real beauty in this Explorer lies in its powertrain. Although there’s a standard 2.3L EcoBoost four cylinder, what you really want is the 3.0 litre EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6, which pumps out a healthy 400 horsepower and 415 foot-pounds of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This allows the all-wheel-drive Explorer to scoot to 100 km/h in a tick over five seconds. In the real world, this means that the Explorer moves with way more gusto than you’d expect, and passing power is pleasingly effortless.
It does it all very quietly as well, with nary a sound at cruising speed and only a faint in-the-distance roar when you’re passing the minivan in the fast lane. You need to experience it, because the powertrain is shockingly good for a mainstream product. Don’t expect great fuel economy though, as my week with it was summed up at 13.7 litres per 100 km, and that came only after a long 200+ km highway jaunt. In the city, expect to average north of 15L. Yikes.
ON and off the road - Driving impressions
Ride quality is superb. The one inch lift gives the Explorer more headroom in the suspension and the high-profile rubber cushions road imperfections even better than the already good standard Explorer. Close your eyes and you’d swear you’re in a luxury Lincoln product. The steering is on point for an SUV, appropriately weighted, never feeling like you’re trying to navigate an oil tanker in rough waters.
Wheels and tires and a one-inch lift aren’t the only thing that the Tremor trim gives you. There’s also functional skid plates front and rear and perhaps most importantly a Torsen limited-slip diff on the rear axle to improve traction. Improved calibration for the steering and suspension during low speed maneuvers rounds out the package.
Everything you need - Tech & driver assists
There’s a lot of tech on board a loaded Explorer like the Tremor, but the highlights include BlueCruise, which has grown to become one of my favourite adaptive cruise systems, executing smooth automatic lane changes and next to no unexpected abrupt stops. Even the way BlueCruise makes the background of the gauge cluster go blue to let you know it's on is genius, and the way it alerts you isn’t annoying, unlike some other systems.
You get Ford’s Co-pilot assist as standard as well, which includes other safety features like auto high beams, a high resolution 360 degree camera and pre and post collision braking and assist.
The Bang & Olufsen sound system is a treat, pumping out 980 watts through 14 speakers. It’s clean, crisp and strong, with the only nitpick being that the highs are a bit too bright, something I’ve noticed in all B&O systems.
MONEY & Wrap it up
That sound system would be right at home in a luxury product, much like the rest of the Explorer surprisingly enough. Then again, at $74,895 as specced, the Explorer reaches into luxury vehicle pricing as well without the badge to match. But if you aren’t a badge snob and have enough pennies in the couch, the 2026 Explorer Tremor with that sweet Ecoboost V6 is a home run.