The Ford Maverick min-truck has proven to be a potent sales hit for Ford, with the truck recording an impressive amount of demand and sales for the Blue Oval. While the standard truck is already a very versatile tool, Ford knows that Maverick buyers also crave adventure in their pickup purchases, and have introduced the all-new 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor to bring budget off-roading to the masses. But is this newest Tremor model the aftershock that will inject more profits into Ford’s bottom line?
Tremor Package Gives Maverick A Rugged Pair Of Levis
Like other Tremor versions of its pickup lineup, the Maverick Tremor is not a formal model but instead is an optional $2995 package that Ford buyers can add to XLT and Lariat models that are equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (no hybrid engine here). The package adds smoked head and taillights and orange body accents while the bed gets special Tremor graphics on the sides. The orange accents also make an appearance in the 17-inch smoked alloy wheels.
Thankfully, the Tremor treatment goes beyond a mere styling package and gives the Maverick a few mechanical upgrades to make it a better fit out on the trail. Additional skid plates provide plenty of protection, while the front fascia gets a reworked front bumper that allows the Tremor to have a better approach angle. The suspension also gets a 1.0-linch lift for improved ground clearance, and it also manages to have more clearance than its corporate cousin, the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands. Other than these changes, the Tremor leaves the bulk of the Maverick’s core identity unchanged, which is great for buyers that still want an impressive degree of usability, especially with some of the handy features that defined our time with its standard model cousin.
The interior largely follows the same script, with the only major changes being the addition of Black Onyx seats with orange contrast stitching and Tremor logos. The dashboard, door pulls, and other select elements have also been updated to include the new color scheme too. An 8.0-inch infotainment system is standard on the Tremor, and it comes with Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment software. Like other Maverick models, noise in the cabin reflects its budget-oriented role, and as a result, the all-terrain tires let in copious amounts of tire roar at freeway speeds, while wind noise is also higher than others in its segment. The front and rear seats are roomy for the most part, but taller passengers may feel a bit confined in the back due to tight headroom.
Tremor Package Adds More Performance Without Sacrificing Urban Usability.
As mentioned earlier, the Tremor package is limited to XLT and Lariat models equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 250 horsepower and is mated to the same eight-speed automatic that also sees duty in the Bronco Sport. While this means that the 2.0-liter misses out on some of the fuel economy that front-wheel drive only hybrid models get to experience, the engine makes up for it by delivering a better driving experience, with the 2.0-liter having plenty of punch on narrow urban streets.
However, we also took our tester out on some light trails where the upgraded suspension proved its worth, especially on some of the dips and bumps that dotted our route. A prominent tradeoff, though, is that the Maverick tremor’s stability control cannot be fully disabled, and the eight-speed cannot be manually shifted. Those items aside, the Tremor is a noticeable improvement over the FX4 package, with the FX only having the advantage in fuel economy, with the Tremor’s 26 mpg giving up some ground to the 29 mpg achieved by the aforementioned FX4. The Tremor is also in a very unique position in its segment, with its key rival, the Hyundai Santa Cruz not offering a similar off-road package for its owners.
Value Quotient:
Pricing for the 2023 Ford Maverick starts at $24,835 for the base XL model, with an XLT starting at $27,095. The XLT is also the lowest trim that can access the $2,995 Tremor package, with our example having a final as-tested price of $32,310. There’s also a separate $4,490 Tremor Off-Road Plus Appearance Package, but we don’t recommend getting it since it doesn’t;t add too much other than styling enhancements and also causes the price to climb past $35,000, which tarnishes its value factor.
When looked at by the sum of all of its parts, the 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor has many of the tools needed to be a budget-focused off-road entry. While it won’t make the Jeep Gladiator lose sleep anytime soon, the Tremor is a more balanced offering that can go off the beaten path while still having enough composure to handle the mundane tasks associated with the daily commute. This will undoubtedly help it flesh out the Tremor family and also add fresh fuel to the Maverick’s sales numbers.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.