The Ford Maverick has been a hit as a reasonably priced vehicle that can carry five people comfortably, act as a pickup truck, and even tow! It gets good fuel economy and has a starting MSRP of only $23,400. But good luck landing one at that price, as it has proven very popular. If you are going to offer a package that makes sense to a lot of people, it is going to sell well! But the thing that the Maverick was missing was some off-road chops for those who want to venture a little off the beaten path but don’t need a Raptor.
Ford answered the call with the Maverick Tremor. It gives the Maverick a one-inch lift, better suspension, skid plates, and an upgraded all-wheel drive system to propel the Maverick off-road without getting costly. Ford notes, “Maverick Tremor is an entry-level option for buyers seeking greater off-road capability and bold styling in the same compact package that comfortably fits their daily life in the city while also supporting their outdoor passions.” Moreover, it really looks good with splashes of Tremor Orange-orange-gold trimwork and badging. It looks like it was customized by a serious off-road shop from the factory. Todd Eckert of Ford Truck notes, “Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty customers have embraced the unique off-road capability, technology, and appearance updates found across our Tremor family of trucks. Maverick Tremor delivers on this same promise with new functions and features designed for off-roading – all while keeping the truck’s signature size, affordability, and Built Ford Tough durability and capability.”
Choices Abound
Entry-level Mavericks use a hybrid powerplant, but the Tremor uses the dedicated 2.0-liter Ecoboost gasoline engine that is better suited to its mission of off-road capability. Fuel economy does suffer a little, dropping to 21 MPG overall with 20 city and 24 highway, according to the EPA tests. The Tremor package is available for XLT and Lariat series trucks. According to Ford, it is outfitted with functional and capable features while keeping in line with the signature eye-catching style of the Tremor family of Ford trucks. The Tremor package builds on the FX4 Off-Road Package with an all-wheel-drive system new to Maverick. This advanced system includes a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock feature to allow greater off-road capability. It can divert virtually all rear axle torque to either wheel. Five selectable drive modes make it easy for drivers to quickly tailor the on-road and off-road capability of Maverick Tremor to pavement, mud, sand, or snow, as well as for towing conditions.
Off-Road Trail Control
Novice off-roaders will welcome Trail Control, which gets a dedicated button on the center console. It operates like cruise control for off-road driving. Unique front and rear springs and shocks aid in improved off-road capability. These new shocks, together with a one-inch increase in ride height, also contribute to a more assertive stance. The off-road capability is bolstered by a heavy-duty transmission cooler and upgraded half-shafts. For an even bolder look, customers can select the available Tremor Appearance Package, which includes a Carbonized Gray painted roof and mirror caps, as well as black side graphics on the hood and lower body. My tester featured the Azure Gray metallic paint, which really set the truck off with its Tremor Orange highlights. One of those highlights is one spoke of the wheel where the Schrader valve is located, which is highlighted in the unique color. It will probably be deemed controversial by enthusiasts as it does not continue around all the spokes. But the Maverick is different, and I liked the unique touch.
B&O for the Tunes
The Maverick features cubbies and storage everywhere. There is even a website dedicated to 3D printing for useful interior accessories customized to your lifestyle. But the storage does encroach on the infotainment system, which uses a 6.5-inch screen in a world of 12-inch iPad-sized screens. What is a nicety is the B&O sound system that works well out of the box. It is decent as-is. The eight-speaker, 660-watt system is a good starting point for those who want to take it to the next level with extra amplification and DSP tuning. With the bed for storage, adding a cabin subwoofer would be a great project for a mobile electronics specialist in your area.
The Ford Maverick Tremor really checks all the boxes for a utilitarian vehicle. It can be comfortable, go off-road, tow, has a bed, can carry five people, and gets reasonable fuel economy. Maybe it doesn’t do everything perfectly, but there are very few vehicles that it competes with. The main competitor would be the Hyundai Santa Cruz. A fully loaded Santa Cruz is about $44K, and my Ford tester came in at just over $40K. That is a lot of utility for the price.
