4 days ago
2026 Ford Explorer Tremor Is an Adventure-Ready SUV for Families
The 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor arrives as an adventure-ready SUV with off-road hardware.
The Tremor-spec Explorer features a lifted ride height, all-terrain tires with unique 18-inch wheels, and a limited-slip rear diff.
The off-road-ready Explorer offers either a 300-hp turbo four or a 400-hp twin-turbo V-6, but Ford hasn't yet announced pricing.
In Ford's world, the Tremor models are like a Diet Raptor. While the Raptors have hardware that helps them race over uneven terrain and withstand the abuse of hard obstacles, the Tremor treatment also provides added underbody protection and off-road-enhancing equipment, just to a lesser degree. Basically, you can launch a Bronco Raptor off a sand dune or drive through up to 37 inches of water, but you wouldn't want to do the same thing with the new 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor. Instead, you can take your family or friends on adventures that would otherwise be inadvisable with the regular version of the three-row mid-size SUV.
The Most Rugged Explorer
The Tremor isn't the first time Ford has offered an extra-rugged Explorer. The outgoing Timberline trim previously held that title. However, it wasn't offered for the 2025 model year, which is when the Explorer received a substantial makeover, including a redesigned dashboard as well as new and improved tech. Still, much of the off-road-focused equipment that came standard on the Timberline has been adopted by the Tremor.
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Ford
The list of upgrades includes underbody skid plates, a retuned suspension with Tremor-specific springs and anti-roll bars, and a one-inch higher ride height that increases the approach and departure angles, making it easier to climb up and over things. Every Explorer Tremor also rolls on knobby Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires mounted on unique 18-inch wheels, which include a distinctive orange pocket that helps easily identify the valve stem when it's time to air down or air up the tires. That orange color—which Ford calls "electric spice"—also appears on the front tow hooks and on the element that bisects the front grille and houses a pair of LED lights.
Under the hood, the Tremor-grade Explorer comes standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 300 horsepower. A Torsen limited-slip rear differential also helps the standard all-wheel-drive system muster more traction when needed. For those who want a little extra mustard when they hit the gas pedal, the Tremor is available with the same engine that powers the sporty Explorer ST. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 produces a stout 400 horses and 415 pound-feet of torque.
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Ford
Inside, the Tremor has the same 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system found in every other 2026 Explorer. Of course, the Tremor alone has flashy orange contrast stitching, handsome trim on the dash and doors, and its name in the front seatbacks. While a 360-degree camera system comes standard, you'll have to pay extra for the massaging front seats and 14-speaker B&O stereo. Ford's Blue Cruise hands-free drive mode is also available, with version 1.5 introducing automatic lane-change functionality.
Ford says the 2026 Explorer Tremor is now available to order, although it won't reach dealerships until sometime later this year. We also haven't yet received word on how much the adventure-ready Explorer will cost. We'd wager its starting price will be somewhere around $52K, but we'll have to wait a while to know for sure.
Eric Stafford
Managing Editor, News
Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio
