Ford Maverick Tremor Pickup Truck: The Billy Goat of Small Pickup Trucks
The Ford Maverick Tremor is small but mighty, with versatile solutions that give you big truck capability in a small truck size. The rear seat even fits 3 kids, one in a car seat, comfortably!
Erica Mueller
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Ford Maverick … Tremor? Not an Oxymoron
Have you ever seen the name of something and laughed at the juxtaposition of two words that don’t seem to go together? That’s what happened when I arranged to review Ford Maverick Tremor. I’ve driven the Maverick twice… both as a hybrid and an AWD all-gas truck. I’ve also driven the Ford F-350 Tremor, a massive full size, full capability pickup truck. I simply could not imagine putting a totally badass off-road package like the Tremor on a compact pickup truck like the Maverick. I expected it to be laughable.
I could not be more happy to report that I was dead wrong.
The Ford Maverick Tremor, which starts at about $29,500, is a billy goat of a truck: Smaller and more nimble than its larger siblings but able to go the places and do the things that you’d expect of a truck.
Related: 2022 Ford Maverick Review: A Short Girl Friendly Truck
The driver’s seat in the Ford Maverick Tremor is all the way back, and there is still decent legroom in the back seat! Photo: Erica Mueller
Ford Maverick Tremor: Daily Driver or Weekend Multi-Tool
One of the things that impresses me about the Maverick is how comfortable and roomy this little truck is. I drive a full-size sedan, and this is really comparable when it comes to passenger space. The Maverick offers a super smooth ride and good cushioned seats, which makes any commute more pleasant. I’ve fit 3 kids, one in a car seat, across the rear bench seat. They were snug but not uncomfortable.
And, technology like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and automatic high beams add to the nice factor when you’re putting in a lot of time behind the wheel.
When the weekend rolls around you can load up the bikes or kayaks or take a quick trip to the lumber yard and get everything you need for that DIY project thanks to the Maverick’s customizable bed, which allows you to partition off sections for smaller items, tie-down large cargo, or open, angle and lock the tailgate just right for longer things like lumber. Plus, the all-weather mats inside mean you don’t have to worry about your truck’s interior when you’re out having fun. Versatility that transitions so well from workday to weekend is a great thing.
Related: The Perfect (Ford) Escape for a Long Weekend
How to spot a Ford Maverick Tremor. Photo: Erica Mueller
Is the Ford Maverick Tremor Package Just for Looks?
This is what I assumed I’d find – some cool orange Tremor badges on the bed and seats and the orange tow hooks I saw in pictures. But Ford didn’t stop there. The Ford Maverick Tremor is actually a capable little billy goat of a truck! While I didn’t have any off-road courses to take the truck on, I was impressed with its handling on some of the slick gravel roads in our neighborhood, and that was without selecting any of the available drive modes such as Mud & Ruts, Rock Crawl, and Sand.
While many vehicles I’ve driven have had a harder time staying on the road at moderate speeds, the Maverick was solid thanks to its all-wheel drive. The truck also felt like it had some extra oomph when accelerating. I can’t find anything about the Tremor being tuned for more torque, but it sure felt like it was ready to GO.
The Maverick Tremor has a maximum tow rating of 2,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,200 pounds, meaning you can pull a small trailer with lightweight equipment like dirt bikes.
On the outside, you’ll note some unique Tremor design cues, such as blacked-out Ford logos, headlamps, and taillamps. You’ll also see the signature Tremor Orange tow hooks, an updated fender vent, and a new grille for a bold and capable look to match the off-road tuning and capability of this truck.
Related: Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: How Do They Compare?
It may be small, but it can carry more than most SUVs, and it’s every bit as comfortable to ride and drive. Photo: Erica Mueller
What You Need to Know About the Ford Maverick Tremor
The Tremor Off-Road Package, which adds the extra capability, costs $2,995, and the Tremor Appearance Package, which makes it look cool, costs $1,495 on top of the XLT or Lariat trims listed below.
This billy goat, AKA Tremor, package is a $3,495 addition and is available on XLT (starting at $26,315) and Lariat (starting at $34,855) series trucks (it’s not available on the base XT model, which starts at $23,400). It includes a 1-inch lift for greater ground clearance and a front skid plate to protect the underside while you’re crawling on rocks. It has a trail setting that is like cruise control for off-roading and offers better grip and control off-pavement. It includes a unique off-road-tailored front and rear suspension for a smoother ride on rough terrain, plus advanced all-wheel drive with a four-wheel-drive lock for when you need it. The Maverick Tremor is powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which may sound small, but it’s plenty for a truck this small and light!
The only downside I could find to the Tremor version of the Maverick was the fuel economy – or lack thereof. While I had been impressed with the near-40 MPG on the hybrid, I was underwhelmed by the 26 MPG I got in the Tremor. I know that most of this is due to the AWD, but it seems a really big drop and would keep me from selecting this package despite how cool it looks!
Still, this really is one of my favorite vehicles on the market right now and is one I’ve built online multiple times as I’ve considered my next vehicle purchase. We have a full-size truck already, so I don’t need anything big, but I will need to replace my sedan in the near future, and if we don’t go the minivan route, I might end up with a Maverick.
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