Truck Review: 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor Is Off-Road Ready

EAST HADDAM, CT – The arrival of a 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor was quite a coincidence. Only two weeks before a similarly outfitted Chevrolet 1500 Silverado ZR2 landed in the driveway for evaluation. This naturally made for a compelling comparison. 

Both these Ford and Chevy models are off-road ready right from the factory. While their intentions are essentially the same, there are some striking differences.

In a nutshell, the Ford vantage point from behind the wheel is a bit more accommodating. Its sloping hood design and signature side door glass design that dips down below the beltline makes for an open and airy driving experience. A high, blocky hood with twin bulges results in more of a tunnel vision perspective from the Chevrolet driver’s seat. 

So in everyday use, the Ford is nicer to live with due to its better outward visibility.

But, underneath, the Chevrolet ZR2 chassis specification proved slightly superior to the Ford Tremor – a little better tuned and refined as a result of its higher specification shock absorbers. The Silverado was also quieter over the road on its 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, compared to the F-150’s General Grabber 33s. Plus, the Chevy seats were a bit more supportive which further added to the precise, over the road experience.

Clearly though, the aesthetics of the Ford are much more enticing than the polarizing Chevrolet. So much so that the F-150 remains America’s number one selling vehicle for good reason.

Both of them ride so high that access to the rear cargo bed is not without its unfortunate challenges. Chevrolet was forced to invent its unique Multi-Flex modular tailgate with a fold down step plate and more. Ford followed suit with what it calls a Pro Access Tailgate, that swings out like an old LTD station wagon. Its 37-inches wide and includes a folding, auxiliary step plate beneath it.

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While each pickup tailgate has its advantages, they likewise demonstrate critical shortfall. They’re both heavy and expensive to replace in the event of a rear end collision. When swung open, the Pro Access Ford gate has the potential to hit a vertical trailer jack that may follow behind. When dropped, the Chevy Multi-Flex can smack a receiver hitch and trailer ball beneath it. Wouldn’t it be better to make the pickup beds lower and provide easier access, instead?

Another interesting comparison is under the hood. The Ford is powered by a 16 City/21 Highway mpg, 3.5-liter, twin turbocharged, 400 horepower V6 Ecoboost engine. A 400 hp V8 is also available. The Chevy had a 14 City/17 Highway, 6.2-liter, 420 hp V8. The Ford V6 is certainly no slouch, but in a full-size pickup a V8 engine is as American as apple pie. However, the V6 is more economical with a little less mass up in the nose for better handling response.

The Ford is endowed with a Torsen Limited Slip Differential up front and an electronic Locking Differential out back. The Chevrolet featured both front and rear Lockers while a 10-speed automatic transmission is common to both. Either way, you’ll find yourself in good stead along the road less traveled though the Chevy enjoys the off-road edge.

With a whopping 36-gallon fuel tank, the Ford will take you further between fill-ups. It also offers a greater 13,500 lb. towing capacity. That’s compared to the Chevy’s 24-gallon with 8,900 lbs. max. in tow. 

Personally, I like the Chevrolet’s instrument panel design better. It features a 13.4-inch center touchscreen beside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which were both horizontally oriented. Together, they make the cabin seem wider. The Ford utilizes a combination of horizontal instrument cluster and vertical center screen.

Both the Ford and Chevy are 5-Star Government Safety rated and loaded with all the latest onboard subsystems to conscientiously protect and preserve.

But Ford seems to be better at really understanding what makes this aspirational market segment tick, which is why it remains America’s number one seller, as previously mentioned. Tremor stylists strategically applied gold-toned highlights up front and along the F-150’s flanks. With additional Tremor badging along the rear bed sides. The end result of such careful design consideration? Routine thumbs up from passersby as the Ford was out and about on its appointed rounds.   

Which is why it’s obvious to those in the know that the Ford F-150 Tremor is off-road ready, willing and able.

(Photos courtesy of Ford unless otherwise noted.)