Hands-On Preview: 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor Expands Off-Road Thrills
Ford's Tremor family gains a fifth member, and its first unibody SUV, in the latest Explorer model.
From one Tremor to another. Ahead of today's reveal of the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor, Ford gave AutoGuide and other select media a sneak peek at the SUV as part of our recent 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor first drive. Tucked away in an unassuming hangar, the latest member of the Tremor lineup promises many of the same rough-and-tumble features found elsewhere in the family—plus some serious power.
The Tremor will wedge itself into the middle of the Explorer family, becoming the fifth trim after last year's facelift and trim-line shuffle. If you've seen any other Tremor, you know what to expect here: anodized yellow ("Electric Spice" in Ford-speak) accents outside including the wheel pockets, grille trim, bumper garnish, badging, and the pair of tow hooks protruding out of the unique front bumper. The bumper itself is redesigned for an improved approach angle, while the hooks are rated to 1.5-times the vehicle's weight.
Further helping those all-important off-road angles is a one-inch (25-millimeter) suspension lift, paired with unique 18-inch alloys wrapped in all-terrain rubber. The Explorer Tremor also features a Torsen limited-slip rear differential as well as underbody skid plates to protect its most vulnerable bits. Ford has also blessed the Tremor with "unique springs and sway bars."
So far, the Tremor sounds more or less like a replacement for the short-lived Timberline, but with a more of-the-times name. It's under the hood where things get interesting, because while the Explorer Tremor uses the trusty 2.3-liter turbo-four as standard, buyers also have the choice of optioning in the Explorer ST's V6. The 3.0-liter, turbocharged motor puts out 400 horsepower, which should shorten the distances between the off-roading nicely.
Inside, the Explorer doesn't pack many surprises. Electric Spice stitching adds some, er, spice, including along the mixed-material seats.
The tech suite includes the standard touchscreen running the latest Ford Digital Experience, along with Copilot 360 Assist 2.0 and it's 360-degree camera and other driver aids. Available niceties include massaging front seats and a 14-speaker B&O audio system. Ford's vaunted Blue Cruise is also available on Explorer Tremor, and includes the latest version 1.5 build, which now features automatic lane changes.
Orders for the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor begin today, with deliveries expected late this year. Stay tuned for for more details closer to that time.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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