Off the Road Again: The 2026 Explorer Tremor 

Thirty-five years ago, Ford’s original Explorer was based off the compact Ranger pickup truck, instilling it with the strength and off-road abilities associated with a body-on-frame truck. Over time, as people sought more comfort and efficiency, front-drive unibody SUV designs effectively dominated, eschewing off-road abilities for creature comforts and a refined ride quality. Today, as more customers than ever venture outdoors and off the beatn path, we wonder – is it possible to have the best of both worlds? It certainly is with the 2026 Ford Explorer, especially with the off-road-focused Explorer Tremor variant.  Stivers Ford of Montgomery fills you in on this rugged new Explorer model.   

Within the world of Ford truck and SUV models, Tremor models are effectively the penultimate off-road models, second only to Raptor models (like the F-150 Raptor, Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor) in off-road ability. The Explorer Tremor is no exception. While you won’t be tempted to scale dunes or pre-run a desert race course, Explorer Tremor is still capable of getting you to that obscure fishing spot or campsite and bring you home to tell the tale.  

Key to the Explorer Tremor trim 18-inch alloy wheels boasting all-terrain tires, an extra inch of ground clearance over a standard Explorer, steel underbody skid plates, a Torsen® limited-slip rear differential, off-road auxiliary lighting, and off-road dampers. The front fascia features bright orange tow hooks, and matching orange trim appears throughout the exterior and interior, including the space between the spokes on the Ebony-finish wheels around the valve stem.

Non-off-road features included in the Tremor trim include a 12.3″ digital gauge cluster, paired with a large, clear 13.2″ LCD infotainment touchscreen that, among other things, provides a clear view of images from the 360 camera system. Tremor owners will also enjoy the BlueCruise hands-free driving system, heating for the first- and second-row seats and the steering wheel, plus ventilation for the front seats, USB-C charging ports in all rows, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatability, a 5G modem, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. 

The exterior’s orange accents are matched by orange stitching on the dash, seats, and elsewhere in the interior. The dash is clutter-free, though it still provides physical controls where they count. Climate control is handled through the screen, with a convenient permanent shortcut control. Storage is generous in the front of the center console, the covered center storage area, and just under the physical controls on the dash. AutoBlog describes the dash as “premium without being overdone”. 

The Explorer provides a third row for when you need it and a power tailgate to access the 20.8 cubic feet behind that seat.  The space expands to 49.8 cubic feet when the 3rd row is folded and a huge 84.1 cubic feet when everything is folded behind the first row.  

Powering it all is Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. However, the twin-turbo 3.0 EcoBoost V-6 is also available, offering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft.  

If you would like to add some additional off-road capability to your otherwise spacious and comfortable SUV, visit Stivers Ford of Montgomery and take a look at the rugged yet refined Explorer Tremor.