Text by Tom Appel
2025 Ford Expedition Tremor 4X4
Specs
Class: Midsize Pickup Truck
Seating Capacity: 8
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Miles driven: 138
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | C+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 440-horsepower 3.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Observed fuel economy: 17.0 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 15/22/18 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $81,350 (not including $2195 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($995), power-folding 2nd-row bench seat ($595), Connectivity Package ($745), under-body protection ($425), Cargo Tailgate Manager ($390)
Price as tested: $86,695
Audio-System Brand
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Surprising handling, plenty of people and cargo space
The good: Classy and quiet cabin, surplus power, decent fuel economy
The not so good: As pricey as category competition,
Review
What’s worse than waiting for the dust to settle on a multiyear reorganization plan? A plan, launched with all of the best intentions, but one sidelined by some confusion over a few small but important details.
Ford is now celebrating a little branding clarity, after a period of accidental misdirection. Here’s the story:
Tremor
Ford introduced off-road versions of the Explorer midsize crossover and Expedition large SUV under the Timberline banner for the 2022 model year. The vehicles themselves were fine, but Timberline name never seemed to click with the media or with shoppers.
So, for 2025, the Expeditions off-road trim level was been renamed Tremor. For those not in the know, Ford has been applying the Tremor badge to rugged variants of its full-size pickup trucks for a while now. And, branding fans will be happy to know, the Explorer adds a Tremor model for the 2026 model year. Finally, a universal sub-brand they can be consistently applied to most of Ford’s SUVs and pickup trucks.
Now, for this to work, we need to forget Ford’s previous use of the Tremor moniker, then applied to sporty versions of the F-150. You can check the “old” Tremors here.
2025 Freshening
The Tremor news is overshadowed somewhat by a significant refresh of the Expedition for 2025, Including new front- and rear-end design elements, including an updated grille, and new wheel choices. A complete overhaul of the Expeditions dashboard and console is also part of the update.
Prices are also up for 2025, this due largely to the elimination of a base trim level. More on that in a moment.
Engines
Power for the Expedition comes exclusively from Ford’s 3.5-liter “EcoBoost” turbocharged V6. The smooth and shout powerplant is rated at 400 horsepower in the base “Active” trim level, and 440 horsepower in all other applications. All Expeditions come with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and all trim levels save for the Active come with standard 4WD.
Prices and Trim Levels
For 2025 Expedition is offer in four trim levels:
- Active ($64,995)
- Platinum ($77,445)
- Tremor ($83,945)
- King Ranch ($86,595)
This is down from seven trim levels for 2024. Gone is the base XL, which started last year at $57,625. This year’s Active trim level aligns best with the 2024 XLT model, which started at $61,690.
Platinum Ultimate Package
Offered only on the Platinum is the Platinum Ultimate Package ($13,570), which ups the content level to that of the King Ranch, but without the latter’s brand-specific leather cabin trim.
Expedition MAX
Shoppers looking for additional cabin space can opt for the Max model, which adds 12 inches of overall length—and lots of cargo space—for an additional $3000. The Max option is not offered on the Tremor.
4WD
Also available is 4WD, which is standard on all trim levels save for the Active, on which it adds $3000 to the bottom line.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Expedition Tremor in Glacier Gray. Including destination charge, our test car came to $86,995.
Dashboard and Touchscreens
Folks having spent time in the recently updated—and mechanically similar Lincoln Navigator will appreciate the Expedition’s cabin updates. While the dash-top screen does not stretch the width of the cabin—a thing which is now a Lincoln trademark feature—it is large, well placed, and easy to read.
The big screen includes the instrument panel, and extends to the center of the dash, featuring configurable readouts, including such functions and media and navigation. The screen is bright, clear, and easy to read even in bright light.
Controls and Materials
We found most systems easy enough to operate, and most controls easy to manipulate at a glance. And as for the rest of the cabin, dang. The Expedition is infringing on Lincoln territory, even in rough-and rugged Tremor trim. And, as this vehicle comes close to $90,000, things should look and feel spiffy.
Room and Comfort
And as is the case with most vehicles in this class, there is all sorts of space for four adults in the first two seating rows, and reasonable space for adults in the 3rd-row. Plus accessing the back-most seating row is fairly easy, though we’d send younger and more nimble passengers back that way first.
Quietness
Underway the cabin is impressively quiet, even at highway speed. Easy conversation between all seating rows is possible, as is simply relaxing during a momentary hush in the travel action.
Power and Performance
Power is plentiful, as the Ecoboost engines serves up oodles of ready torque, and works well with the precise and smooth-shifting automatic transmission. The engine is generally well muted, but does produce a rewarding grown when pressed into action. And all the power comes relatively efficiently.
Fuel economy
We saw exactly 17 mpg over 138 miles of routine driving. Compared to the Expeditions of a couple generations ago, the new truck is almost Prius like in its miserly handling of the fuel supply.
Ride and Handling
Most dynamically impressive, perhaps, is the Expedition’s ride and handling balance. The big Ford may be the best handling vehicle in this segment, serving up excellent control in corners, and more steering feel than any class rival. The ride is firm—in the sporty, European sense of the word—possibly too firm for some shopper. We, however, appreciate the overall sense of composure, and appreciate the lack of excess body motion on rough and broken surfaces.
Value
Impressed as we are by the Expedition, we slightly prefer the newly redesign Nissan Armada, primarily because of its lower base price. That said, we strongly recommend shoppers test drive the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban due as well as the GMC Yukon as well. All four vehicles are worthy of shopper attention, though those who put a high priority on handling may be best suited by Ford’s excellent big-SUV offering. As for the Tremor trim level, it looks cool, but adds a lot to the bottom line. Seriously consider the high-value Active trim if you have no serious trail-running aspirations.
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2025 Ford Expedition Tremor Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
