2025 Ford Expedition Tremor 4x4 - Bottom Line Review

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON & OFF ROAD: Lewis and Clark saddled up wagon trains to chart North America west of the Mississippi River. Charles Darwin sailed on the H.M.S. Beagle to the Galapagos Islands to examine native flora and fauna. And with the American colonies already discovered and settled, James Cook voyaged to the Pacific on the Endeavor to trade with new far away lands, on behalf of H.R.M. King George III.

Given the passage of time, passages on and off the beaten path are navigated with greater aplomb and connectivity. To that end the Blue Oval brand of Dearborn trots out its latest generation of exploratory juggernaut, the tuned for most terrain 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor 4x4.

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WHAT: 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor 4x4, designated U717, is the fifth generation three-row boxed ladder frame SUV, based on the F-Series pickup truck. Dearborn's latest flagship continues the high strength aluminum body revision of the T3 platform, succeeding the U553 fourth generation truck. The Tremor model assumes rugged theme duties from the previous Timberline trim.

• Intercooled twin-turbocharged 3.5L DOHC 24V DI gas V-6 w/ idle Start/ Stop = 440 hp / 510 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

Drivetrain:

• 10-spd. torque converter planetary automatic transmission
• Automatic clutch all-wheel drive + sun gear transfer case part-time four-wheel drive

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: An evolutionary update to its aluminum body-on-boron steel frame T3 platform U553 predecessor, cosmetic alterations to the fifth generation 2026 Ford Expedition ditch some station wagon aero themes, gaining a more rough & ready look.

Losing its former sloping, cheese grater appearance, the center lateral bar grille and flanking lighting evoke a wide "U" framing. Deeper, slimmer inboard "F" directional / DRL lighting lacks back sweeping, yet yields a prominent halo nighttime effect. The lower front fascia is more monolithic with prominent corner folding. A central powerdome hood now bears the EXPEDITION nomenclature at the trailing edge.

The retained raked windshield, long roof spoiler profile terminating into slight Kammback for a sportback look. Crease traced, oversized wheel arches, a marked belt line and subtle lower body creasing is also reprised. On the Expedition Tremor, fully darkened post 1st Row pillars blend with wrap around privacy glass for a floating roof effect.

Owing to the new split clamshell liftgate, it's the new Explorer posterior which has departed furthest from the old. The lift and drop gate are fully darkened. Tat contrasts with lateral creased body color lower edge, rising at sides to meet inverted inboard "F" taillamps.

√ Lower liftgate edge illuminated "EXPEDITION" lettering flanked by lateral light bars; √ Drop gate center license plate bowl; √ Impact protecting protruding lower fascia, split into upper body color, lower darkening + lateral corner reflectors.

WHY: All terrain treatment for the fifth generation jumbo Blue Oval SUV

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Summer 2025

WHERE: Ford new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.

WHERE TO:

• standard Torque-On-Demand part time four-wheel drive
  • 4WD Auto = viscous clutch center differential
  • 4WD Hi + 4WD Lo = planetary main shaft sun gear
  • Open front differential, Rear e-locking dog clutch controlled rear differential
• Nominal / maximum front to rear torque split = 0:100 / 50:50
• Terrain Management x 6 drive modes: Tow, Sport, Efficiency, Normal, Slippery, Trail
• ABS Hill descent control; 8.3" clearance = all-weather, cleared trail off-roader
• Forward trail camera

HOW ROADWORTHY: Blue Oval is convinced low speed torque is what customers want, so an eight-pot cannot be had as in competing GM large flagship SUVs. Thus, under the bonnet of the 2026 Ford Expedition Tremor, the high-po version of the EcoBoost D35 twin-turbo petrol V-6, out-torques Dearborn's famed atmospheric small block V-8. The Ford-GM ten-speed transmission is keen to ingest the low speed punch, conducting the frequent lower gear upshifts unobtrusively, while capable of authoritative passing kick-down under throttle. Despite an exaggerated manufactured idle rumble, the powerplant sounds quite unobtrusive.

• -1 Awkward location of drive & trailering controls:
  • Rotary transmission selector dial & manumatic shift buttons at upper center stack
  • Trailer mode rotary dial inside cockpit forward center console concealed tray
  • Rotary drive, 4WD mode knob at driver's left knee lower dashboard

A fully independent suspension on coil springs under the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor executes a ride damped for aplomb, without much oscillation. As a credit to the lower mass aluminum body, even with the extra wheel travel there is nary a tippy sensation. However, there is the implicit body lean entering cloverleafs with speed. Its quick to adapt to the quirky elliptical helm, which actually requires less driver input. Unfortunately, the General Grabber rubber remains a culprit against speedier turn-in. Large discs, supplemented by two extra caliper in front, modulate smoothly for confident stopping power.

HOW FAR: 16 combined miles per gallon; 505 miles range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 7 or 8 Occupant seating

• Tested 2025 Expedition Tremor equipped with 40:20:40% split 2nd Row bench, with collapsing middle position walk through to 3rd Row
• 3rd Row with 40:20:40% power split folding backs
• +/- Panoramic moonroof + power shade illuminates, but reduces headroom

• Wheelbase 119.1" = 0.7" < Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
• Row 2, Row 3 legroom =  +0.4", +0.7" vs. Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

HOW USEFUL: √ Split clamshell, comfort approach, variable height power liftgate; √ Manual adjust 2nd Row 40:20:40% split bench seating, outboard position tilt & slide 3rd Row access; √ 50:50% split 3rd Row bench; √ Cargo bay power 2nd & 3rd Row remote seatback fold & raise; √ Sub-cargo floor cargo management w/ reversable hard cover

• 2nd Row 40:20:40% split bench cushion collapses to floor to fold for center position walk-through to 3rd Row
• Power sliding cockpit center console for fully concealed forward storage
  • -1 Sliding cockpit center console incurs into 2nd Row
• Long 1st & 2nd Row door pockets; √ 3rd Row wall storage & USB-C power
• Collapsing, stowing cargo bay table

• Cargo Volume (max.) = 4% > Dodge Durango R/T
• Tow rating: 5600 lbs. = 36% < Dodge Durango R/T

HOW SAFE: Standard: Good to Acceptable, Marginal updated small & moderate overlap front IIHS scores (Top Safety Pick Plus - related MY 2024 Ford F-150); √ 10 airbags; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Audible rear park assist; √ Roll mitigation; √ MyKey restrictive access

Ford Co-Pilot360: √ Blind Spot, rear cross traffic Warning; √ Post collision S.O.S. alert; √ Lane Departure Warning & Steer Prevention; √ Forward collision, pedestrian detection warning w/ avoidance braking; -1 Dim headlights

Available Enhanced Safety: (included in tester)

• Surround View camera w/ sonar proximity warning, adjacent lane change view
• Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0: Full adaptive cruise control; Emergency evasive steering, Lane center steering, Rear cross traffic avoidance
  • BlueCruise Active 1.4 designated interchange access highway hands & pedal free, driver attention, signaled lane-change assist, enhanced in-lane repositioning (by subscription)
  • Intersection Assist 2.2
• Automatic high beam headlamps, rain sensing interval wipers

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: So closely related to Lincoln's flagship Navigator, the 2026 Ford Expedition Tremor inherits its cousin's cockpit and cabin design and many features in abundantly premium, if not as posh, materials and fitment.

The newest Expedition is the first Blue Oval product to adopt the Quiet Flight "squircle" elliptical steering wheel, positioned below the concave elevated dash tier, proximate to windscreen, meant to contain panoramic instrumentation. Featuring only half of the Lincoln's twin contiguous 24" inch OLED panel, the newest Ford Excursion makes do with a supplemental middle center stack mount 13.2" landscape touch media control display.

Embracing new found warmth, combed cloth fills upper dash & door cards, contrasted by simulated light ash panels. Some of the metal accents are genuine satin aluminum. Knurling is found on the center stack rotary transmission selector, adjacent audio volume knob and vertical dash air registers. Piano black center stack switches are tidy yet classy. A fully power sliding center console reveals a secure forward storage nook. Fully into the 5G OTA realm, and loaded with lots of USB ports, the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor embraces the latest Android Automotive Digital Experience user interface.

√ Leather seating - heated Rows 1 + 2, cooled Row 1; √ Wide berth, sport bolstered front bucket seats; √ 10-way power front seats, w/ 3-setting driver memory; √ Heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; √ Automatic 3-zone climate control; √ 2nd Row climate fan and seat heating controls; √ Large center console ribbed rotary metallic transmission position and Drive mode dials; √ Overhead console retracting sunglasses bin; √ Power folding side mirrors.

-1 Limited steering wheel reach adjustment; Short 2nd Row seat cushions

• Cool Gizmo(s): √ 24" upper dashboard concave OLED virtual gauge cluster, Google map duplication; √ Elliptical low-mount steering wheel + touch activated, instrument panel indicating, spoke controls; √ Power sliding cockpit center console + concealed storage; √ Split panoramic, front opening moon roof; √ Driver's & front passengers seat variable massage; √ 1st & 2nd Row variable color dash, center console & door panel ambient lighting, √ Foot well lighting
• Details Done Right: √ Contrast stitched leather seating; √ Smooth soft touch dash & door padding; √ Cloth trimmed upper dashboard face; √ Aluminum center console and accents; √ Simulated light ash middle dashboard trim; √ Knurled metal rotary transmission selector

• Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Coarse grain below waist-height, aft cabin wall plastic cabin trim; Wiggling center console; Hard upper pillar surfaces; Steering wheel spoke controls lack distinction; Non-fluid door swing and secondary switch action

HOW CONNECTED:

√ Ford Digital Experience 13.2" landscape capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; √ Bluetooth & voice command hands-free communications - 10 device connections; √ GPS Cloud Navigation, 3-D map, voice guidance; √ SMS text messaging; √ USB-A x 1, USB-C x 11, 12V x 2 (includes cargo bay), 120V AC x 2 (2nd Row, cargo bay)

• Android Automotive architecture
  • Built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, includes Amazon Alexa assistant
• Cloud stored profiles for four (4) users
• 5 x faster processing, 14 x faster graphics, 4 x memory, 8 x storage vs. Ford My Sync Touch 4.0A
• 5G Wireless, Ethernet zone + CAN Bus architecture, O.T.A. updates
• Customizable widgets

+1 Concealed forward center console wireless device storage; Center stack wireless device shelf x 2, including Qi inductive charging x 1

HOW AUDIBLY: 10 speaker, 960 watt B&O Play premium streaming audio

• +1 Impressive surround-sound depth, brings gaming apps to life
• -1 Some high frequency artifacts are muddied

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:

√ wireless Android Auto / Apple Car Play smart phone projection; √ FordPass mobile app & key

+1 extensive Google Assistant / Amazon Alexa voice command execution

• Vivaldi browser app (Google Chrome soon to be available)
• Extensive Google Play apps
  • Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, i-Heart
  • YouTube, Amazon Prime video (while parked)
  • Asphalt Nitro 2 gaming

By Subscription: √ Sirius XM 360L Traffic app (5 yrs. included); √ 5G Wi-Fi hot spot (by Verizon Wireless)

HOW MUCH: $86,695 = 2026 Ford Expedition Tremor 4x4 suggested retail price + destination

WHAT'S MISSING: Tactile & marked steering wheel spoke controls; More precise exterior and interior panel gap

ANY COMPETITION: Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 : +1 V-8s, available Duramax turbo-diesel & air suspension, Magneride ; Jeep Wagoneer Upland: +1 Hurricane turbo I-6, air suspension