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The 2027 Ford Explorer Tremor is one of the most interesting additions to the Explorer lineup in years. It’s brand-new for 2027, 4WD only, and built around real off-road hardware — P265/65R18 All-Terrain tires, front and rear underbody protection, a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, off-road auxiliary grille lights, and unique Tremor styling inside and out. For families across central Minnesota who want three-row practicality with the kind of capability the Explorer hasn’t historically offered, this is the trim to know about.
Here’s what we know about the 2027 Explorer Tremor — standard equipment, engine choices, available options, colors, and how to get in line for one at Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson.
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The 2027 Explorer Tremor comes with two engine options, both paired with a 10-Speed Automatic transmission and 4WD as standard:
Both engines are paired with a 10-Speed Automatic Transmission and Explorer 4WD (sales code K8J). Ford has not yet published horsepower, torque, fuel economy, or towing ratings for the 2027 Explorer Tremor specifically — we’ll update this page as soon as those figures are confirmed.
If towing capacity, fuel economy, or specific output numbers are decision factors for you, get in touch and we’ll let you know as soon as Ford publishes them.
The 2027 Explorer Tremor comes standard with a real off-road hardware package — not just an appearance treatment. The base content is built on top of the Active 200A 4WD equipment group plus Active Comfort Package (68A) content, with Tremor-specific additions on top:
For central Minnesota buyers, a few of these matter more than others. The all-terrain tires and TORSEN rear axle handle gravel county roads — the washboard back roads between Hutchinson, Dassel, and Cokato — without giving up the on-pavement composure the Explorer is known for. The front and rear deflector plates are real steel protection under the vehicle, not just trim, and that’s the kind of feature you appreciate the first time you bottom out on a lake-cabin access road or a hunting-land two-track.
The off-road auxiliary grille lights and blackout headlamp treatment also signal that this is a different Explorer than the one your neighbor drives. It looks the part because it is the part.
Tremor’s interior is a full premium specification — not a stripped-down off-road package. Standard equipment includes:
The Miko suede with Electric Spice stitching is a Tremor signature material — not leather, not standard cloth, but a premium suede surface with contrast stitching that sets the Tremor apart from every other Explorer in the lineup. It looks right at home both on a gravel road and in a parking lot in town.
The Tremor comes standard with Ford’s full safety and driver-assist suite for 2027:
The 801A Ultimate Package adds BlueCruise Equipped (90-Day Trial) — Ford’s hands-free highway driving system, working on 97% of controlled-access highways in the U.S. and Canada with Automatic Lane Change, Lane Change Assist, and In-Lane Repositioning. The 800A Standard Package has BlueCruise as a Free Standing Package & Option that you can add via the BlueCruise Hardware (66M) and either a 1-Year + 90-Day Plan or a One-Time Purchase option.
If BlueCruise matters to you, the cleanest path is the 801A Ultimate Package because it’s already included. On the 800A standard, you can still get it — it just requires adding the hardware and a subscription or one-time purchase at order time.
The major option on the Tremor is the upgrade from 800A Standard Package (2.3L) to 801A Ultimate Package (3.0L). The Ultimate Package adds:
Other notable Free Standing Packages & Options:
The Tremor is available in several Free Standing Package paint options. Confirmed colors on the Tremor include:
Additional standard Explorer colors carry over to the Tremor as well — including the two new 2027 colors, Avalanche Gray (DR) and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat (RR), per the broader 2027 Explorer color lineup.
If a specific color is important to your decision, mention it when you reserve and we’ll confirm availability against the latest Ford specifications when we follow up with you.
No. The 2027 Explorer Tremor is offered only as Explorer 4WD (sales code K8J). Four-wheel drive is fundamental to the trim — the off-road equipment, TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, and all-terrain tires are built around 4WD capability.
If you want an Explorer in rear-wheel drive or other configurations, the other 2027 Explorer trims (Active, ST-Line, ST, Platinum) offer both RWD and 4WD options.
Both the Explorer Tremor and Expedition Tremor are new for 2027, and both are off-road-focused trims with 4WD-only configurations. But they’re aimed at different buyers and built around different platforms.
The Expedition Tremor is a full-size three-row SUV built around the Expedition platform, with a High Output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing 440 HP / 510 lb-ft as its only engine option, Raptor-style skid plates, and an electronic locking rear differential. It’s positioned for buyers who want the Expedition’s full-size space plus serious off-road capability.
The Explorer Tremor is a midsize three-row SUV with a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle (a different mechanical philosophy than the Expedition’s electronic locker), all-terrain tires, and front/rear underbody deflector plates. It’s offered with two engine choices — the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 or the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 — rather than a single high-output powerplant. The Explorer Tremor is positioned for buyers who want a more compact and fuel-efficient package with real off-road capability.
If you’re looking at both, the practical decision usually comes down to size and use case: full-size Expedition Tremor for families who need the extra interior space and maximum towing capability, midsize Explorer Tremor for families who want a more nimble vehicle that fits in a typical garage and uses less fuel on the daily commute. Read our full 2027 Expedition Tremor specs and features guide for the deeper Expedition comparison.
Yes — if you actually use the capability. The Tremor is built for the buyer who wants three rows of family space plus real off-road hardware in a midsize, fuel-efficient package, not a cosmetic appearance trim pretending to be capable.
It makes sense if you regularly drive gravel county roads, own a lake cabin on a rough access road, spend weekends on hunting land or two-tracks, or just want the peace of mind that comes with all-terrain tires and underbody protection during a Minnesota winter or a rainy spring. It makes less sense if your daily commute is entirely paved highway and your weekends never leave town — you’d pay for capability you won’t use, and the all-terrain tires are a slightly noisier ride at highway speeds than the street tires that come on a standard Platinum.
For McLeod County, Meeker County, Kandiyohi County, and the lake and farming communities across central Minnesota, the Tremor is the Explorer trim that actually fits the life a lot of our customers live. The combination of midsize family-three-row practicality, real all-terrain hardware, premium interior treatment, and full Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 safety suite is genuinely well-aimed at this market.
Demand is going to be strong, and Tremor allocations will be limited as a brand-new trim. If the Tremor is the one you want, reserving now means we can get your exact build in the queue.
2027 Ford Explorer Tremor Key Takeaways
No. The 2027 Explorer Tremor is 4WD only (Explorer 4WD, sales code K8J). Four-wheel drive is fundamental to the trim and is required for the off-road equipment package.
The 800A is the standard Tremor package with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine. The 801A Ultimate Package upgrades to the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and adds BlueCruise Equipped (90-Day Trial), Driver’s Seat Memory, Third Row PowerFold, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Ambient Lighting, Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror, Electronic Sound Enhancement, and power-folding mirrors with extra features. The 801A is the more loaded Tremor option.
P265/65R18 All-Terrain (A/T) tires mounted on 18-inch High Gloss Ebony Black-painted Aluminum wheels with Tremor Electric Spice Accents. These are not standard Explorer street tires — they’re purpose-built for gravel roads, light off-road use, and the kind of conditions central Minnesota Tremor buyers actually drive in.
The Explorer Tremor includes a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, which is mechanically different from the Expedition Tremor’s electronic locking rear differential. Both provide improved traction when one wheel loses grip, but they operate on different principles. The TORSEN is automatic and works through gear-based torque biasing; the electronic locker on the Expedition fully locks both wheels together when activated. Both work well for what the trim is designed for.
Ford has not yet published horsepower, torque, towing capacity, or fuel economy figures specific to the 2027 Explorer Tremor. We will update this page when those figures are confirmed. If towing or fuel economy is a decision factor for you, reach out and we’ll let you know as soon as Ford publishes the numbers.
Yes. The Tremor is confirmed for 2027 and we’re actively taking reservations for it. Visit our 2027 Ford Explorer reservation page and select Tremor as your preferred trim, or call us at (320) 587-4748.
The 2027 Explorer Tremor is one of the most in-demand trims we’ve ever taken reservations on — and for good reason. It fills a real gap in the midsize three-row segment that nobody else has filled this well. If you’ve been waiting for a family vehicle that can actually handle gravel roads, lake cabin access, and weekend trail use without giving up the practical daily-driver size that fits in your garage, the Explorer Tremor is it.
For more on the full 2027 Explorer lineup — including every trim, all colors, the new Slick Roof Conversion, and the 3.0L EcoBoost on Platinum — check out our 2027 Ford Explorer overview. For a side-by-side of what changed from 2026 to 2027 and a wait-or-buy framework, see What’s New for the 2027 Ford Explorer.
About the Author
I’m Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. I’m proud to be part of the family business my dad Jay started in 2005 — and even prouder to serve the community I grew up in. I’m President of the Hutchinson Ambassadors, serve on the Board of Directors for the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, and was named 2025 Young Leader of the Year. If you have questions about the 2027 Explorer Tremor or want to reserve yours, reach out — I’d love to help.