Ford’s dominance in the dual-cab ute segment is undisputed. The Ranger has been an outright sales juggernaut, capturing the hearts and wallets of Aussie off-roaders. But what if you don’t want a ute? What if you need something that’s just as capable but with the added practicality of a fully enclosed cabin and a more compact, adventure-ready footprint? Enter the Ford Everest Tremor—a wagon that’s taking the fight straight to the toughest tracks, and in doing so, proving that serious 4X4ers have another option beyond the trusty ute.
What You Get For Your Money
The Everest Tremor isn’t just a badge-and-trim special—it’s been engineered from the ground up to handle off-road punishment. Thanks to its General Grabber AT3 tyres and Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers, the Tremor sits 29mm higher than its Sport sibling. It also benefits from a 30mm wider track, enhancing stability off-road. With optional underbody protection, steel bash plates, bull bars, and even ARB-backed accessory packs, the Tremor is one of the few factory wagons that lets you go straight from the showroom to the trails. The 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel, pushing out 184kW and 600Nm, comes standard, delivering effortless grunt, while the full-time 4X4 system with a rear locker ensures maximum traction in tricky conditions. Exclusive to the Tremor, the Rock Crawl drive mode optimises throttle response and traction control for the most demanding terrain. Inside, the cabin is just as rugged, featuring special Tremor trim, water-resistant upholstery, all-weather mats, and a range of upgrades designed to cater to your specific on and off-road needs.
Are Wagons Actually Better?
For years, utes have been the go-to option for many 4X4ers, but wagons like the Everest Tremor bring serious advantages, especially when the terrain gets nasty. A shorter wheelbase means the Everest Tremor boasts one of the best ramp-over angles of any modern 4X4 wagon. With an approach angle of 32.0 degrees, departure angle of 26.8 degrees, and ramp-over of 23.9 degrees, it can clear obstacles that would leave longer vehicles hung up. That shorter wheelbase also means a tighter turning circle, a significant advantage in technical terrain where the ability to pivot through rocky outcrops or dense bush tracks is critical.
The Everest Tremor’s coil spring rear suspension gives it another leg up over its leaf-sprung ute counterparts. Coil springs provide better articulation in ruts and rock-crawling scenarios, allowing the wheels to stay in contact with the ground more effectively. They also soak up corrugations better, making the ride smoother over rough terrain where a leaf-sprung rear end might leave the vehicle bucking around.
Practicality V Practicality
While utes have always had the upper hand when it comes to carrying bulky gear in an open tub, wagons like the Everest Tremor bring a different kind of practicality to the table. With the second and third-row seats folded, the Everest offers a massive enclosed cargo space, keeping gear secure and protected from the elements. The long, continuous roofline makes it easier to mount roof racks, awnings, or rooftop tents, and makes carrying longer items like kayaks a breeze. While an open-tub may offer more sheer volume of storage space with some clever packaging the weather-tight cargo area of a wagon can still be turned into a highly functional touring setup that’s ready for long-haul adventures.
The Bottom Line
The Everest Tremor isn’t just another trim level, it’s proof that Ford is serious about giving off-roaders a factory-built, no-compromise 4X4 wagon. Unlike some brands that only dip a toe into the “actually goes off-road” 4X4 space, Ford has a history of going all-in when they see demand. The Everest Tremor is expected to make up 10% of all Everest sales in Australia, proving there’s an appetite for a more capable, adventure-ready wagon. And if Ford’s history is anything to go by, this is just the beginning. Could we see an even tougher Tremor Mk2 in the future? A factory-lifted, dual-locked, steel-bumpered hardcore Everest could be the next step.
For now, the Everest Tremor is the toughest off-road wagon you can drive straight from the dealership to the dirt. And if enough 4X4ers take the bait, Ford might just push the envelope even further. The future of factory-built 4X4 wagons is looking bright, and bloody tough.
1 comment
All I want is a wagon the same size as the Ranger with 5 seats