87mj
Member
I just put 700 miles on my new tremor. I wanted to let everyone know my first impressions along with differences I noticed.
First, my initial impression was very different than I expected. I test drove a yukon at4 and a z71. I have always been bias toward tahoe/yukon and honestly, I like the timberline engine but I didn't have exceptional feelings toward the timberline. Regardless, I feel as if the Tremor (and I assume the new expedition) is in a league all its own. I thought I would list a few observations:
The timberline brakes are better than the gm equivalent and the tremor is much better yet. Strong but with less effort.
Ride quality is much improved. Tremor glides over rough roads and interstates. I saw on youtube somewhere where ford states the underneath is completely different even though they look similar. I believe it. No comparison. Full disclosure. My timberline had 50k miles on the factory shocks. It still had the (IMO terrible) factory timberline tires. The tremor just felt more substantial.
In person, I really liked the appearance. I disliked the **** sized tires they put on the timberline. They didn't fill out the wheel wells. The tremor does. Plus they kept the 18" wheels which I really appreciated. At4 and Z71 are 20". Silly.
It still has the rear locker which i really appreciated.
I always thought the ipad dash was clunky (I am a tech guy by trade by the way). The lack of buttons annoyed me terribly, particularly the heater controls. On the timberline, I would guess I get a 60% success rate of adjusting the temperature on the first try. When I am driving 65mph on a busy 2 lane highway it is far too distracting. I planned to get a yukon just because of the heater control buttons. The tremor test drive made me forget about the yukon. Plus ford was kind enough to at least put a ledge under the controls. That allows you to rest your hand and then press a button. That makes it less distracting.
The android interface, gps, etc feels like it is smaller and less complex (less options in other words). I know there isnt less options but that tells me the interface is much more intuitive. It just makes sense and there is no learning curve. Not clunky in the least. Much improved. Plus the resolution on the gps is much better. Resolution on the camera is much improved too.
The timberline seats are hard vinyl. They called it vegan leather so no cows are harmed. Tremor has very soft comfortable seats and they are made of soft leather. Much better quality than GM. No comparison imo.
The interior fit and finish, the materials used in the interrior is great. The sound system is much improved. But I think it is still B&O so I dont know why it would be better.
That funky dash. I knew I wouldn't like that. I was terribly wrong. It is wonderful. I just got back from a weekend trip and I was so impressed with the dash. The dual gps (the dash and the center stack) is a very nice touch. The cruise controls are great.
The shape of the steering wheel. When I first saw that i assumed it was a cruel social experiment by some idiot in the back room at ford with an idea that will come and go. I knew that was silliness. When I took my first test drive, I was so enamored with the ride quality, I forgot to pay attention to the shape of the steering wheel. In other words, I didnt notice and it was a non issue for me. Furthermore, driving down the highway, I thought it was very comfortable. Although I tend to drive with my right hand at the 11:00 position. That will block the lane assist and the bluecruise from monitoring your eyes.
The steering wheel controls (cruise control & radio volume). Youtube videos imply they are joystick style controls. That cant be further from the truth. They are buttons just like they were before. You just don't see them. For example, on the right side where the radio controls are, there are 3 rows of 3 buttons. You turn the volume up, click the top center just the '24. Same with cruise control. I have to turn off lane assist each time I don't want it but that is a quick steering wheel control unlike traversing through the menus like the previous generation.
I love the split gate. It makes the top deck lid smaller so it is more difficult to hit my garage door.
Curiously, I no longer have a way (at least that I have found so far), to see what gear I am in. This exp seems like it downshifts from 10 to 9 more frequently. Although I cant tell for sure.
I seem to get 1 mpg less than the timberline did. Back and fourth to work, I got 21mpg. Now 20.
I don't like the drive modes on the left side of the steering wheel. It is much more hidden now.
I bought (and still have) a gen1 f150 raptor. When I first drove one, I could tell it raised the bar. I have a sense, this will be the same. If you haven't driven one, you don't know what you are missing.
Oh and it is just as fast as the timberline.
First, my initial impression was very different than I expected. I test drove a yukon at4 and a z71. I have always been bias toward tahoe/yukon and honestly, I like the timberline engine but I didn't have exceptional feelings toward the timberline. Regardless, I feel as if the Tremor (and I assume the new expedition) is in a league all its own. I thought I would list a few observations:
The timberline brakes are better than the gm equivalent and the tremor is much better yet. Strong but with less effort.
Ride quality is much improved. Tremor glides over rough roads and interstates. I saw on youtube somewhere where ford states the underneath is completely different even though they look similar. I believe it. No comparison. Full disclosure. My timberline had 50k miles on the factory shocks. It still had the (IMO terrible) factory timberline tires. The tremor just felt more substantial.
In person, I really liked the appearance. I disliked the **** sized tires they put on the timberline. They didn't fill out the wheel wells. The tremor does. Plus they kept the 18" wheels which I really appreciated. At4 and Z71 are 20". Silly.
It still has the rear locker which i really appreciated.
I always thought the ipad dash was clunky (I am a tech guy by trade by the way). The lack of buttons annoyed me terribly, particularly the heater controls. On the timberline, I would guess I get a 60% success rate of adjusting the temperature on the first try. When I am driving 65mph on a busy 2 lane highway it is far too distracting. I planned to get a yukon just because of the heater control buttons. The tremor test drive made me forget about the yukon. Plus ford was kind enough to at least put a ledge under the controls. That allows you to rest your hand and then press a button. That makes it less distracting.
The android interface, gps, etc feels like it is smaller and less complex (less options in other words). I know there isnt less options but that tells me the interface is much more intuitive. It just makes sense and there is no learning curve. Not clunky in the least. Much improved. Plus the resolution on the gps is much better. Resolution on the camera is much improved too.
The timberline seats are hard vinyl. They called it vegan leather so no cows are harmed. Tremor has very soft comfortable seats and they are made of soft leather. Much better quality than GM. No comparison imo.
The interior fit and finish, the materials used in the interrior is great. The sound system is much improved. But I think it is still B&O so I dont know why it would be better.
That funky dash. I knew I wouldn't like that. I was terribly wrong. It is wonderful. I just got back from a weekend trip and I was so impressed with the dash. The dual gps (the dash and the center stack) is a very nice touch. The cruise controls are great.
The shape of the steering wheel. When I first saw that i assumed it was a cruel social experiment by some idiot in the back room at ford with an idea that will come and go. I knew that was silliness. When I took my first test drive, I was so enamored with the ride quality, I forgot to pay attention to the shape of the steering wheel. In other words, I didnt notice and it was a non issue for me. Furthermore, driving down the highway, I thought it was very comfortable. Although I tend to drive with my right hand at the 11:00 position. That will block the lane assist and the bluecruise from monitoring your eyes.
The steering wheel controls (cruise control & radio volume). Youtube videos imply they are joystick style controls. That cant be further from the truth. They are buttons just like they were before. You just don't see them. For example, on the right side where the radio controls are, there are 3 rows of 3 buttons. You turn the volume up, click the top center just the '24. Same with cruise control. I have to turn off lane assist each time I don't want it but that is a quick steering wheel control unlike traversing through the menus like the previous generation.
I love the split gate. It makes the top deck lid smaller so it is more difficult to hit my garage door.
Curiously, I no longer have a way (at least that I have found so far), to see what gear I am in. This exp seems like it downshifts from 10 to 9 more frequently. Although I cant tell for sure.
I seem to get 1 mpg less than the timberline did. Back and fourth to work, I got 21mpg. Now 20.
I don't like the drive modes on the left side of the steering wheel. It is much more hidden now.
I bought (and still have) a gen1 f150 raptor. When I first drove one, I could tell it raised the bar. I have a sense, this will be the same. If you haven't driven one, you don't know what you are missing.
Oh and it is just as fast as the timberline.
