Best $80K F-150: Tremor High Package vs Base Raptor

Intro

Since the first F-150 Raptor debuted for the 2010 model year, the Raptor brand has become synonymous with high-speed desert running off-roading supremacy. Some 15 model years later, as we are heading into 2025, Ford's model lineup overflows with off-roading focused models/packages like Bronco, Sasquatch, FX4, Rattler, and Tremor.

The Tremor name first appeared as a street-truck sport package circa 2013 before Ford reimagined it as a capable off-roader positioned above FX4 and below Raptor in the company's performance hierarchy. But what happens when the most expensive and most luxurious F-150 Tremor is roughly the same price as the least expensive F-150 Raptor?

To put it another way, if you had $80,000 budgeted for a luxury off-roading pickup truck, and you were trying to decide between the Tremor High Package and a base, no-option Raptor, which truck is right for you?

Let's dive into the comparison!

Images: Ford Motor Company

402A: F-150 Tremor High Specs & Features

Ford offers the Tremor with two engines -- 5.0L Coyote V8 (400 hp, 410 ft-lbs of torque) and 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (400 hp, 500 ft-lbs of torque) -- and two basic options groups. 401A (Base/standard) and 402A (High). 

The standard 401A package is based on the F-150 XLT model and includes unique styling with orange accents and new coast-to-coat grilled, four recovery points, off-roading tuned shocks, Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail-Turn Assist, underbody skid plating, standard 4WD, 18" wheels wrapped in 33" General Grabber A/T tires, Raptor-inspired running boards, dual exhaust tips, Tremor badging inside and out, unique seats, upfitter switches, Adaptive Cruise Control, BlueCruise enabled, and standard ProPower on board. 

As I type this, the base price is $66,345 for 2024, including destination and delivery, and $66,710 for 2025. However, there is currently a $1,000 rebate on 2024 models. 

Step up to the Tremor 402A High Package to add heated & ventilated leather front seats, heated second-row leather seats, a modular bumper, LED rear taillights, 14-speaker B&O sound system, 360-degree camera, Head-up display, Tow Haul Package, Torsen front differential, Bed Utility package with Pro-Access Tailgate, 4A auto 4WD, power-folding mirrors, and the Mobile Office package. This pushes pricing to $78,055 for 2024 and $78,420 for 2025. (Again, the 2024 model currently has a rebate). Toss in a few more options, and it's easy to push a Tremor High Package up to the low-to-mid-$80,000 range. Our recent loaner, for example, had an $81,775 MSRP for 2024 ($82,835 for 2025).

Image: Ford Motor Company

801A: Base F-150 Raptor Specs & Features

Ford offers three F-150 Raptor variations for the 2024 and 2025 model years. Standard/Base (801A), Raptor 37 (802A), and Raptor R (803A). 

A base model Raptor starts out at $80,435 for 2024, and $80,800 for 2025, including destination & delivery. (There are currently no incentives or discounts for either model year.) For that money, Ford includes a 3.5L H.O. EcoBoost V6 (450 horsepower, 510 lb-ft of torque), 4A auto 4WD, paddle shifters, 35" BF Goodrich KO2 A/T tires wrapped around 17" wheels, Raptor running boards, dual exhaust tips, Fox 3.1 Live Valve shocks with a long travel suspension, a live valve exhaust, mutli-link rear axle (no leaf springs), Trail Control, ProPower On Board, leather seating with heated & ventilated front seats, the Bed Utility Package, 14-speaker B&O sound system, head-up display, Mobile Office package, and, of course, Raptor logos everywhere. 

The only thing missing from the F-150 Raptor that's available on the Tremor High Package is heated second-row seating and the Pro Acess Tailgate. And, as we'll soon discuss, the engine options are different. 

[With the supercharged V8 Raptor R starting at $113,055 and the Raptor 37 starting at $91,905, they're not really going to be part of this discussion. But just so you understand them, Raptor 37 adds 37" tires, upgraded dual valve Fox shocks, and sportier front seats, while the R then adds a 5.2L supercharged V8 to the Raptor 37's list of upgrades.]

Image: Ford Motor Company

Acceleration: Raptor

A number of factors affect performance and acceleration, but for our purposes today I think it's best to talk about horsepower and weight. In terms of power, the Tremor has two 400 horsepower engines with 410 and 500 lb-ft of torque, while the base Raptor offers one 450 horsepower engine with 510 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor weighs 5,260 lbs with the 3.5L V6, and 5,284 lbs with the 5.0L V8, although that figure likely doesn't include all of the Tremor High features. And the base Raptor weighs 5,863 lbs.

So how do they compare in terms of straight-line acceleration? Exact figures are a little hard to come by because Ford's spent the last few years highlighting the Raptor 37 and Raptor R to publications that routinely test vehicles. However, according to a MotorTrend test back in 2022, pitting an F-150 Raptor with 35-inch tires against the V6 Tremor, the Raptor hit 60mph in "6.16 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 14.89 seconds, crossing the finish stripe at 93.3 mph." I've also seen multiple publications say that the V6 Tremor is capable of a 5.5-second 0-60 run while the V8 is roughly a half-second slower. (Although the V8 does pull harder up top and closes the gap in the quarter mile).

All of that to say, the Raptor is probably going to be a touch quicker than a Tremor High with all of the options, but the difference is so small you'd have to measure it in partial seconds. In short, they're all pretty quick and have enough power for daily driving and weekend funtime adventures.

Image: Ford Motor Company

Exterior: Draw

As far as special editions go, the Tremor and Raptor exist at two ends of the spectrum. The Tremor offers a few clues about its identity, mostly orange accents, chunky wheels, and a few logos. The Raptor, on the other hand, is loud and proud. It's wider and meaner with larger tires, DOT-mandated amber running lights, and it offers extra colors like Shelter Green and Rapid Red that you can't get with the Tremor's muted color palette.

Subjectively speaking, I think they're both extremely handsome, exuding ruggedness. It's just that the Tremor is probably for folks who want more of a sleeper / normal-looking truck, while the Raptor is more obvious and overt. It all comes down to personal preference.

 Images: Ford Motor Company

Off-Roading: Raptor

First, a few bits of data: 

Raptor 

• Ground clearance: 12.0 inches
• Approach angle: 31.0 degrees
• Departure angle: 23.9 degrees
• Breakover angle: 22.7 degrees 

Tremor

• Ground clearance: 9.4 inches
• Approach angle: 27.6 degrees
• Departure angle: 24.3 degrees
• Breakover angle: 21.2 degrees 

Make no mistake, both the Tremor and the Raptor are exceptional off-roaders right off the showroom floor, backed by a full 3-year/36,000 bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. You can trail run and climb hills and crawl rocks and fit in places you mostly wouldn't have imagined taking a full-sized truck only a few years ago. They both offer comfortable rides with excellent driver-assist technology designed to turn newbies into seasoned off-roading pros.

But the Raptor is just so much better at everything, save for width. Yeah, you can get the Tremor into tighter trails. But otherwise, the Raptor is taller and more comfortable; it's capable of doing everything the Tremor does and more. And at demonstrably higher speeds. Also, you can jump the Raptor safely and the added track width provides more stability off-road (and on.)

The Tremor is great, but the Raptor -- even in base form -- is the greatest. 

Image: Ford Motor Company

City Driving: Draw

A tough one to pick, surprisingly. On one hand, the Raptor has the incredible Live Valve shocks with three different, programmable firmness settings - Normal, Sport, and Off-Road/Baja. In Normal and Off-Road, it's like driving around in a luxury sedan, the most comfortable modern-day pickup truck on the market (save for the Raptor 37 and R, which have an even better version of those shocks). And you can toss it into Sport mode, greatly reducing body roll for a much sportier driving experience than the Tremor.

But the Raptor is also 86.6 inches wide (96 with the mirrors) making it a challenge on narrow streets and any type of congested parking lot. In a way, driving a Raptor around an urban environment or suburban sprawl can make you feel like an asshat at times for taking up too much space. The Tremor is six inches narrower and, while it will never be confused for a small truck, it's just a touch easier to get around and maneuver when space is limited.

As such, in the city, the Raptor wins for ride quality, the Tremor wins for maneuverability.  

Image: Michael S. Palmer

Highway Cruising: Raptor

However, if you get away from the city, head out into the country where the lanes are wide and the roads are open, the Raptor may just be the greatest F-150 for road trips. Same massive cabin, giving all five passengers tons of leg, elbow, and headroom, with all sorts of charging ports and creature comforts. Coupled with the adjustable suspension and the ability to turn the exhaust down to eliminate drone on the highway, the Raptor is a cut above the Tremor. To be fair, the Tremor is right up there in terms of both city and highway cruising comfort. It's better than almost every other F-150, save the all-electric Lightning, thanks to its off-road tuned suspension and thicker tires. However, the Tremor's just not Raptor-amazing. 

Image: Ford Motor Company

Engine(s): Tremor

Sometimes, more isn't always better. Yes, the Raptor's High Output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes it the hot rod of the bunch. And, yes, the standard 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is faster than the Coyote V8 in the Tremor. But the Coyote V8 is the one you want. It might not be the quickest, but it's plenty capable, it's dramatically smoother than the buzzy twin-turbo V6s, and it sounds amazing. I only wish Ford would offer a live valve active exhaust on the Tremor as well so we could hear a little bit more of the Coyote's howl as it pulls towards 7,000 RPM, long after the V6s' turbos have maxed out and given up. Plus, if you wanted, for right around $10,000-$12,000, including installation, you could modify your Coyote with a supercharger and get within spitting distance of the Raptor R's 720 horsepower.

That being said, the 3.5L EcoBoosts are absolutely beastly engines. The extra torque shoves you off the line compared to the Coyote and these newer ones are (fingers crossed) supposed to be more reliable than the earlier variations. The only real downside is the soundtrack, which gives off Japanese sportscar vibes when you hear them at wide-open throttle. 

Image: Michael S. Palmer

Towing & Payload: Tremor

Raptor

• Maximum payload: 1,400 lbs.
• Maximum conventional towing: 8,200 lbs.

Tremor

• Maximum payload: 1,885 pounds.
• Maximum conventional towing: 10,900 lbs

Simply put, the F-150 Raptor's added weight and multi-link rear suspension reduces the truck's ability to act as a work truck. The Tremor, too, doesn't quite max out the F-150's full capabilities, but it can still tow north of 10,000 pounds or haul almost 1,900 pounds worth of gear and people around. If you want a truck that can split time between work and play, the Tremor is a little more agile in that regard. 

Image: MIchael S. Palmer

Luxury & Amenities: Draw

As we've established, the F-150 Raptor and Tremor High Package are very similar in terms of features, luxuries, and amenities. Both offer BlueCruise, head-up displays, SYNC 4 touchscreens with 14-speaker sound systems, leather seating with power front seats that are heated and ventilated, standard ProPower On Board, and so on. Both are filled with Ford's upmarket blend of soft touch-surfaces and stylish, textured plastics trying to hide their cheapness. 

The main difference, as far as I can tell, is that, when the two are roughly the same price, the Tremor will include a moonroof, tonneau cover, bedliner, heated rear seats, and the new Pro Acess Tailgate (which isn't available on the Raptor). So you get a few extra features when trying to compete dollar for dollar.

However, I'd argue that the Raptor's front seats -- while not quite as good as those in the Raptor 37 and Raptor R -- offer a bit more bolstering for a slightly sportier feel.

Still, they're very similar trucks in terms of the quality and number of available features

Image: Ford Motor Company

And the Winner Is... Raptor

Looking at our results (based on metrics I made up while writing), here's where we're at -- 

Raptor

• Acceleration
• Off-Roading
• Highway Cruising

Tremor

• Engine(s)
• Towing & Payload

Draw/Tie

• Exterior
• City Driving
• Luxury & Amenities

Sitting down at the dealership with $82,000 (plus tax, title, and registration) burning a hole in my pocket, looking to buy an off-road capable F-150, the two obvious options are the Tremor High Package and the base F-150 Raptor. You can't really go wrong with either, but the choice is not easy. (Even to me, as I'm typing up this comparison.)

On one hand, the Raptor is a specially made performance vehicle with a world-class suspension that can do almost anything on the road and off. It's also available with brighter color options. But a base-model no-option Raptor is also missing a few of the features you could find in a checked-every-option Tremor.

On the other hand, the Tremor is an extremely capable, luxury off-roader that's also comfortable on the road while being more capable at things like towing and hauling. It's also available with a naturally aspirated V8 that sounds so-so-so good, and you could get it for a little cheaper than the Raptor if you only select the High Package and skip additional options. 

My advice --

Buy the Raptor for the driving experience.

Buy the Tremor for the V8 and its all-around comfort and capability. 

Image: Ford Motor Company