ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ford Explorer not the most interesting product in FordIts lineup – a three-row touring SUV with elegant styling that demarcates the line between sport and ruggedness. Only one Explorer ST helps connect the driving experience with the sporty part of that look, but so far, ExplorerBest off-road ability is average, especially straight from the factory. Perhaps that’s not surprising given that Ford now offers Bronco to please adventurous customers, but it does so at the sacrifice of road improvement and overall comfort. A gap in Ford SUVs portfolio still exists after that. Entering the year 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline different.
On paper, Timberline’s unique features are included in our 2021 tester’s $47,260 base MSRP with destination (despite that, though). price rises to $47,540 for the 2022 model year), enough to inspire more confidence. This is not just an appearance pack. Wheelchair on Bridgestone Dueler P265 / 65R-18 large tires for all terrain. It’s 0.8 inches taller, with a high enough ground clearance of 8.7 inches, an approach angle of 23.5 degrees (a 2.5 degree improvement) and a departure angle of 23.7 degrees (an increase of 1.7 degrees). . The Timberline has an off-road suspension that uses a modified version of the Ford Police Interceptor dampers, plus revised springs – including front springs – a stabilizer bar and a steering rack. The rear Torsen limited-slip differential improves traction on slippery or loose surfaces. The structures are protected by steel skids that extend under the chassis from front to rear.
Under the hood is Ford’s hard-working 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost all-wheel drive that sends 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to standard all-wheel drive. Some might lament the lack of a V6 option in the Timberline, coveting the 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque available from the Explorer ST’s 3.0-liter EcoBoost. Passed through to a 10-speed transmission, however, the 2.3-liter engine can do well with its 300 horses, with the transmission choosing the right gear to never leave a feeling of loss of momentum. In fact, we enjoyed putting the Timberline into Sport mode and enjoying the engine’s surprisingly stirring song as it climbed the rev ladder. It’s not enough to pull your glasses off your head, but it’s fine if you’re moving into heavy traffic or entering at a comfortable fast pace from even a short stretch of the highway.
Be careful, though: Timberline’s energy saving compared to other Explorers equipped with 2.3. The Timberline is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined, compared to 20/27/23 for the Explorer XLT AWD. We weren’t exactly wrong with the accelerator, and we hovered right around the 17 mpg average during our week in the Timberline.
The Topographic The Management System offers seven driving modes, including Trail and Deep Snow/Sand modes for when you find yourself lost. Downhill control is standard, and a 360-degree camera kit that includes a front-facing camera can give you a glimpse of the trail ahead when your windshield is up. You can take toys with you on your journey, as Timberline has the ability sled up to 5,300 pounds (more than a typical three-row SUV, but one Grand Cherokee), and comes with a Class III tow pack as standard equipment.
Timberline also looks business. In addition to increased ride height and high all-terrain sides wrapped around dark, high-gloss 18-inch wheels, it’s also fitted with a conspicuous Ember Red tow hook (a color that’s repeated on the front bumper surround), LED fog lights, black roof rack side rails and a unique dark gray grille. There are cool Timberline badges on the C-pillars and door lifts, along with a similar emblem on the wheels and front bumper. Our tester also came with a theme-appropriate Forged Green Metallic exterior paint, which gives it a glimpse of a pine forest at dusk. In such a forest, optional Ford Performance auxiliary off-road lights, installed by the dealer in the grille – to which the Timberline comes pre-wired – can make all the difference. They also give the front end a whiff of an unmarked police car, so if you’re wondering why the man in front of you is going so slow…
Inside, the Timberline is painted in an exclusive Deep Cypress color, which complements the somber green exterior paint. The ActiveX faux leather seats have attractive thermal fabric inserts and the front seats have an embossed Timberline logo on the backs. Heated front and second-row seats are standard, as is a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel – all welcome additions to our winter week in Timberline. The seats, door panels and armrests feature beautiful, non-glare Deep Tangerine stitching that further enhances the sense of style and interior quality. The Stone Mesh plastic trim on the dashboard is a bit questionable, but it’s used sparingly and squares off with the look of fabric on the seats. Rubber floor mats comes standard, for easy cleanup when you’re sure to have dirt and snow on your vehicle. Something we’d love to see in a wooden mug like this would be a 120 volt outlet (in addition to the standard 12 volt and USB outlet) for better power tools, gadgets and gear on adventures. outdoor save or soccer tailgate.
Looking at this Explorer, one might worry that its ruggedness would mean a sacrifice in comfort, but we’re surprised that’s not the case. The Timberline, with its large tires and off-road suspension, is perfectly pleasant to drive around town and on undulating highway surfaces. It doesn’t have to squat and dive, with controlled body roll but still forgiving enough thanks to the suspension that our ski gear didn’t bump around the back of our car and groceries. not be thrown around the hold. We expected a lot of noise when riding on all-terrain tires, but those sounds and vibrations were mostly absent in the cabin, allowing us to enjoy music, some conversation between rows of seats and sometimes just the harmonic sound of the engine.
Adventuring on the sidewalks and on the snowy dirt, potholes and gravel roads that surround the edge of Ann Arbor, Timberline feels at home. The suspension was still well-aligned as we launched it high over the hill and faltered flanked by empty fields and icy woods. Furthermore, steering takes less effort and is much more precise than what you get in a car with admittedly higher off-road capabilities. Bronco. Essentially mission accomplished: Timberline balances increased ability with comfort on the road.
Meanwhile, the Timberline feels like a fairly normal and modern driving experience, independent of the same efforts of more dedicated off-road racers. As standard, it comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, a suite of driver aids that includes adaptive cruise control when stopping and moving, effective lane-focused steering assist, and automatic emergency brake with dodge steering assist. Voice-activated touchscreen navigation and FordPass Connect with a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot are also included, as well as proximity, remote start, and Ford’s SecuriCode external keyboard. Our tester also introduced the optional dual-panel sunroof ($1,695) to let in more light while keeping the elements outside.
After a week of driving, Timberline let us feel a little more in love with Explorer, finding this version to encapsulate our vision of what nameplates should be (and in the good days, initially. good by Eddie Bauer). It helps round out a nameplate that needs to be rounded, and we appreciate that something like this can more easily carry three rows of passengers and their cargo to a remote cabin or campsite. . It’s still a comfortable and convenient everyday driver and family van, and while it can’t venture into the wilderness like the Bronco, it can get you there in comfort and style.
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