2021 Ford Explorer Timberline Is The Most Off-Road Focused Explorer Ever

It seems that off-road sub-brands are a thing nowadays. After Subaru launched its Outback Wilderness, the American automaker has given the Explorer an off-road-focused treatment too. Say hello to the Ford Explorer Timberline.

Ever since the Explorer became a unibody crossover SUV with all-around independent suspension in 2011, its off-road capabilities have slightly diminished due to its focus on delivering excellent on-road driving dynamics. Due to the popularity of unibody SUVs, the shift was pretty much inevitable, and it maintained the Ford Explorer’s position as the best-selling midsize SUV in the US.

With this new Ford Explorer Timberline, this new special variant aims to make the Explorer more off-road focused than it has ever been. Granted, it still does not have the usual solid axles and low-range gearbox, but for what features it has, it should be enough for most buyers.

In order for the Explorer Timberline to handle the rough stuff, Ford has added the Explorer Police Interceptor’s heavy-duty shocks. Along with the new springs, stabilizer bars, and chunky all-terrain tires, the Explorer Timberline now has a ground clearance of 221 mm, which puts it on par with the country’s popular range of of pickup-based SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Ford has also added steel skid plates underneath the Explorer to protect it from damages. In addition, the front springs feature a rebound spring in order to reduce jarring when going off-road. Lastly, the steering has been calibrated mainly for off-roading. This presumably means that the ratio is a bit slower, letting drivers make minute steering inputs more easily when traversing tricky terrain.

Though the Ford Explorer Timberline wasn’t designed to accommodate any form of locking diffs or even a low range gearbox, Ford has added a Torsen rear limited-slip differential, which is what you would normally see in high-performance cars. This works in conjunction with the car’s permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system, and this enabled Ford to increase its Terrain Management System’s driving modes to seven.

Of course, what better way to show off how off-road-focused an SUV is by adding those obligatory tow hooks–which are rated at 150 percent of the vehicle’s gross weight, a set of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires, and more black cladding. The front and rear bumpers are also unique to this model, and it improves its approach and departure angle to 23.5 degrees and 23.7 degrees, respectively. Further setting the Timberline apart from other Explorer variants are its additional LED lights at the grille, various red trims, and its obligatory Timberline badges.

As usual with these off-road-focused SUVs, the interior uses materials that err on the durable rather than plush side of things. These include the ActiveX with cloth upholstery and rubber floor mats, both of which enable easy cleaning. The Explorer Timberline also features unique Stone Mesh interior trims and Deep Tangerine stitching to further set it apart from other Explorer variants.

Powering the Ford Explorer Timberline is a 2.3-liter inline-4 turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline engine, which is the only engine choice available for this variant. This engine produces 300 hp and 420 Nm of torque and is paired to a 10-speed automatic. Thanks to the Class III trailer package, which comes as standard in this variant, towing capacity is at 2,404 kg.

As with every modern car nowadays, the Explorer Timberline comes with a host of advanced driver-assist features called Ford Co-Pilot360. This includes the usual automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, full-speed radar cruise control, and Ford’s Evasive Steering Assist. This comes on top of the usual plethora of airbags and even a 360-degree camera system.

The Ford Explorer Timberline will go on sale this summer for the North American market with pre-orders now ongoing.