Ford Announces New Timberline Trim for Explorer

According to Ford, it’s going to be the most off-road capable Explorer ever.

Those of is who love the great outdoors – and those who fondly remember the heyday of the Eddie Bauer-edition Explorers – will love the newest addition for the Ford Trucks family. The Ford Explorer Timberline is a new, off-road oriented trim level for the Ford Explorer.

Bizarrely, it’s inspired, at least in part, by the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ford, 40% of Americans have stated that they spent more time outdoors last year than in years prior. The Timberline is aimed squarely at those folks.

This is said to be the most off-road capable Explorer ever, thanks to a slew of chassis upgrades. Timberline buyers will receive new shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Ground clearance is improved, and standard skid plates protect sensitive parts of the underbody. In addition, redesigned bumpers improve approach and departure angles.

Still Civilized, Even Off the Beaten Path

Getting away from it all doesn’t necessarily mean roughing it. Like the outdoor-oriented Eddie Bauer Explorers of old, the Timberline maintains a comfortable, luxurious cabin with three rows of seating. Our favorite feature? The new dark green exterior paint. Personally, we’ve had enough of grey and silver.

The only thing we don’t like about the exterior is how dark all of the trim is. Don’t get us wrong, we think it looks great. However, we’re liable to think it’s the Highway Patrol in our rearview mirror every time one creeps up on us in traffic. In case you’re wondering, we get similarly spooked by neutral-colored Dodge Chargers. Don’t laugh at us – admit it, you do the same thing.

SUVs have grown considerably in popularity over the years. In addition, more Americans than ever are engaging in off-roading as a hobby. However, even the most hardcore off-roaders spend more time on the road than they do off of it. As a result, Ford says that the Explorer Timberline, in spite of all of its off-road capability, will still maintain a comfortable, composed ride on the street. We’re eagerly awaiting an opportunity to judge that statement for ourselves.

Photos: Ford

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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