New Ford Explorer Timberline addition?

[outside.perception]

I'm not sure what Ford is up to as they are now bringing back some (not a lot) off road capabilities to the Ford Explorer lineup: The Ford Explorer Timberline Will Get You Off the Grid in Style (mensjournal.com)

I traded my 2017 Explorer for my Jeep JLUR last year and am not looking to go back. The explorer is comfortable with a lot of room, but just doesn't seem to be the best platform for getting beyond just forest service roads.

 

[Sparksalot]

At least it doesn’t have 50 series tires like the AWD sport model I had. Brutal on washboard roads.

 

[LostWoods]

Compared to the standard Explorer, Ford states the Timberline rides about 0.8 inches higher, giving it a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.

To put that into perspective, a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has 10.8 inches of clearance, according to Car & Driver.

God I hate when people make meaningless paper comparisons and this one in particular... such sloppy reporting but it's almost certainly a paid "article" anyway.

Not a bad thing OEMs are making these more capable though. Not everyone needs a Jeep or 4Runner to get out and do what they want and something like an Explorer is a far superior vehicle for someone who needs to do family things with their rig.

 

[outside.perception]

God I hate when people make meaningless paper comparisons and this one in particular... such sloppy reporting but it's almost certainly a paid "article" anyway.

Not a bad thing OEMs are making these more capable though. Not everyone needs a Jeep or 4Runner to get out and do what they want and something like an Explorer is a far superior vehicle for someone who needs to do family things with their rig.

Agreed. It might have been enough for me before I experienced what I could do with a Jeep. I looked at various options for my '17 Explorer to get a little more clearance, but they were limited and not ideal. This will maybe push the market further. Competition is good for all.