2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date – Ground Clearance Has Increased Just A Little – For the first time in a long time, automakers are realizing the importance of selling SUVs with tough aesthetics and better off-road capabilities. Toughening up is very much “in,” whether it’s because of the increased popularity of outdoor activities like trekking and overlanding, or because consumers want to stand out from the sea of SUVs crowding the American landscape.
In addition to the new Bronco 4×4, Ford is also bringing in the Ford Explorer Timberline for 2023, a vehicle that is guaranteed to appeal to families who have closets and garages that resemble an REI store. Ford is adopting a much more pragmatic approach with some of its nameplates.
2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Changes
Exterior Design
Including its beefier, higher sidewall tires and unique front and back fascias that combine visible tow hooks, this three-row SUV looks every bit the professional vehicle it claims to be. Integrated auxiliary lighting is now available as an aftermarket option for the dark-carbonized grille shown here. It’s 2.5 times brighter than the high beams on Ford’s headlamps, making it ideal for illuminating trails and campgrounds after dark. The redesigned front and back fascias, which include Ember Red accent details, make the Timberline a stunning package all around.
As expected, the Timberline has all-wheel drive, and Ford engineers have included a Torsen rear differential to keep stuff moving whenever the going becomes rough-ish. With tough 18″ Bridgestone tires P265/65 as well as a 0.5-inch suspension lift, this car offers 8.7″ of ground clearance. This is the consequence of a moderate 0.8-inch raise in the ride height. New and front-rear bumpers allow for marginally stronger off-road geometry, with a getting of 23.5 degrees and breakover angles of 18.9 degrees and 23.7 degrees, respectively. To be fair, none of these characteristics stand out as particularly notable.
Some of the Explorer’s Police Utility’s heavy-duty suspension components, such as heavy-duty shocks, spring, and anti-roll bars are also used in the new Ford Edge. For the difficult conditions, Ford adds a special front rebound spring to the Timberline’s top-spec steering rack.
However, I do not find Timberline’s on-road ride to be excessively stiff compared to my previous Explorer experiences. As the Bridgestone’s higher sidewalls seem to be used to balance its Timberline’s retooled suspension, the windy cold may be to blame. No matter how you slice it, these models’ knobbier treads make for more apparent tire noise.
Timberline’s added height doesn’t make it a sluggish vehicle, and it manages to avoid severe body roll commendably. Even on pitted dirt roads, the sixth generation Explorer’s RWD chassis provides terrific fun and riding discipline, while enhancing driver confidence with surprise direct steering.
Interior Design
Exclusive Deep Cypress inside has imitation leather seats accented by heathered cloth inlays with orange stitching when viewed up close. In addition to the shiny silver trim and the rock mesh look applique just on the dashboard, rubber floor liners assist protect your new vehicle’s Pretty Nice Indoors from the Great Outdoors.
With only a few choices, the Timberline has Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, which is presented on an 8-inch touchscreen. The 10.1″ portrait-oriented sensitive touchscreen found in those other Explorer models makes this a more convenient layout, although it’s still a little awkward to use. The 12.3″ electronic gauge clusters on those models are likewise not available; instead, a 4.2-inch unit is wedged between two easily readable analog gauges. You’ll need to bring a tethering cable to use Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto, but at least they’re there.
Because of this, the Co-Pilot 360 Plus package of driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise, lane centering, evasive steering assist as well as road-sign recognition, comes standard on the Timberline trim level of the Explorer. This makes sense given the Explorer’s rough-and-tumble reputation. 2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date
2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Engine
It seems that Ford is betting on Timberline by restricting it to a single-engine: the Explorer base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, tweaked to deliver 300 horses as well as 310 of torque on expensive fuel, making it the only engine option. When pushed, this engine doesn’t make a lot of noise, which is understandable in an SUV with three rows of seating. Automatic transmissions are a must in this car because they allow the little engine to accelerate quickly while yet providing appropriate passing power on the freeway.
The base Class III tow hook on all Timberlines can pull 5,300 pounds, which is more than enough for a modest travel trailer or even a couple of ATVs even with the small displacement engine. To compare, its Pilot, Telluride, Ascent, as well as Highlander, which all have V6 engines, all have a tow rating of 5,000 pounds. 2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date
That being said, if I plan on hauling a lot of heavy loads, or even if I plan on loading up the Explorer with all seven seats, I’d seriously consider upgrading to a higher-end model so that I can have Ford’s 3L EcoBoost as well as an additional 100 horsepower. Those vehicles may only be able to haul an additional 300 pounds, but the additional power would’ve been worth it. 2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date
It’s no wonder that Explorer Timberline’s gas mileage suffers from its gnarlier rubber as well as slightly higher profile. According to EPA estimations, a vehicle equipped with stop/start technology can achieve 19 city mpg, 22 highway mpg, and 21 combined mpg.
Some Timberlines are made without the fuel-saving feature because of a global lack of semiconductors. The combined city/highway/combined mileage for these models is 20 mpg, down from the previous 19 mpg. It doesn’t matter if you have a chip or not. For 18/25/21, the 3.6L V6 powered Jeep Grand Cherokee 4×4 has more off-road and towing power than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (6,200 pounds).
If you’re looking for a vehicle that’s both more capable off-road and more luxurious, go no further than the Grand Cherokee L, which is now on sale for the same price as this Ford. Even before any of those cars were given updates for the next model year, so I’m not just saying that because I’m biased against Fords. New Telluride X-Pro, as well as Palisade XRT models for 2023, generally follow look-tougher game plans to immediately appeal to amazing journey Kühl-clad parents and children.
2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date And Price
Despite that, the Timberline is still an excellent deal. Ford’s three-row contemporary SUV with this much equipment starts at a reasonable $47,260, including $1,245 for delivery. But this midsize SUV isn’t exactly a bargain, either. 2023 Ford Explorer Timberline Release Date
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