2022 Ford Explorer Timberline Review: Capable Off-Road or Just For Looks?

The 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline is the latest offering in a collective off-road and overlanding craze spurred on by automakers. Ford beefed up the 2022 Explorer Timberline by using Explorer Police Interceptor shocks and 18" Bridgestone all-terrain tires to add 0.5" ground clearance, bolted skid plates underneath, and stuck a Torsen limited-slip differential on the rear axle for more traction. This #ExplorerTimberline is powered by Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost turbo four, making 300 HP and 310 lb-ft. Would you take the #2022Explorer Timberline off-road? Or do you think this whole package is just for looks? We took the Explorer Timberline up an easy off-road trail and splashed around in the mud and muck to see how it'd do.

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00:00 Introduction
01:25 Timberline Differences
03:55 Engine & Transmission
04:28 Differential & Towing
06:53 Interior Overview (Very Green!)
10:59 On-Road Driving Impressions
16:47 Off-Road Driving Impressions
21:04 Thanks, See Ya!
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[huntauto]

Great review y'all! We've been telling our customers to think of the Timberline as the trim for the more adventurous family! It's not a Bronco by any means, but it will help get to the trails and campsites that you couldn't always get to.

[RobertoMJ]

I personally own one of these and I love it. I just went off-roading and it was great !

[Getitright]

Great review. One thing that was omitted was to mention that this trim doesn’t have a traditional exhaust tips but rather concealed and cut back under the rear bumper.

[widfo_moto]

I really like that interior. So different than most other ones out there and looks done in classy way imo.

[mrfluidvision]

Great presentation, very informative! Great job!! I wish the Timberline had a bigger engine like the 6 cylinder option.

[remingtonA]

Four loves sticking this engine and everything It’s in this, the bronco, mustang, Ranger and the focus ST I have a 2021 Ford ranger and I love it my wife and I are planning on buying this timberline next month

[johncoleman]

My wife and just bought one of these and i really like it. I don't think it any good for off roading. At least not what i think of as off-road anyway

[ruckus_rex]

Couldn’t imagine a better opening catchphrase “cars as you are, ” says it all ❤️

[jongray]

Picked mine up three weeks ago. After a week, I had enough. I love 4-wheeling and took it off road in a pretty challenging area. Mud about a foot deep and water up to mid door. No problem. Areas with 3 wheel contact…no problem. I will get the 1-1/2” lift, as I had to power onto a steep incline when my bumper hit. The police package suspension is clutch. I jumped it about a foot in the air with all 4 tires off the ground. Smooth landing. Kept control. This thing is real deal.
I do hate the lack of hood latch…..and the stock stereo is garbage. Also wish the back seats reclined more.

[ALMXDP]

Awesome review! Really thorough and with all the performance details that some other reviewers dont seem to understand well.

[Deerslayer]

It's an off-road Explorer. Of course I got it to go off-road. I love the extra engine noise and tire noise.

[thatmechanicguy]

Don’t discount the towing. We pull a family RV and it pulls it great. Gets decent fuel mileage if you keep speed at 65.

[ibrahimpatwa]

I have a 21 Ford Explorer xlt and I think it’s really amazing the powers really good and it’s smooth, I will say though sometimes the gear shifts are a bit rough sometimes, but if you want to buy a Explorer and sometimes go off-road you don’t really need a timberline because the other explorers also have all the same off-road modes as the timberline and also has full time 4 wheel drive.

[ParkerShinn]

When did off roading become rebranded as overlanding?

[derekcordray]

Just got my timberline last month and I'm loving it so far! It's going to make a great road trip/ trail vehicle. Mine seems to have more features than this 2022 though

[nicholaslee]

I drive an explorer xlt for work and a Toyota 4Runner TRD off road as my personal vehicle. The explorer does see some of pavement action because of the type of work I do.

The explorer has more pep than the 4Runner, but that’s about the only upside. Build quality is junk compared to the 4runner. The transmission shifts hard on the explorer. On road ride is different, but they’re both fairly smooth.

As far as this specific review goes, don’t kid yourself into thinking this is an off road vehicle. This does not have four wheel drive. It has a glorified all wheel drive system. Its also unibody vs a body on frame. It’s a soft roader not an off roader.

Overall I wouldn’t spend my personal money on an explorer, but I’m happy to use it when someone else is footing the bill.

[hawaiianboi]

Went to ford last week to change my wife’s oil on her 17 explorer, was looking at the timber and walked out with a 22 TRD OR 4Runner 😂

[bigsterms]

Really sucks that you can't find a bronco for under 5k dealer markup. Or find them at all set up with sasquatch pkg. I do like the timberline

[macmichaelhenson-rogers]

I really like this. I’m sure it has nothing to do with me wanting a green on green ranger splash in my youth 😄

[daniel]

Top notch review. Best one I've watched on the timberline