2021 Ford Explorer Timberline – The Outdoorsy Beast Is Better Than Ever 

The 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline has Subaru buyers firmly in its crosshairs, especially those who enjoy hiking and camping. While the vehicle is equipped to sit well above any Subaru as of this writing, the question that needs to be asked is, does the Explorer Timberline do enough to merit a switch or upgrade even?

The other important question is how well or how much more does the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline do compared to its regular sibling? That’s precisely what we’ll examine in this review. 

Aesthetic Appeal 

When the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline first rolled into our driveway, the first thing we couldn’t help notice was the beefy tires. While we expect the tires to be beefy, the ones on the Timberline were unusually thick and large. The Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, as we soon learned, has a very aggressive tread pattern upon closer inspection, which also gives the Explorer a monster look. Unfortunately, these tires aren’t as capable as the ones you get with the Wrangler but are more than sufficient to tackle most dirt trials and snow-capped roads. Plus, they are a significant upgrade over the regular Explorer tires. 

Height-wise, the Explorer Timberline has gotten a bit of a height boost, but it isn’t instantly apparent even with it standing alongside its predecessor. However, the newer model has several notable upgrades, such as LED lights on the top of the grille, which illuminate automatically as it gets dark. The lights do an excellent job of lighting up the trail. 

We love the new front fascia and the orange detailing, complete with matching orange hooks, that give the Explorer Timberline a much more aggressive road presence. Ford hasn’t taken any chances this time and installed steel skid plates across every inch of the body underneath. 

Uniquely Designed Interior 

We had heard that the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline has a uniquely designed interior, but nothing could have prepared us for the ultra-cool interior that greeted us. The Cypress Activex seats, dark green leatherette, and gray cloth are the first to catch your eye. The seats feel comfortable, which, even after a five-hour drive, feel comfortable and pleasant. 

Speaking of the green leatherette and orange stitching aesthetic, this also extends to the door panels and a gray stone mesh. The rubber floor mats feel good, and the Explorer Timberline logos on the front headrests, as well as other parts of the interior, give it a more upscale look. 

Our test vehicle also came equipped with a captain’s chair in the second row, which allows for a third row. However, once you get back there, the headroom and legroom are still good for adults. But you can always fold the seats flat to make space for larger items, especially if you plan on heading out to the wilderness, which is what the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline is designed to do in style and comfort. 

Final Word 

Our time with the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline was excellent; the Blue Oval 2.3-liter engine delivers a pleasant 300 hp and 310 lb/ft of torque over a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Terrain Management System features many driving modes, including one for Deep Snow and Trial. All this and more make the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline an excellent buy for anyone who cares about venturing out to the great outdoors.