Is the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline Worth the Extra Cash?
We’ve been waiting for a while, and the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline is finally here! But the price is a little shocking, giving us an area to explore. Is the new Ford Explorer Timberline worth the extra cash with all of its off-roading upgrades?
Is the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline a good SUV?
Yes, the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline is an excellent SUV for those looking to adventure. The Timberline is the answer for many drivers’ off-roading desires. According to CNET, Ford reported a 56 percent increase in off-road use over the past three years by current Ford Explorer owners.
This is an exciting addition that will only grow more popular. The explorer is the first SUV to adopt the Timberline name, and others will follow. We could see the Ford Escape Timberline, the Ford Edge Timberline, and more.
Kumar Galhorta, Ford president of the Americas and International Markets Group, shared, “Ford is providing more capable SUVs with the Timberline name. Data has proven that the desire to explore nature with family and friends is increasing.”
How much is the Ford Explorer Timberline?
You can get started in a 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline for about $45,765. This is an increase of about $13,000 from the base model, which has an MSRP of $32,675. So, does it come with $13,000 worth of upgrades? Also, the price increase is about average for off-roading variants.
The Explorer Timberline is currently only being offered with the base engine, which is a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four option. It provides 330 hp and 31 lb-ft of torque. So, it doesn’t come with extra power.
But on a positive note, a towing package comes standard. The Timberline can tow up to 5,300 lbs, making it capable of hauling smaller campers and trailers. Other optional packages will include roof-rack crossbars, rubber floor mats, and more durable goodies.
The Timberline comes with a revised grille, red tow hooks, skid plates in the front and rear, and 18-inch wheels. It also has an 8-inch suspension lift, retuned springs, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential.
One cool thing to consider is the fact that the Timberline has the same upgraded shocks as the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor version. But they have specific tuning for off-road use instead of racing toward bad guys.
What is the Explorer Timberline interior like?
The interior of the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline is pretty plush. It features a stone mesh dashboard trim, cloth inserts for the seats, and the Timberline logo pops up in a few different places.
Plus, the logo is shaped like a cute little mountain range. Uh, we mean like a cool, rugged mountain range. The door handles and other areas feature a bright silver color, and the dark leather has orange accent stitching.
You get an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the Ford Explorer base model, but the Timberline may come with the optional 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot come standard.
The front and second rows are spacious and comfortable for adults. However, the third row is reserved for kids. You can use a button to automatically move the second-row seats out of the way for third-row access.
It seems to be worth the upgrade. You get a lot of nice exterior and interior features. Plus, the Timberline turns the Explorer into a more adventurous SUV.
