Wait, what? Did Jeep just fire shots at Ford? Reportedly, the president of Jeep said he feels sorry for customers that get tricked by Ford. That’s a pretty wild statement. For the record, we don’t think anyone is being tricked into the vehicles they purchase, but let’s break this catty comment down. 

Jeep president feels sorry for Ford customers 

Let’s see what’s happening here. According to Muscle Car and Trucks, the North American President of Jeep, Jim Morrison, said he feels sympathetic toward Ford customers who are tricked into thinking their products are Trail Rated. 

Jim noted the 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline as an example. He referenced that the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe has been identified as a competitor to the Timberline and argues that it can’t keep up with the Grand Cherokee in the wild. 

What’s wrong with the Timberline? 

Jim Morrison said, “I actually feel sorry for Ford Explorer Timberline customers who get tricked. You can paint a tow hook red, but it doesn’t mean that whatever is behind the tow hook will hold up when it needs to.” 

He continued to explain while gesturing to a photo of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk climbing a slop in a rugged desert that all Trail Rated elements are designed from the ground up. 

It’s not just a marketing term. It has capability that’s bred in. You don’t just add stickers and paint to things. We build it in with incredible capability. The area where the Jeep was sitting had a 65-degree incline, and Jim claims the Ford Explorer Timberline wouldn’t have made it there. 

For off-roading, the Ford Explorer Timberline has an 0.8-inch suspension lift, specially tuned springs, a Torsen limited-slip differential at the rear, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires. The Timberline has an off-roading version of the Explorer Police Interceptor’s shocks too. 

This SUV has a ground clearance of 8.7-inches. Front and rear skid plates protect the undercarriage. Also, the Explorer gained a more rugged look with a unique grille, red tow hooks, and a new Forged Green paint color. The tow hooks in the front are rated at 150 percent of the SUV’s gross vehicle weight. It has a 23.5-degree approach angle and a 23.7-degree departure angle. 

How does the 2022 Grand Cherokee compare? 

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk sits on 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The updated air suspension can increase its ride height to 11.3-inches. It also has a rear electronic limited-slip differential and an active transfer case. 

It includes a class-exclusive sway-bar disconnect, Selec-Speed Control, and high-strenght steel skid-plates. That’s all we know for now, but we will keep you updated as we learn more. The hybrid 4xe model has blue tow hooks instead of red. 

But perhaps those interested in the Ford Explorer Timberline just wanted a little extra off-roading capability. Not everyone needs to conquer streams and crawling over rocks. Ford lists the Timberline as a more off-roading capable model than before, and that doesn’t sound like trickery!

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