Jeep
$53,215
Jeep Gladiator
2026 · Rubicon
- Pickup Truck
- gasoline
- 3.6L Pentastar 24-Valve DOHC...
Vehicle Overview
Trail-ready 6-passenger 3-row midsize SUV featuring a 300 hp 2.3L EcoBoost V6 engine, Intelligent 4WD, Torsen limited-slip rear differential, steel skid plates, 8.7 inches ground clearance, and 5,300 lbs towing capacity.
The Timberline grade brings rugged trail capability to Ford's Explorer lineup, featuring 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Torsen limited-slip rear axle, steel skid plates, and red recovery hooks.
Category Scores
Performance
8.6
Comfort
8.8
Safety
9.7
Fuel Economy
8.1
Technology
9.4
Maintenance
9.2
Reliability
9.5
Interior
8.9
Exterior
9.5
Value
9.1
Specifications
Powertrain & Performance
| Engine type | 2.3L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC 16-Valve Inline 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Drivetrain | Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System |
| Transmission | 10-speed Automatic Transmission with SelectShift |
Off-Road Hardware
| Rear Differential | Torsen Limited-Slip Rear Axle |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Off-Road Tuned Heavy-Duty Shocks & Springs |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 in |
| Underbody Protection | Steel Skid Plates (Front, Engine, Transmission & Underbody) |
| Wheels & Tires | 18-inch High-Gloss Black Aluminum Wheels with Bridgestone Dueler A/T Tires |
| Off-Road Geometry | 23.5° Approach / 23.7° Departure Angles |
Fuel Economy
| EPA Estimated City | 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| EPA Estimated Highway | 22 mpg |
| EPA Estimated Combined | 20 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal |
Dimensions & Capacity
| Length | 198.8 in |
|---|---|
| Width | 78.9 in |
| Height | 70.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in |
| Seating Capacity | 6 Passengers (2nd-Row Captain's Chairs) |
| Cargo Volume (Behind 3rd Row) | 18.2 cu ft |
| Max Cargo Volume | 85.8 cu ft |
| Max Towing Capacity | 5,300 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 4,565 lbs |
Safety & Ratings
| NHTSA overall rating | 5 stars |
|---|---|
| IIHS safety rating | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Safety suite | Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ Suite |
Engine & Performance
Engine2.3L EcoBoost Turbocharged Inline 4-Cylinder
Horsepower300 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Gasoline
Transmission10-speed Automatic Transmission with SelectShift
Drive TypeIntelligent 4WD
Mileage20 MPG Combined (19 City / 22 Hwy)
Acceleration6.8 sec (0-60 mph)
Top Speed115 mph
EmissionsSuper Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV30)
Battery12V maintenance-free battery
ChargingN/A
Range (EV)N/A
Fuel Economy
Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Gasoline
Mileage20 MPG Combined (19 City / 22 Hwy)
EmissionsSuper Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV30)
Battery12V maintenance-free battery
ChargingN/A
Range (EV)N/A
Safety
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
- 360-Degree Camera System with Split-View & Trail Spotting Views
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go & Lane Centering
- Evasive Steering Assist & Reverse Brake Assist
Technology
- 13.2-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Ford Digital Experience
- 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster Display
- Terrain Management System with 7 Selectable Drive Modes (Trail & Deep Snow/Sand)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility
- B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen 12 Speakers
- Wireless phone charging pad
Ownership
- Deep Cypress ActiveX seat trim with Heathered Cloth inserts & Tangerine stitching
- Heated and ventilated 1st-row seats and heated 2nd-row captain's chairs
- Rubberized all-weather floor liners and cargo area floor protector
- Heated leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with Tangerine stitching
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
Use the Trail Mode within the Terrain Management System when navigating unpaved forest service roads to optimize throttle control and wheel-slip management.
Expert Review
4.7 / 10 expert score
Overview
The Timberline grade brings rugged trail capability to Ford's Explorer lineup, featuring 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Torsen limited-slip rear axle, steel skid plates, and red recovery hooks.
Driving Dynamics & Trail Capability
Powered by a 300 hp 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged engine mated to a 10-speed automatic, the Timberline handles rough trails with ease using heavy-duty off-road shocks and 7 terrain modes.
Interior Tech & Family Practicality
Inside, passengers enjoy easy-to-clean Deep Cypress ActiveX seating, all-weather floor liners, a 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience touchscreen, 360-degree trail cameras, and 5,300 lbs max towing capacity.
Pros
- Standard Torsen mechanical limited-slip rear differential for superior trail traction
- Responsive 300 hp / 310 lb-ft 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged engine
- Standard steel underbody skid plate protection and red front tow hooks
- High-clearance suspension with 8.7 inches ground clearance and all-terrain tires
- Class III Trailer Tow Package standard with 5,300 lbs maximum towing capacity
Cons
- Fuel economy drops to 20 MPG combined on all-terrain tires
- 3rd-row seating legroom is tighter than in larger full-size SUVs
- Off-road suspension yields a slightly firmer ride on smooth pavement
Verdict
The 2026 Ford Explorer Timberline 4WD is the definitive off-road 3-row crossover for adventurous families, pairing a responsive 300 hp EcoBoost engine with a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, 8.7 inches ground clearance, steel skid plates, and 5,300 lbs towing capacity.
Pricing Intelligence
MSRP
$49,430
Current
$49,430
Dealer
$48,100
Invoice
$46,200
Offer
$48,900
Discount530
Finance4.9% APR for 60 months (qualified buyers)
Lease$489/mo for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing
TaxesVaries by state and locality
Product Intelligence
Buying Recommendation
The Timberline is the only Explorer trim equipped with the Torsen rear differential and steel skid plates. If highway fuel economy and street styling are higher priorities than unpaved trails, look at the Explorer ST-Line or Platinum trims.
Ownership Cost
Use the Trail Mode within the Terrain Management System when navigating unpaved forest service roads to optimize throttle control and wheel-slip management.
Charging
N/A
Alternatives
The Timberline is the only Explorer trim equipped with the Torsen rear differential and steel skid plates. If highway fuel economy and street styling are higher priorities than unpaved trails, look at the Explorer ST-Line or Platinum trims.
vs Honda Pilot TrailSport: Explorer Timberline offers higher horsepower (300 hp vs 285 hp), higher towing capacity (5,300 lbs vs 5,000 lbs), and a Torsen rear differential. vs Kia Telluride X-Pro: Explorer Timberline provides stronger low-end EcoBoost turbo torque and dedicated steel skid plates.
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4.7 expert rating
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