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Ford Featured 2026 SUV

Explorer 2026

Ford Explorer Timberline 4WD

Trim Timberline
Variant 2.3L EcoBoost 4WD
Generation Sixth Generation
Body Style Suv
Model Year 2026
Fuel Regular Unleaded Gasoline
Transmission 10-speed Automatic Transmission with SelectShift
Drive Type Intelligent 4Wd
Engine 2.3L EcoBoost Turbocharged Inline 4-Cylinder
Horsepower 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Starting from
$49,430

Dealer: $48,100

View pricing Owner reviews

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.

Ratings

4.7 Expert Rating
890 Community Reviews
225,035 Views

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

Fuel Economy

Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Gasoline
Mileage20 MPG Combined (19 City / 22 Hwy)
EmissionsSuper Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV30)
Battery12V maintenance-free battery

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

By FindEdition Auto Team

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.

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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Compare & Alternatives

For higher ratings in the Ford lineup, consider the Ford F-150 (9.2/10). A more affordable option is the Honda Accord.

Better Alternatives

Ford F-150 9.2/10 Ford Mustang Mach-E 8.7/10 Ford F-150 Lightning 8.1/10 Ford Mustang 4.9/10

Cheaper Options

Honda Accord $40,690 Honda CR-V $42,550 Volkswagen Golf GTI $39,080 Hyundai Tucson $42,075

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