Shots Fired: President of Jeep 'feels sorry' for Ford owners

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In an interview with enthusiast site Muscle Cars & Trucks , the head honcho at Jeep took a jab at Ford, saying “I actually feel sorry for customers that get tricked,” referring to people who ante up for the newly-released Explorer Timberline, before going on to wax lyrical about how painting a tow hook red doesn’t necessarily imbue it with extra off-road capability.

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Safe to say no one in the Glass House will be sending Christmas cards to Sterling Heights this year.

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Shots Fired: President of Jeep 'feels sorry' for Ford owners Back to video

The gloves have been off for some time now between Ford and Jeep, with the former seeking to take the latter’s lunch money by way of the new Bronco and an expansive accessory catalog. The new Timberline trim, added this year to Explorer and Expedition models, seems to be another volley aimed squarely at the heart of Jeep.

[UPDATE: Ford’s response to Morrison’s comments, per The Detroit Free Press, began “Stay classy, Auburn Hills,” referencing the city that plays home to Stellantis’ HQ. Ford spokesperson Jiyan Cadiz then went on, “I guess it’s been a long year for Jeep watching Bronco and Bronco Sport rack up hundreds of thousands of sales and reservations — and comparison test wins versus Jeep — and now comes the rugged and capable Timberline editions of Explorer and Expedition.” Our original article continues below.]

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Thing is, Morrison has something of a point. While the Timberline models do look good with their extra addenda and unique trim, they lack certain off-road gear like true low-range for wheeling. Ford is attempting to offset this in the Explorer Timberline by adding a Torsen limited-slip diff and fiddling with the electronically controlled Terrain Management System. It’s also added an array of underbody protection, different suspenders, beefier tires, a smidgen more ground clearance (0.25-inch more thanks to the bigger rubber plus a 0.55-inch suspension lift), and better approach/departure angles than other members of the Explorer family.

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Contrast that roster of equipment with the upcoming 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, a machine with an active transfer case, one-pedal driving in 4 Low, sway-bar disconnect, and over 11 inches of ground clearance when fitted with the air suspension. Ford can’t touch those specs, though your author will note the ’06 to ’10 Explorer offered proper low-range gearing and a more rugged 4×4 system. Admittedly, that was a body-on-frame rig, but the precedent is there. Today’s GC at Jeep isn’t a BoF machine, after all.

Comparing three-row apples to three-row apples, Trail Rated versions of the forthcoming Grand Cherokee L will be fitted with Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system, giving it a two-speed active transfer case and a limited-slip diff. We’ll also note it will be available with a burly V8 engine, beating the tar out of Ford’s four-banger.