Ford Expedition

Power and Capability

2022 Ford Expedition Timberline

Story and photos by Dan Heyman

The Ford Expedition reigns as one of the most popular three-row full-size SUVs available on the market today, thanks to its varied powertrain and trim choices. For 2022, that variation expands even further to include the off-road specific Timberline model, a very dark, very green and somewhat stealthy take on the F-150 pickup-based SUV. Timberline trim adds blacked-out wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler off-road rubber and matching grille, wing mirrors and foglight surrounds as well as side steps. There’s also an underbody bash plate and an orange trim piece just above that to catch the eye just a little bit. The new design also provides improved approach angles. In an effort to ensure all Timberlines get the best off-road performance possible, the trim is not available on the larger MAX model because its rear overhang is too long. ‘Round back, we find another underbody plate as well as more of that orange colouration around the “Expedition” script stretching across the entire tailgate. Add a few Timberline badges – also mainly orange – and that’s about the extent of the exterior giveaways, resulting in a stylistic transformation that you notice, but only subtly so.

Can’t really say the same for the interior, however, manly because it’s finished in green – green! – leather with contrast orange piping (the design team must have been comprised of big University of Miami Hurricanes fans) and the 15.5-inch infotainment is gobsmackingly huge and really can’t be missed.

I will say, though, that past the size of its display, the latest version of Ford’s SYNC infotainment is a goody. The buttons are all big and easy to read, the menus are easy to navigate and even if you’re

using wireless Apple CarPlay (there’s also a wireless charge pad at the base of the centre stack), the bottom third of the display remains home to your climate controls and a few other hot keys so you’re never more than a button press away. It’s smooth, it looks good and it’s fast, and all that is important as we get to this level. The backup camera is also great; there are actually two separate camera displays when you activate reverse and each one can be played with to show different views of what’s going on around you. They’ve put that big display to good use, that’s for sure.

Otherwise, the Timberline’s interior is full of the stuff you’d expect from a vehicle with a name like that; real leather covers many interior surfaces including the seats, door inserts and parts of the dash and is well-matched with contrast colour stitching, and if that central display isn’t enough, there’s also a digital gauge cluster that’s host to all sorts of information ranging from your trip computer, to your tow settings (you can also load different tow profiles if you’re towing more than one trailer size, and that will modify your trailer blind-spot system, among other things), to surface information such as angle of attack and so on.

That’s the tech side; there’s a ton of space in here in both the first and second rows that should easily accommodate most adults, though we all know the second row in vehicles like this tend to be reserved more for the kids anyway. That, or they’ll make their way to the third row that can be accessed two ways in my tester – either make your way between the two captain’s chairs, or if you’re small enough, you can squeeze between the door frame and seatback as the second row both tilts and slides. That means you could have a forward-facing child’s seat installed in the second row, and still have access to the third. Which, by the way, has seating for three as well as cupholders and storage bins and USB ports on either side, and the seats are power-folding. In short, it looks like a third row that’s meant to be used regularly.

There is a longer MAX version of the Expedition and while it does add 302 mm to the overall length, that doesn’t translate to more space in the second and third rows, just more cargo space where its 972L of space behind the third row bests my tester’s 546L. Fold all the seats, and you’re treated to almost 3,000L of space in the standard truck and 1,800L with the third row folded.

Back to the second row: there’s no central storage bin, but second row occupants get both a USB-A and USB-C port, a 120V outlet, their own climate controls and

the ability to control the audio volume, not to mention a pair of seats that come both heated and cooled.

The front sets, meanwhile, are adjustable ten ways and come heated and cooled.

All this before we even delve into the powertrain.

The 3.5-litre EcoBoost is one of the most popular engines at Ford, in that it also powers the F-150 pickup and they sell millions of those, most of them with the 3.5. The Timberline gets the most powerful engine you can get in an Expedition, good for 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of twin-turbocharged torque. All that power is sent to the four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, though the way you switch gears – by pressing a “+” or “-“ button mounted below the drive select wheel – is awkward and just kind of…weird. It’s almost as if the feature was provided because Ford felt it had to do it, although you’d think a pair of paddle shifters would make more sense.

I do like the drive select wheel, though. It helps reduce clutter in the cabin, makes it so you can pass a bag to the passenger (or the passenger seat) without snagging a strap on something and it’s more intuitive than the button-press system other vehicles use, including the Navigator. It’s not traditional by any means, but it somehow seems more so than a button-press system.

With drive engaged, the Expedition pulls off smoothly, emitting a slight growl from the single (although fairly large) tailpipe. It’s no lightweight, of course, but the 3.5 does a pretty good job of disguising all that (and helps it tow up to 4,173 kilograms if you select the heavy duty tow package found on my tester), and the Expedition never really feels stressed even in tough situations like climbing a mountain road at highway speed.

The chassis does its best to equal the smooth performance of the engine, but this being a body-on-frame truck, there’s only so much one can do to meter out all the vibrations that come with that kind of architecture.

That’s all the on-road stuff, but this is a proper four-wheeler with a ton of off-road chops. You can see it as you move through the drive modes, which count no fewer than seven: Normal, Sport (which seems a bit of a lark), Tow/Haul (which doesn’t), Eco, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand and Mud/Rut. The tow package also offers a 3.73 limited-slip rear axle and two-speed transfer case, so you know that nigh-on six-figure price tag or not, this is a vehicle that can handle itself off the beaten track, no problem. In the limited time I spent on forestry roads in Gravel mode during my test, meanwhile, it proved so capable and confident that it didn’t take me long to realize that it was pretty much laughing at me and that it can take a whole heck of a lot more abuse than this.

While the only way to get an Expedition with Ford’s Blue Cruise semi-autonomous tech is opting for the Platinum model, you do get some bonus automation in the form of the Trail Turn Assist that helps navigate tighter passages while off-roading, most notably helping you round tighter bends by braking the inside rear wheel. It also gets a taller ride height thanks to Ford employing longer-travel suspension.

It may not be quite as supple as the Platinum version or its Lincoln Navigator cousin, of course, and not quite as blingy, but the more I drove it, the more I came to appreciate the added style, power and capability. This is the Expedition for those who like to let their hair down a little, and I like that.

Four-Season Unit

Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of Crossroads RV

my attention – let’s face it, if at this age, we can’t be self-indulgent, well, what are we waiting for?

Redwood describes its build philosophy this way. “Our elegant interiors that set us apart from other manufacturers and the quality of what we use to achieve the look on the inside is just as important as what we use on the outside and underneath where you might not notice at first glance. We insist on the meticulous installation of all the components and sub-structures to create a solid foundation of reliability and durability. This combined with the beautiful interior fabrics, custom cabinetry and cutting-edge technology, makes for an incomparably finished luxury fifth-wheel unrivalled in the industry”.

That description of the build quality aside, space in a Redwood is a priority. They achieve this by building long, tall and low. The new 4200 FL I looked at is 44-feet long and has a height of 13-feet 6inches (same as a standard transport trailer). In addition, a forward drop frame chassis adds to the basement storage.

The FL in the designation stands for Forward Living Room. This is a layout feature that only truly works if you have the space and the height. In this Redwood, you have both. Another strong buying feature in the Redwood is the online build tool they have. Recognizing that at this price-point, individualization is important, Redwood gives you many, many options that you can add – or delete, as your personal taste dictates.

Every year, in mid-September, the largest consumer RV show takes place in Hershey, PA. I attended this year and produced 22 new RV walk-throughs for my new TK Powersports and RVs YouTube channel. Many of these are already live on the site.

One of the units that really impressed was a new floor plan from Redwood. I thought it was worth highlighting. This large fifth-wheel is a four-season, full-timing unit and has to be described as simply luxurious. The company says that Redwood, as a brand, was created in 2010 for the sole purpose of providing the exploding Baby Boomer market with a luxury Fifth Wheel at an affordable price.

Of course, what they don’t say is retiring Baby Boomers; and in truth I’m one of them. I suppose that’s why this unit really caught

KITCHEN & APPLIANCES 18 Cu. Ft. Side-by-Side Norcold Refrigerator w/ Ice Maker (RV Reefer Models) 22 Cu. Ft. Residential Refrigerator w/ 1,200W Inverter 30-Inch Convection Microwave w/ Exhaust Fan EGS Steel Backed Cabinet Anchors Full-Extension Ball-Bearing Drawer Guides Hardwood Stiles Pre-Drilled & Screwed Together High Rise Faucet w/ Pull Out Sprayer High Rise Island w/ Dedicated Garbage Cabinet Max Air Fan w/ Rain Sensor Oversized Farmhouse Sink Over-Island Lighting Pots & Pans Storage Residential Soft Close Hidden Hinges Residential-Sized Storage Drawers Solid Surface Counter Tops True Residential Four-Burner Gas Range w/ 3.7 Cu. Ft. Oven

POPULAR OPTIONS 3rd 15,000 BTU A/C 5.5 Onan LP Generator Disc Brakes Full Body Paint High Efficiency Dishwasher RV Refrigerator in Place of Residential Refrigerator Slide Awning Package Zamp 170-Watt Solar Panel w/ Controller

In the Full-time Living Package they include even more items you’d want for a life on the road: 50 Amp Service Aluminum Wheels Ceiling Fan (VBM) Custom FIT 2.0 Chassis Day/Night Roller Shades in Living Area Frameless Dual Pane Windows Full Extension Ball Bearing Drawer Glides High Rise Island w/ Dedicated Garbage Cabinets Insulated Slam Latch Baggage Doors Maximum Linoleum Throughout Coach Oversized Farmhouse Sink Progressive 75 Amp/12V DC Power Converter Residential Soft Close Hidden Hinges Straight Roof Line (Luxury Profile) Washer/Dryer Prep Winegard Connect 2.0 4G/WiFi Zamp Roof & Sidewall Solar Prep

To further demonstrate its commitment to four-season living in its units, they have had an outside company test and evaluate the cooling found in the units. The figures below are given in Fahrenheit.

Temperature testing was conducted by a 3rd party testing facility and was done in a closed environment *The numbers are inside temp vs. the ambient outside temp. Kitchen - 64° (110° Environment) Living Area - 68° (110° Environment) Kitchen - 75° (0° Environment) Bathroom - 75° (0° Environment) Bathroom - 68° (110° Environment) Bedroom - 72° (0° Environment) Bedroom - 65° (110° Environment)

Have a look at the Redwood – even if you never own one, it’s fun to look at. Hope you enjoy the videos from Hershey. It was a great show and I plan to attend again next year.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dry Weight: ................................................... 16,206 lb Exterior Length: .......................................... 44-ft 10-in. Exterior Width: ....................................................... 8-ft Exterior Height: ............................(with A/C) 13-ft 6-in. Carrying Capacity: .......................................... 2,794 lb Hitch Weight: .................................................. 3,214 lb LP Gas: ................................................................. 60 lb Fresh water: ....................................................... 50 gal Black water: ...................................................... 38 gal Grey water: ........................................................ 76 gal

Off-Road Pickups

Everybody has one now – it’s the fashion!

Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of the manufacturers

Social trends are always very evident in the world of fashion; this statement holds true for the automotive world too. Consider that over the past decade, every truck/SUV manufacturer has been pumping out more and more aggressive off-road designs. Some are just paint and plastic nods to the 4x4 craze while others are bonafide desert runners. So, this is the current hot trend; but do we need all these wilderness crushing trucks? Perhaps not, but as with fashion, this trend is selling and will have to run its course. Below I’ve compiled a current list of what’s available in off-roaders (trucks only). If you’re in the market, you have choices.

CHEVROLET Silverado For 2022, Chevy is adding the ZR2 off-road treatment to its Silverado. It sports front and rear e-lockers, a special fascia and the Multimatic DSSV damped shocks (already found on the mid-size Colorado ZR2). ZR2 highlights include the following: Standard 6.2L V8 mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission; uniquely-tuned springs for maximum front and rear suspension travel; Terrain Mode, which allows one-pedal rock crawling; 33-inch off-road MT tires; skid plate package and 31.8degree approach angle.

A unique bumper has removable end caps and the dual exhaust has been lifted and ends before the rear bumper. The Silverado ZR2 is distinguished by a new black hood insert, a unique grille with integrated lighting and a “flow-tie” emblem.

CHEVROLET Colorado ZR2 Chevrolet just released a teaser of the 2023 Colorado ZR2 Bison truck, an off-road ready truck built with unique American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) features. While the short video doesn’t show the whole truck, it previews elements of the underbody skid plates, badging and more. Full vehicle specs will be shared later this fall.

ZR2. Much of the underpinnings are the same – however, the designs are unique to GMC. AT4X is spread throughout the GMC lineup.

GMC Canyon AT4X For 2023, we get a new Canyon and along with that an AT4X version. This is to be a no-compromises, off-road midsize truck. Canyon AT4X boasts a factory lifted, ultra-wide track; standard 33-inch MT tires, Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear lockers, underbody skid plates and the AT4X-exclusive Baja drive mode. The Canyon AT4X’s factory-lift enables 10.7 inches of ground clearance standard and a 36.9-degree approach angle.

RAM TRX The Ram 1500 TRX is a very special desert racer. Its focus is to topple the Ford Raptor from its current position as the apex predator of trucks. It’s powered by a 702 hp supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 engine – that will deliver a top speed of 190 km/h. Even though the TRX is designated as a 1500-series truck, it has more in common (frame-wise) with the 2500

model. For instance, the control arms and suspension links are wider and stronger, and the steering has been strengthened. The rear spring is huge at 23.6-inches-high. Ram uses Bilstein E2 remote-reservoir active dampers. Ram also employs its Active Terrain Dynamics control software with three accelerometers and four wheel-position sensors to know exactly where the shocks are, and three-stage jounce bumpers. It’s worth noting that the TRX is still a work-a-day truck. It has a payload capacity of 1,310 lb and a towing capacity of 8,100 lb.

FORD F-150 Raptor Ford, no doubt, created this off-road craze with its 2009 introduction of the desert racing-inspired F-150 Raptor.

Today, the third-generation F-150 Raptor takes the mechanical and technical aspects of the Raptor and adds enhanced connected technology. Its High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost engine now delivers better low-end torque, enables greater maximum towing and increased maximum payload capability. Its projected fuel range is 800 km. Plus, its active valve dual exhaust has a throatier engine sound. The Raptor R (a V8-powered Raptor) is coming later this year.

FORD F-150 Tremor The long-standing 4WD package – the FX4 – has been joined by a new package – the Tremor. This version has been added to the F-150 and midsize Ranger and will now also be an option on the compact Maverick.

FORD Ranger Tremor The Tremor Off-Road Package on the Ranger creates an off-road-ready factory-built truck. Ranger Tremor features a lifted suspension with off-road tuned FOX 2.0 monotube dampers and rear piggyback reservoirs, specially tuned front coilover and rear leaf springs, 32-inch Continental General Grabber all-terrain tires and six-switch auxiliary power pack to manage accessories including winches, light bars and air compressors

FORD Maverick Tremor The new Maverick Tremor is available on XLT and Lariat series trucks and includes a 1-inch lift for greater ground clearance, exclusive Trail Control, unique off-road-tailored front and rear suspension, advanced all-wheel drive with four-wheel-drive lock and 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Distinctive

Tremor design cues include blacked-out Ford logos, headlamps and tail lamps, signature Tremor Orange tow hooks, updated fender vent and new grille; available Tremor Appearance Package offers an even bolder look.

NISSAN Frontier PRO-4X Frontier is new this year and it’s offering a unique Canadian-only model, the Frontier King Cab PRO-4X with 6-foot bed. It features shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes. Frontier also has a four-wheel limited-slip system. The PRO-4X model adds an electronic locking differential, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and underbody skid plates. Cargo bed utility includes available factory-applied spray-on bedliner and the Utili-track Channel System with its three “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed. In addition, four fixed bed tie-down hooks help secure gear.

• New 3.5L V6 twin-turbo engine makes 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. • i-Force MAX powertrain option punches that up to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. • Max tow rating is increased to 12,000 lb. • Available 14-inch touchscreen highlights the new Audio Multimedia system.

• 12.3-inch instrument panel display is available. • Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 active safety is standard on all trim levels. • Interiors are completely updated with new materials and designs.

The TRD Pro version is fitted with 2.5-inch FOX internal bypass shocks. It also gains a stabilizer bar, red painted suspension parts, TRD aluminum front skid plate, underbody protection and all-terrain Falken tires.

TOYOTA Tacoma TRD Pro Tacoma will have a generational update next year. However, it continues to offer its 4x4 versions now. It features the five-person double cab and a five-foot cargo bed standard. TRD Remote Reservoir Suspension Kit, TRD-tuned front coil springs with Fox Racing Shocks (adds a one-inch lift and progressive-rate rear leaf springs), a TRD Pro quarter-inch thick aluminum skid plate, and Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar-reinforced tires and TRD-tuned stainless steel exhaust. Rigid Industries has added LED fog lights, colour-keyed mirrors, door handles, rear bumper, black bezel headlamps and tail lamps.

JEEP Gladiator Jeep Gladiator by its very nature is an off-road ready truck. Frankly, it exists because of this off-road trend. Gladiator’s body-on-frame design offers four doors on a stretched frame 31 inches longer than the Wrangler. The wheelbase is also 19.4 inches longer and the rear axle and suspension set-up borrows heavily from the Ram 1500. The Gladiator has 11.1-inches of ground clearance complemented with an under mounted spare tire that is tucked up above the rear axle.

Gladiator is available with the same trim packages as the Wrangler (Sport S, Overland and Rubicon) and it is progressively more aggressive in the off-road arena as you move up to the Rubicon. Gladiator/Rubicon trucks come with a Rock-Trac 4x4 system with a “4LO” ratio of 4:1; Dana 44 axles; Tru-Lock electric front- and rear-axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential and sway-bar disconnect. The truck has standard front and rear tow hooks, skid plates and steel bumpers that are winch-ready from the factory. The Rubicon version comes with 33-inch off-road tires giving it up to 30-inches of water fording ability.

Iconic British Rig Range Rover P530 First Edition

Story and photos by Gerry Frechette

The Range Rover has been around for over five decades, and the model pioneered the luxury SUV genre about four decades ago. In all that time, this iconic British rig has stayed true to the formula, and today, is in the position to command a very high price in the market.

You would be hard-pressed to find a more quiet, relaxed, and refined high-end SUV, one that is the equal of all the other high-end SUVs on the road, but which also has the best off-road capabilities in this prestige class.

Since the interior of a vehicle defines its level of luxury to most people, we’ll start there. The short description is, it’s quite beautiful, with toplevel materials like fine leather (Perlino perforated Semi-Aniline) seats, dashboard and doors, real wood (Ecru Walnut) and aluminum trim, and appealing design. The heated and cooled front seats are adjustable some 24 ways, offer your choice of massage, and are wide enough to assure comfort for everyone.

The obligatory touch screen is large (13-inches) and easy to use, which is a good thing, because most of the driver-variable functions are controlled thereon. It’s not all that intuitive at first, but with a little practice, it started making some sense, as much as it could with just so many features that can be controlled. The feature we used and liked the most was the 1,600-watt Meridian audio system with some 35 speakers.

The rear seat is usually not where your passengers will want to be in most vehicles, but in this case, Range Rover has challenged convention. They call those seats Executive Class Comfort Plus, and they do look like business-class seats on a long-range airliner. The seats themselves are pretty much duplicates of the front ones – multi-adjustable including recline, temperature-control, and even massaging. But it is all the other amenities, fully controllable from the touch screen in the electricallylowered console, that makes this a limo SUV.

Power cupholder extender, climate control including air quality (purifier and ionizer), ambient and task lighting variable for intensity and colour, roof and side-window blinds open or close, control of the two 11.4-inch screens on the back of the front seats....it’s the lap of luxury back there. It must be said, though, that it isn’t especially roomy, as the seats are all so physically big, there is less space than you might like. The same goes for the cargo area, which can be extended at the push of a button, lowering the rear seats. There is a long-wheelbase RR with a third row, so that might be the model to consider if space is important. Of interest is that the rear opening consists of a “clamshell” arrangement with a hatch opening up, and a smaller section swinging down like a pick-up’s. Range Rover is marketing that design to those who like to go to outdoor events and “tailgate” or party with their vehicle. A leather cushion is supplied for comfort sitting on the tailgate, and there are cupholders built in.

So what is the Range Rover P530 like to drive? Well, unlike the sixcylinder P400 models which have a couple of hybrid systems from which to choose, the P530 is all gasoline combustion engine, all the time, except when the “stop-start” system shuts it down at stop lights.

It’s a 4.4-litre, DOHC V8 with twin turbos, sourced from BMW, and it replaces the venerable supercharged 5.0-litre unit that has powered Range Rovers for many years previous. It has 523 horsepower, and torque is 553 lb-ft as low as 1,800 rpm, so it moves this 2,588-kg beast with no waiting; zero-to-100 km/h is achieved in 4.6 seconds. It is rated for 3,500 kg of towing.

Other than the sheer speed, what impressed us the most was the serene quiet of it all at anything short of full throttle, thanks to the turbos which mute the engine, along with acoustic glass and active noise cancellation. And that reminded us the most of a two-motor electric vehicle. Kind of ironic....this old-tech gas-only big-power luxury vehicle drives

The rest of the driveline consists of an eight-speed automatic (more gears aren’t needed with this kind of low-end torque) putting the power to the full-time all-wheel drive. There are three driving modes from which to choose – Eco, Comfort and Dynamic. Being a Land Rover product, it must also maximize its off-road capability, and to that end, there is the Terrain Response system, which can be set to Auto, or manually selected to Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, and Wade. Those options become more unlikely to be chosen as you progress up the list, one has to think, as those driving this top-of-the-line Range Rover are heading to the ski cabin more than they are climbing rocky mountain trails that require traversing rivers. That is especially the case with the excellent-on-the-road Pirelli Scorpion 285/40-23 all-season tires it is equipped with. With proper off-road tires, the air suspension set to “fully raised,”(295 mm ride height) and the centre and rear differentials locked (as they can be), one might be willing to take it a bit further off-road.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in driving the P530 is how nimble it feels for such a big vehicle. The air suspension has much to do with that, as does the rear-wheel steering, which serves to reduce the radius of corners and make it feel smaller. On the other hand, the front-wheel steering is a bit devoid of feedback.

Appearance wise, the new Range Rover looks much like the previous generation, and still not like anything else. The vertical trim on the front doors has been toned down, at least on this First Edition. With the dark grey paint and lots of (optional) black trim and roof, it certainly has road presence, although the black wheels (a trend I wish would disappear) take away most of the visual elegance and panache that polished alloy wheels would impart.

The lesser P530 models start at $143,900, but this fully loaded First Edition will cost you at least $182,000. So, all in, you won’t get much change from a quarter mill. Like they say, if you have to ask the price.... It’s a good value, though, as it’ll do off-road things the more expensive Bentley or Lamborghini can’t.

Overlander The 2022 Ford Bronco Everlglades is made for off-road adventure

Story and photos by Dan Heyman

Recently, we attended the Canadian launch of the Ford Bronco Raptor – not far from being one of the most mental vehicles found on the market today. While its fat-fendered figure is currently stealing most of the headlines, the Everglades model is also joining the party. Admittedly, it has a bit of a hill to climb to separate itself from the Bronco’s significant shadow in the fast-growing world of special Broncos.

Luckily, it has more than a few tools to help it climb that hill, literally. After all, that’s what the Everglades model is all about, really; it’s like a Bronco that’s been fit for overlanding right from the factory. It’s meant to soldier on through mushy fields or over rocky passes and has been given neat bits like a reversible snorkel, big mud-flinging 35-inch Goodyear Territory rubber wrapped in 17-inch off-road specific wheels that look ready to conquer the tundra, and the arguable pièce de resistance, a standard 10,000-pound remote-activated Warn winch. Those accessories, of course, aren’t the end of it; there’s a bank of auxiliary switches above the rear-view mirror so all the good stuff available for other Broncos can also be had here. Spotlights, foglights, mounts for traction pads and so forth is all possible. It’s available only as a four-door – makes sense, considering the application – and only with a hard top.

In addition to the tires and winch, it’s hard not to notice that other exterior detail: the big “Everglades” logo on the front fender. If you’ll look closely, you’ll notice a bunch of hash marks on there. More than just looking cool, they’re functional – the mark sitting second from the top is especially important as it sits 36-inches above the ground below, and is literally a high-water mark that shows just how deep you can wade. Let the water go above that, and you could be in trouble. There’s also a new Everglades-exclusive Desert Sand exterior colour.

Inside, the uniqueness continues. There are special washable vinyl seats, sprayable floorboards with drainage plugs and even the roof panels come finished with exposed, washable plastic. You can add a sound-deadening roof liner if you’d prefer; you just have to decide if you want to be cleaner or more comfortable, I suppose.

Otherwise, it’s standard Bronco in here – the gauge cluster with large TFT central display, the surprisingly small steering wheel and bank of switches across the top of the dash for your front and rear lockers and Trail Turn Assist feature – more on which in a minute.

What thing you won’t see there that some other Broncos get is a button for the sway-bar disconnect. In other Broncos, this is a specialized off-road feature to relax the chassis and let it better clamber off bumps, both large and small. It’s a great feature and to not have it here is somewhat disappointing, as I could see it coming in handy even in overlanding applications.

The 12-inch infotainment display is also standard, which is great as Ford’s SYNC infotainment system continues to be one of the leaders in that department. Its buttons are big, it’s responsive to touch commands and it offers wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and makes it easy to switch from between those apps and Ford’s native interface. It of course also offers a back-up camera and a forward-and-down facing camera that automatically activates in certain drive modes (of which there are seven: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Rock Crawl, Mud-ruts, Sand) to give you an idea on what’s going on below your tires.

Being a four-door model only, room inside is ample both front and back and while the rear seats don’t fold completely flat, doing so will provide 2,350 L of cargo space, good for all the coolers, stoves and sleeping bags you need. Oh, and right there, crowning the dash is a mounting place for GoPros and the like, so you can record your next overlanding adventure. Better still is the tray that slides out from the cargo floor; an

We see standardization again when it comes to the powertrain, as a single engine is offered: a 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder good for 275 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque, fed to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. It may not be the power star in the line-up, but for longer drives while power is important, fuel economy is perhaps even more so, especially when the next gas station may be a few hundred miles away.

Power comes on ably enough, but it does come accompanied by a somewhat strained report as it does have to work hard to haul around the extra weight from the special tires, snorkel and so forth – maybe that extra sound deadening provided by the optional roof panels isn’t such a bad idea. It will get you going quickly enough, though, and the transmission is game to help provide the power required for passing at highway speeds and so on.

When it comes to crawling along at lower speeds, meanwhile, it is right there where you want it.

We had the opportunity to put it through its paces on the mulch and loose surfaces on which it is meant to excel -- its purpose, if you will – and it proved a hardscrabble competitor here. Rocks and branches were no match for those big tires; you could here them ping-ping-pinging off the underbody as they were chewed up and spat out like so many sunflower seeds at a baseball game. As the trails got narrower and the turns sharper, it was time to put that Trail Turn Assist (TTA) tech to the test. Essentially, what TTA does when activated is apply the brakes to the inside wheel on turns, helping you pivot ‘round as if on cat tracks. It’s a somewhat eerie feeling to see that big, square hood slung out ahead of you almost crab in the direction you’re steering. TTA reduces the turning radius, which of course is important, considering the Everglades is available only as the long-wheelbase model.

I do miss that sway-bar disconnect, though. Having experienced the feature in a number of Broncos prior to this, I know it would make for a real boost on rougher terrain. It adds both comfort and confidence, and when you’ve got a cliff on one side of the forestry road and hidden stumps on the other, you’ll want all the help you can get.

Get past that, though, and the transition to Everglades spec adds a neat layer to the experience, one that some may argue is the more practical transformation to the likes of the Raptor. It’s more practical in town than that truck, it’s got the better fuel economy and when it comes time to put it to the test in its element, it can hack that, too. It’s a cool truck that doesn’t try so hard to be a bit different, a bit more fun.

2023 4x4 EV Update

Story by Spencer Whitney, photos courtesy of the manufacturers

2023 is just around the corner, and with it, more EV releases are expected than ever. No manufacturer wants to be left behind during the electrification craze that the world is wrapped up in right now, so every single major car brand on earth is quickly adding models to every segment. Let’s look at some recently released and upcoming 4x4 electric vehicles that you might be interested in ordering next year.

RIVIAN Long awaited and delayed several times, Rivian is finally shipping vehicles to Canada. The autumn saw demo events in major cities across Canada, where journalists and prospective buyers alike were afforded a chance to sit behind the wheel of either the pickup R1T or full-size R1S model. Initial feedback has been positive, and even before launch we saw more than a few off-road and camping accessories appear for the platform – and the ridiculous “tank mode,” made possible thanks to independently-acting electric motors.

Off-Road Plus readers may find the new “camp mode” air-levelling feature interesting. Simply press a button and your Rivian will level itself on the kind of uneven ground found at just about any campground, allowing you to get a perfect night’s sleep in your roof-top-tent. While air suspension is nothing new, this type of clever feature is something that tech-forward companies like Rivian look for to stand out from the crowd. Take note, Land Rover!

F-150 LIGHTNING Canada’s favourite pickup truck made its full-electric debut in showrooms earlier this year, with early adopters taking delivery throughout the late summer season. With subtle design differences from a normal F-150, Ford’s EV pickup is cleverly disguised among work trucks and fleet vehicles alike. Try to get one, though, and you might be waiting a while – backorders are measured in months if not years, due to supply chain difficulties and demand.

While its range of over 500 km is tempting, the price tag may not be – at over $80,000 before any EV credits or taxes, the price could keep die-hard F-150 owners away. That said, a rumoured 80-percent of all Lightning buyers are coming to the brand without having ever owned a Ford, so it’s possible that the folks behind the Blue Oval are banking on a more discerning customer taking the plunge. That said, there have been some growing pains, as Ford fights against shortages and manufacturing process development. We’d skip the early adoption until they are plentiful enough to be sitting on the lot waiting for eager buyers.

RANGE ROVER EV Land Rover’s flagship vehicle (and the granddaddy of all luxury SUVs) just entered its fifth generation, and was engineered to accept a fullyelectric drivetrain - expected in 2023 or 2024. There’s no doubt that an EV Range Rover will tackle galas just as handily as it will gravel – but

don’t expect them to be easily obtainable. With backorders of all models approaching 200,000, Land Rover could be in a bit of trouble when it comes to supplying their first fully electric 4x4.

Given the brand’s relentless innovation in new and somewhat unconventional 4WD technologies, this might be the vehicle to watch for the future of electric 4x4s. New systems usually make their debut in a Range Rover, and eventually trickle down to more accessible models over time. With the price of a basic Range Rover tipping the scales at over $125,000, we’d certainly love to see a more accessible electric Land Rover in the near future – Defender 90 EV, anyone?

JEEP RECON Due to the rampant success of the Wrangler 4xe, Jeep has confidently expanded its EV plans. Recon, due as a 2024 model, will be the brand’s first fully electric 4x4 in North America and is rumoured to be priced only about 10-percent higher than equivalent Wrangler models. With a unibody construction that retains many Wrangler features – like removable doors and a partially removable top – the Recon could be Jeep’s gamble to attract a mainstream audience to the 4x4 lifestyle, without the noisy ride or 1980s handling.

It’s likely that the Recon will earn a “Trail Rated” badge, the designation given only to vehicles that meet Jeep’s own requirements for articulation, water fording, traction and manoeuvrability. Most importantly, Jeep execs have boldly promised that it will be able to complete a one-way trip on the infamous Rubicon trail, with enough charge left over to get back to town at the other end.

Illuminated grilles are (for some inexplicable reason) the hallmark of every new EV model these days, so it’s no surprise that the Recon will wear a glowing version of Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille. Could the Recon creep in as Jeep’s new Wrangler platform? Only time will tell, but as we’ve said before, it’s only inevitable that the iconic off-roader will go the way of the Bronco and Defender some day – and it’s likely to be fully electric too.

With further economic and supply troubles on the horizon, automakers are tightening their belts right at the same time they’re making a big push for battery-powered electric vehicles. One manufacturer is bucking that trend, though. Ineos has signalled that its Grenadier will eventually be seen with a hydrogen fuel cell powerplant. Fuel cells are a proven technology, but the production and distribution of hydrogen has proven difficult.

Fortunately, several countries - including Canada - have already stated their intent to produce the fuel on an industrial scale, and stations have recently appeared across regions like Metro Vancouver. With the possibility of five-minute fuel ups, hydrogen may be the clean electric vehicle solution going forward. All these vehicles could eventually rely on it instead of today’s seemingly stagnant lithium battery technology. Without a low-impact source of power, though, none of these vehicles will truly validate their claim of being good for the environment – and if the sticker prices continue to trend upward, they could end up being accessible only to the wealthiest among us.