After years of existing in the wilderness, Ford Motor Company is taking the midsize Ford Explorer back into the woods. And it hopes the move will help get the midsize SUV out of the woods and into the sales sunshine. We have just tested the 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline, the automaker’s newest version of its very important SUV. The goal is not only to sell Timberline models; it is also to give a new, more adventurous sheen to the Ford Explorer’s image. A “reliable-but-dull” aura doesn’t sell cars the way an adventurous image does, and that’s one of the things the Timberline brings with it. The new model is equipped with better approach and departure angles, tow hooks, all-terrain tires, and increased ground clearance. We’ll tell you if Ford has gone far enough in our review in this episode.

Also in this episode, Guest Co-Host Matt Delorenzo tells us about his early drive in the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone. It’s the pinnacle of the Tundra full-size pickup truck lineup as Toyota makes a new attempt to become more relevant in the high-volume segment that also features the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500.

In the news segment of this week’s show Host Jack Nerad and Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo discuss General Motors’ announcement that it will build an electrified version of the Chevrolet Corvette as early as next year. We’ll give you our thoughts on that and on the fact that a full-battery-electric Chevy Corvette is also in the works. Also in the news, Lincoln has just pulled the wraps off a battery-electric SUV, and we will give you the details on that too.

We also have a terrific interview this week. Our special guest is Colleen Jansen, the chief marketing officer at Chargepoint. Chargepoint is a major player in the vehicle charging industry that is vital to growing electrification, and we’ll discuss all that with her. Many EV buyers express frustration with public charging, so we’ll talk about that and other important issues concerning vehicle electrification.