Ford has just revealed the 2022 Expedition and done so with new Stealth and Timberline trims. We saw it in person at Motor Bella Detroit, and the Timberline is particularly noteworthy. It offers a best-in-class 10.6 inches of ground clearance, 33-inch tires, a clever system to make navigating trails easier, and underbody shields like those on the F-150 Raptor. With such impressive off-road chops, you may think that Ford would want to capitalize by offering as many variants as possible, but the hoped-for Max model, or long-wheelbase version, has not arrived.

Speaking with Ford Authority, Ford Expedition marketing manager Devin McParlane confirmed that there are no plans for a stretched 2022 Timberline model.

This is a little odd considering that GM offers the Chevrolet Tahoe in Z71 format, as well as the GMC Yukon XL in ST4 guise. Unfortunately, no reason for the decision has been given, but we can only assume that Ford thinks it won't be that great a seller.

Perhaps, like the upcoming Ford Bronco Raptor, Ford wants to maintain the exclusivity of the most capable off-road offerings by only selling them in a single body style. In any case, a longer wheelbase is inherently less suitable for off-roading, so we doubt that those who plan to fully exploit the capabilities of their new Expedition SUVs will be too bothered by this.

That being said, the report that claims there will be no Expedition Timberline Max specifically says that there won't be a 2022 model, so it's possible that Ford may yet offer the Timberline package on the Expedition Max next year as a 2023 model.

Whatever the reason, we expect that the 2022 Expedition will be immensely popular with buyers, as Ford claims that outdoor activities are listed as a pastime for most millennials and at least a third of Gen Xers. Of course, part of the market's acceptance of the new Expedition will depend on pricing, so we'll wait for Ford to announce that before we can see how much value this new model offers.