With rivals ranging from Renault and Kia to Tesla and Geely, the Ford Explorer has its work cut out to win over family EV buyers
I had to check my diary twice, but it turns out it is exactly two years since I first drove the Ford Explorer on a ridiculously hot couple of days in Slovenia.
Since then I’ve experienced the Blue Oval’s Renault Scenic rival in a damp New Forest but not had much time to try it on familiar roads and use it for my regular family routine.
So a chance to drive it and the related Capri back to back on home turf seemed like the ideal time to get fully to grips with the Ford Explorer in range-topping Premium AWD specification.
With five seats, 321 miles of range and a practical SUV design, it’s up against everything from the aforementioned Renault to the Tesla Model Y. Kia EV5 and technically related Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4.
Design, interior and technology
The Explorer is, in theory, the dowdy SUV sibling to the “sporty” Capri coupe-SUV. The general rule is the “coupe” version of a car gets the sleek, sexy design while the SUV makes do with boxy and basic – see the Skoda Enyaq. But with Ford’s pair, the Explorer has lucked out.
While the Capri looks like an overweight Polestar that’s squinting in bright sunlight, the Explorer has embraced Ford’s American heritage for a chunky yet appealing look. There’s something simple but satisfying about the blocky shape with its slightly rounded edges and simple lines. The related Skoda Enyaq might be more striking, but the Explorer won’t scare the livestock like the Capri.
Inside, the Explorer and Capri are more closely related. In fact, apart from some different seats – comfier than the Capri’s – and a different steering wheel, you wouldn’t know them apart.
That’s not a bad thing, though. The Explorer’s cabin design is simple but user-friendly and elevated over rivals such as the Kia EV5 or Toyota bZ4X thanks to a mixture of light and dark materials. It also feels better constructed than some recent Ford models and there is lots of practical storage – from large door pockets to the massive 17-litre “Megaconsole” and a small lockable area hidden behind the sliding touchscreen.
A lot of controls – including ADAS settings and climate control – are based on that 14.6-inch touchscreen, which is less than ideal. However, Ford’s Sync system is at least logically laid out, with big icons and permanent temperature controls. As you’d expect in 2026, connected services, sat nav and smartphone mirroring are all standard.
One area where the Explorer differs from the Capri is in boot space. The slightly longer Capri offers 100 litres more than the Explorer’s 470 litres, which is poor for the class. At least passengers have enough room, with leg, head and shoulder room for four adults to get comfy, and enough space to carry five if needed.
Battery, motor and driving
Earlier this year, Ford tweaked the Explorer’s powertrain to offer more power and range from the entry-level model. That now comes with a 187bhp motor and 52kWh battery good for up to 276 miles.
However, I’ve been testing the “big daddy” of the range. The Ford Explorer AWD Extended Range uses a 77kWh battery for up to 321 miles of range and features two electric motors for all-wheel-drive and 335bhp. That translates to a 0-62mph time of just 5.3 seconds.
Realistically, that’s more than enough for a car of this type. There’s instant and substantial shove accelerating from any speed, backed up by a nicely balanced throttle and brake feel that makes day-to-day driving effortless. It’s just a shame the braking regeneration is limited to two levels, neither of which allows for full one-pedal operation.
Ford has historically been famous for its well-honed chassis and its engineers have done a decent job of tweaking the basic VW platform for the Explorer. It’s still a tall and heavy car but has a control and composure that not all rivals can match. Various driving modes don’t make much difference to the experience but there’s reasonable steering feel along with largely impressive damping and noise insulation.
Price and specification
In recent months Ford has repositioned the Explorer to try and compete with cheap Chinese rivals from the likes of Leapmotor, Geely and Changan.
That means the range now starts at just over £33,000 and tops out at just shy of £50k with this top-grade Premium edition with all-wheel-drive.
The Premium edition definitely comes with plenty of premium kit – from heated seats and steering wheel and a 10-speaker B&O stereo, to adaptive LED headlights and a powered tailgate, but lower-spec versions such as the Select still bring a lot of the same toys but for a lower price.
Verdict
Even with the recent price cut this range-topping version of the Explorer feels like a hard sell.
However, sacrificing the second motor knocks nearly £5,000 off the price and adds 50 miles to the range. If you can live without a few of the Premium’s extras, the Extended Range RWD Select is £10k cheaper than our test car but retains all the Explorer’s underlying qualities – from its spacious interior to its pleasant driving experience. At that level, it suddenly makes a lot more sense.
Ford Explorer Premium AWD
- Price: £49,885 (£51,865 as tested)
- Powertrain: Two-motor, all-wheel-drive
- Battery: 77kWh
- Power: 335bhp
- Torque: 501lb ft
- Top speed: 112mph
- 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
- Range: 321 miles
- Consumption: 3.57m/kWh
- Charging: up to 185kW
Ford Explorer rivals
- Skoda Enyaq – Tech and price almost identical to the Explorer. Arguably better looking and with a nicer interior
- Leapmotor C10 – Bigger and cheaper but the Ford is better to drive and use, and has far better range
- Kia EV5 – A bit more spacious than the Ford and with easier controls, but the Explorer offers more power and range for similar money
