Ford has been under scrutiny in Europe for not living up to its brand identity when it comes to EVs. The company has a reputation for affordable quality, but the Mustang Mach-E and (in the USA) the F150 Lightning are premium in focus. With the Explorer, however, Ford is hoping to venture more to the mainstream. The question is whether another mid-sized SUV was the right car to achieve this. I got to drive it extensively at the launch in Slovenia.
One of the key features of the new Ford Explorer is that it’s not quite as big as other SUVs in its class, such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV (both of which share the same drivetrain as the Ford). It’s more than 10cm shorter than the Volkswagen and nearly 20cm shorter than the Skoda. The design is uncomplicated and not intended to be aggressive. But it is meant to exude no-nonsense practicality, which has been an integral feature of the Ford brand throughout its history.
American readers might be a bit confused at this point. There has been a fossil fuel-powered Ford Explorer in the US since 1991 and that will continue to be produced, with a 2025 update already revealed for the police interceptor vehicle version. The new electric Ford Explorer is aimed at Europe and borrows the name in the hopes of accruing some of the American car’s rugged outdoorsy heritage. Otherwise, it’s a completely different car.
Another EV Using Volkswagen’s MEB Platform
In fact, the European Explorer is the fruit of a deal between Ford and Volkswagen Group for the former to use the latter’s MEB platform. Initially there will be two drivetrain options for the Explorer, taken from the latest MEB generation. The entry level will partner an 82kWh (77kWh net) battery with a 210kW (282hp) motor driving the rear wheels. There’s also a version with a slightly larger 84kWh (79kWh net) battery partnered with 250kW (335hp) of motors driving all four wheels. I drove both in Slovenia.
You can buy the rear-wheel drive car with Select or Premium trim, but the all-wheel drive version can only be purchased in Premium form. The Select trim includes 19in wheels, while the Premium variant includes 20in rims. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a premium 10-speaker sound system instead of seven speakers, plus a few other extras such as hands-free powered tailgate as standard.
There are six color choices, with white the standard option then two types of black, light blue, dark blue and red costing £800 ($1,000). You can have any interior color as long as it’s black, although you get full Sensico artificial leather with the Premium and only partial with the Select. There are only a few optional extras, too, including a Driver Assistance Pack that bundles a head-up display with lane assistance and a 360-degree parking camera. In 2025, Ford is also planning a version of the Explorer with a 55kWh (52kWh net) Standard Range battery and a 170kW (228hp) motor driving the rear wheels.
There’s little externally to differentiate the various versions of the Explorer, however, other than wheel sizes. Although it has the same underlying drivetrain as the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, it also doesn’t look like either of these. The profile is boxy but rounded. The overall effect is functional but without the totally utilitarian looks of a Jeep. Ford is still promoting the outdoorsy nature of the Explorer, particularly with the Lexie Limitless round-the-world campaign.
It’s not just image, too. This is a very practical car. The front cabin feels comfortable, and the interior finish has a sense of simple quality. The rear seats are roomy. In fact, I sat behind the driver’s seat when it had been adjusted for someone who was 6 foot 5 inches tall and there was still plenty of knee room. There are some nice touches like the fact that the central infotainment panel can be pushed forward to reveal a secret compartment underneath. This space is locked when the car is off, so you can use it to store valuables that will be inaccessible to someone breaking into your car (and they probably won’t even realize they are there).
With the Premium trim or the Select with the Driver Assistance Pack, you can open the tailgate with a kick of your foot. Although it’s a bit more compact than some other SUVs in its class, the rear cargo space is still decent. With the rear seats up, you get up to 450 liters, which is more than a sizeable family hatchback. Drop them forward and this rises to 1,422 liters, which is also larger than a compact station wagon, although not up with SUV competitors like the ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, and much less than a Tesla Model Y. The RWD car can tow 1,000kg, whereas the AWD can tow 1,200kg, and the retractable towbar option is £900 ($1,150).
Although the Explorer has borrowed its drivetrain and some switchgear from Volkswagen (including a few membrane buttons), the infotainment system is pure Ford. The portrait orientation 14.6in screen provides icon-based access to functions, such as the profile modes including Eco, Sport, Normal and Individual. The all-wheel drive car also includes a Traction mode, which improves handling on off-road and slipper services. It would have been useful to get access to these modes via a separate button, however. Most air conditioning controls are via this touchscreen as well, but the interface is always there and always in the same place, making it easy enough to use safely when driving.
Reasonably Quick, Generous Range
Unlike some other brands using the MEB platform, Ford has opted to only offer the more powerful powertrains, at least until the 55kWh version arrives. This means both current cars are quick in a straight line. The dual-motor version can hit 62mph in just 5.3 seconds, and the single-motor is only 1.1 second slower. The way they handle is subtly different, however, with the rear-wheel drive car feeling more relaxed in corners, and the all-wheel drive a bit more urgent. Neither version of the Explorer is exactly an involving drive, however.
There are lots of quick electric SUVs around now, though. Where the Ford Explorer sets itself apart at least a little is in its range. The rear-wheel drive Select car has an impressive WLTP rating of 374 miles, dropping to 354 miles in Premium trim. The all-wheel-drive car still offers 329 miles, around the same as a Tesla Model Y Long Range. So all cars are capable of long-distance driving, and the all-wheel drive car also boasts 185kW DC charging, so takes 26 minutes to go from 10 to 80% charge. The rear-wheel drive car only hits 135kW, so takes 28 minutes despite having a slightly smaller battery. But that will still mean only short stops in transit.
During my test drive of the all-wheel drive car, which involved relatively boisterous driving with a significant proportion of mountainous Slovenian roads, I achieved an average of 3.3 miles per kWh. That would make a real-world range of 259 miles, which is pretty good for an SUV with a brick-like profile. The rear-wheel drive car will be even better. If the Explorer has a secret weapon, it’s the decent range you can get out of it, which fits the “go anywhere” outdoor image Ford is hoping for well.
Still Not An Affordable Electric Ford
There’s a lot to like about the electric Ford Explorer. However, the price is a little less Ford. Even the basic Select RWD car costs £45,875 ($59,000), while the Premium RWD is £49,975 ($64,000) and the Premium AWD £53,975 ($69,000). The Ford brand is about practicality, but it’s also about affordability. The equivalent Skoda Enyaq iV is a little cheaper and the Volkswagen ID.4 very similarly priced, while both are larger cars. It’s also well into Tesla Model Y territory. The Tesla can’t beat the Explorer on range but it can on interior space, as a bigger car. Ford’s own Mustang Mach-E is an SUV starting in the same price range as well.
The Ford Explorer is a capable car in its class. It has good range and performance, a decent amount of passenger and luggage space, and a few nice touches for families. But priced on par with or more than the competition in this class, it doesn’t solve the most significant problem with EVs – their affordability. With favorable lease deals, the practical design and Ford’s brand, I still expect to see quite a few Explorers on UK roads. But it’s long past time for some properly affordable EVs from the mainstream brands like Ford – or Chinese manufacturers will seize the opportunity.
