Ford Explorer (2024 - )

The US seems to rule our airwaves these days with the constant coverage of the election campaign, along with Elon Musk wading into UK politics, so it will come as little surprise that Ford has launched an EV that shares its name with a gas-guzzling American giant.
But in stark contrast to it US cousin, the UK Ford Explorer is a compact SUV that is fully electrified. 
It will be competing in an ever-growing sector and shares many of its underpinnings with the VW ID 4, with prices starting from £45,875.
Customers can choose from two trim levels called Select and Premium, the latter of which can be specified with all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive models feature a 77kWh battery which increases to 79kWh for the AWD version. There will be a cheaper Explorer available to order this year with a smaller 52kWh battery unit and that will be priced from £39,875.
But one very attractive factor will be the driving range between charges with all Explorer models delivering more than 328 miles on a combined run.
We opted for the high-end Explorer Premium with RWD for our test drive.
 

We are seeing a glut of new electric compact SUVs arriving on the scene at the moment which isn’t a bad thing as it means extra choice for consumers with the likes of the VW ID 4, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y and Peugeot E-3008 being just a few of the models vying for sales.
There’s no denying the five-door Explorer looks stylish when approached from any angle thanks to its sharp design and modern look. The blocked off front end is flanked by sweeping light clusters with anti-glare Matrix LED headlights featuring automatic high beam assist. There are LED rear lights, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, front door scuff plates and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Moving inside, the interior is modern, upmarket and feature-rich with a wealth of on-board technology at your disposal. The main focal point is the 14.6-inch upright infotainment screen that can be tilted at different angles. This may sound a rather quirky idea, but it is actually really practical on a sunny day to avoid any glare issues. It also locks down covering storage compartments when the car is not in use.
Creature comforts include full smartphone connectivity, sat nav, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, front and rear parking sensors and plenty more besides.
The leather-free quilted seats offer excellent support and are exceptionally comfy on a long journey. They can be heated, are power adjustable and even have a massage function for added pampering.
Behind the square-ish steering wheel, there is a 5.3-inch digital cluster screen showing all the vital driving data, such as speed, range and battery charge. There is also a head-up display offering the important stats.
All the controls, dials and readouts are simple to operate on the fly inside this driver-focused cabin that’s full of innovative ideas and also very easy on the eye.
 

Our Ford Explorer Premium RWD model featured the 77kWh Extended Range battery delivering 286PS and 545Nm of torque. It could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 6.4 seconds and topped out at 112mph, while offering a combined 354 miles of range between charges.
It feels quick off the mark and there is ample zip to effortlessly join a fast-moving motorway from a slip road. It will cruise at 70mph, although you will notice the range drop quicker at higher speeds. 
Out on the twisting country lanes, the Explorer offers impressive grip and is nicely balanced through tighter corners. It did feel a little fidgety on rougher surfaces, but the large 20-inch wheels could be partly responsible for that.
The all-round visibility is a plus-point in busy town centre traffic with lots of stop, start driving. A B mode increases the strength of the braking force when you take your foot off the accelerator, recouping energy along the way. And there are drive modes that alter the characteristics of the vehicle – these are called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual. 
Comfort levels also impress with the excellent suspension set-up smoothing out the bumpy road surfaces and, apart from some slight wind noise on faster roads, the cabin is well insulated and nicely refined.
 

For a compact SUV, the Ford Explorer is deceptively roomy with ample space in the back for a couple of adult passengers or three if they are youngsters. The completely flat floor is an added bonus for anyone sitting in the middle seat.
The vehicle stretches 4,468mm in length, is 2,063mm across (including mirrors), 1,630mm tall (AWD versions are 1,639mm in height) and has a wheelbase of 2,767mm.
The boot is accessed via a wide-opening powered tailgate and this can swallow 465 litres of kit, increasing to 1,455 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. But, unlike some rivals, there is no additional storage space beneath the bonnet.
However, there are plenty of practical compartments throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, front and rear cup holders, a charging pad, narrow door bins, plus seat back pockets. Beneath the armrest is a MegaConsole storage space that can hold 17 litres of goodies – that’s large enough for a laptop or a number of over-sized water bottles.
The front USB-C ports are positioned really awkwardly so it can be quite fiddly attaching a charging cable, but the rear ones are more conveniently located close to the central air vent.
Speaking of charging, the Explorer’s battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes if using a 135kW fast charger
For anyone looking to use the Explorer for towing, the RWD version as tested, can pull a trailer weighing up to one tonne, while the AWD version increases that limit to 1.2 tonnes.
 

The Ford Explorer line-up starts from £45,875 for the Select model with RWD, increasing to £49,975 for the Premium RWD, as tested. The range-topping Premium AWD is priced at £53,975, but there are all manner of options that can be added to fully personalise the vehicle.
For example, our test car featured premium Arctic Blue paintwork, a Driver Assistance Pack that added a head-up display, driver alert, lane positioning with lane change assist, active park assist and a 360-degree camera. In addition, it had a heat pump that can be used to pre-heat the cabin more efficiently than a standard internal heater. The final price-tag with all these optional extras factored in crept up to £51,125.
But owners can start to claw back some of the costs thanks to the Explorer’s zero carbon emissions. Road tax is free and the car is exempt from Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone fees. Additionally, there is no penalty for purchasing a vehicle costing in excess of £40k which owners of petrol or diesel-powered cars are obliged to pay. 
However, these financial incentives will be cut back or withdrawn completely this year.
For business drivers looking for an EV, the Explorer has an attractive Benefit in Kind tax rating of just two per cent.
And for anyone on a slightly stricter budget, an entry-level Explorer will be arriving later this year featuring a lower-powered 52kWh battery and that will be priced from £39,875.
While the Explorer is compatible with fast charging, the running costs can be kept to a minimum by boosting the battery via a home wallbox or, if possible, at work.
 

Trying to make an impact in the bustling electric compact SUV sector is becoming more and more of a challenge with a constant stream of new arrivals on the scene.
But the Explorer certainly has plenty to offer with its modern design, impressive driving range and upmarket, feature-rich interior.
It’s a car that goes about its business without too much fuss and we like that.