Overview
The Ford Explorer is a mid-sized crossover designed explicitly for the European market, establishing Ford's presence in the highly competitive family electric SUV segment. Sharing its mechanical platform with Volkswagen's MEB architecture, this model is built to bridge the gap between American styling and European proportions. Positioned directly against mainstream heavyweights like the Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq, and Renault Scenic E-Tech, the Explorer serves as a core pillar in Ford's transition to a fully electric passenger lineup.
Design
Embracing a chunkier, more commanding presence than its platform siblings, the Explorer features a smooth, shielded front that replaces a traditional grille with an aerodynamic panel bearing the iconic blue oval. The exterior leans toward clean lines and squared-off proportions with a flat roofline, contrast-colored roof pillars creating a floating roof effect, and a distinctive graphic on the rear quarter windows. Aerodynamic efficiency is integrated into its upright profile, complemented by prominent wheel arches and sleek, high-set LED lighting elements at both ends.
Interior
The cabin focuses on a modern layout centered around a 14.6-inch SYNC Move touchscreen that can be tilted by 30° to reveal a secure storage area behind it. Nestled at the top of the dashboard is a fabric-wrapped next-generation audio soundbar. Material quality balances premium soft-touch upper surfaces with durable plastics on the lower door cards and centre console. While the architecture delivers a minimalist layout, the driver interface retains the capacitive haptic steering wheel pads shared with its platform relative, which require a lot of engagement to avoid accidental presses.
Performance & Powertrains
The Explorer offers three distinct powertrains to cater to various range and performance requirements. The entry-level RWD variant pairs a 52kWh usable battery with a 170PS electric motor, yielding a range of 273 miles and a peak DC charging capability of 105kW. The other models utilizes a 79kWh Extended Range battery and a 286PS rear motor, extending the range to up to an impressive 374 miles. For maximum performance, the twin-motor Extended Range AWD configuration ups output to 340PS using a 77kWh battery, dropping the 0 to 62 mph sprint to 5.3 seconds. The AWD variant also claims the fastest DC replenishment rate at 185kW, letting all variants achieve a 10-80% top-up in approximately 26 minutes.
Practicality
Cabin storage is highly optimized, highlighted by the 17-litre 'MegaConsole' under the front armrest, which is deep enough to store a full-sized laptop or large water bottles. A secret 'My Private Locker' is hidden securely behind the central infotainment screen. Rear passenger accommodation provides generous headroom thanks to the squared roofline, though legroom is slightly tighter than some rivals. The rear boot configuration serves up a competitive 450 to 470 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats in place, expanding up to 1,460 litres when folded flat, alongside dedicated underfloor storage for charging cables, though the vehicle foregoes a front trunk layout.
Buying
Pricing for the Ford Explorer starts at £33,685 for the entry-level Select trim with the standard battery, rising to £35,485 for the Extended Range RWD powertrain, and topping out at £49,885 for the Premium AWD variant. Standard equipment is extensive, offering twelve-way electric driver's seat adjustment with a massage function, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel across all trims. A heat pump requires an additional investment of £1,050. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the Extended Range RWD Select model providing the most compelling value, delivering the a 374-mile range alongside substantial standard equipment at a highly competitive mid-tier price point.