Arrivals at gatherings are expected to burst in with extravagance, equivalent to the full-blown Norma Desmond, with raised hands and loud declarations of surprise pertaining to the late hour. These dramatic entries command attention.
This isn’t the case with the Ford Explorer’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) arena. The arrival of the Explorer has been rather more low-key and a touch awkward. Initially known as the Explorer Sport before discarding the Sport designation somewhat on a whimsical note, the Explorer should have hit the markets a year earlier. However, Ford decided to wait for Volkswagen to upgrade its electric motor and battery technology.
This might raise eyebrows – why would Ford depend on technological progression of a major competitor? But in this context, Volkswagen is not a competitor but a collaborator. Ford has decided to purchase Volkswagen parts under license for its electric models in Europe, instead of developing its own. As a result, the Explorer shares Volkswagen’s MEB platform that also supports the entire Volkswagen ID EV range, along with various Skoda, Audi and Cupra models.
It’s a unique scenario where Ford, which was once Ireland’s top-selling brand for several years, now sources technology from a competitor as its market sales falter. With models such as Fiesta and Focus soon disappearing from its offering, the onus is on the Explorer to keep Ford’s sales afloat in Europe.
Does the Explorer have what it takes? When it comes to aesthetics, opinions may vary, but the Explorer does seem to lack appeal with its dull and unremarkable facade. In stark contrast to the aesthetically pleasing full-sized non-EV US-market Explorer, the Euro-Explorer appears meek which aligns with the low-profile entry it has made into the EV market.
The Explorer, having arrived, discovers a celebration that is seemingly in its last stages. The melodies have ceased, there’s no food left, and a significant number of car buyers are migrating to the hybrid party nearby, albeit temporarily. There might have been a time when Ford’s unequivocal brand charm and advertising flair could have reversed the situation. Currently, however, Ford appears to be just one more brand seeking to persuade the sceptics in regards to EVs.
However, the Explorer excels in one area that is potentially the most significant – it possesses remarkable range and fuel efficiency. An entry-level Explorer costs a tad more than the most affordable VW ID. 4, but it is equipped with a bigger battery – the 77kWh unit from VW, as standard, enabling it to boast an impressive 602km range on a single charge. Move slightly up to the model we’re examining, a Premium model, and the Explorer still impresses with a respectable 570km range.
This is also a pragmatic range. In relatively mild conditions, it was quite easy for us to attain 500km from a single charge, which included a substantial amount of highway cruising. The Explorer consumed the battery’s electrons at a frugal rate of 16.7kWh/100km, which is impressive.
It is regrettable, however, that Ford did not deliver the same quality with the Explorer’s undercarriage and steering as they have since the early 1990s. Ford’s engineers have been skilled at transforming an ordinary family vehicle into one with the agility of a sports car. Even as manufacturing decreases, the current Ford Focus remains the leading family hatchback to drive.
The Explorer? It’s satisfactory but not extraordinary. It drives smoothly and is predominantly quiet (although the suspension does occasionally wobble on less than smooth surfaces), but the steering is too weightless and insubstantial, even in Sport mode, and this surprises for a car with a Ford emblem.
This isn’t unique to EVs, either. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is immensely enjoyable and rewarding to drive, proving that Ford can blend EV power with traditional driver engagement. The Explorer, however, doesn’t seem to bring these two elements together.
One could conjecture that Ford is leaving room for the provocatively titled new Capri, based on the Explorer’s platform, to be more engaging on the road. There’s no questioning, however, the performance offered by the sole rear-mounted 286hp electric motor; it’s powerful enough to ensure the Explorer isn’t found wanting for speed.
While it may be a tad smaller than the VW ID.4 or the Skoda Enyaq externally, the Explorer is also marginally less commodious. While the cabin can comfortably accommodate four tall adults, the 470-litre boot seems somewhat measly when compared to the 585 litres offered by the Skoda Enyaq.
The interior is a tad inconsistent. There are certain frustrating details carried over from VW, such as the clumsy two-button window switches to operate all four windows and stereo volume touch-sensitive controls. The square-shaped steering wheel also feels rather unconventional.
The large 14.6-inch touchscreen comprises a Ford interface over VW software, and as expected, it can be nonsensical and clumsy to operate. Ford’s standalone SYNC4 software, used in the Mustang Mach-E, proves to be far superior. A unique feature of the screen is that it can slide from a tilted to a completely vertical stance, revealing a convenient storage area behind. Combined with several other storage compartments, it makes the Explorer remarkably functional within the cabin.
However, it’s doubtful whether the Explorer possesses the prowess to restore Ford to its previous market dominion. Despite being an adequate EV with exceptional overall electric performance and efficiency, it lacks the exciting driving experience that has been a distinctive feature of Ford’s mass-market models for the past few decades. Ford’s decision to purchase VW components to expedite its European EV evolution was a sensible one, but is sensibility the key to success?
In summarised terms: Ford Explorer Premium
Motor-Power: 210kW e-motor generating 286hp and 545Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
CO2 discharges (yearly motor tax): 0g/km (€120)
Electric usage: 14.7kWh/100km (WLTP)
Electric range: 570km (WLTP)
With a 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.4 seconds, a cost of €48,006 as reviewed, starting from €43,591, the Explorer model grapples with a rating of 3 out of 5. Though it boasts commendable efficacy and real-world range, and provides a decent drive, it does raise the question – where’s the zest in the ride?