The Ford Explorer EV: A Very Good Car Wearing a Complicated Badge
Both reviews circle the same question before answering it almost identically: does it matter that the underlying hardware comes from Volkswagen? Not as much as you'd expect.
Illustration for editorial purposes
An Uncomfortable Question, Answered Fairly Well
Badge engineering usually invites skepticism, and this car faced plenty of it before a single review was published. What both major tests found, though, is a car that earns its own identity despite sharing its bones with a very different-badged rival.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size electric SUV |
|---|---|
| Battery | 77kWh usable |
| Drivetrain | Single motor (RWD) or twin motor (AWD) |
| Claimed range | Up to 354 miles |
| 0–62mph | 6.4 sec (single motor) |
| Price range (new) | From around £49,975 |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear acknowledged the shared Volkswagen platform directly but argued this is meaningfully more than a rebadged ID.4, crediting unique suspension tuning and Ford's own input into the shared motor and battery software for giving it a distinct character. They praised accurate, well-matched steering that makes it easy to place through winding roads, and found the electric performance and charging competitive against the crowded field of rivals it's up against. Their main criticism was a lane-keeping system they found overly intrusive on twisting single-carriageway roads.
Autocar
Autocar's road test was more pointed about value, noting it costs more than the closely related VW ID.4 despite sharing essentially the same running gear, since Ford needs its own margin on top of what it pays VW for the platform. They measured genuinely quick real-world acceleration, with the 30-70mph time landing just 0.3 seconds behind a Golf GTI, though flagged unusually small boot space for the class and ride quality that falls short of the composed handling elsewhere in the car. Over a longer 3,000-mile test, their reviewer concluded there's enough distinct Ford character to justify the premium for buyers who specifically want a Blue Oval EV.
🎬 Watch: Ford Explorer review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
The Explorer shares its platform and drivetrains with the Capri, but spreads them across three trims instead of two, and only offers AWD in range-topping Premium form.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Standard Range Style (52–58kWh) | Single rear electric motor, RWD | 187bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 8.0s |
| Explorer Extended Range Select / Premium (77–79kWh RWD) | Single rear electric motor, RWD | 282bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 6.4s |
| Explorer Extended Range AWD Premium (79kWh) | Dual electric motors, AWD | 335bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 5.3s |
Trim walk runs Style → Select → Premium. A broad exterior colour range is offered, with premium metallic finishes available at extra cost. Check Ford's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Accurate, well-judged steering
- Quick, competitive real-world acceleration
- Distinct character despite shared underpinnings
- Competitive range and charging
Weak points
- Costs more than the mechanically similar VW ID.4
- Smaller boot than most rivals
- Lane-keeping system can feel intrusive on winding roads
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who specifically want an electric Ford and value distinct handling character over maximising boot space or getting the absolute lowest price for the underlying hardware. Cross-shop against the VW ID.4 directly, since the mechanical similarity means the decision often comes down to badge preference and styling.
More Ford Reviews
- 2018 Ford Focus Review & Summary
- Ford Puma Review & Summary
- Ford Kuga Review & Summary
- Ford Mustang Review & Summary
- Ford Capri EV Review & Summary
Watch the Reviews
Ford Explorer EV review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)