Ford Explorer review: the family EV that gets almost everything right
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Ford’s new Explorer enters one of the most competitive corners of the EV world, but clever practicality and impressive refinement help it stand out
Set off on a search for a mid-sized electric crossover and you'll quickly find you're spoiled for choice. This is perhaps the most in-demand sector in the car industry at the moment, and all the mainstream manufacturers want a slice of that pie.
Ford's offering is the Explorer, and it's a fine looking thing, quite a departure from traditional ford styling, and certainly the more popular car in its now relatively meagre line-up.
In case brand loyalty is high on your agenda, you'll be pleased this car exists. It treads a middle ground between the more conventional Puma and the mighty Mustang Mach-E.
And it's a very competent family workhorse, with a sensible use of its EV architecture, offering plenty of cabin space, a decent driving position, and lots of storage solutions.
If you're even slightly familiar with modern Volkswagens, you'll doubtless notice a few borrowed bits. This new Ford shares a platform with the ID.4, but most of the partnership remains well hidden.
The touch-sensitive buttons on the driver's armrest are an unfortunate carry-over, because they're awful to use, but everything else has been woven in well. The annoyances stop there.
Even the huge central display is fairly easy to get to grips with. Given an unnecessarily firm shove, it slides into a upright position, revealing a lockable storage area in the centre console, or reducing reflection if it's a sunny day, and it'll probably be one of those things partners argue over - I prefer it flush with the dash, my wife likes it bolt upright.
But there's plenty to remain harmonious about elsewhere inside. All passengers get plenty of space, there's good visibility, the boot is massive, and Ford has paid close attention to aerodynamics on the Explorer, so it's very quiet inside with minimal wind noise.
Of course, it drives like any electric car does these days, but there's a familiar Ford flair to the steering inputs and damping. This isn't a sporty car by any stretch, but it's probably the pick for the keener driver.
And the keener driver will probably be pleased with the performance, too, despite the fact power and pace have been traded off for range, with up to 374 miles claimed for top models, which is perhaps 325 being realistic.
It charges quickly, too, there's decent spec even in the base models, and prices start from around £35,185.
Brand loyalty is what will doubtless bring most buyers to the Ford dealerships to check out the Explorer, and that will help it out in the battle against the big rivals, but thankfully it also has plenty to offer the savvy shopper on the hunt for a family hack.
Used car buyers are increasingly relying on independent vehicle data rather than appearances alone, as concerns around hidden finance, insurance write-offs and mileage discrepancies continue to shape purchasing decisions.