With its Ford Explorer, the American brand returns with a model much more adapted to the needs of the European market. Will this be enough to please? The model has some arguments, such as its autonomy and its charging capacity, to attract attention.
Despite significant price cuts, Ford’s first electric vehicle, the Mustang Mach-e, has struggled to find its audience in Europe. Ford is now trying another approach with this second model, called Explorer, which the manufacturer has just made official on March 26. This already appears more in line with the characteristics sought by buyers in terms of size, autonomy and price.
Two things could, however, throw a spanner in the works for Ford. The Ford Explorer has fallen behind in its development, and the competition has had time to step up its game. The arrival of the Renault Scénic on the French market comes at the worst time for Ford. Another choice from the American brand could also taint the communication around the new product a little. The Explorer was previously in the Ford range a large family SUV measuring over 5m with large engines. A name that finds itself recycled to adapt to a 4.47 long SUV with electric motorization is a double-edged sword.
Up to 602 km of autonomy
The Ford Explorer will be marketed with 3 different engines which will be available with or without a premium pack. The premium pack corresponds to additional options such as 20-inch rims, hands-free tailgate, matrix LED headlights or the B&O audio system.
| Battery capacity | Wltp autonomy | Power in kW and hp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore standard range propulsion | 52 kWh (net) | In the process of approval | 125 kW / 170 hp |
| Explore extended range propulsion | 77 kWh (net) | From 572 to 602 km | 210 kW / 285 hp |
| Explore AWD extended range | 78 kWh (net) | From 532 to 566 km | 250 kW / 340 hp |
Ford knows that customer demand should naturally shift towards the intermediate rear-wheel drive version with 77 kWh battery. The version that offers up to 602 km of autonomy. The Ford Explorer is thus placed just behind the Renault Scénic and its 625 km of autonomy. On the other hand, it arrives ahead of other competing SUVs such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, Volvo EX40 or the Tesla Model Y. This is a good point for the Ford Explorer.
To drive the point home, the Explorer also boasts fast charging speeds of up to 185 kW on the top-of-the-range all-wheel drive version, or a theoretical 10 to 80% recharge in 26 minutes. Charging will, however, be limited to 135 kW on the intermediate version. The figures announced are once again higher than several competitors, including the equivalent version of the Renault Scénic.
The more affordable small battery version will arrive a little later in the year. Data regarding autonomy and charging power are not yet known. On this version, the Ford Explorer should lose its advantage against the competition.
Style, comfort and reasonable prices
Beyond the features, Ford is banking on the style of the Explorer to win over customers. The design is not really a surprise, since Ford had unveiled the model without giving its characteristics in 2023.
The interior and standard equipment do not have to make the model ashamed of the competition. The model is intended to be comfortable and well equipped for a price that remains contained:
- From €43,900 for the entry-level 170 hp propulsion version – Standard Range 52 kWh
- From €46,900 for the 286 hp propulsion version – Extended Range 77 kWh
- From €53,900 for the 340 hp all-wheel drive version – Extended range 78 kWh
The model is rather well positioned, including in relation to the Volkswagen models from which it took the platform. This becomes a new competitor to follow in this relatively unforgiving electric SUV segment.
A traffic jam has formed in the electric SUV market. What some manufacturers saw as the ideal response to selling electric cars in numbers, above all, seems like a slippery slope. A trend to follow in our editorialized newsletter on electric mobility: Watt Else.
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