In a European market where electromobility is constantly evolving, the arrival of the electric Ford Explorer represents a new competitive offer.
This new vehicle aims to position itself firmly against giants such as the Tesla Model Y, Renault Scenic E-Tech and Peugeot E-3008. With a strategy focused on a balance between performance, autonomy and accessibility, Ford does not intend to let the electricity fairy train pass by without doing anything.
After a journey across the world of 30,000 kilometers in the hands of influencer Lexie Alford, supposed to prove its reliability and the possibility of crossing thirty countries without releasing local emissions, the Ford Explorer is finally opening its order book.
Sober design and known platform
Without being excessive, the new Ford Explorer is satisfied with a length of 4.47 meters, which opens the door to Segment C and places it in a good position to face the Tesla Model Y, Renault Scenic E-Tech and Peugeot E-3008.
It adopts a contemporary aesthetic, characterized by an absence of grille favoring aerodynamics as well as a refined silhouette highlighted by front and rear optics connected by a light strip. The rims, optimized for aerodynamics, vary from 19 to 21 inches.
Tech, but without excess
The Ford Explorer’s interior prioritizes space and technology. Despite an initial trunk of 450 liters (532 liters up to the roof) and the absence of front frunk, the vehicle compensates with a series of storage spaces, such as the central 17-liter “MegaConsole”.
Ford opts for a refined approach by offering two basic finishing levels as well as an optional Premium pack, a strategy which gives entitlement to the ecological bonus in France, even for models exceeding the threshold of 47,000 euros.
Standard equipment includes sports seats at the front, a 14.6-inch touchscreen that can be tilted up to 30 degrees, accompanied by numerous driving assistance systems. We thus find the automatic lane change system, emergency braking assistance for pedestrians and cyclists, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and a warning system to avoid collisions when opening doors in the presence of cyclists. The Premium pack enriches the offer with 20-inch rims, a contactless opening trunk and an audio system from B&O.
For connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility with a wireless connection is assured.
Two versions to start
The electric Ford Explorer will be available in 170, 286 and 340 horsepower versions, the latter equipped with four-wheel drive. The versions currently available for order are those of 286 and 340 horsepower, with a torque of 540 Nm for the rear-wheel drive version and an additional 134 Nm for the all-wheel drive version.
The performance of these models allows you to reach 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds for the rear-wheel drive version and in 5.3 seconds for the four-wheel drive version.
Since the Ford Explorer shares the MEB platform with Volkswagen, the batteries will be the same with capacities ranging from 77 to 79 kWh (82 and 84 kWh gross) for ranges of between 566 and 602 kilometers.
These values are interesting, since they highlight reasonable consumption. This is lower than the Peugeot E-3008, which offers a range of 527 kilometers thanks to its 73 kWh battery, and the Scenic E-Tech, which reaches 625 kilometers of range with an 87 kWh battery. The Tesla Model Y offers an 80 kWh battery and 525 kilometers of range. We hope to soon be able to test this Ford Explorer in order to verify these values which place it among the best in the category.
Be careful, however, its 400 V architecture does not allow a load greater than 135 kW for the 286 horsepower RWD version and 185 kW for the 340 horsepower AWD version. You must therefore wait at best, and according to the manufacturer, between 26 and 28 minutes to fill up from 10 to 80%.
Price and availability
This Ford Explorer marks a first as a vehicle produced at the Ford Cologne EV Center plant. Its initial price is set at 43,900 euros for the configuration with a standard 170 horsepower battery, although this version has not yet been formally presented, and rises to 46,900 euros for models equipped with a battery offering greater autonomy.
Thanks to its manufacture on the European continent, the vehicle is eligible for a financial advantage in the form of an ecological bonus of 4,000 euros. As for the variant equipped with all-wheel drive, its price starts at 53,900 euros.
As a reminder, the price of the Peugeot E-3008 starts at 44,990 euros, that of the Renault Scenic E-Tech at 39,990 euros, and the Tesla Model Y is offered from 42,990 euros.
Source : Ford
23