There is a time to come and a time to go. The latter is the case for old acquaintances such as the Ford Fiesta and Focus. But don’t worry, because the time has come for other old acquaintances, as Ford proves with this new electric Explorer. Old name, new car. One with which Ford is American carrots wants to emphasize, but which also has a German touch. This Ford Explorer Extended Range uses VW’s MEB platform, which you know from cars like the ID.3 and ID.4.
But that is where the comparison between the two ends, because Ford has succeeded in doing its own thing on the existing platform. In terms of size, it falls right in between the Germans mentioned and Ford even manages to squeeze some extra kilometers out of the battery. Ford also uses a different approach when it comes to design. The Explorer is square, smooth, thick, sleek and quiet. So don’t expect any unnecessary frills, lines, folds or diffusers.
Design Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
Its nose is characterized by two pronounced headlight units that are connected by a black bar in which the model name is incorporated. No fake grille underneath, but just a sleek body-colored whole with the oval Ford logo proudly in the middle. The busiest element in the design of the Explorer is perhaps the rear side window, which is decorated with a cool pattern.
The narrow-looking rear window, in combination with the fixed roof spoiler, ensures that the rear looks nice and sporty. And here too, Ford has adhered to the Bouvrian ‘less is more’philosophy. No frills, distracting elements or other things that don’t matter. We suspect that this car will still look fresh in a few years. Something that we cannot say about some very busy designed competitors.
It doesn’t drive like a Ford in standard mode
‘Our’ Explorer (the Extended Range AWD) is the nicest you can buy: two engines, four-wheel drive, 340 hp and a strong torque of 679 Nm. It is smooth, even in its most civilized driving mode, but the steering takes some getting used to. Far too light, and therefore not very communicative. Not really Ford’s. That changes if we choose the Sport setting. The steering wheel then provides just a little more counter pressure, making it much cooler and nicer to negotiate bends.
An additional advantage is that in its sportiest mode the car brakes more on the electric motor and therefore also regenerates a little extra. We also miss that a bit in the standard mode. The solution: create a personalized driving mode in which you keep the steering and driving dynamics sporty, but do not constantly use full power – and thus maintain your driving range. By the way: yes, it has a B-mode. But with it switched on, the engine braking becomes a bit too much.
Buttons for climate control: it just works
Switching between driving modes – and fiddling with all your other settings – is done via a crystal clear 14.6-inch screen on the center console. You can easily personalize the Home screen to make it even easier to get to the menu or application you’re looking for. There’s one thing you never have to look for anyway: climate control. This is accessible by default at the bottom of the screen. Very nice if you need some demisting or fancy some seat heating.
By the way, the screen is not only a screen, but also a safe. Ford calls it My personal safe. Yes: you can slide the screen back, which will reveal a hidden box. If you close the compartment by bringing the screen forward again and then lock the car, whatever you have put in the compartment is safe. The mechanism does not work if the car is not unlocked. Smart things to appreciate.
No sound from the engine, but there is a soundbar on the Ford Explorer Extended Range
The options list includes something that you don’t often encounter in the car industry: you can equip the Explorer with a Bang & Olufsen soundbar on top of your dashboard. Including mood lighting, the color of which is of course adjustable. Speaking of that atmosphere: it will often be good in the new Explorer. If only because, bottom line, it is a pretty good car that – especially after some fiddling with the personal settings – also drives pleasantly.
Prices: €53,950 (NL) / €53,950 (B)
Number of engines: 2
Current: 340 hp/250 kW, 679 Nm
Battery: 79 kWh
Drive: four wheels, stepless
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 5.3 s
Top speed: 180 km/h
Consumption: 15.7 kWh/100 km
Range: 566 kilometers
Loading time: 26 min. at 185 kW (80%)
Dimensions: 4,468 x 1,871 x 1,639 mm (lxwxh)
Wheelbase: 2,276mm
Weight: 2,067 kg
Luggage: 450 litres