A year after its first presentation, Ford finally lifts the veil on all the characteristics of its Explorer. This new electric car takes on the Tesla Model Y, Renault Scénic E-Tech and Peugeot E-3008 head-on, and notably highlights its well-placed price/autonomy ratio. Enough to restore color to Ford's electrical division, which is a little struggling.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
It must be said: until now, Ford was a little struggling in the field of electric cars. She only had two modelsthe Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, but success was not really there, with fairly colossal losses.
An observation that could soon be put into the past, since the Ford Explorer is finally available to order. The electric SUV, presented exactly a year ago, has finally revealed its latest secrets, notably its prices. Here's everything you need to remember.
Exterior: a family SUV in tune with the times
Long de 4,47 m long, the Ford Explorer is right in the C segment of SUVs, and therefore enters into head-on competition with the Tesla Model Y, Renault Scénic E-Tech, Peugeot E-3008 and other Volkswagen ID.4s. The Explorer also uses the latter's MEB platform, but the family resemblance is difficult to find.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
The Ford takes on a style quite clean and in tune with the times. We thus note an absence of grille (useless on an electric car, for the benefit of aerodynamics), a fairly high body line and headlights connected by a strip at the front and at the rear.
To return to aerodynamics, the rims ranging from 19 to 21 inches are all optimized, even if the Cx (air penetration coefficient) is not communicated.
Interior: storage space and a sliding screen
On board, Ford emphasizes two words: practicality and connectivity. Even if it doesn't start very well: the rear bench certainly announces three seats with a large ski hatch, but the trunk has to make do with a capacity of 450 liters (rising up to 532 liters up to the roof), sans frunk in the front.
For once, it's quite little for the category: the Scénic E-Tech offers 545 liters under shelf, the E-3008 announces 520 liters in this configuration; the Model Y, meanwhile, promises 854 liters to the roof, not counting the frunk's 117 liters under the hood.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
Ford prefers to communicate on lots of storagewith in particular the 17-liter “MegaConsole” between the front seats, including cup holders, induction charging… as well as a separator also serving as a scraper to remove frost from the windows in winter – a detail that Skoda would not deny.
Another storage space, this time secret: the “Private Locker”, located… behind the central screen! Perfect transition with infotainment: this screen, from 14.6 inches, is in portrait format, and can therefore slide, going from an inclined position (like an MG Marvel R) to a vertical position. It is in this position that the secret storage is revealed, moreover.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
A screen of course connected, with over-the-air (OTA) updates possible. Navigation includes a route planner and a preconditioning automatic when the Explorer approaches a charging stop. Always useful for grabbing a few minutes with less downtime.
Ford announces that this is the in-house system SYNC Move, but we wonder if it is not the VW software with an overlay, since it offers the same functionalities (and the Explorer is based on a platform from the German group). In any case, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are obviously there.
Ford Explorer // Source: Marie Lizak for Aroged
To continue this momentum, a second screen of 5.3 inches is available behind the wheel to take over driving information, and turns out to be that of Volkswagen, Audi, Cupra and Skoda based on the same platform. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since it turns out to be quite practical and functional.
Last detail: let's talk about the original sound barat the top of the dashboard, which can also be signed B&O on the high-end versions – enough to benefit from 10 speakers and 480 W in this configuration.
Battery, autonomy, consumption: a very interesting proposition
As the Ford Explorer is based on an ID.4, we would expect the different batteries to be used. At first glance this appears to be the case, with three versions :
a version propulsion the 125 kW (170 ch) associated with a 55 kWh battery, of which 52 kWh usable; a version propulsion the 210 kW (285 ch) associated with an 82 kWh battery, of which 77 kWh usable; a two-motor version/four wheel drive the 250 kW (340 ch) associated with an 84 kWh battery, of which 79 kWh usable
The same configurations, therefore, with the same engines – including the AP550 at the rear, guaranteeing low consumption. Which turns out to be a reality, since the Explorer displays 13,9 kWh/100 km in the 285 hp propulsion configuration and 15,7 kWh/100 km for the 340 hp 4×4 version, all taking into account recharging losses.
The 170 hp version will arrive in September 2024 and the figures have not yet been communicated.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
These figures turn out to be extremely surprising, because much lower than VAG group cars with the same engines. In rear-wheel drive configuration, the Skoda Enyaq requires 15.1 kWh/100 km WLTP and the VW ID.4 requires 16.1 kWh/100 km WLTP.
Fact, autonomy is increasing : the Explorer announces 602 km in propulsion configuration according to the WLTP cycle and 566 km WLTP in 4×4, compared to respectively 565 and 538 km WLTP for the Enyaq and 550 and 530 km WLTP for the ID.4.
It's a very good score in the category: the E-3008 announces 527 km WLTP with a 73 kWh battery; the Scénic E-Tech will do 625 km, but with an 87 kWh battery. As for the Model Y, it will do a maximum of 525 km WLTP on one charge with an 80 kWh battery.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
Level rechargethe Explorer returns in the average : the 285 hp propulsion version can be recharged from 10 to 80% in 28 minutes with a maximum power of 135 kW, while the 4×4 version can increase to 170 kW, enough to save two minutes compared to propulsion (26 minutesSO).
Ford does not give figures for the entry-level version, but the equivalent ID.4 can go up to 115 kW, with a recharge of 10 to 80% in around thirty minutes as well.
Price/equipment: well located
For the marketing of its electric Explorer, Ford chose to keep it simple, with two versions.
as standard, we find hands-free access, parking assistance, adaptive cruise control, 19-inch rims, heated seats/steering wheel and 14.6-inch screen with unlimited connectivity; the “Premium Pack” will give you 20-inch rims, matrix headlights, electric tailgate, B&O sound system and ambient lighting for an additional 3,600 euros
The options are also reduced : ergonomic seats (800 euros), 21-inch rims (1,200 euros), heat pump (1,150 euros) and a “Driving assistance” pack, including automatic parking, 360° camera, head-mounted display high and automatic overtaking for 1,800 euros.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
In short, let's get to the heart of the matter: for the 170 hp propulsion version, Ford will ask you 43 900 eurosthen 46,900 euros for the 286 hp version (& its 602 km of autonomy), and finally 53,900 euros for the 4×4 version.
You will have noticed, the first two versions are under 47,000 euros which, combined with the manufacturing of the Ford Explorer in Germany, in Cologne, makes it compatible with the French ecological bonus. It is therefore necessary to remove 4 000 euros to these two versions.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
Note also that Ford uses the trick used by Tesla, Renault, BMW and Mini, and considers that the “Premium Pack” is an option and not a finish. You should know that the maximum 47,000 euros to benefit from the bonus now excludes options, which means that even an Explorer “Premium Pack” (excluding 4×4) remains compatible with the bonus.
Here too, it is well put ; only the Renault Scénic E-Tech beats it in the very specific category of “bonus compatible electric cars with more than 600 km of autonomy”. There remains the Tesla Model Y which, even despite its recent price increase, remains competitive thanks to its gigantic interior space and its fast (and economical) recharges on the brand's Superchargers.
Conclusion: a tempting theory
You will have understood: modern, technological, surprisingly sober and well placed in terms of price, Ford seems to have done well with this electric Explorer. Only the trunk volume, a little low for the category, could possibly raise eyebrows.
Ford Explorer // Source : Ford
A good first impression, therefore, which will have to be confirmed with a long-term test drive. Still it gives a good sign for the next electric Fords, and there are many of them, with the e-Tourneo Courier, the Puma “Gen-E” and other surprises which should arrive soon.