2024 Ford Explorer review: Electric SUV condemns Ford Focus to history
As Ford discontinues the Fiesta and Focus, the Explorer SUV is its new mainstream model
Remember the Fiesta and Focus – the brilliant bread-and-butter Fords on which the company built its reputation in Europe? Forget them now – one has gone and the other is going. Think Explorer instead.
Because the new face of the most mainstream Ford in Britain is an electric SUV with a name (but nothing else) from Ford’s American division and based deep down on what is actually Volkswagen architecture. Ford has bet the farm on this strategy, not least completely re-kitting its Cologne factory to build them instead of petrol-powered Fiestas.
Right now just one version in two trim levels with a big battery and rear-wheel drive is available, but a low-powered model and a range topping all-wheel drive car are both on their way. Your £45,875 buys you a car with a decent level of standard equipment, a 282bhp motor and a claimed range of 374 miles which, of course, it will get nowhere near. Think 280 miles in normal driving.
Even so that’s still a very decent range and the car itself, using Ford rather than VW infotainment, one of the least-annoying EVs I’ve driven. Ford has tuned the suspension so it rides far better than the ID.4 equivalent, and while the company’s suggestion that it is somehow fun to drive is risible, it’s a pleasant place in which to pass time. It’s also spacious for a car that isn’t a lot bigger than a Focus. For a family friendly EV, the Explorer is a good bet. I just wish it hadn’t come at the price of some of the best compacts ever created. AF
Ford Explorer RWD Select
- Price £45,875
- Engine Rear electric motor, 77kWh battery
- Power 282bhp
- Torque 402lb ft
- Weight 2102kg
- Transmission Single-speed, rear-wheel drive
- 0-60mph 6.4sec
- Top speed 112mph (limited)
- Range 384 miles (WLTP)
- Charging speed Up to 135kW
- Verdict EV that fails to annoy (much).