We have already tried it on Caradisiac, this Explorer, and he also demonstrated on this occasion a certain number of qualities. But it is at the 2024 Paris World Cup that it comes to meet the public for the second time (we had already discovered it at the Lyon show a little over a year ago).
You will also have to forget the large plug-in hybrid SUV, 5 m long, which bears the same name, and whose marketing has just ended in Europe. The Explorer is now a 100% electric compact SUV measuring 4.47 m in length, based on an original Volkswagen platform, the MEB, used for example by the ID.4.
The look is that of a real SUV, not cut for once, but very square in proportions, while retaining curves in the corners. Not unpleasant to look at, it exudes a certain presence, while retaining good practical aspects. The body panels are quite smooth, the light signature of the L-shaped front daytime running lights will be recognizable, that of the rear is generally reminiscent of that of the American cousin, the “big” Explorer, which remains sold across the Atlantic.
A pleasant but averagely finished interior
The interior offers a modern and fairly refined atmosphere. The processing is very horizontal, and the centerpiece is a very large vertical screen of 14.6 inches diagonal, the particularity of which is to be able to position yourself at several inclinationsdepending on whether the priority is to have the GPS in front of you, or not. And behind this screen there is a storage space which allows you to “hide” objects safely, since when the car is locked, this space becomes locked too. It’s not stupid, even if Ford is not the first to offer this, the Chevrolet Orlando did it before it.
Furthermore, if the assemblies are very correct, the quality of finish and materials is unfortunately very average. Let’s say typically American…
Roominess in the rear seats is good, and the trunk volume of 450 liters under the shelf (soft and impractical) is low average. With the bench seat folded, we increase to 1,422 liters, which is good.
From 170 hp to 340 hp, up to 602 km of autonomy
Mechanically, the Explorer also takes Volkswagen elements, unsurprisingly. We will therefore be entitled to a 170 hp and 310 Nm block at entry level, propulsion, coupled with a battery of 52 kWh capacity, the autonomy of which has not been communicated. Above, we find a block of 286 hp and 545 Nm, still propulsion, married to a 77 kWh accumulator, which promises 602 km of autonomyand goes from 0 to 100 in 6.4 s. We can answer the question in the title here: yes, on paper, the Explorer can go far! Even if we know that in reality, it will be less. Our test, however, demonstrated that efficiency was there, with a real 500 km possible.
Finally, at the top of the range, there is a set of two engines, which make the Explorer a 4×4. They combine 340 hp, still 545 Nm, and a 0 to 100 in 5.3 s. The battery is the same as that of the 286 hp but thanks to software managed differently, it increases to 79 kWh capacity, to offer a range of 566 km.
On the charging side, it is 11 kW in alternative mode, and 135 kW in fast charging for the 170 and 286 hp versions. The 340 hp version can handle 185 kW. This allows you to go from 10 to 80% charge in 28 and 26 minutes respectively.
Prices are between €43,900 and €53,900, excluding ecological bonus, to which the Explorer is entitled since July 2024.
I like
I don’t like
The Caradisiac moment: photocopies…
If when we externally discover the Ford Explorer, then the new Capri, we say to ourselves that we are dealing with two very different vehicles. But once the door is closed, you actually have the impression of being in the same car! Because the Explorer and the Capri share exactly the same dashboard, without any modification. So, obviously, Ford is not the only manufacturer to do this and choose to pool the interior elements. But still, we can’t help but think that it’s a bit of a shame…
