Summary
The Ford Explorer is a five-door electric SUV that will soon arrive in UK dealerships – not to be confused with the larger US version of the Explorer which is now in its seventh generation.
Built on the same foundations as the Volkswagen ID.4, this Explorer model is designed for Europe and is the fruit of a collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen that the brands say combines “German engineering” with the Ford’s “iconic American SUV design”.
“It’s better to drive than its Volkswagen ID 4 sister”, says What Car?’s Steve Huntingford, “plus its interior offers more wow factor.” The Carbuyer team adds that the Explorer is “well equipped and even boasts a better electric range” than many rivals in its class, though some competitors offer more boot space.
The key criticism reviewers level at the Explorer is that, while it does stand out from the mid-sized SUV class in some areas, it doesn’t really move the game on, which you might expect considering its ambitiously high UK pricing. “There are rivals that cost less and have longer warranties”, concludes Electrifying.com’s Vicky Parrott, “but the Ford is still really recommendable.”
As of October 2024, the Ford Explorer holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 81%. This is one o the highest overall scores in our Expert Rating index – a score aided by an excellent Euro NCAP safety rating and lower-than-average running costs.
Explorer highlights
- Competitive battery range
- Balanced handling
- Well-equipped as standard
Explorer lowlights
- Rivals offer a larger boot
- Interior is a bit cheap in places
- Rather steep UK pricing
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized SUV/crossover
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £39,875 on-road
Launched: 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Efficient with long range figures, a practical interior and a well-judged driving experience, it can mix-it with the top mid-size electric SUVs on today’s market. Only some ambitious pricing and a few control interface niggles really hold it back.”
Author: Paul Barker
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Superior to all major rivals to drive, the Tesla included, and recognisable as a Ford.”
Author: Mark Tisshaw
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Why this rather than an ID. 4? For our money it looks better. It loses out on boot space but it drives in a more engaging way and rides in a more composed manner.”
Author: Colin Overland
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Explorer is Ford’s second all-electric model. It will offer competitive range in a handsome package, but doesn’t really move the game on.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“One of the best cars in the class to drive, and it’ll be peachy to live with as a family car. There are rivals that cost less and have longer warranties, but the Ford is still really recommendable.”
Author: Vicky Parrott
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Explorer is better to drive than its Volkswagen ID 4 sister, plus its interior offers more wow factor and our favourite version can cover more than 300 miles between charges in real-world conditions.”
Author: Steve Huntingford
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 72%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the Ford Explorer has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Explorer is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ford Explorer to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Explorer, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 352 miles | A | 329 – 374 miles | A – A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.4 m/KWh | B | 4.2 – 4.6 m/KWh | A – B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 34 | C | 32 – 36 | C – C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £357 | C |
| Year 2 | £630 | B |
| Year 3 | £943 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,223 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,537 | B |
| Overall | £4,690 | B |
The Ford Explorer is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The SUV’s average battery range of 352 miles (ranging from 329 to 374 miles depending on the model you choose) is very competitive in the mid-sized SUV class, while its insurance bracket is about average.
The car’s servicing and maintenance costs are lower than average, but not as cheap as many electric cars of this size. A predicted total cost of nearly £5k for the first five years of ownership is over £1k more expensive than the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4, as well as the sportier Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Explorer, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq iV | Tesla Model Y | Volvo EX40 | Volkswagen ID.4
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Ford Explorer at The Car Expert
Buy a Ford Explorer
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Ford Explorer, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Lease a Ford Explorer
If you’re looking to lease a new Ford Explorer, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
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Subscribe to a Ford Explorer
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)