Ford Explorer EV: Europe Gets a Bigger, Better, Cheaper Model Y Replacement
Alright folks, Ford's finally decided to tease Europe with their own electric Explorer. And hey, it's about time! Turns out, they might've spent all that extra development time wisely because this thing looks like it could give the Tesla Model Y a run for its money.
So, what's the deal? Well, Ford took the German engineering of Volkswagen's MEB platform (the same one under the VW ID.4) and gave it some good ol' fashioned American muscle. We're talking spacious SUV that can seat the whole family and promises a whopping range of up to 374 miles (602 km) on a full charge. That's the kind of number that gets my EV-enthusiast heart racing.
Of course, just because it's practical doesn't mean it's boring. You get fancy stuff like a 15-inch movable touchscreen. Because what's a modern car without some tech that'll be obsolete in two years? But hey, I'm not complaining – you still get all the connectivity basics like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to keep things civilized.
Now, the money talk. The base model of this bad boy starts under an almost magical $50,000 (£39,875 in the UK) mark. Sure, this is the base version with the much smaller 52 kWh battery pack and the 230-mile range might be a bit underwhelming, but the Explorer still undercuts the base Tesla Model Y and even the VW ID.4. That's got to raise some eyebrows at Tesla headquarters, wouldn't you think?
The thing with EVs - just as it is with any other car - you get what you pay for. The more you spend, the more you get, and the 'Extended Range' version is probably where things start to get interesting. You get 77 kWh battery pack, 374 miles of range (602 km), a 6.4-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time to satisfy your inner speed demon, and fast charging to get you back on the road pronto.
The top-of-the-line 'Extended Range AWD' is the real giggle-inducer. Sure, its range drops slightly to 329 miles (529 km) despite having a slightly larger 79 kWh battery, but it packs a 335-horsepower (340 PS) punch and scoots to 62 mph in a very respectable 5.3 seconds. Not really a Model Y Performance competitor, actually - not even in the same postcode - but nippy enough to make the school runs unforgettable.
Before we get too excited though about Ford’s latest electric offering and the new tech that comes with it, let’s not forget that the new Explorer is essentially the refreshed VW ID.4 underneath. While the entry-level model uses the older powertrain, the Extended Range comes with the all-singing and all-dancing 289 hp (286 PS) rear electric motor. The AWD version gets the same twin-motor setup we have just seen in the new ID. Buzz GTX. Oh, and in the new ID.7 GTX Tourer, and the new Cupra Tavascan VZ, and the new ID. 4 GTX… One thing’s for sure - there won’t be any shortage of spare parts when things go wrong.
Now, the big question is, will this bigger, better, budget-friendlier...well, let's not say Model Y killer, because that's a bit harsh. How about a friendly electric Bronco for the suburbs? Will it ever make it to American shores? Frankly, your guess is as good as mine. Ford still seems confused about what it even wants to do with electric vehicles over here. One minute they're hyped, the next they're changing their minds. Maybe it's time someone just tells them: "Hey Ford, Europe's havin' all the EV fun over there, what gives?"
But let's not get too down in the dumps. If you're a European EV enthusiast, the Explorer offers some serious bragging rights. It's got all the family-friendly practicality, the tech goodies to distract the kids, and a range that means fewer panicked stops for a charge. Honestly, I'm a little jealous.
But hey, until Ford makes up its mind about bringing this stateside, if you happen to be across the pond and you're in the market for a family-friendly EV with some pep that won't drain your savings, it sounds like this might be the ticket. Let's just hope that Tesla Model Y has a good sense of humor because it looks like it finally has some proper competition. Now, if only we could convince those Ford execs that we want a slice of this EV pie too…
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
