Ford Explorer - First Ride Reviews

[Rob]

I've found a couple of first ride reviews just published for the Explorer EV:

Auto Express:

We were given an early ride in the rear-drive 77kWh model and found the initial refinement and interior ambience to be very impressive. Despite sharing much of its package with the Volkswagen ID.4, the new Explorer’s interior felt much more substantial with lots of clever little details and cubbies to hold day-to-day items. The large digital interface is clear and easy to use, but it doesn’t have much in the way of physical controls for elements like the volume or temperature.

We still have a lot more to find out when we drive the Ford Explorer in the next couple of months, ahead of the first UK deliveries which will be due in the third quarter of this year. As the beginning of a new era of Ford’s European line up, this is a big moment for a brand that is searching for some soul in the post Fiesta and Focus era. On this early account, it might not have that much to worry about.

Review Link: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/expl ... e-oval-suv

Auto Car:

I can tell you that the Explorer rode compliantly and quietly over the worst bits of our lap of Nice, with no especially overt tyre roar or wind noise to speak of - although we only breached the heady heights of 30mph on a few occasions.

It's probably best to wait until we drive it to make any categoric conclusions on these dynamic attributes, but the elements I can talk about with some degree of conviction at this stage happen to be those that Ford is keenest to show off.

The interior design, for example, is a pretty radical departure from the Ford cabins to which we've become accustomed.

At once more daring in its striking, multi-layered surfacing and more thoughtfully arranged, it compares well with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for outright flair and ergonomics, while giving promising signs of how Ford can make its interiors as appealing as its exteriors – finally.

Review Link: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new- ... roper-ford

[Tangsoodo]

I had a test drive on Saturday. I quite like the rugged look of it but not sure about the brighter colours on that type of car. Personally think it suited the dark grey and black the most. The demo was white and it made it look cheap and small. Very good ride and it puts a smile on your face when you floor it. Ride was good but could feel the bumps but I prefer a stiffer suspension. Nice and quiet and the panoramic roof with the minimal style dash makes it feel roomy and modern. We also looked at the Audi q4 ev but that feels like you were sat in a “normal” car. I felt that this is going to date very quickly. The explorer feels like this is how the interior of EVs is going to be going forward with the fighter plane hi tech cockpit look being replaced with a minimalist look. The one thing that is really disappointing is the all plastic door trim. A bit of leather would have made it feel more premium. Also the option of white leather would have also elevated it to feel more luxury. It was only a quick blast down a few carraigeways but with the aircon blasting away and me hitting a fair touch over 70 mph I got back to the dealer with 277 miles range having started with 270. Not really any sort of accurate test for the miles I had done but at least it didn’t drop 50 miles oh and this is my first EV so I did go into this with some range anxiety. Overall it looks good, drives well so I’ve ordered one.