From its sleek exterior design to its top-of-the-line technology, this mid-sized crossover has everything you need to take your family on an adventure. The Explorer is undoubtedly an icon of Ford's SUV lineup, carrying three rows worth of family members since 1990, and now, with the latest 2023 model, Ford has proven that the Explorer legacy continues.
The Explorer is the first in a wave of innovative new electric vehicles from Ford, paving the way for a complete reinvention of the Ford brand in Europe. But what sets this Explorer apart from its predecessors? And what new features can we expect from the 2023 model?
Well, stick around until the end of the video to find out. But before we dive in, let's take a trip down memory lane. Back in 1991, the Ford Explorer replaced the Bronco II and quickly became a hit with consumers. The first-generation Explorer outsold its competitors by a significant margin, and by the end of the second generation, Ford was selling more Explorers than all import SUVs combined.
The first-generation Explorer was based on the compact Ford Ranger pickup and came in a four-door and a two-door sport version. The Mazda Navajo, based on the Explorer Sport, was only available in a two-door body style and shared some sheet metal with the Explorer. The Explorer Sport, on the other hand, had a shorter wheelbase, making it more maneuverable off-road at the expense of a bumpier ride.
Fast forward to the third generation, and the Explorer got a significant overhaul. It had its own frame with an independent rear end, allowing for more space in the back and the option of third-row seating. There were also improvements to ergonomics and amenities like rear-seat climate controls and cup holders. In the fourth generation, there weren't many cosmetic changes, but the V8 version got improved valve heads, and passengers got extra safety features like canopy airbags and computerized roll stability control.
Now let's get back to the 2023 Ford Explorer. Though the Explorer focuses much more on practicality, somehow Ford has managed to turn a fairly bluff front-end styling and generally boxy silhouette into an attractive design. And why not?
Ford was keen to avoid being boring, something that it was accused of by customer focus groups when the brand started to put plans for the Explorer together. So, the Explorer is really about an adventurous spirit. The design is unashamedly American-inspired, as Ford decided to celebrate its American roots. Built in Germany with Europeans in mind, the Explorer is a mid-sized crossover that has room for five.
It'll sit slightly below the more premium Mac-e and has been designed specifically for the European market. If you’re familiar with Ford’s American products, you’ll definitely have heard of the Ford Explorer, one of the longest-running and most popular SUVs in North America. But now, it’s time for Europe to experience this iconic vehicle. The Ford Explorer EV is significant because it’s only the third all-electric vehicle to be announced by the iconic American automaker, after the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. These electric vehicles have propelled Ford to its status as the No. 2 seller of electric vehicles in the US, but the company still has a ways to go if it wants to catch up to the No. 1 seller, Tesla. And that’s where the European market comes in.
While this SUV certainly has a lot going for it, there are a few quality issues that Ford needs to address, especially when it comes to its EV push. For example, Ford recently had to recall over a dozen F-150 Lightnings for potentially having a battery cell defect that caused a truck to catch fire.
In fact, in 2022, Ford issued more recalls in America than any other automaker. Ford has ambitious plans for Europe, where they're spending a whopping $1 billion to convert their German factory into an EV-only assembly line. And with the goal of producing 1.2 million vehicles over six years, it's clear they mean business.
That includes three new passenger vehicles, such as a sport crossover with a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) and an electric version of the Ford Puma, a compact crossover that'll go into production at the company's plant in Craiova, Romania, in 2024. Plus, Ford will be putting four commercial EVs into production, including electric versions of its Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier multipurpose vans. And let's not forget about their first commercial EV, the E-Transit van, which is already available to customers in Europe.
Now, while Europe is getting some incredible new EV options from Ford, what about us here in the US?
Well, an electric Explorer is still in the works. But, if you didn't know, Ford brought the Explorer to Europe in the form of a plug-in hybrid SUV. However, that car will be phased out and replaced with the all-new, all-electric Explorer, which will help accelerate Ford's electric ambitions in Europe. And here's a fun fact: Ford hasn't done it alone.
They've had a little help from an old friend—or enemy, depending on how you look at it. That's right, the chassis is the same MEB modular electric drive platform used by VW in the ID3, ID4, 5, 6, and ID Buzz, as well as various Skoda and Audi products like the Eniac and Q4 e-tron. While it may share a chassis with some VW products, it looks nothing like its Volkswagen stablemate on the outside.
The Explorer has a much more rugged design, with an upright front end and a black stripacross the bonnet that flows into the angular headlights. And unlike many other SUVs on the market, there's no fake grille here. Instead, there's an air intake lower down to cool the batteries.
The side profile of the Explorer is boxy and muscular, with black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and lower edge that hints at its off-road capabilities. As I mentioned earlier, the large, distinctive upper grille is no longer needed, as this all-electric SUV has a smooth front end, called the shield, designed for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
This also enabled them to experiment with where they placed the iconic Ford badge. At the rear, you'll find a big roof spoiler, some C-shaped tail lights connected by a gloss black trim strip, and black cladding around the lower bumper. The Ford Explorer doesn't have Dynamic Cooling Aid at the bottom, but it still maintains a strong and confident stance without being too aggressive.
It's 1.6 meters high, 1.87 meters wide, and 4.46 meters long, which puts it between a cougar and the Mach-e. Imagine a Tesla Model Y, but wider and not quite as long. The styling is chunky and not too fussy in profile, with wheels measuring from 19 to 21 inches. Moving on to the interior, the Ford Explorer is quite spacious and has a large boot with 450 liters of space and underfloor storage for additional items.
The futuristic exterior styling is matched by an ultra-modern interior that features sculpted sporty seats and a sophisticated soundbar. It feels more like a concept car than a family vehicle, but it's perfect for road trips and daily drives. One of the most exciting features of this all-electric SUV is its ability to fast charge from 10 to 80% in just 25 minutes. It will also have access to 500,000 charging points across Europe by next year, making it a convenient choice for electric car owners. Martin Sander, General Manager of Ford Model E, Europe, said it best when he described the Ford Explorer as "a trailblazer for a new breed of exciting Ford electric vehicles." "Steeped in our American roots but built in Cologne for our customers in Europe, it is road trip-ready for the big adventures and fully loaded with everything our customers will need for their daily drives."
The materials used in the interior are actually pretty decent. The eagle-eyed among you may spot a few Volkswagen switches, but that's about where the similarities end. The sensing material used for the seats looks and feels like leather, but it's actually man-made. Despite this, it doesn't feel cheap at all—it's a quality material that will hold up well over time.
But what really dominates the cabin is the 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This thing is massive, and it's packed with all sorts of goodies. You've got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the screen can even slide up and down so you can position it exactly where you want it.
And get this: There's some secret storage behind the screen. But that's not all; the 2023 Ford Explorer has plenty of other storage options as well. There's a little bit of storage in the center console, as well as enough room for a 15-inch laptop. And if you need to swap out the cup holders for something else, you can do that too—there's a little tray for spare change or other odds and ends. Plus, there's storage for your mobile phone with wireless charging.
And don't forget about the traditional glove box and decent-sized door bins. And there's even a partitioner in the center console that doubles up as an ice scraper. The driver's seat is a thing of beauty too, with heated massage seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. And of course, there's keyless entry and a power tailgate to make your life easier. Despite the meter-squared panoramic glass sunroof, the headroom in the Explorer is very generous, offering plenty of space for all passengers.
When it comes to range, Ford hasn't confirmed the exact figure yet, but we do know that the Explorer shares batteries with the Volkswagen ID.4, which means it should be available with either a 52 kWh or 77 kWh pack. The longest-range ID.4 with the larger battery has up to 328 miles of range, while cars with the 52 kWh unit will do 223 miles.
We're expecting the Explorer to get between 250 and 300 miles of range, which is certainly impressive. Moving on to pricing, we don't have all the details just yet, but we do know that the Explorer will likely start from under £40,000 ($48,785) in Select trim, which is the cheaper of the two trims that will be initially offered on the vehicle.
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