The new Ford Explorer EV is coming to Europe, built on VW's MEB platform and dressed in the iconic design of the American SUV. But is there just an unexciting VW ID.4 hidden under the rugged exterior?
Ah, the good old days of the automotive industry, where each brand had its own identity and each car had its own character. Fast forward to today, when the electric revolution has turned the industry on its head, and manufacturers are sharing platforms and technologies like teenagers swapping clothes. So today we will take a closer look Ford Explorer EV, the Blue Oval's latest offering for Europe, which is built on Volkswagen's MEB platform. As I say boring!
The “New” Ford Explorer EV: A Redesigned VW ID.4 or a Worthy Rival?
With a starting price below 48,300 $ (45.000 €) Ford Explorer EV promises to be a more affordable alternative Mustang Mach-E. But don't let the price fool you - this is not a revolutionary vehicle. Built on the VW MEB architecture, the Explorer EV is essentially ID.4, dressed in fashionable American attire. The dimensions are almost the same, except for a slightly shorter length, there are practically no differences. The drive options are the same as VW.
Volkswagen ID.4 it's not a bad car per se, but it's not exactly the most exciting electric vehicle on the market. A decent electric crossover, sure, but far from a spectacle. It seems that Ford decided to borrow some of the mediocrity of the ID.4 and dress it up in a bolder, more American guise. In essence, it is a question of cost optimization, which is, in principle, too great.
Meet the Explorer EV: A sheep in wolf's clothing
It's design Ford Explorer EV undoubtedly more aggressive than ID.4. It has straight lines, a more boxy body and a powerful stance Ford did a great job of disguising the relatively lackluster design ID.4. Inside, the 15-inch Ford Sync Move central touchscreen and 5.0-inch floating digital instrument cluster are eye-catchers, but we can't help but wonder if these features are just distractions from the vehicle's humble roots.
Powertrains Ford Explorer EV remain shrouded in mystery, with Ford only mentioning “responsive and refined” rear-wheel drive and battery-powered four-wheel drive options. We suspect that the performance will be the same as its German cousin ID.4, which does not exactly impress the world of lovers of good driving sensations with its driving dynamics.
So it is Ford Explorer EV a true American icon or just another European electric vehicle in disguise? While it's too early to make a final judgment, evidence suggests that beneath the rugged exterior lies a familiar, somewhat underwhelming electric crossover. Of course, it is more affordable than Mustang Mach-E, but I can't help but feel like we've seen it all before — and it wasn't as exciting the first time around.
