Returning for a full test following previous issues, the top-tier AWD Ford Capri is evaluated by our man north of the border for space, efficiency and electric driving experience. By Al Suttie.

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Ford Capri AWD Premium

List price (BiK): £56,120 (3%) Economy: 347 miles Test efficiency: 252 miles

Monday

It’s just over a year since a Ford Capri graced my driveway, so why you may wonder is another here so soon after? Simple, really, as that earlier Capri suffered some 12V battery issues that rendered it inoperable for a few days. A chance to spend a full and uninterrupted week with the car was too good to pass up, then.

Tuesday

All the hoo-ha around the Capri’s name seems to have faded into the rear-view mirror now. Even a couple of car-keen friends who I saw today were more interested in the Ford itself than its name badge. They wondered if this model had the newly extended battery range, but as an AWD Premium it doesn’t – that’s for the Standard Range version – but a claimed 347 miles on a full charge is very decent.

Wednesday

While some of the Ford interior design is much the same as in the Puma or Ranger, there’s no getting away from some of the Volkswagen bits due to the platform the Capri is based on. It’s most evident in the switchgear, which is not as user friendly as in most Fords. It’s a shame as it irks when the heel of your hand brushes a touch-sensitive switch on the steering wheel or you have to use the rubbish stereo volume control.

Thursday

Switchgear gripes aside, the Capri’s cabin is roomy and comfortable, as demonstrated today when we have a school event with both kids. They fit with room to spare in the back, while upfront the early evening chill is warded off with superbly toasty heated seats and steering wheel. I’m still not convinced by the gear selector design in the Capri, which is much the same as a VW’s or Kia’s.

Friday

Time to charge up and, rather disappointingly, the Capri has got nowhere near its claimed range of 347 miles on a full charge. So far, I’ve covered around 150 this week and the car has dropped from 85% to 25% charge. Leaving it to a full top-up overnight, I come back to the magic 100% battery number on the dash but the mileage counter is reading a slightly disheartening 252 miles to empty. Where did all those miles dribble away to?

Saturday

Regardless of the heritage of the Capri name, Ford has made a sound job of how this car drives. It hides its heft well in corners and when changing direction as you join a roundabout, and there is a little more feedback from the steering than in VW models on the same platform. It’s also brisk, covering 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, which is handy when feeding onto those roundabouts at peak times.

Sunday

Well, we’ve made it through the week with no 12V battery incidents. I didn’t think it would be a problem, though there is always that kernel of doubt when you’ve had the same model of car go wrong before. Other than a battery range that is more so-what than “So, where are we going”, the Capri is an amiable car in this class. However, that doesn’t feel like enough to overcome rivals such as the Polestar 2 or Kia EV5.

Monday

It seems odd that a mid-size electric SUV is one of the most contentious new car launches of the moment when there are so many cars in this class. Yet the Capri name for Ford’s latest model has stirred up plenty of debate. Frankly, I’m not bothered about the repurposing of the name, much as I like a throaty V6-powered coupé as much as the next driving fan.

Tuesday

The Capri is, in essence, a more coupé-roofed version of Ford’s Explorer, which I tested recently and liked. There’s still plenty of room in the boot of the Capri for bags and boxes, and there’s a tray under the boot floor to stash the charging cable. It also comes with a plastic basket that fixes into the left-hand cubby in the boot. Not sure I’d take it into Tesco, but it’s useful for those smaller items being stored in the boot.

Wednesday

That coupé roof line means less headroom for those in the back. Not a problem for younger kids, but my teenage son, who is now as tall as me, found his bonce brushing the ceiling. He also mentioned his legs were a bit uncomfortable on an hour-long trip this evening as the floor pushed his thighs up and away from the cushion.

Thursday

On my way home from Perth in rush hour and it’s my turn to join a busy roundabout to get on the A9 and home. There’s no issue here thanks to the Capri offering 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, so it squirts into a gap in traffic and gets up to speed with ease. Cruising on the dual carriageway at 70mph, battery range takes a dip, though, and the 246-mile range in the cool of winter makes me think about recharging sooner rather than later.

Friday

A top-up charge this morning and a few minutes to ponder the front cabin of the Capri. As a car with an illustrious name, I do feel Ford could have made some nods to the original’s interior as it has with the Mustang Mach-E. It’s not to be, however, and the inside of the Capri could pretty much be any current EV SUV in this class. Can’t help feeling it’s an opportunity missed for some fun.

Saturday

Just as I’m getting into the Capri after a supermarket raid, a loud voice from the car next door informs me “That’s not a real Capri.” The face attached to the voice then goes into a monologue about how wrong the name is for this car as if I’m personally responsible. This heckler is duly ignored but it shows the residual love for the name, as well as some people’s inability to engage politely.

Sunday

The last couple of days with the Capri are marred by a 12V battery fault that leaves the car incapable of selecting forward or reverse gears. Harry, the superb AA patrol operative, arrives quickly and is very helpful and polite. He also notes this is the first new Capri he’s been called to but is unable to diagnose the problem, so the car is recovered to a Ford dealer. A call at the end of the day lets me know the car has been sorted, but no offer from Ford to return the car to me.