Can Ford’s recently launched Explorer EV make its presence felt in the family SUV sector? Al Suttie tries out the extended-range RWD version for a week.

Ford Explorer Premium RWD 77kWh with Driver Assist Pack

List price (BiK): £51,220 (2%)    CO2: 0g/km   Economy: 354 miles   Test efficiency: 257 miles

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Monday

One of the few upsides of being on the northern side of 50 is that I can remember when Ford briefly sold its US-made full-size Explorer in the UK. This 4.0-litre V6-powered 4×4 was a dreadful machine, so this all-new EV Explorer has to hope that 25 years is enough for those associations to have faded for buyers here. Luckily for the Blue Oval, the petrol model sold in penny numbers, but it has higher hopes for this model.

Tuesday

Unlike the Mach-E, the Explorer has no sporting pretensions, which is fine by me. Supercar acceleration in family-focused EVs has always baffled me, so 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds for this extended-range, rear-drive Premium trim version is more than brisk enough. It makes pulling onto a very busy roundabout at the top of the M9 motorway a breeze, while overtaking on A-roads is similarly accomplished.

Wednesday

Unlike some EV-powered SUVs, Ford has not gone for the completely grille-less front appearance. It gives the Explorer a more balanced look in my view, and there are plenty of neat styling touches throughout the car. One small thing, though, is that the electric tailgate button is on the left and I’m right-handed, so it always feels unnatural as I tend to carry shopping bags or coats in my left and leave my right free for locking the car.

Thursday

The 20-inch alloy wheels of the Premium trim look good, but I suspect the smaller 19-inch items on Select models will offer a more cushioned ride. I’ve yet to try a Select version, so this is speculation, but the Premium does feel just a bit too firm at lower speeds. The pay-off is good ride control and cornering stability, though I find the Explorer’s steering doesn’t have the usual level of feedback I’d expect of a Ford.

Friday

There’s no doubting the family credentials of the Explorer. It’s not as vast as its old namesake inside, but it is more than roomy for four or five, plus the boot is a decent size and you can stash the charging cable under the load floor instead of cluttering up the luggage bay. Upfront, the driver has clear dials and I even like the ‘squircle’ steering wheel shape that sits very naturally in my hands.

Saturday

The usual melee of weekend tasks, although no football run due to a frozen pitch. So, it’s shops and swimming pool instead and the Explorer ticks it all off with ease. However, using the heated seats and steering wheel to fend off the chilly weather does deplete the battery range noticeably, as does the air conditioning, though it prevents the cabin from misting up. I’m also not convinced by some of the material quality.

Sunday

I’ve topped up the Explorer’s battery three times this week at 50kW chargers and it’s been a swift, painless process to add a decent amount of range, albeit at quite a steep price. Ford claims a 354-mile range, but the dash display calculates that at almost 100 miles less in this cold weather and using the Explorer on a mix of roads. However, the mileage counter has proved to be accurate when compared to the miles driven.