LIVING WITH A…
FORD EXPLORER
Where our long-term test cars have been and what they’ve done
Did its VW platform and an EV powertrain leave space for any Ford DNA?
“It’s a car that takes a bit of time to warm to but then reveals plenty of strengths”
FINAL REPORT MILEAGE 4373
WHY WE RAN IT To find out if the Blue Oval’s first European-built electric car – with Volkswagen underpinnings – really is a true Ford
The estimable Steve Cropley has already explained things better than I ever could. When I took delivery of this Ford Explorer, the question set for me to answer concerned whether an EV with Volkswagen underpinnings could really be a true Ford.
I had several months to consider. Then Steve borrowed the Explorer for a Ford-themed UK road trip (30 April) and pretty much nailed my brief in two days. As he put it, Ford took a VW platform, built a sensible, honest family car and added just enough handling pep to evoke the brand’s turn-of-the-century glory days and make the Explorer feel distinct from its German cousins and worthy of bearing the Blue Oval.