Seven seats and 40 kilometres of electric range. The Ford Explorer, one of America's most popular maxi-SUVs, makes its debut in a plug-in hybrid version.
We had already reported the news of its arrival. Now we have put it to the test. According to Ford, the Explorer "is the largest, most refined and most versatile SUV the manufacturer has ever sold in Europe." And that alone sets the scene. The novelty is that this kind of American legend, prized above all for its enormous cabin space, long-journey comfort and off-road capability, is now available in a plug-in hybrid version. To understand the technological effort involved — or at least the attempt — to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of an SUV of these proportions (length exceeding 5 metres, width over 2), you need to look at the spec sheet, where, alongside the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, a second electric motor now appears. Together they deliver an impressive 457 horsepower. The other novelty, the direct result of the plug-in hybrid system, is the ability to travel for around 40 kilometres in the silence of electric mode — a silence that, thanks in part to the substantial soundproofing, is truly impressive. In short, the Explorer plug-in hybrid could be the right choice for those who live in the countryside or have a large family, less so for city dwellers, given the dimensions… Let's take a look at how our review went.
Space, and plenty of it, is the first impression once you're on board. The other thing that strikes you immediately is the performance — more sports car than 4×4 SUV. Then there is the efficiency you can't see (but can feel, at least if you adopt a sustainable driving style…): that of a plug-in hybrid system which pairs the petrol engine — not exactly a modest unit — with an electric motor and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the second row of seats, without stealing space from passengers or luggage. Another aspect that tends to reassure is that in the Explorer you sit considerably higher than usual, which makes for a better view of the scenery on a journey, as well as improved visibility of the road ahead. Worried about the dimensions? Understandably so — just know that an array of cameras and sensors are there to help you during manoeuvres. And for the more anxious driver, there is a parking assistant that does everything for you at the press of a button. On the comfort front, also worth noting are the heated, ventilated (a godsend in summer) seats, complete with a massage function.
The performance — at least the "traditional" kind, top speed and acceleration from the lights — is that of a sports car. Not to mention the maximum speed, which we mention only for the exceptional nature of the figure: 230 km/h. There is another figure worth mentioning: 2,500 kilograms — that is the towing capacity of this enormous SUV, a figure of interest to anyone who travels with family and caravan, boat or horse in tow. In all of this, perhaps the most enjoyable thing is choosing to make the most of the electric range — around fifty kilometres or so which, if managed carefully, translate into about forty, with the option of recharging the battery from a home socket too (via the 7 kW charging port); allow around 4 hours to recover the full electric range if you have a wall box, an hour more from a standard socket.
It is clear that we are not talking about an economy-minded car — weight and dimensions (tyres included) make it hard to cover more than 8–9 kilometres per litre of petrol, figures that are also heavily influenced by the battery's state of charge, and therefore by whether or not the electric motor is providing support. That said, you can make the most of the hybrid side. By frequently selecting the EV Now option, that is, the electric range. Or EV Later, to save the magic of silence for when you want it (a wonderful thing to do, with the windows down, along a low-speed stretch of road, to enjoy the sounds of nature, or the crunch of snow under the wheels). When in doubt, you select Eco mode and leave the rest on EV Auto, so that, as is easy to imagine, the car decides what is best. Your only task will be to select the gears (the automatic gearbox has no fewer than 10) and enjoy the comfort.
Dirt tracks, snow, even sand. The Explorer lets you choose from a range of driving programmes, each suited to a different surface. And whatever the surface, given the considerable off-road capabilities and four-wheel drive (further enhanced by the support of the electric motor), you can be almost certain of going wherever you are permitted to go. Reading through the "tome" of the owner's manual, you discover some interesting details, such as the sophisticated on-board electronics, capable of analysing every 10 milliseconds the speed, air temperature or wheel slip, all while providing the driver with the best solution for every situation. Of course, if you wish, you can also take the Explorer into cities' ZTL restricted traffic zones, which, like all plug-in hybrids, this large SUV can enter freely — subject to what has been said about its dimensions and the legitimate reservations about use of road space, already in short supply in urban centres.
The list of features is particularly rich, the fruit of Ford's most recent experience. Systems such as adaptive cruise control, together with Lane Centring and the road sign recognition system. For those daunted by the generous dimensions, the Active Park Assist system is capable of carrying out parking manoeuvres in a fully automated mode. "The goal is to improve the driving experience, making it less stressful, helping drivers feel more confident and at ease when behind the wheel," say those at Ford. The Explorer's safety content has also been recognised with 5 stars from Euro NCAP, the highest possible score.