Ford has jumped into mattress with Volkswagen to assist speed up its shift in the direction of electrification, with this new Capri the second mannequin after the Explorer to make use of Volkswagen tech. In some ways, Ford has executed a greater job of utilizing the Volkswagen MEB platform, producing a automobile that appears good, is constructed properly and drives effectively. And it has Ford’s slightly beautiful personal SYNC infotainment system (with a twist, or ought to that be a slide?) slightly than Volkswagen’s personal infuriating touchscreen.

There are VW bits across the cabin, although – the window switches, for instance, are a useability nightmare – however even the effectivity of the VW-supplied powertrain impresses within the Ford. We discovered the vary to be somewhat manner off the official claims – though that was in chilly climate – however common effectivity for our top-spec, all-wheel drive mannequin was exhibiting 3.7 miles/kWh, which isn’t too far off what we’d count on.

And though this new Capri has solely two hints on the outdated one – the rear three-quarter window and the holes within the steering wheel – it’s a very good SUV to drive. Physique management is nice, the steering is properly weighted, the journey is agency however bearable and grip ranges are good. Stick it in Sport mode and the steering weights up and the throttle response improves, too.

Up to now, so good, however the Capri is dear. The vary begins at over £48,000, whereas our high spec automobile with a couple of choices tops £60,000. We are able to’t keep in mind a Ford that value that a lot!

How we examined

We’ve been driving the brand new Capri across the south of the UK racking up miles on the motorway, round city and on loads of B-roads to see if there was any trace of the enjoyable of the unique.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

Battery, vary, charging, efficiency and drive

There are two battery choices with the brand new Capri, and barely odd ones at that. The Prolonged Vary RWD (rear-wheel drive) automobile will get a 77kWh battery, whereas the Prolonged Vary AWD (all-wheel drive) will get a 79kWh battery.

The (present) most cost-effective mannequin is the Choose RWD automobile at £48,075, which claims a most vary of 390 miles. Stepping as much as Premium RWD at £52,175 sees vary drop to 370 miles (thanks to greater wheels and extra package), whereas Premium AWD for £56,175 will go for a most of 346 miles.

The marginally greater battery of the AWD automobile means extra energy: 336bhp versus 282bhp for the RWD fashions. That sees the 0-62mph time drop from 6.4 seconds for RWD to five.3 seconds for AWD.

Early 2025 ought to see the arrival of a barely cheaper Choose mannequin with a 52kWh battery, though we don’t have specs for that mannequin but.

Battery charging isn’t all that quick, with a most charging velocity of 185kW for the 79kWh battery and 135kW for the smaller 77kWh battery. Meaning a ten to 80 per cent cost time of 26 and 28 minutes respectively.

There’s no normal warmth pump on the Capri to spice up cold-weather effectivity. Our automobile had it as a £1,050 possibility.

Our check automobile was the highest spec Premium RWD mannequin with optionally available 21-inch wheels, a £1,000 improve from the 20-inch wheels that come as normal on that mannequin. The Capri is a agency driving automobile however we wouldn’t name it uncomfortable – simply sporty. And for a big coupé SUV, the Capri feels fairly wieldy – the steering is properly weighted and responsive, there’s little or no physique motion when you change route sharply and grip ranges are good. Ford’s engineers have executed a very good job with the Volkswagen underpinnings to make the Capri really feel like a correct Ford – it may be enjoyable to drive.

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Inside, practicality and boot area

Three issues impress most inside the brand new Capri: area, type and high quality.

It is a real 4 seater – 5 at a push – with an honest 572 litre boot, though the sloping rear window limits usability somewhat bit. Additionally irritating is the dearth of a rear wiper – regardless of designers’ insistence that aerodynamics will clear the rear display screen, that’s no use in a moist automobile park if you’re attempting to reverse and the digicam’s soiled.

Ford has additionally given the Capri a good dose of favor inside, too, though when you’ve additionally checked out the Ford Explorer, you’ll quickly realise that the 2 automobiles are just about precisely the identical, aside from the bodyshell and suspension settings. That’s no dangerous factor – it’s a smart-looking inside with loads of soft-touch plastics round and first rate cupboard space. We particularly just like the hidden storage behind the touchscreen; the display screen slides up or down, and when it’s in its highest place, it reveals an honest cubby behind it.

There’s additionally the anticipated cupholders and decent-sized door bins, however one of many much less profitable components of the VW partnership is a number of the switchgear, notably the window switches. Relatively than have 4 switches on the motive force’s door to function all 4 home windows, there are simply two, with a touch-sensitive swap to pick out ‘rear’ if you need to put the rear home windows down. Then you need to press it once more to re-operate the entrance home windows. It’s cost-saving gone too far in our guide.

There are additionally the problematic touch-sensitive VW buttons on the steering wheel that may imply you inadvertently change stations or alter the quantity with a mild brush of your hand with out realising. Not less than the steering wheel, with its metallic decrease arm with round holes drilled into it, is a imprecise nod to the outdated Capri.

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Know-how, stereo and infotainment

Ford calls the 14.6-inch touchscreen within the Capri SYNC Transfer resulting from its capability to slip up and down the centre console to disclose some additional cupboard space behind it. The display screen is a stunning measurement that’s responsive and with crisp graphics, however the usability isn’t one of the best – though miles higher than something you’ll discover in Volkswagen’s ID Fashions.

Our Premium mannequin will get a decent-sounding 10-speaker B&O audio system – Choose fashions make do with a lesser seven-speaker set-up – whereas all automobiles get wi-fi Apple CarPlay (which shows brilliantly throughout the entire display screen) and Android Auto, plus wi-fi cellphone charging in slots within the centre console.

There’s additionally heating for the comfortable sports activities seats and steering wheel, LED headlights with dynamic Matrix beams on Premium Vehicles, plus adaptive cruise management and all of the anticipated digital security techniques. Nevertheless, you don’t get Ford’s intelligent Blue Cruise autonomous tech – we suspect that’s one other hangover from utilizing a Volkswagen platform.

Costs and operating prices

Though the Ford Capri and Ford Explorer are mainly the identical automobiles with totally different our bodies and barely totally different set-ups, the sexier Capri is a couple of thousand kilos greater than the extra sensible Explorer – you’ll simply should determine which you fancy. The Capri is marginally higher to drive, although.

As with all different electrical automobiles of this measurement and worth, a Tesla Mannequin 3 or Mannequin Y will go additional for much less money, and offer you extra tech, too. Nevertheless, we had been actually impressed with the effectivity of the Capri – on a combined run of motorway and city work, we achieved 3.7 miles/kWh, which isn’t too far off the claimed effectivity of the Premium AWD automobile we examined. It’s a disgrace a warmth pump is barely an possibility and never normal, although.

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Ford Explorer rivals

FAQs

How lengthy does it take to cost?

With a most charging velocity of 185kW for the 79kWh battery and 135kW for the smaller 77kWh battery a ten to 80 per cent cost takes 26 and 28 minutes respectively.

How a lot does it value – is it price it?

Beginning at over £48,000, the Capri is an costly automobile when in comparison with rivals just like the Tesla Mannequin 3 and Kia EV6. Our high spec Premium AWD automobile had choices taking it to over £60,000 making it a really costly Ford.

Does Ford change batteries totally free?

As with all EVs, the Capri battery is roofed for eight years and 100,000 miles.

The decision: New Ford Capri

Neglect the furore concerning the title, the brand new Capri is an honest EV SUV – it drives properly, is effectively made and appears good. It’s dear, although, with our top-spec automobile topping £60,000.