Ford Explorer PHEV

The Dutch tax climate means that traditional American cars in our country are generally unsaleable. Yet it is the same tax climate that makes the new Ford Explorer very attractive on paper. The key lies, how could it be otherwise, with the plug-in hybrid.

It is not surprising that the large family cars from the US usually do not make the crossing to Europe. In America they also do downsizing, but thick six or even eight-cylinder engines are still quite common. With the associated CO2 emissions, these cars would be immediately unaffordable in many countries, including the Netherlands, regardless of costs due to weight and fuel consumption. However, Ford believes the time is ripe for a reintroduction of the Explorer, of which the second generation was once already available in European showrooms. Generation six is ​​just new and will be equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain especially for export markets. Ford is not exactly childish to work: the car gets a 3.0-liter Ecoboost-V6 petrol engine with 363 hp and a thick electric motor. The result: 457 hp and 825 Nm, making the car even more powerful than the American Explorer ST with its 3.3-liter V6. Of course, the PHEV is also a bit heavier, but with a 0-100 time measured by us of 5.4 seconds (0.6 counts faster than the manufacturer’s specification), the Plug Explorer is impressively fast. It feels that way too, thanks to the delicious, powerful V6 roar that escapes from the four exhausts. The Explorer feels comfortable doing everything.

ExactlyUnlike its predecessor, the sixth generation of the Ford Explorer is basically a rear-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid has four-wheel drive, of course, and the combustion engine powers the rear axle. According to the extensive driving programs for a variety of surfaces and conditions, Ford assigns the Explorer quite serious off-road qualities. Yet it is immediately noticeable that the car is primarily intended for the road. For an SUV of this weight and dimensions, the Explorer can be positioned remarkably precisely. The steering is direct and communicative and the chassis keeps the American mastodon well under control, even when things are going a bit faster. The Ford is also well equipped with driver assistance systems. The Americans supply Pilot Assist as standard, which keeps the Explorer within the lines and at a healthy distance from the vehicle in front. Unfortunately, the Ford falsely warns from time to time that the hands should be back on the wheel. In the Explorer, occupants tower over the rest of the traffic, while the view over a solidly domed bonnet adds to the feeling of invincibility. The particularly high seat also contributes to comfort, but unfortunately the seats do not. The seats are very short, the seats themselves a bit flat and the backrest has some unpleasant imperfections here and there that never completely disappear.

Cheap plasticThe Explorer interior is fine, but not much more than that. A lot of cheap-looking plastic has been used, including for things that are frequently touched. The leather used shines quite a bit and is not of premium quality. At the same time, the Ford interior does indeed come across. There is also little to criticize ergonomically. Ford likes to use physical buttons, which means that the standard option-loaded Explorer has an awful lot of them. Electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic roof, Bang & Olufsen audio, a 10.1-inch touchscreen and many other features are just standard. The only available option is actually a color, so that the Explorer is always just below 80 mille. An ST-Line comes standard with black exterior accents, black leather and red stitching is the only option in the Netherlands, and not everyone likes that. The Ford’s digital instrumentation looks rather restless with a bright blue screen, but on the other hand, the Explorer cluster offers many possibilities and even displays navigation directions from Android Auto, a possibility that is being used by more and more car manufacturers.

Three rows of seats
The Explorer has a third row of seats as standard. That means that the second row is somewhat curtailed, but it is still good to be in the back. The third row is really a sofa, although the backrest is split in two. The space available here is simply ample by European standards. Even adults can find a nice place, but with their legs tucked up because of the high floor. The view to the outside is also not optimal due to the thick window pillars. If we flatten the back row, the Ford swallows 635 liters of luggage, with everything flat even 2,274 liters. If more needs to be done, the hybrid can also handle a large trailer. The Ford towbar can handle 2,500 kg, which is nothing short of regal.

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