Ford has given its all-electric Explorer—the compact SUV sold in Europe, not its midsize namesake sold in the U.S.—major upgrades that make it better than ever.
Built on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, the Ford Explorer EV has been enhanced with a new drive battery, a more powerful electric motor, an Explorer Collection limited series, as well as improved ADAS and tech features.
More Range and Quicker Acceleration
Starting with the drivetrain, Ford Explorer Standard Range models now drive farther on a full charge and deliver faster acceleration thanks to the new 58-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and enhanced electric motor.
More specifically, the Explorer SR is now rated at 275 miles (444 km) on the WLTP test cycle, which is 37 miles better than before (an increase of more than 17%). Using a battery with LFP chemistry is also better for the environment as this type of battery requires fewer high-demand raw materials compared to traditional battery chemistries.
On top of that, users can charge it regularly to 100% without significant damage, whereas NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) and NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) batteries are less tolerant of high states of charge.
As for the updated rear-mounted electric motor, it now makes 140 kW (188 hp) and 258 lb-ft of torque, accounting for gains of 20 hp and 30 lb-ft, respectively. That translates into quicker acceleration, with the 0-60 mph benchmark now taking 8 seconds, an improvement of 0.7 seconds. It’s also worth noting that Explorer EV models now feature one-pedal drive as standard.
Smart Driving and Parking Features Galore
Moving on to the tech stuff, the 2026 Ford Explorer EV brings upgrades to its ADAS suite, which now sees the Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control system adjust the vehicle’s speed by “reading” the surroundings, including speed signs, curves in the road ahead, junctions, and roundabouts. The system also adds Traffic Light Recognition, which allows it to automatically slow or stop the vehicle if it detects a red or amber light ahead.
The 2026 Ford Explorer EV also gains a Reversing Assist function, which automates steering control during the reversing maneuver for up to 50 meters, retracing the last path the vehicle took, only backward; drivers only need to handle braking and acceleration.
In similar fashion, Trained Park Assist precisely replicates previously performed parking actions to place the vehicle in the desired position by automatically taking care of acceleration, braking, and steering. The system can store up to five different parking scenarios and drive up to 50 meters for each one.
Finally, the Driver State Assist driver monitoring system uses the driver-facing camera and Lane Keep Assist systems to detect if the driver pays attention to the road. If no steering input is detected, the system first taps the brakes to alert the driver, and if there’s still no reaction, it switches on the hazard warning lights, brings the vehicle to a full stop, unlocks the doors and calls emergency services.
Bidirectional Charging and Android-Based Infotainment System
Ford’s bidirectional charging capability debuts on the Explorer EV, enabling owners to turn their vehicle into a mobile power source that can power up to 2.3 kW of combined accessories using the vehicle’s drive battery.
The Pro Power Onboard outlet is located in the trunk for charging laptops, for example, but an optional adapter can be plugged into the vehicle’s charge port to charge electric bikes or other outdoor accessories.
The infotainment system sees its fair share of upgrades, including a 14.6-inch moveable screen that is now powered by new Android-based software and comes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Additionally, the infotainment system’s graphics have been refreshed for increased clarity and ease of use, including expanded views of parking and navigation screens and the ability to group apps into folders.
New Adventure-Inspired Explorer Collection Limited Edition
Finally, the new Explorer Collection limited edition combines an adventure-inspired design with more standard equipment. The exterior features a Cactus Grey paint exclusive for this model, new 20-inch alloys in satin black, a black roof, front and rear skid plates, as well as dedicated door and rear pillar graphics.
Inside, the Explorer Collection is finished in Black Onyx with orange accents on the seat sides, lower soundbar and seatbelts. The dash and center console sport a black and orange speckle effect, while the seats feature a unique 2D knit insert inspired by the texture of high-quality sport clothing and equipment.
The 2026 Ford Explorer range is available to order across Europe starting March 10, with prices starting just under €40,000 ($46,300) in Germany.
