At €78k ($82k), Ford’s New Explorer PHEV Costs As Much As BMW’s X5 PHEV In Germany

First announced in April 2019 for Europe, the Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid went on sale late last year but is only now beginning to arrive in local dealerships.

Compared to the specifications released more than a year ago, the automaker has operated some changes which are mostly related to the powertrain. The Explorer Plug-In Hybrid combines a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 petrol engine with an electric motor, a generator and 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The combined available output is slightly higher than initially advertised, reaching 457 PS (451 HP). However, the peak torque is a tad lower at 825 Nm (608 lb-ft). These figures make the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid Ford’s most powerful hybrid vehicle.

See Also: Does China’s 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum Look Better Than America’s?

The all-electric driving range has been WLTP-measured at 42 km (26 miles) while the average fuel economy is 3.1 l/100 km (91.1 mpg UK / 75.9 mpg US), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 71 g/km. Both figures are WLTP-certified and made possible by the intervention of the electric motor.

The battery can be recharged from an external 230-volt socket in less than 5 hours 50 minutes, and in less than 4 hours 20 minutes from the optional wall-mounted Ford Connected Wallbox or a compatible public charging station.

The EcoBoost engine is mated to a standard 10-speed automatic transmission, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and Terrain Management System with seven Drive Modes, enabling a 2,500-kg (5,511-lbs) maximum towing rating. Combine that with the standard seven-seat layout and you get a very versatile SUV.

Offered in Platinum and ST-Line trim levels, the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid is well equipped as standard, featuring a 10.1-inch portrait capacitive touchscreen for the SYNC 3 infotainment system, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, Ford Pass Connect modem, Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control and 14-speaker B&O Sound System as standard.

Driver assistance technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring, Reverse Brake Assist, Active Park Assist 2, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking, 360-degree camera, and more.

Pricey in Germany

All these come at a (steep) base price in Germany: €76,000 ($81,980) for the ST-Line and €77,000 ($83,030) for the Platinum. For comparison, BMW‘s new X5 xDrive 45e that pairs a 3.0-liter straight-six engine to an electric motor for a combined output of 394 PS (388 HP/ 290 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) starts from €77,300 (equal to $83,350 at current exchange rates).