Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD: See 2026 Specs

The Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD is Ford’s top-spec electric SUV for the European market in 2026. It runs dual motors making 340hp, uses a 79 kWh usable battery, and covers 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds.

WLTP range reaches up to 352 miles, and it’s the only Explorer trim with 185 kW DC fast charging.

This review covers real-world range across different conditions, how the AWD compares to the RWD model, what the Premium trim actually adds, and whether this car is worth its price over the cheaper Select RWD.

The car launched in 2024 and received a model update in early 2026, keeping the same powertrain but adding a new entry-level LFP battery option to the base Style trim.

The Extended Range AWD stays unchanged for 2026 in terms of core specs, though Ford pushed over-the-air SYNC software updates earlier this year.

Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD vs Other Trims

Ford offers the Explorer EV in Style, Select, and Premium. The Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD sits at the top and is the only trim with dual motors and all-wheel drive.

It gets a 79 kWh battery instead of the 77 kWh in RWD models, faster 185 kW DC charging instead of 135 kW, 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, a Bang and Olufsen 10-speaker sound system, matrix LED headlights, Sensico interior trim, ambient lighting with 10 colour options, and a hands-free electric tailgate.

Ford built this on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, the same one used in the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. Ford tuned the suspension and steering independently though.

I’ve found the Explorer steers with more weight and feel through corners than the ID.4, and the AWD system holds its line on wet roads in a way the single-motor version can’t match.

MEB cars from different brands do drive differently once each manufacturer adjusts the chassis, and the Explorer is one of the better examples of that.

2026 Ford Explorer EV Premium AWD Full Specs

Here are the core numbers for the Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD. I’d recommend going through these before the real-world section because a few of them, like the two separate motor torque figures, explain a lot about how the car behaves on the road:

Spec	Detail
Battery (usable)	79 kWh
Gross Battery	82 kWh
Total Power	340 hp / 250 kW
Total Torque	679 Nm
Rear Motor	545 Nm, synchronous
Front Motor	134 Nm, asynchronous
0-62 mph	5.3 seconds
Top Speed	112 mph
WLTP Range	329-352 miles
DC Fast Charging	185 kW max
10-80% Charge Time	26 minutes
AC Charging	11 kW onboard
Towing Capacity (braked)	1,200 kg
Boot Space	445L seats up / 1,417L folded
Kerb Weight	2,092-2,104 kg
Drive	AWD dual motor
Battery Chemistry	NMC Lithium-ion
Platform	Volkswagen MEB
Built in	Cologne, Germany
Dimensions (L x W x H)	4,468 x 1,871 x 1,639 mm
Wheelbase	2,767 mm

Ford Explorer EV AWD Real World Range in 2026 Conditions

The WLTP figure of 352 miles is a lab number recorded at 23 degrees with no heating or air conditioning running.

Real driving looks different, and in my experience, the gap between WLTP and real-world driving always matters more in an AWD car than a lighter single-motor version.

Here’s what independent testing from EV Database shows across conditions that actually apply to UK and European roads:

Driving Condition	Real Range
City driving, mild weather (23 degrees)	401 miles / 645 km
City driving, cold weather (-10 degrees)	270 miles / 435 km
Highway driving, mild weather	252 miles / 405 km
Highway driving, cold weather	196 miles / 315 km
Combined, mild weather	314 miles / 505 km
Combined, cold weather	230 miles / 370 km

Cold motorway driving takes the sharpest hit. At -10 degrees on a highway, the range drops to 196 miles instead of 252. That’s a 22% fall from mild conditions. For buyers in Scotland or northern England, this number matters more than the WLTP headline suggests.

The optional heat pump at £1,050 helps the car manage cabin heat without draining the battery as fast. Ford doesn’t include it as standard on any Explorer trim, including Premium, which I think is a real oversight at this price point. If I were spec’ing this car, the heat pump would be my first add.

Ford Explorer EV AWD vs RWD Range Comparison

The Ford Explorer EV AWD does up to 352 miles WLTP. The Extended Range RWD in the Select trim does 374 miles. On paper, that’s 22 miles. In mixed real-world driving, the heavier AWD setup pushes that gap closer to 30-40 miles per charge.

For daily school runs or commutes under 50 miles, you won’t notice it at all. On a motorway day covering 300 miles with charging stops, it starts to matter, and I’d plan one extra 10-minute stop compared to the RWD.

Ford Explorer EV 185 kW Charging Speed Explained

The Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD is the only Explorer that charges at up to 185 kW on a DC rapid charger. The RWD models top out at 135 kW.

That gap isn’t just a marketing number it means noticeably shorter stops at public chargers on long trips. Here’s what charging looks like across every charger type you’re likely to use:

Charger Type	Charge Time (10-80%)	Range Added Per Hour
50 kW DC	70 minutes	260 km/h
150 kW DC	30 minutes	610 km/h
185 kW+ DC (IONITY, BP Pulse)	26 minutes	710 km/h
11 kW AC (home wallbox)	8 hours 30 minutes	52 km/h
7 kW AC wallbox	12 hours 45 minutes	35 km/h

A 15-minute stop at an IONITY rapid charger adds around 107 miles. That fits into a food or coffee break without making it feel like a detour.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 does 10-80% in under 18 minutes with its 800V system, so the Explorer isn’t leading the class here. But from what I’ve seen on motorway trips, 26 minutes is short enough that most families won’t feel the difference day to day.

Here’s something I noticed that most reviews skip entirely: the Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD supports Plug and Charge via ISO 15118-2. At compatible chargers, the car authenticates automatically.

You plug the cable in, and charging starts, no app or RFID card needed. For regular motorway users, that small detail removes a friction point that adds up more than you’d expect on a long journey.

Ford Explorer Premium EV Performance on the Road

The Ford Explorer Premium EV AWD uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor at the rear axle, making 545 Nm, paired with an asynchronous front motor making 134 Nm. Combined output is 340 hp and 679 Nm of torque.

The 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds matches a Kia EV6 AWD and beats a Ford Focus ST. In 2026, that’s quick enough that you’ll never feel underpowered merging onto a motorway or overtaking on a dual carriageway.

Day to day, you don’t use the full output often. What the AWD setup actually gives you is better traction pulling out of wet junctions, more confidence on slippery country roads in winter, and a planted feel at motorway speeds.

Ford’s suspension tune keeps body roll low for a car this heavy. I’ve found it more involving to drive than most MEB-based cars; the steering builds weight naturally through corners in a way the ID. 4 simply doesn’t, without feeling stiff or harsh at low speeds.

Drive Modes and Eco Mode Efficiency

The Ford Explorer EV AWD has Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes plus B mode for stronger regenerative braking. In Eco mode on a daily commute.

 I’ve seen efficiency figures around 4.1 miles per kWh, which on a 79 kWh battery gives you a real daily range of around 290-310 miles. That’s a full week of typical commuting from a single overnight charge for most drivers.

B mode raises regenerative braking enough that you barely touch the brake pedal in town. On motorways, B mode makes the throttle feel abrupt when easing off, so I’d recommend switching back to D at speed.

The car doesn’t reach true one-pedal driving, but B mode in town is close enough that you stop thinking about it after the first week.

Ford Explorer EV Premium Interior and SYNC Move Technology

The 14.6-inch SYNC Move touchscreen is the interior talking point of the Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD. It tilts forward and back on an adjustable rail.

Slide it fully forward, and a locked storage bay opens behind it, a detail I think is actually clever because that compartment secures with the car when you leave, making it safe for a phone or wallet.

Ford’s SYNC software in 2026 runs faster than the 2024 launch version after over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work without any setup.

The MegaConsole under the center armrest holds 17 liters. The cup holders at the front lift out fully, and what’s left is enough space for a 15-inch laptop flat with room for other items.

The premium trim adds the B&O 10-speaker audio, which is a step above the standard 7-speaker setup in both volume and detail. The panoramic glass roof extends past the rear seat headrests so it doesn’t cut headroom at the back.

Matrix LED headlights adjust the beam shape around oncoming cars in real time. The Sensico upholstery on the seats and door panels gives the cabin a more premium feel than the base Explorer, and in my view it’s the main reason to pick Premium over Select on interior grounds alone.

Interior Weak Points Worth Knowing

The lower door panels are hard plastic. On a car above £50,000 in 2026, that stands out, and I noticed it on the first day. The touch-sensitive window controls use a single toggle button instead of four separate switches, which takes more attention while driving than it should.

The steering wheel haptic volume controls miss inputs sometimes. These don’t break the car, but they’re real compromises you’ll notice week to week rather than on a test drive.

Practicality, Boot Space, and Family Use

The AWD model has 445 liters of boot space with seats up and 1,417 liters with the rear seats folded in a 60/40 split. The front motor takes up 25 liters compared to the RWD boot.

The middle seat back has a ski hatch, so you can slide skis or a long flat-pack box through without dropping the seats.

Charging cables go under the boot floor, and the load lip is low enough that lifting heavy bags in is not a problem. When the seats fold flat, the floor stays level all the way to the front.

There’s no front boot. The Kia EV6 has one, and at this price, I think Ford leaving it out is a missed chance. The boot is also smaller than the VW ID.4 at 543 liters and the Renault Scenic at 545 liters.

If you regularly pack the car heavily for family holidays, the Explorer will feel tighter before the ID. 4 does, and that’s worth knowing before you visit a showroom.

Rear passenger space works well for two adults. Three across the back bench is possible because the floor is fully flat.

Taller passengers may find the high floor raises their knees above a comfortable angle on trips over two hours, something I’d suggest testing on a proper test drive rather than a short loop around the block.

Ford Explorer EV Safety Ratings 2026

Euro NCAP tested the Ford Explorer EV in 2024 and awarded it five stars. Adult occupant protection scored 89%, child occupant 86%, vulnerable road users 80%, and safety assist 72%.

All Explorer trims come with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning as standard.

In my view, the standard safety kit is strong enough for most buyers without needing the optional Driver Assistance Pack.

Ford Explorer EV AWD vs VW ID.4 GTX 2026

These two cars share the MEB platform and cost similar money in 2026. I’d put the comparison like this: the Explorer wins the spec sheet fight, the ID. 4 GTX wins on practicality and ride comfort. Here’s the full breakdown:

Spec	Ford Explorer EV AWD	VW ID.4 GTX
Power	340 hp	340 hp
0-62 mph	5.3 sec	5.2 sec
WLTP Range	352 miles	~310 miles
DC Charging Speed	185 kW	175 kW
Boot Space	445L	543L
Towing Capacity	1,200 kg	1,200 kg
Ride Quality	Firmer, sportier	Softer, more relaxed
Steering Feel	More direct	More relaxed
Interior Design	More distinctive	More conventional
Heat Pump	Optional £1,050	Optional

If real-world range and 185 kW charging speed are your priority, the Explorer wins this comparison. If you need boot space or prefer a softer motor way ride, I’d point you toward the ID.4 GTX without hesitation.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer EV Premium Extended Range AWD in 2026

Most reviews don’t answer this question directly. Here’s what I’ve found after going through every competitor in this class and looking at real owner feedback from the past year.

Buy this car if: You do regular motorway trips and want 185 kW fast charging to keep stops under 30 minutes. You drive in wet, icy, or hilly conditions where AWD traction pays off.

You want the full premium interior with B&O audio, matrix LEDs, and Sensico trim. You need to tow up to 1,200 kg for a trailer or small caravan. You want the fastest Explorer at 5.3 seconds to 62 mph.

Skip this car if: You mainly drive in the city and want maximum range per charge. The Select Extended Range RWD at 374 miles gives you 22 more miles for less money. You regularly carry large loads in the VW ID.

The ID.4 GTX has 98 more litres of boot space, which you’ll notice on a family holiday. And if budget is a concern, the Select RWD does the same job for daily city driving at a lower price. The AWD extras don’t add much when your longest trip is the school run.

Warranty and Ownership Costs in 2026

Ford covers the Explorer with a 3-year / 60,000-mile warranty. The battery carries an 8-year / 100,000-mile warranty, with Ford guaranteeing usable capacity stays above 70% in that period.

Ford also includes 5 years of free servicing and roadside assistance from new, which softens the short standard warranty compared to Kia’s 7-year cover.

Insurance sits at group 32 for the AWD Premium, lower than the Tesla Model Y and most Hyundai Ioniq 5 variants at this performance level. In my experience, that makes monthly insurance more manageable than people expect when they see the car’s performance figures.

Frequently Asked Questions