Ford Capri returns! Coupe reborn as new all-electric SUV

• All-new electric coupe SUV
• Up to 390 miles of range
• On sale now from £48,075

Say hello to the Ford Capri, the latest iconic model from the Blue Oval to be reborn as, you guessed it, an all-new SUV. It’s been 38 years since production of the original two-door coupe ended, but Ford has decided that now is the time to revive the famous badge, albeit attached to a very different car.

The new Capri trades the miniature muscle car looks of its forebear for a trendy coupe-esque SUV body. If you think that’s controversial, we don’t recommend looking under the bonnet – you won’t find a burbling petrol engine here as the new Capri is electric only. It rides on the same platform as the new Ford Explorer, sharing its battery, motors, interior and even some exterior body panels.

The new Ford Capri is on sale now from £48,075, while a cheaper entry-level model is expected to follow later this year, costing from £42,075.

What do I need to know about the new Ford Capri?

Forget everything you know about the original Ford Capri – the new model shares little more than its name. Ford claims that the new Capri is designed to “inject some soul into the world of EVs”, even stating that the C in Capri stands for “cool”, but we’ll let you make your mind up on that one.

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Using the electric Ford Explorer as its base, the new Capri swaps a traditional boxy SUV body for a sleeker sloping roof, intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency as well as to hark back to the old Capri. You may recall that Ford already builds an electric, coupe-SUV – the Mustang Mach-E – which will continue to be sold alongside the Capri. Chief designer of the new Capri, Murat Gueler, admits that the new model has the potential to eat into sales of the Mach-E, but he still believes that the market is big enough for both to exist side by side. 

The new Ford Capri is electric only, riding on the MEB platform developed by the Volkswagen Group and used by the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and the Ford Explorer. At launch, it will only be available in ‘Extended Range’ guise, using a 77kWh or 79kWh battery for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, respectively. The former can travel up to 390 miles on a charge, while the all-wheel drive Capri manages up to 368 miles, although neither gets a heat pump as standard. A 10-80% top-up should take between 26 to 28 minutes according to Ford.

A ‘Standard Range’ Capri is still in development, but Ford hopes to introduce it to the UK market later this year. It’ll use a smaller 52kWh battery and a 168bhp electric motor, while range is expected to sit around 250 miles. Importantly, it’ll cut the starting price of the Capri by £6,000.

“Athletic” is the word Ford uses to describe the performance of the new Capri. Rear-wheel drive models get the same 282bhp motor found in the Explorer, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in 6.4 seconds. The all-wheel drive setup is also carried over, delivering 335bhp and achieving the 0-62mph run in 5.3 seconds.  While both of those acceleration times are identical to the Explorer, Ford suggests that the Capri has been set up to deliver a sportier driving experience, thanks to its lower and stiffer suspension.

What about the Ford Capri’s exterior and interior design?

Take one look at the Ford Capri and the first thing you’ll spot is the colour. The ‘Vivid Yellow’ paintwork is an £800 option, with Ford claiming that it leans into the Capri's “rebellious” nature. Less defiant is the overall shape of the Capri; it follows the trend set by models such as the Polestar 2, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and BMW X4 in combining chunky SUV proportions with a sloping roofline.

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Those familiar with the Ford Explorer will spot that the doors, front wings and bonnet have all been carried over to the Capri, although the latter sits on lower suspension to give off a sportier appearance. The Capri also gets unique headlight and tail-light designs, with their ‘dogbone’ shape reminiscent of the lights fitted to the original Capri. A black horizontal band across the nose is the final cue taken from the old car, evoking the full-width black grille of the Capri Mk3.

Inside the Capri is largely a mirror of the Explorer. You get the same digital driver’s display, alongside a vertical 14.6-inch touchscreen for infotainment duties. The latter can slide back and forwards to adjust the viewing angle, but there’s still no sign of physical climate controls – they’re located on the touchscreen like in the Explorer.

How much does the new Ford Capri cost and when can I buy one?

The new Ford Capri commands a £2,200 premium over an equivalent Ford Explorer and is available to order in the UK now, costing £48,075 for the rear-wheel drive Extended Range model, and £56,175 for all-wheel drive. The Standard Range Capri will join the lineup later in the year, costing from £42,075.

For an extra £4,100, you can upgrade to Premium specification, which brings a panoramic sunroof, matrix LED headlights, an upgraded sound system, leather upholstery, bigger alloy wheels and more. All-wheel drive models are only available in Premium guise.

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