Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV
“The Ford Capri is a comfortable, practical electric coupe-SUV, marred only by a distracting name which sets false expectations”
Pros
- Refined
- Comfortable
- Well built
Cons
- Expensive
- Sits in the shadow of the original Capri
- Nothing special to drive
Verdict – is the Ford Capri a good car?
The new Ford Capri is a hugely capable EV that boasts a well-built, high-quality interior, comfortable ride and potent powertrains. It’s better to drive than the closely-related Volkswagen ID. models, but it’s still nothing to write home about, and doesn’t live up to the sportscar image of its forebear. And that’s the main problem – the new Capri is a good car that’s worthy of its own name, and pinching one of the most iconic in Ford’s back catalogue only serves to set fans up for disappointment for a car with a completely different spirit.
Ford Capri models, specs and alternatives
Much to the chagrin of many an enthusiast of the Blue Oval, the iconic Ford Capri has made its comeback as a five-door high-riding EV. It’s yet another in the brand’s lineup of resurrected names, joining the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV and the small Ford Puma SUV, both of which have also pinched their names from iconic sports cars of the brand’s past.
The latest Ford Capri is actually the result of a partnership between Ford and Volkswagen, with the American brand taking EV tech from the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 cars and using it in the new Capri and Explorer.
To put it bluntly, there’s very little in the latest Capri’s design that really harks back to the original unless you look closer at some of the styling details such as the rounded rear side windows. Other than that, though, it gets a fairly conventional three-box silhouette and a high ride height that some have said inadvertently resembles that of the Polestar 2 EV – that’s not necessarily a bad thing at all, but we would have expected something a little more retro-inspired for such an important name.
The Capri launches with a few different battery and motor options, starting from £42,075 – that positions it at the more expensive end of the market when you compare it to rivals. As with the Explorer, there are two trim levels named Select and Premium and a few options packs to tack on top should you wish.
At such prices, Ford might be even harder-pressed to convince buyers this is ‘the car you always promised yourself’ as the old Capri may have been – ok, sorry, from here on out we’ll consider the latest model by its own merits rather than comparing it to the 70s and 80s icon, and you should, too.
The base model of the new Capri gets a 55kWh battery paired with a single motor, though that model will arrive later down the line. To start with there are two variants, one of which gets a 77kWh battery paired with a single motor mounted to the rear axle, dubbed the Extended Range RWD, and the other of which gets a slightly larger 79kWh battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive – the Extended Range AWD.
In EV terms, the Extended Range RWD’s range figure is pretty good, and it’s able to do up to 390 miles on a charge. The Extended Range AWD’s increased grip and performance comes at the cost of some range, and it’s able to do up to 346 miles on a charge.
Volkswagen’s ID. cars have all performed well for safety when tested by Euro NCAP, and in November 2024, the Ford Capri was also put through its paces, achieving a five-star rating that should give you peace of mind. Owner satisfaction could be a sticking point, though, because Ford and Volkswagen buyers don’t seem to be a particularly happy bunch, with both brands coming in behind most rivals in our recent Driver Power surveys.
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Ford Capri alternatives
Stick to the Ford Capri Extended Range RWD model – it may be less powerful, but it offers better range than the AWD model and it’s still potent enough for the average buyer who will appreciate going longer on a charge anyway. Select trim has most of what you’d want equipped, but if you really want the uprated sound system and panoramic roof, go for Premium.goes up against a mix of rivals, some of which are closely-related electric models from Volkswagen, or high-riding, sleek EVs like the Polestar 2 with which the Capri’s styling has been compared.
Should you buy a Ford Capri?
You should definitely be considering the Ford Capri if you’re after an electric model with an attractive design, good build quality and driving experience, but without beating about the bush, this is a Capri by name only and classic Ford fanatics might want to sit this one out.
The new Ford Capri is superbly well rounded, with plenty of power on offer and importantly, a competitive electric range that should make it easy for the average buyer to work it into their life. There’s not much to differentiate the Capri from the closely-related Explorer aside from the styling, so if you want even better practicality go for the latter.
The Ford Capri drives well, especially compared to the Volkswagen ID. models on which it’s based. It’s no sports car, though, and it’s not the last word in driving fulfilment generally. It’s best to look at the new Capri and judge it on its own merits, rather than in the shadow of the classic sports car, then – once you do that, there’s a lot going for it.
What is the Carbuyer pick of the Ford Capri range?
Stick to the Ford Capri Extended Range RWD model – it may be less powerful, but it offers better range than the AWD model and it’s still potent enough for the average buyer who will appreciate going longer on a charge anyway. Select trim has most of what you’d want equipped, but if you really want the uprated sound system and panoramic roof, go for Premium.
How we tested the Ford Capri
We tested the Ford Capri in October 2024 in Marseille, France and then again in December 2024 on UK roads.
