Ford Capri review - Electric motor, drive & performance

Ford has long been famed for offering a better driving experience than rivals, and the Ford Capri is no exception. While it may be based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5, the Capri feels slightly more connected and involving than that car.

The Cupra Tavascan is rather similar to drive compared with the Capri, though we found the Capri’s steering felt a little more natural, and the ride quality was also superior in the Ford, so it came out on top when we tested the pair together.

If it’s a refined and smooth driving experience you’re after, the Ford Capri has got you covered in that sense, too. There’s barely any electric motor whine to speak of, and when you put your foot down, rather than an aggressive surge of acceleration, things pick up more sedately.

Like many other modern cars, the Ford Capri gets a selection of drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco, and a customisable Individual setting. We actually found the difference between these to be very minimal, and Sport doesn’t feel much more engaging or powerful. 

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The fact is, Ford’s engineers have done a good job of achieving a well-rounded balance of drivability and comfort in the Capri, whatever mode you leave it in. It’s surprisingly comfortable, ironing out the blemishes in rougher roads well – even deep potholes are dealt with smoothly and the force from the impact doesn’t make it into the cabin. The steering feels well weighted and precise, perfectly suiting the performance on offer.

Visibility is ok, but the dashboard is rather high, which might bother you if you prefer a lower driving position.

Is the Ford Capri good to drive in town?

The Ford Capri’s smoothness is well suited to driving around town. We found it easy to modulate the accelerator without jerking forward harshly, which makes it a comfortable car in stop-start traffic. 

Is the Ford Capri good to drive on long journeys?

The Ford Capri feels well suited to motorway driving because its ability to smooth out bumps extends to higher speeds. Even when on the larger 20-inch wheels it never feels too hard, and the steering isn’t too twitchy, so changing lanes is easy to do gradually. The Capri is a great car to cover long distances in because it’s serene, quiet and comfortable.

Is the Ford Capri good to drive on B-roads?

It would be a stretch to call the Ford Capri sporty, but it’s much more engaging to drive than the Volkswagen ID.5 on a twisty road. The Ford Capri feels connected and yet at no point does it feel like this comes at the expense of ride quality. For some extra grip and performance there’s also the dual-motor version – it feels noticeably more potent, but the rear-wheel drive version will be powerful enough for most. On some occasions we really did notice the Capri’s considerable weight, and when we pushed hard it felt like the car could run wide through the corners – it’s best to take a leisurely approach as this is no sports car, despite the name.

Carbuyer notes

"The Capri will creep around town quietly and comfortably; despite the bigger wheels, the ride seems well judged for UK roads and even deeper potholes don’t send shockwaves into the cabin." Richard Ingram, Deputy editor