electric vehicle – Pulpaddict

Peugeot E-5008 review

We road test the stylish Peugeot E-5008 electric seven-seater…

If you’re looking for a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.

Petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – there’s something for everybody.

At the more affordable end of the list there’s the Mazda CX-80, Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco and Kia EV9, for instance.

The Peugeot 5008 should also be on that shortlist. Originally launched in 2009 as a dowdy MPV, the 5008 hasn’t looked back since 2017 when it was re-invented as a family SUV.

Now the third generation, introduced in 2024, is even better, blending kerb appeal with practicality and a premium feel.

Peugeot’s hedging its bets with the 5008 because it’s available as a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric.

Right now I’m focusing on the EV version (badged E-5008), which comes with either a 73kWh or 97kWh battery back.

Priced from £48,650, my test car had the smaller battery (paired with a 207bhp electric motor), which in theory is capable of a range of up to 310 miles. For the record, the 97kWh can travel up to 414 miles, and soon a four-wheel drive variant will be offered (73kWh, 310 miles).

Effectively a stretched version of the E-3008, the E-5008 is one of the sharpest-looking electric seven-seaters on the market.

The well-proportioned E-5008 has serious road presence, thanks to its bold front end featuring slim LED headlamps integrated into the frameless grille. Naturally, Peugeot’s trademark light signatures are present too – ‘lion’s claw’ LED daytime running lights up front and ‘three-claw’ at the rear.

Inside, there’s the wow factor of Peugeot’s new ‘Panoramic i-Cockpit’, complete with a floating, curved 21-inch HD screen that combines the driver’s display with the central touchscreen.

I’ve had my issues with the i-Cockpit design before, because the dinky, low-set steering wheel and higher dashboard results in a slightly awkward driving position for taller drivers (ie the steering wheel is almost in your lap, otherwise it blocks the dashboard).

Thankfully, this situation is much-improved in the E-5008, though it’s still a quirk.

The main takeaway is that the infotainment screen and instrument cluster are a huge-step up from the previous model. The graphics are still not-class-leading, but it’s a big improvement and works well.

There are no physical buttons, but the touch keys are great and the ability to create shortcuts boosts usability. There’s also a handy ‘OK Peugeot’ voice assistant and integrated ChatGPT.

The E-5008 also ticks the sustainability box. Peugeot claims that more than 500kg of green materials are used in each car. For instance, recycled plastic is used in bumpers, storage bins and carpets.

The E-5008 is available in two trim levels – entry-level Allure, and range-topping GT.

All models come with a reversing camera, wireless charger, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, ambient lighting, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist, to name but a few goodies.

GT specs cars gain features such as adaptive headlights, two-tone paint, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and adaptive cruise control.

Inside, the Peugeot E-5008 is light and spacious, while the overall finish and build quality is getting close to premium rivals. Visibility is good, which helps with manoeuvres, along with light steering and the reversing camera, which offers two angles – rear view or bird’s eye.

Like a lot of seven-seaters, there’s just enough space for adults in the third row, but only for short distances. Children and small people will be fine.

Access is helped by the wide-opening rear doors and the second-row seats which slide and tilt.

With five seats in play you get an impressive 916 litres of boot space. This drops to 348 litres in the seven-seater. Fold down both rear rows and you get a massive 2,232 litres of load space.

Naturally, the E-5008 feels substantial on the road, but it’s more agile than you might think, managing to stay remarkably flat in more challenging corners. However, it’s at its best as a refined cruiser.

Additionally, the suspension soaks up bumps nicely, delivering a comfortable ride, and it generally feels nicely planted. Overall, I think it handles better than the E-3008.

It’s not savagely fast like some competitors, but 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds is more than enough to hold its own, and the instant torque off the mark makes it seem quicker. Just a shame that there’s a fair amount of travel in the brake pedal before anything happens and then it’s on the grabby side.

Three drives modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) are available, but as ever, Eco dulls the driving experience, Sport is fine for short bursts, but Normal offers the best blend of performance and efficiency.

There’s paddle-mounted brake regeneration with three different settings to ‘claw’ back some of that energy otherwise lost when slowing down. However, there is no one-pedal option, liked by many EV drivers (not me).

Talking of charging, the E-5008 can do so at speeds of up to 160kW, meaning a top-up from 10 to 80% will take you around 30 minutes, though most owners will probably charge overnight at home.

We’d need to drive the E-5008 for a week or so to give a proper estimate of real-world range. Based on our test drive on mixed roads, where we achieved a creditable average efficiency of 3.8 miles per kWh, I’d say the entry-level 73kWh model is capable of as much as 240-250 miles, though colder weather and driving style will knock it down.

Verdict: Sharply styled, spacious, safe and easy to drive, the Peugeot E-5008 is a welcome addition to the growing seven-seater SUV category.

Peugeot UK

Leapmotor T03 review

New car, new brand to the UK. We get behind the wheel of the dinky Leapmotor T03 hatchback…

Unlike most of the other new car brands from China, Leapmotor is a joint venture with Stellantis – the group which already includes Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat, Citroen, Jeep – to name but a few.

So, rather than having to set up from scratch, Leapmotor is leveraging Stellantis’ experience, which includes access to dealerships and an after-sales network.

Leapmotor is launching in the UK with two all-electric cars – the pint-sized T03 hatchback and mid-sized SUV, the C10.

I’ve driven both, but this week I’m concentrating on the awkwardly-named T03 (a cute moniker might have been an idea, but there you go).

Priced from just £15,995, it’s the UK’s second-cheapest EV, at just £1,000 more than the Dacia Spring.

I’m not 100% sure about the T03’s kerb appeal. While it’s not ugly, it’s certainly no Fiat 500, and there’s a hint of Daewoo Matiz about it.

One thing is for sure – it’s a strong all-round package. Thanks in part to its height (it’s taller than the Fiat 500e and Dacia Spring), it’s surprisingly spacious, with plenty of headroom throughout, and just enough legroom for adult passengers in the back.

Boot space is a cosy 210 litres, rising to 880 litres with the rear seats folded, so enough for a small shopping trip or carry-on luggage.

Leapmotor has kept things simple with the T03. It’s only available in one (well-equipped) specification – all you do is choose the colour (Light White, Starry Silver and Glacier Blue).

For such an affordable hatchback, the list of goodies includes 15-inch alloys, a 10.1-inch central infotainment touchscreen, 8.0-inch digital driver’s display, panoramic sunroof, reversing camera, climate control, electronic parking brake and keyless start.

Safety and driver assistance tech, such as blind spot detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), is all standard too.

The heart of the little T03 is a 37.3kWh battery which offers a claimed 165 miles of range (more in city driving).

The electric motor on the front axle pushes out 94bhp and 117lb-ft of torque, which is enough for a 0–62mph time of 12.7 seconds and a top speed of 81mph.

The only obvious signs of cost-cutting are the lack of rear wiper, plasticky interior and lack of steering wheel reach adjustment. That said, it seems well put together, the infotainment tech available is impressive for a car in this sector and the doors close with a satisfying clunk.

Sadly, my sat nav froze during my test drive and some of the infotainment screen text seemed on the small side to me, so it’s not perfect and there would seem to be a few early glitches.

It should also be noted that there’s currently no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. That could be sorted with an Over-the-Air (OTA) upgrade, but it may be a red line for some customers. In the meantime, there is Bluetooth connectivity.

Once you get used to the fairly high seating position, the first thing you notice on the move is an irritating whine from the electric motor. Thankfully, it disappears over 20mph, but it’s not quite the whisper-quiet experience of many EVs and road/wind noise is noticeable the faster you go.

On the road, the Leapmotor T03 bowls along surprisingly well. It’s not the fastest EV out there, but absolutely fine for nipping around and there’s enough power to keep up with most traffic, even at motorway speeds.

A combination of its light weight (1,175kg), small footprint, wheel-at-each-corner design and tight turning circle result in a pleasant driving experience, even if it’s well short of putting a smile on your face.

The suspension is a tad stiff, but it soaks up most of the potholes. For the most part it feels settled and all-round visibility is good.

It’s wisely been fitted with a set of classy Continental tyres, so there’s decent grip, while the steering is light. Delve inside the touchscreen and you’ll find three steering settings – Comfort, Standard and Sport. They are worth a try, with Sport just edging it for me.

There are also three drive modes (again hidden inside the infotainment system) – Eco, Comfort and Sport. As ever, stick to Comfort, which offers the best balance of economy and ‘performance’.

Sadly, there are no flappy paddles to adjust the brake regeneration behind the steering wheel, so it just varies according to the drive mode selected (Eco for max), and you won’t find a one-pedal option. On the plus side, the brakes in general are fairly progressive.

Regen will claw back a bit of energy lost during braking and coasting, but naturally you’ll have to plug in for a full charge.

Most owners will charge overnight at home, but if you’re on the move, a 30 to 80% top-up using a rapid charger should take just over half an hour.

I’d need to spend a week with the T03 to come up with a more accurate real-world economy estimate, but I achieved around 3.5 miles/kWh during my test drive on mixed roads, so I reckon a 120-mile range is possible on a run – and closer to 200 miles in slow city driving.

Inevitably, the Leapmotor T03 will be compared with the Dacia Spring. Just from first impressions, I’d say the T03 has more space for passengers, better quality materials are used and it seems more solid. It also has a longer range and it comes with a four-year warranty.

All in all, Leapmotor and Stellantis should be commended for helping to bring affordable electric motoring to the masses.

Verdict: The Leapmotor T03 isn’t quite the cheapest, but it is the best value EV on the UK market. Surprisingly spacious, comfortable, well-equipped and with a respectable range, it’s an ideal zero emissions urban runabout.

Leapmotor UK

Alfa Romeo Junior review

We get behind the wheel of the first electric car from iconic Italian brand, Alfa Romeo…

If all had gone to plan, Alfa Romeo’s debut EV would have been called the Milano. However, after a political row, the company had to dip into its heritage to resurrect the Junior moniker.

You see, Alfa Romeo isn’t the thoroughbred Italian than it once was because it’s now part of the giant Stellantis group, which also includes Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat, DS, Jeep and Abarth.

So, the Junior is built some distance from Milan at the Tychy plant in Poland, and it shares its platform with the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600, which are also manufactured there.

The good news is that the Alfa Romeo Junior (also available as a mild hybrid) is one of the best compact SUVs on the market.

The EV version, marketed as the Junior Elettrica is priced from £33,895, and there’s a choice of three models – the Elettrica, Elettrica Speciale and Elettrica 280 Veloce.

All three use the familiar Stellantis 54kWh battery pack. However, the electric motor in the Elettrica and Elettrica Speciale develops 154bhp, while the range-topping Veloce is uprated to 278bhp. Drive on all three is via the front wheels.

In acceleration terms, that’s 9 seconds compared to 5.9 seconds for the Veloce to reach 62mph from standstill. The downside is that the official range for the latter drops from 250 to 215 miles.

The Elettrica is well equipped and comes standard with 18-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, LED lights, auto wipers, a 10.25-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10.25-inch driver’s display and safety kit including AEB, Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Assist.

The Speciale adds privacy glass, an electric driver’s seat, a180-degree camera, a hands-free tailgate, sports styling tweaks and keyless entry with proximity access technology.

The top-rung Veloce gets 25mm lower suspension, red brake callipers, 20-inch alloys, leather steering wheel, and sports pedals.

I tested a mid-range Elettrica Speciale in stunning Brera Red, with a contrasting black roof.

Slotting in below the Tonale and Stelvio SUVs in the Alfa Romeo line-up, the Junior is an attractive car, managing to look both delicate and aggressive.

There’s even a new take on the scudetto – or shield – up front. The ‘shield grille’ is now embedded with the Alfa Romeo logo. Personally, I think it looks like a 3D printing exercise and some of the Alfa Romeo identity has been lost in the process, but judge for yourself.

Inside, it’s very driver-centric, with the large infotainment screen angled towards you.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, while visibility is good at the front and sides, but trickier at the back thanks to the rising window line and chunky rear pillars. Thankfully, every Junior comes with rear parking sensors for parking manoeuvres, while the Speciale and Veloce get a rear-view camera too.

The infotainment is a mixed bag. It’s by no means best in class in terms of graphics, layout and response times, but it does the job and you can always connect your phone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

The system’s saving grace is the row of real buttons below the touchscreen with key features including temperature, fan speed and volume. If only the likes of Tesla and Volvo would do the same, because physical controls for essentials are easier and safer than prodding and swiping a screen on the move.

Build quality is good, but the overall experience would be classier if there were a few less hard plastic surfaces in the cabin.

Rear passenger space is reasonable, so it’s just possible for me to sit behind an adult of the same height (5’11”), but it would be a tad cosy for a long journey.

Boot space is OK with 400 litres (or 1,265 litres with the 60/40 seats flipped). There’s also a small ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – ideal for storing your charging cable.

So far so good, but it’s when you get behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Junior that it starts to become, er, speciale.

Unlike most electric crossovers, the driving position is very good. The seat can be lowered so you don’t feel perched, as is often the case.

This pays dividends once you’re on the move, because you immediately feel more involved with the car and the overall driving experience.

With a decent turn of speed, plus light, yet sharp and accurate steering, it’s nippy and easy to drive in town.

Overall ride quality is on the firm side, but not uncomfortably so, chiming with the Junior’s sporty driving characteristics.

Push it on more challenging roads and it handles well. Body lean is well controlled and there’s decent traction. If the brakes were more progressive, it would be even better.

Weighing in at 1,545kg, it’s relatively light for an EV, so it does feel agile, but if you want more of a hot hatch experience you’ll have to pay £42,295 for the Veloce which has more power, a lower ride height, beefed-up suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars, bigger brakes and uprated tyres.

Like other Alfa Romeo cars, the Junior gets DNA (Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency) drive modes, which adjust steering weight, throttle response and brake feel.

As ever, Dynamic is fine for fun, short bursts with maximum power on tap and Advanced Efficiency dulls the engagement factor, so best to stay in Natural for the best blend of performance and efficiency.

The other thing to say about the drive modes is that there’s mild regenerative braking in A and N, and none in D. If you want higher regen, you’ll have to switch the gear selector to B, but it’s not quite the one-pedal effect.

Talking of recharging, every Junior has a standard heat pump, which should help with winter battery efficiency, but my experience after a week of mixed driving is that the real-world range from the 154bhp Elettrica Speciale is closer to 200 miles, which is a bit disappointing.

And if you do have to stop (you will on a long journey), Alfa Romeo quotes a 10-80% charge time of 30 minutes at speeds up to 100kW DC.

Ultimately, the Alfa Romeo Junior Speciale isn’t perfect, but it’s brimming with character, and it does deliver an engaging drive, unlike most of its rivals.

Verdict: If you’re looking for an electric compact SUV that is fun to drive, stands out from the crowd, offers good value and is well-equipped, then the Alfa Romeo Junior should be high up on your shortlist.

Alfa Romeo UK

Kia EV3 review

We road test the Kia EV3 – the latest entrant in the highly competitive electric compact crossover sector…

Kia has come a long way since its UK launch in 1991. It’s now one of the biggest-selling brands in the UK – and it’s been making electric cars for 10 years.

The latest is the EV3, which joins the Niro EV, EV6, and EV9. Put simply, it’s an all-electric compact SUV boasting bold styling.

I’ve clocked up some decent miles in the EV3 already, and there’s no doubt that it’s another winner from the South Korean brand.

Available with two battery options – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – it delivers claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.

Priced from £32,995, the EV3’s is up against some fierce opposition in this hotly-contested sector – the Jeep Avenger, Volvo EX30, Cupra Born, Skoda Elroq, Mini Aceman, Volkswagen ID.3 and Smart #1, to name but a few.

The EV3 is well equipped. Even the standard Air trim gets the full infotainment setup, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Upgrade to GT-Line trim (which also brings the bigger battery), and there’s wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting and tinted rear windows.

The range-topping GT-Line S gets a Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade, a head-up display, 360-degree parking view, heated rear seats and a sunroof.

Looking not unlike a pint-sized EV9, the EV3’s blocky, yet futuristic styling makes it stand out from the crowd.

The wheels are pushed out to each corner, the roofline is long and slopes gently towards the rear, where there’s a wraparound tailgate spoiler.

At the front, the EV3’s headlights are arranged vertically and pushed out to the corners, giving a clean front end.

The rear lights are also slim and upright, while the wheel arches are sharply cut. All these features help to give the car an assertive stance.

Inside, the EV3 is thankfully not as minimalist as some rivals. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch driver’s display screen, a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen and a 5.3-inch climate control screen.

Like all Kia cars, the whole set-up is intuitive and it’s good to see a few physical controls have survived.

There’s rightly a focus on sustainably sourced and recycled materials and build quality is impressive, though it’s some way off a premium cabin experience.

Space is one area that’s hard to fault. There’s ample room for adults front and back, while the boot is a cavernous 460 litres, expanding to 1,250 litres with the rear seats down.

There are plenty of storage spaces inside the car too, and there’s a small ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – perfect for storing the charging cable.

The EV3 is comfortable and most drivers will approve of the elevated driving position. Personally, I prefer to sit lower in a car where I feel more involved.

I tested the entry-level and flagship versions of the EV3, with 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries respectively, on a mix of roads in the UK and France.

For the record, all models get a 201bhp electric motor, delivering a brisk 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds (Air) and 7.9 seconds (GT-Line and GT-Line S).

Charging speeds are pretty good at 128kW, but not ultra-fast like more expensive Kia EVs. Still, that’s still good for a 10 to 80% recharge in around 30 minutes.

The EV3 drives well with a combination of light steering, good visibility and decent body control, with just a little lean in more challenging corners.

For the most part, it rides well too, though we found the entry-level ‘Air’ (with the smaller battery and 17-inch rims) was slightly more compliant.

And with progressive brakes (not a given with EVs) and a slick regenetive braking system adjusted by paddles on the steering wheel, the EV3 is hard to fault.

Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes are available too, though as ever, Normal offers the best blend of efficiency and performance.

Refinement is also good, with limited road and wind noise, and no electric motor whine.

Crucially, we’d estimate the EV3 has a real-world range of 210-220 miles for the standard range battery, and around 300 miles for the long-ranger.

Finally, as with all Kia cars, the EV3 comes with a generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, in addition to an eight-year battery warranty.

Verdict: Kia has done it again with the EV3 – another superbly executed electric vehicle to add to an already impressive line-up. Distinctive, spacious, safe, competitively-priced and easy to drive, the Kia EV3 is one of the best all-round, family-friendly EVs on the market.

Kia UK

Ford Capri review

We get behind the wheel of one of the year’s most-anticipated new EVs – the reborn Ford Capri…

According to the slick marketing for the original 1969 Ford Capri, it was the “car you always promised yourself”.

It’s hard now to appreciate the impact this fastback coupe had at the end of a decade in which the dowdy Austin/Morris 1100 was Britain’s bestselling car.

Europe’s answer to the Ford Mustang, it was like nothing else on the road.

With its long bonnet, fake air intakes ahead of the rear wheels, wide choice of engines, fun driving characteristics and value for money, it was a massive hit.

Ford sold almost 1.9 million Capris worldwide over three generations before the plug was finally pulled in 1986.

Fast forward to 2024 and the Ford Capri has been reborn as an all-electric “coupe SUV”, and it’s now billed as the car the “iconic sports coupe” was “destined to become”.

When you’re resurrecting a beloved badge, there are two ways to go. Fiat and Renault have taken the retro route with the 500e and 5, and largely kept enthusiasts on board.

Ford has opted for a more problematic journey with the Mustang Mach-E, Explorer and now Capri, because all three are family-sized SUV/crossovers that bear little resemblance to their predecessors.

The new Capri is hardly the bargain it once was either. After all, the original Capri was priced from £890, which was less than an entry-level Hillman Hunter.

At launch, the 2024 Capri starts at a hefty £48,075, which means its long list of family-sized rivals include the Peugeot E-3008, Cupra Tavascan, Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5, BMW iX1/iX2, Kia EV6, and even its sibling, the Ford Explorer.

For that you get an Extended Range RWD model, complete with 77kWh battery, delivering 282bhp and a range of 389 miles. Pay a bit more and there’s the Extended Range AWD with a 79kWh battery, 335bhp and 343 miles of range. The latter is also the fastest with a 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds, compared to 6.4s.

A more affordable (from £42,075) entry-level Standard Range RWD with a 55kWh battery and 168bhp electric motor (no range specified as yet) will join the line-up soon.

Like the recently-launched Explorer EV, the Capri is built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform. Thankfully, it doesn’t look anything like VW’s blancmange ID range, but its profile has a touch of Polestar 2 about it and it looks a little boxy from the rear.

Ford has given the aerodynamically-efficient Capri a distinctive exterior design that sets it apart from the Explorer.

It’s also longer (4634mm vs 4468mm) than its little brother, a tad lower (4mm) and the same width (1871mm).

There are a few nods to older Capri models, but you might miss them. For instance, there’s the C-shaped rear quarter windows, black trim joining the front and rear lights, plus the addition of a single spoke on the steering wheel (at 6 o’clock).

Inside, it’s pretty much the same as the Explorer, which is no bad thing.

There’s a big 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen, which is unique in that can tilt forwards and backwards by up to 30 degrees, and there’s a small storage area behind. The soundbar on top of the dash is pretty novel too.

The screen resolution is good and the graphics are slick, but navigating beyond the initial screen isn’t always intuitive.

Unlike some EVs, Ford has thankfully stuck with a small digital display ahead of the driver (it shows essential info such as speed and range) as well as the main touchscreen.

However, some of the Explorer’s switchgear is shared with its ID cousins. Not a VW strong point. So, a stubby gear selector replaces the right-hand stalk, the steering wheel has touch-sensitive, haptic controls, and the window switches are fiddly.

Overall, there’s plenty of space inside the Capri up front and for adult passengers behind, though the sloping roofline might brush the heads of taller people.

The 572-litre boot capacity is generous, extending to 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded. Additionally, there are various cubbyholes dotted around the cabin, and there’s a handy 17 litres of stowage space in the “MegaConsole” under the front centre armrest.

The interior may not have the wow factor of some rivals, and there are a few too many hard surfaces high up for my liking, but it was hard to fault the build quality of our test cars.

The driving position at its lowest setting, was still a touch too high for me, but I soon got used to it. Visibility is pretty good, while sensors and cameras make up for the slim rear window.

There are two trim levels offered (Select and Premium), Vivid Yellow and Blue My Mind are the standout colours and 21-inch alloy wheels are optional.

Sadly, a heat pump is not standard. Ok, it may not be needed in all climates, but in the UK any technology that increases efficiency in cold weather is welcome, whether it’s warming the cabin or keeping the battery at an optimal temperature to improve charging performance, range and battery longevity.

That said, just like the Explorer, the Capri boasts a battery efficiency rating of between 4.4 to 4.7 miles per kWh (depending on the model), which should mean that impressive ranges approaching 300 miles and above are possible, given the right conditions.

The 77kWh model is equipped with a 135kW onboard DC charger, and takes 28 minutes to go from 10-80%. The 79kWh variant can be charged at up to 185kW, resulting in a 10-80% time of around 26 minutes. Impressive times in theory, but as ever, variables such as ambient temperature and driving style will dent those charge times.

The only slight disappointment is that there are no steering wheel paddles to adjust the brake regeneration levels. Instead, you have to rotate the gear selector from ‘D’ to ‘B’, which is clunkier than it could be.

Putting the baggage of the Capri legacy to one side and judging it purely as an electric SUV, the 2024 Capri is one of the best in its class.

With a slightly lower centre of gravity to the Explorer, plus tweaked suspension, throttle response and steering, it’s a tiny bit more agile and handles well. The ride is on the firm side, but push it into corners and body lean is kept nicely in check.

The steering has just the right amount of weight for it to remain light but still feel precise, though the brakes are on the spongy side (also a quirk of VW’s ID cars).

Effortless and refined on the motorway, it’s a doddle to drive in town too with a tight turning circle. You can also choose between five drive modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Individual or Traction (AWD only). Sport does it best to dial up the engagement factor and is fun for short bursts, but ultimately you’re likely to spend most of your time in default Normal, which offers the best performance-efficiency balance.

There’s little to choose between the two models. Naturally, the all-wheel drive has more grip and it’s quicker, but the RWD is cheaper, has extra range and is more than fast enough.

Ultimately, the bigger dilemma is whether you opt for an Explorer or Capri, because other than boot size and styling, there’s little to choose between them.

Verdict: Resurrecting the Capri badge was always going to be divisive, but we are where we are. The good news is that the 2024 Ford Capri is a distinctive coupe-styled electric SUV that’s spacious and safe, delivering a polished drive and impressive real-world range.

Ford UK