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.
