Ford Explorer News

Australia is the most competitive new-car market in the world, with more than 60 brands fighting for just over a million sales with hundreds of models. So surely we have enough choice, right? Right?We may already have a plethora of new cars to choose from, but more choice is always better than less. And with that in mind we have scoured the world looking for the cars we’re missing out on.But unlike so many of these lists that are typically driven by a motoring journalists’ desire for dynamic cars from exotic brands (or just wagons, because we all love wagons), this list is made up entirely of practical choices.All of the entrants on the list below are already available in right-hand drive and most are already on sale in the UK market, meaning there are less barriers for local sale (unlike left-hand-drive-only models that are focused on the North American and European markets).Ford ExplorerFord has a popularity problem. The Ranger is very popular and its Everest SUV spin-off is also a big hit - and both are powered by diesel engines. Which isn’t ideal at a time when the Federal Government is cracking down on emissions and incentivising electric vehicles.The Mustang Mach-E is struggling to find buyers thanks to its high asking price and confusing branding - is it a Mustang or is it an electric SUV? What Ford has great success with is big name models, with Ranger, Mustang and Transit at the heart of its Australian line-up. Which is why it would make sense to add the Explorer, which is both a well-known nameplate but also a mid-size electric SUV that has better potential than the Mach-E.While a direct like-for-like comparison is difficult and more nuanced, in the UK the Mach-E is priced from £42k while the Explorer starts at £35k, which means it has potential to be a more affordable EV option for Ford Australia.This would make more sense than the similarly-priced but smaller Ford Capri or the smaller Puma-E, which Ford Australia had previously considered but ruled out when it ran the numbers.The continued lack of Explorer in Australian showrooms, coupled with the reports that Chinese-made Bronco Basecamp hybrid/EV is headed our way, suggests that the numbers simply don’t add up (probably due to its German production). Which is a shame for both the brand and local buyers looking for a family-friendly electric SUV from a proven brand. Hyundai Santa Fe PHEVHyundai has been one of the most proactive brands when it comes to electrification, jumping in early into the hybrid and all-electric markets with a variety of models. But the obvious missing piece is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.Thankfully, Hyundai UK already has the Santa Fe PHEV available, with a claimed fuel economy rating of just 1.6L/100km and up to 55km of electric-only range. While that’s off-the-pace of its Chinese rivals, which offer more EV range, the addition of a PHEV powertrain to the Santa Fe seems like an obvious choice given the shifting market dynamics.There’s only one other model that arguably makes more sense to be a PHEV in Hyundai’s line-up, which you can read about below… Hyundai Tucson PHEV The Tucson PHEV has been available in the UK for a few years now, back at a time when the technology was proving unpopular in Australia. But since then times have changed dramatically, but Hyundai Australia hasn’t taken advantage of the situation.Toyota won’t introduce a RAV4 PHEV until later in the year and Mazda is still coy on when the CX-5 will join the PHEV party, so there was a golden opportunity for the Tucson to steal sales in the interim.On paper the 67km claimed EV range is behind the nearly-triple-digits offered by some Chinese competitors, but the 1.1L/100km fuel consumption rating would no doubt attract attention from local buyers looking to cut their fuel bill but not ready to make the electric switch.Toyota Prius PrimeOne of the most talked about Toyotas in years is the new Prius.Surprisingly, after years of polarising opinions, the new-generation model launched in 2022 was an immediate hit with not only those looking to save on their fuel bills but genuine car fans. It wasn’t hard to see why, with its sleek and stylish looks.But as I said at the time, it was hard to justify bringing it to Australia as a ‘hybrid hero’ when Toyota was already selling thousands and thousands of hybrid Camrys, RAV4s, Corollas, etc.However, as Toyota prepares to unleash the RAV4 PHEV, the plug-in hybrid Prius Prime would make sense as a technology showcase just like the original Prius did. In the same way the Prius made hybrid approachable and understandable, leading to its expansion across the range, so too can the Prius Prime.And at a time when PHEVs are becoming more common, it wouldn’t hurt Toyota to flex its muscle and remind everyone who was the pioneer in this space more than two decades ago.Jetour TravellerWhile some might argue we already have enough car brands, Chery’s off-road spin-off, Jetour, makes a strong case for Australia with its Traveller SUV. This Santa Fe-sized SUV has a genuinely rugged off-roader look to it that would have appeal to Australian buyers.Officially, Chery Australia hasn’t confirmed Jetour will arrive in Australia, which isn’t a big surprise as it’s already busy establishing the Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo brands.The good news is, the Traveller (or T2 as it’s known in some markets) is already available in right-hand drive, so that obstacle is overcome. And it comes with both petrol and PHEV powertrains, so it would be well-suited to the current market demands.If and when Chery decides to bring it, this super-sized Suzuki Jimny lookalike would likely find an audience in Australia.

Ford Australia has axed so many of its cars over the past two years that it almost has nothing left on sale. It’s just lucky that one of the few cars left that it does sell — the Ranger ute —  does so in enormous numbers. So what’s missing from Ford’s line-up? A lot. Here are the cars we think Ford really needs in Australia right now.Ford lacks a rival, to not just to hardcore four-wheel drives like the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol, but to more domesticated Aussie family favourites such as the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.Yes, the Ford Everest seats seven and can go off-road with the best of them, but a more plush and comfortable suburban cruiser would fit nicely in the line-up.Now this might hurt a little bit and I apologise in advance, but in South Africa you can buy a Ford Territory. I know, what the Ford!?So, the South African Ford Territory is made in China and sold in other countries but it’s made in right-hand drive, which means there’s no reason why we can’t have it here.This new Territory isn’t as big as the Santa Fe at 4.63m long so it’s not really a large SUV but still, what a shame.What Australia really needs is a Ford Explorer, as in the petrol-powered version form the United States, not the UK electric version. The US Explorer is a a five-metre long seven seater, while the UK version is 4.4m and smaller than an Escape.Nope, bigger is better in this case and while the Explorer is currently only made in left hand drive, there is a chance a right hand drive might get the green light for the next-gen model.Ford axing the Escape is the car company equivalent to throwing away your only pair of pants just because you don’t like the colour of them.OK, that’s a terrible analogy but the point is mid-sized SUVs are the bread and butter of car brands and they sell all year long in large numbers and they’re kind of an essential item to car manufacturers. Ford axed the Escape because it didn’t sell enough of them. But it could easily bring back the Escape because it’s sold in the right-hand drive in the UK.Ford should seriously consider it, the mid-sized SUV segment is increasing in size at 19.6 per cent market share and Ford’s not able to join in the spoils. Toyota has the RAV4, Kia has the Sportage, Nissan has the X-Trail and Ford has nothing. No pants to wear at all.If there’s something Australians love almost as much as mid-sized SUVs it’s a small SUV. We’re talking the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Kona and the MG ZS. And Ford did have the Puma, but axed it in 2024 just four years after it arrived.The Puma was a high-quality feeling and premium looking SUV, but it was overpriced compared to its rivals and so sales struggled. People want premium looking at budget prices apparently.The Puma is sold in the UK as a hybrid and a fully-electric vehicle, so bringing it to Australia wouldn’t require anything other than a trip on a boat from Romania where they’re made.So there you are, Ford has pretty much all the cars it needs in right-hand drive to take the fight to rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla Cross, the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.Will we see the Territory again? Will Aussies be OK with a Chinese made Territory? Given the the shift in attitudes and growing maturity towards Chinese brands and their rapid take-up there's no reason they wouldn't be.Sure bringing back the Territory nameplate, plus the Puma and Escape could be a risk for Ford, but would it be as big a risk as having all your eggs in the Ranger basket as it does now?

Ford has announced it will shelve its electric three-row SUV plans and push back its ‘T3’ electric pick-up truck launch by two years.

First came Puma, then came Mustang and now Ford has reinvigorated its Capri sports coupe nameplate as an electric SUV. Mustang may be a global sensation but Capri is just as, if not more, important to British and European buyers than the stallion nameplate.Headline figures are up to 627km of WLTP driving range from the rear-drive 210kW/545Nm Capri, while the twin-motor AWD ups power to 250kW though total torque remains the same. Unfortunately, the Capri is not in Ford Australia’s plans: "The Ford Capri is an exciting new addition to Ford's growing EV line-up. There are no plans for the Capri to come to Australia," a spokesperson told CarsGuide. The Capri is effectively a coupe version of the Ford Explorer (also ruled out for Australia) and therefore rides on Volkswagen’s MEB platform – the same found under VW’s ID.5 coupe SUV rival. Ford’s new Capri measures 4634mm long, 1872mm wide and 1626mm tall with a 2796mm wheelbase. It is a little longer than the Explorer and visually very different, though it is mighty close in size and target market to the existing Mustang Mach-E.The Capri’s chiselled styling and rising window line is more reminiscent of the SUV’s sport coupe namesake (and, funnily enough, the Polestar 2) than the Mach-E, giving it some unique attributes to the electric ’Stang. It rides on large alloy wheels, between 19 and 21 inches depending on trim.The electric stats are impressive, too, with good efficiency (13.3kWh/100km in the RWD) meaning the Extended Range RWD model is capable of travelling up to 627km from a single charge of its 77kWh NMC lithium-ion battery pack. That’s enough to beat a Tesla Model Y Long Range (542km). It is also a long way clear of the Mustang Mach-E equipped with a much larger 91kWh battery, which is only capable of 597km from a charge. A 79kWh pack is linked to AWD Capris, though the driving range falls to 592km in the WLTP combined cycle. The RWD model can fast charge up to 135kW (DC) while the AWD tops out at 185kW. Both take under 30 minutes to charge from 10-80 per cent.Inside, the Capri is outfitted with a generous 14.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen with connected navigation, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and centre console bin with 17 litres of storage.  Two trim levels: Capri and Capri Premium are available, both can be paired with either rear- or all-wheel drive. This won’t be the end of Ford’s badge revivals, far from it (though we hope Probe stays in the grave) and while the result may annoy some fans it is at least a refreshingly different approach to Volkswagen, Polestar and Tesla’s dull alphanumerics.Not coming to Australia but Ford has promised five electric cars by the end of the year. Mustang Mach-E and two electric vans will definitely be joined by the Puma electric, but what else? The F-150 Lightning sounds most likely.

Some carmakers have some very conspicuous gaps in their product portfolios. There’s no rhyme or reason why, and no consistency across brands. Just the glaring holes that would surely make their lives – and not to mention their associated dealers – happier if filled with the right models. Here are the main offenders.

“You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.” Homer Simpson’s words came to my mind when the news came through this week that Ford Australia is dropping the Escape at the end of 2023. It’s no secret that the Blue Oval has struggled with the mid-size SUV, or to be frank, anything other than the Ranger and Everest.

China will become one of the few countries in the world to build the Ford Ranger as the brand announced at the Shanghai Auto Show the popular dual-cab ute is set to go on sale there “soon”.

As interest builds in the news Ford is going to revive the Capri nameplate for a new electric SUV crossover, curiosity begins to circle around how the car will look.

Since the beginning of this decade, models like the Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle (EV), reborn Explorer and Bronco SUVs and the trailblazing Maverick ute have really connected with consumers.

Ford has finally pulled the covers off its Volkswagen-based electric SUV, which it has revealed will take on the Explorer badge name.