Ford Capri EV Review: A Retro Name for a Modern Crossover

I’D LIKE to say the Ford Capri is back, but this new EV is as much like the original Capri as the Mustang Mach-E is like a true Mustang. i.e. not similar at all. Gone is the sleek, rear-wheel-drive coupé that graced British roads in the ’70s and ’80s. In its place stands a fully electric SUV coupé, sharing its underpinnings with the Ford Explorer and Volkswagen ID.5.

And, just like the Mustang Mach-E, it’s a decent car that deserves its own identity and its own name. I get why the marketing people at Ford wish to appeal to our sense of nostalgia and therefore raise the bar above ‘just another electric SUV’ – but icons should be instantly recognisable; it’s why they’re an icon. In an attempt to become more attractive, I could change my name to Brad Pitt and grow a goatee, but Brad Pitt fans would still walk straight past me in the street . . .

Anyway, enough of my own insecurities. Ford positions the new Capri as a stylish, family-friendly EV with a touch of sportiness. It’s aimed at buyers seeking a blend of practicality and performance, wrapped in a design that nods to the past while embracing the future. And it’s a very subtle nod.

Kerb appeal

The new Capri sports a design that attempts to bridge its heritage with modern aesthetics. The front features four LED headlight elements connected by a horizontal black grille, reminiscent of the 1980s Capri (it says, here). The side profile showcases a coupe-like silhouette with the signature ‘Capri Swoosh’ on the side windows, while the rear design mirrors the front with LED taillights split into four elements.

While these elements pay homage to the original, the overall design leans more towards contemporary SUV trends. It’s a handsome vehicle, but whether it captures the spirit of the classic Capri is hugely debatable. I owned a Ford Capri 1.6 Cabaret, back in the 1980s and I loved it to bits despite the RWD config causing me some problems on the snowy Oldham hills. I’d have had no such problems with this latest press car which arrives fully equipped with All Wheel Drive . . .

Trim Levels and Pricing

The Capri is available in three trims: Style, Select, and Premium. Priced from £41,485, the Style trim offers a 125kW motor with a 52kWh battery, providing a range of up to 243 miles and a 0-62 mph time of 8.7 seconds. It’s rear wheel drive only and pushes out 170PS

Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, a 14.6-inch SYNC Move infotainment system, partial Sensico trim, a 12-way power driver’s seat with massage function, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, and intelligent cruise control with stop and go function.

Taking a leap up to £48,085, the Select trim adds a larger battery capacity and more powerful motors. This 210kW version with a 77kWh battery offers a range of up to 390 miles and a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds. It is also RWD only.

The Premium trim, priced from £46,185 for the RWD standard range version, includes additional luxury features such as a power-operated tailgate, a fixed panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlamps with glare-free technology, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. It also offers the same powertrain options as the Select model.

For peak Capri, go for the £56,185 Premium, with extended range and AWD. It boasts a 79kWh battery, 346 miles of range, 340PS and can hit 62mph in just 5.3 secs

My Premium AWD version arrived with plenty of extras, like the Vivid Yellow paint (£800), 21-inch wheels (£1,000), Driver Assistance Pack (£1,300) and a Heat Pump (£1,050) that can be used to heat (and pre-heat) the cabin, with minimal impact on battery range. However, this pushed the cost of my press car up to a whopping £60,325.

Driving Experience: Comfort Over Sportiness

Behind the wheel, the Capri offers a comfortable enough ride. The suspension provides real-time adjustments, ensuring a smooth journey across various terrains. The steering is light and precise, making city driving effortless, though it lacks the feedback enthusiasts might desire. Although an ‘enthusiast’ probably wouldn’t find themselves sitting behind this particular wheel.

Performance-wise, the Capri Premium AWD doesn’t disappoint – in a straight line. It feels quicker than its official 0-62mph time of 5.3 secs. It’s not quite neck-snapping quick, like the BYD Seal 3.8, but it is still thrilling due to the instant thrust that only seems to level out once you’ve reached a licence-losing velocity.

On A and B roads you may feel a bit disappointed that the Capri doesn’t quite reach the sporty heights that Ford promises. It feels a little heavy around quick corner (because it is) and you never really feel a sporting connection to the car.

Which is disappointing as the Capri sits 20mm lower than it’s sibling, the Ford Explorer. It does mean you feel any bumps and clunks on poorer roads more than you would in the Explorer, but you don’t get much of a trade off when it comes to sportier dynamics. However, it retains a comfortable enough ride to keep yourself and any passengers happy.

Another criticism would be braking feel, which in the Capri I found to be quite disconcerting. The pedal travels a good few centimetres before you feel any retardation. It’s something you would get used to quickly, and shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of.

So, not a sporty drive then; the Kia EV6 is the better option here, but still, the Capri is competent and comfy for both short or long drives. Like most EVs it excels on the motorway where it can eat up the miles effortlessly in a refined, quiet manner that is both stress-reducing and satisfying. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is excellent and the adaptive cruise control is one of the better offerings out there for intelligence and smoothness.

The Inside Story

Step inside the Capri, and you’re greeted by a minimalist, high-tech cabin that’s an almost duplicate of the Ford Explorer. Dominating the dashboard is a 14.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, which controls most of the car’s functions.

It looks good and is simple to navigate around with quick responses and sharp, clear graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard across the range.

The screen has its own party-trick in that it can slide forward and back to reveal a hidden compartment – perfect for hiding items while you nip out of the car for a few minutes. It also allows you change the angle of the screen to combat glare, which I found to be particularly useful.

But, oh dear, the climate controls are in the touchscreen with no physical buttons to feel and adjust while keeping your eyes on the road. They do stay fixed to the bottom on the screen, no matter which view you have open though. Still, physical buttons rule and the Capri, like many other EVs, doesn’t have them.

However, the materials used throughout the cabin are of decent quality, with sustainable options like Dinamica microfiber and 3D-printed recycled ocean plastic accents. Yes, there are some scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin, but overall, you’ll find the quality of materials, fit and finish are at least as good as the main rivals like the VW ID4.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, with the driver’s seat offering massage functionality. You’ll find plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and seat which means it’s easy to get a good driving position. The wheel adjusts for both rake and reach which you may not find on some rivals.

The multi-function switches on the wheel feel flimsy and unconvincing in use, but again it’s a matter of feel and is something I’m sure you would get used to.

The 5.3-inch digital dash may sound small, but it holds all the info you need and is clear and pleasant to use, although the traffic sign recognition system appears to think that a National Speed Limit sign indicates 60 mph even if you are on a dual-carriageway. Quite annoying that, as each time you drop below 60 and then get back up to speed, you are told off. At least the bings and bongs in the Capri are tolerable in their volume and pitch – and relatively simple to disable.

Rear passengers benefit from ample legroom, but headroom is somewhat restricted by that coupe roofline. Anyone above 6ft may find they get a crick in their neck on longer journeys – especially if they’re in the middle seat which is slightly raised.

However, the floor doesn’t suffer from any transmission hump and the outermost passengers get enough room to slide their feet under the front seats.

The boot offers a very generous 567 litres of space, surpassing many rivals and adding enormously to the Capri’s claim to be a family load-lugger. However, the sloping rear window slightly compromises vertical storage space, and the absence of a rear wiper can be a nuisance in wet conditions.

Safety and EV Technology

The Capri has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating thanks to standard safety features which include Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition with Navigation, Wrong Way Alert, and a Thatcham Alarm.

An optional Driver Assistance package adds high-end features such as Driver Alert, Lane Centering, Active Lane Change Assist, a 360-degree parking camera, and a head-up display.

The Capri’s EV technology offers an EV trip planner that ensures optimal charging capabilities, cabin pre-conditioning via the FordPass app, and a cloud-connected SYNC system with real-time information on the public charge network. The vehicle is compatible with the BlueOval Charge Network, providing access to over 800,000 charging points across Europe.

It’s 135kW DC charging capabilities mean the standard range model can reach a charge of 80%, from 10%, in just 28 minutes, while the extended range model will be slightly quicker at 26 minutes, thanks to its DC rating charge of 185kW

Conclusion

The new Ford Capri EV is a competent and stylish electric SUV that offers a comfortable ride, impressive technology, and ample practicality. However, its connection to the classic Capri is tenuous at best. While it carries the name and some design cues, it lacks the sporty character and charm that made the original such a legend.

But for buyers not caring a jot about the name and only seeking a modern, family-friendly EV with a touch of flair, the Capri is a solid choice. Just don’t expect this one to become an icon.