Ford Capri

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Ford Explorer
An electric SUV that offers competent handling and a decent range.
★★★★☆

Cupra Tavascan
A well-equipped and safe SUV that handles better than its VW ID 5 sibling.
★★★☆☆

Driving

On the Motability Scheme, you can opt for rear-wheel-drive single motor electric powertrains with either a 52kWh or 77kWh battery. With 52kWh, an advertised range of 242 miles is achievable, but stepping up to 77kWh offers a more user-friendly 389 miles. Although, in real-world conditions this figure is closer to 330 miles. Still, it puts the Capri in a good position in its class.

We tested the 77kWh variant, which packs a hefty punch when accelerating, good for 0-60mph in a brisk 5.8 seconds, thanks to 282bhp churning through the rear wheels. Like the Ford Explorer, the Capri shares components with the Volkswagen ID 5, but on 20mm lower suspension. The Capri's coupé SUV mandate is to balance the comfort of the Explorer with a dash of sportiness, but that tips the scale into a firm ride that doesn't cope as well with harder road surfaces.

The Capri packs buckets of grip, and handles cornering in a way that betrays its massive scale. Body roll is admirably contained too, but light steering makes for a disconnected driving experience. A positive, though, is how little effort it takes to manoeuvre. Coming to a stop from high speeds requires firm application of the brake pedal, particularly in the final phase of braking. The Capri is an adept cruiser, however, blocking out wind noise to give you a pleasantly quiet cabin to cruise along the motorway in.

Interior

A raised driving position in the Capri gives you a commanding view of the road. You'll sit comfortably in the front, with an electrically adjustable driver's seat as standard and creature comforts such as adjustable lumbar support. A lack of bolstering, while good for some, does reduce support in tight cornering. The slightly oblong steering wheel is another thing worth bearing in mind. Chunky pillars make side and rear visibility tricky, as does the angled rear windscreen. Ford has countered that with standard safety features, such as front and rear parking sensors.

The centrepiece of the Capri's interior is the portrait 14.6 inch infotainment touchscreen, which can be angled in a 30-degree arc, thanks to Ford's Sync Move feature. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and the screen itself has sharp graphics, large icons and simple-to-navigate menus. But all controls come through the screen, even the air-con, which can be hard to adjust while on the move. Driver information such as speed and range can be viewed via a 5.3in digital display.

Space and practicality

The Capri's strongest asset is an enviable boot capacity of up to 572 litres, courtesy of an adjustable floor. We stowed our TGA Whill R scooter with ease. An automatic tailgate, available on the Premium trim and above, adds an extra layer of convenience. Because of the Capri's sporty coupé styling, the sloping roofline compromises headroom for taller passengers in the rear, but there is plenty of space up front for passengers. There are neat storage solutions - door bins, cup holders, a mobile phone slot and space behind the infotainment screen - but the true party piece is the 17-litre centre armrest storage space.

Equipment

The entry-level Style trim comes with 19in alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, dual zone air-conditioning, keyless entry and start, and much more. Upgrading to Premium trim gives you flashier 20in wheels and a panoramic sunroof to help bathe the cabin in natural light.

Photos: Ford, Charlie Magee/Cupra