Ford Explorer review

Ford has gone down the ‘iPad nailed to the dash’ look first popularised by Mercedes Benz for the new Explorer. The size of the screen grows the further up the range you go. While the appearance is fine, the software was occasionally slow to react, the navigation missing turns and inputs being rejected. Again, Ford says this is a pre-production issue and will be sorted before the final production cars go live.

No problem with any of the analog controls, which will probably get more use than the screen. It’s not the most exciting dash on the market but has a functionality and wipe-clean look which will endear it to daily users.

The seats are much better than the outgoing model’s, offering more support and better vision. There is also a sense of spaciousness in the front two rows, and improved materials throughout. But the third row is not hugely improved – it’s still cramped and offers little in the way of comfort. Ford’s competitors do a better job here. There is more absolute cargo space than in the gen five when all the seats are folded. But less when all three rows of seats are being used.