Ford Capri | Review | Ford’s most controversial comeback yet?
Ford made headlines by bringing back the Capri name. Why? Primarily because it’s not even vaguely like its forebear – it’s a large, all-electric crossover that shares more with a Volkswagen ID.4 than a 1970s coupe.
But that’s missing the point a little bit. Yes, Ford is trying to blend some nostalgia into its line-up by bringing back an old name. But in reality it’s done this before. Think Mustang Mach-E. Think Puma. But is the Capri name alone capable of recapturing hearts in the 21st century? We spent a week with one to find out to find out.
Styling
Whatever your thoughts on its name, there’s no denying this is an eye-catching EV. Up front, the bluff nose and lighting signature follows the cues of the larger Explorer. It does, after all, share several of its body panels with that car.
Jumping on the ever-increasing trend of creating coupe-like SUVs, however, the Capri adds a swoopy roofline and chunky rear haunches. Stylistically, this is a car that’s more on par with the fastback Peugeot 408 than its larger Explorer sibling.
Depending on specification, you can opt for 19in, 20in or 21in alloys, the latter really helping give the Capri an imposing look.
Whatever you think of the name, there’s no denying the Capri brings something a little different to the electric SUV segment.
For those that don’t quite remember the original Capri, it’s worth mentioning a few highlights that inspired the new design. The most obvious is the rear quarter glass, which emulate the more curvaceous rear-end of the old two-door coupe.
The lighting signatures also take inspiration from the twin-lighted Capris of old, while for anyone that remembers Capris of the 80s will instantly recognise the nameplate font too.
Whatever you think of the name, there’s no denying the Capri brings something a little different to the electric SUV segment.
Interior and tech
Step inside and the Capri feels thoroughly up to date. It shares much of its cabin layout with other Ford EVs, including a 15in vertically mounted infotainment screen that dominates the dashboard.
It’s running the latest SYNC Move software, which is intuitive to use and benefits from clever features like adjustable screen tilt and embedded Google services.
The interior is where it becomes clear that Ford’s Capri borrows bits from the Volkswagen EV stable – namely from the ID.4 and ID.5.
Physical buttons are few and far between, although Ford has wisely kept chunky volume keys.
That’s no bad thing really, with material quality excellent throughout, particularly on higher level trims. Our Premium test car featured ambient lighting and contrast stitching which helped boost that upmarket vibe further.
There’s also a fully digital instrument cluster that’s clear, customisable and easy to read. Physical buttons are few and far between, although Ford has wisely kept chunky volume keys, along with shortcut bar for key functions like demisting and climate on the touchscreen.
Passenger space is strong up front, and the sloping roofline doesn’t compromise rear headroom too much either – though taller adults might feel a little snug on longer trips. The boot offers just over 500 litres of space, which is impressive for a coupe-SUV.
There’s also a handy underfloor compartment for storing cables or smaller items, although there’s no front trunk (or “frunk”) like some other EVs.
Performance and driving
The Capri is available with a choice of single-motor and dual-motor set-ups, with both being paired to a 77kWh battery pack (no surprises that this is the same capacity as a Volkswagen ID.4’s power plant). The single-motor entry-level version offers a range of up to 280 miles and 286hp.
The dual-motor variant not only bumps up the traction on offer, but its extra motor gives it a power boost too. It produces up to 340hp, which offers a 0-62mph time of just over 5 seconds.
Out on the road, and the Capri is surprisingly agile for its size.
Out on the road, and the Capri is surprisingly agile for its size. You peer down a long bonnet (a nice nod to the original) but it’s relatively easy to place on the road.
The steering is well weighted, and while it doesn’t offer hot-hatch levels of feedback, it turns in really well and feels composed in the corners.
Ride comfort is really impressive too – it strikes a nice balance between firmness and suppleness, particularly if you opt for versions on smaller wheels. Like all EVs, accelerated is smooth and instant, and the car feels punchy even in its less potent guise.
What isn’t quite like all other EVs though, is the amount of regenerative braking on offer. Because it uses Volkswagen’s powertrain, you’ll find just two levels are offered: ‘D’ is the standard drive mode, and it’s not too much different to how a petrol car would feel.
Slip the gear selector into ‘B’ though, and you get a heavier level of regen. While this slows the car down, it’s not as easy to drive using just a single pedal compared to some other EVs. We guess this one’s down to personal preference.
During our test, we averaged around 3.5 miles per kWh, giving us a real-world range close to 270 miles – not far off Ford’s official figures. Fast-charging capability is also good, with up to 135kW available, meaning a 10-80% top-up in just over 30 minutes.
So should you lease a Ford Capri?
If you’re after an EV with stand-out styling, family-friendly practicality and a little dose of nostalgia, the new Capri makes a compelling case for itself. It gets even more compelling when you look at lease rates. With list prices starting north of £50,000 for the most basic model, this is not by any means a cheap car.
But this really highlights just how good leasing can be to keeping costs in check. At the time of writing, the Capri is available to lease for around £250 per month. Combine this with its solid electric range and attractive looks, it should certainly find its way onto a load of driveways.
The return of the Capri might have raised a few eyebrows, but after spending some time with it, we reckon Ford has made a smart move. Ignore the name if you must, but you can’t ignore the outright value it currently offers to lease customers.
