Ford Capri Premium AWD Electric 2026 Review - A Sharp-Suited Tesla Basher with Manners

Taking the new Ford Capri to Brighton feels inspired, and slightly provocative. The Capri name still carries weight here, shorthand for seaside aspiration, chrome, and the vague hope that life improves if you drive south with intent. Rolling silently along the seafront in a bright yellow electric SUV bearing that storied badge, I felt the ghosts of the past watching. Some approving, some muttering.

This new Capri is not a nostalgia act. It is closer to a Tesla-bashing thug in a sharply tailored suit, mischievous yet raffiné, entirely at ease ordering a fine Sancerre without checking the price. From Brighton, I headed inland, winding through Sussex lanes and into the Ashdown Forest, ending at the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, a place that understands refinement without fuss. The setting suited the car perfectly.

Specs, Calmly and Clearly

On paper, the Ford Capri Premium AWD Electric is properly endowed. Twin electric motors, front and rear, produce 340 PS and 679 Nm of torque. The battery is 77 kWh, with rapid charging up to 185 kW. Officially, it does 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds, but as with all electric cars, the immediacy of torque makes the numbers almost academic. From rest, it feels urgent, decisive, and faintly amused by its own power.

Quoted range sits between 276 and 346 miles depending on conditions. Top speed is 111 mph, entirely sufficient unless your local Waitrose is positioned on an autobahn. There is a great deal of Volkswagen engineering beneath the surface, which is no bad thing. Why reinvent excellence when you can recalibrate it to Ford’s taste? Compared to the Ford Explorer, the Capri is longer, lower, and noticeably more engaging as a long-distance tourer.

Exterior, Forget the Name

Yes, there have been arguments about the name and styling online. Ignore the name and look at the car. I like it. The exterior flows well, taut without aggression, sporty enough to make a middle-aged family man briefly nostalgic for youth. It is clearly an SUV, not a sports saloon, yet it drives better and faster than the original Capri ever did.

Squint, and there are design nods to the past. My son insists that is nonsense, which is probably the correct generational response. To me, it feels like a Capri that has been gym-trained, riding high on enormous wheels, lean rather than bulky. It looks lighter on its feet than most electric SUVs, a promise it largely keeps.

Interior, Almost There

The Premium badge asks to be judged carefully. At £56,335, the interior has too much visible plastic. Other manufacturers at this level disguise such things better with textures and tactile cleverness. The smooth modern finish feels slightly undercooked rather than intentional.

That said, the seats are excellent: sculptural, ergonomic, and comfortable over distance, finished in imitation leather with contrast stitching. The cabin comfortably accommodates five adults, and the boot is generous at 567 litres. For touring, golf weekends, or the sort of French supermarket run that begins with good intentions and ends with cases of wine, it is admirably accommodating.

Technology, Thoughtful and Mostly Excellent

Ford has clearly put real thought into the tech. The adjustable head-up display is a delight, a feature you immediately miss in a lesser car. Active cruise control is decent rather than class-leading, more an aide than a saviour, but the ride is so smooth that I scarcely noticed.

The 14.6-inch SYNC Move touchscreen is vertically oriented, physically adjustable, and hides a locking storage compartment beneath it, a charming touch of secrecy. The 5.3-inch digital driver display is crisp and beautifully rendered. The graphics, though seemingly frivolous, are genuinely excellent, showing the car gliding through different environments as you cycle through drive modes. You can rearrange tabs and icons to suit your preferences, earning full marks for usability.

The haptic volume control divides households. I found it mildly irritating; others love the minimalism. The inductive wireless charging pad works flawlessly, even with my ageing phone, and holds it securely. Opening the door projects a Capri silhouette onto the ground, charming rather than gimmicky.

On the Road, Where It Matters

Drive selection is handled via a right-hand stalk, with an additional B mode that enhances regenerative braking. This is tuned beautifully for everyday driving, allowing near one-pedal progress while feeding energy back into the battery. Braking, whether regenerative or conventional, is steady and confidence-inspiring.

Drive modes include Eco, Normal, Sport, Traction, and Individual. Normal is already excellent; Sport tightens steering and pedal response slightly, but feels almost redundant. The all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, very much in keeping with Ford tradition, and encourages genuine enjoyment.

Handling is the Capri’s standout feature. It can be driven politely or like a complete thug, entirely in keeping with the name. Acceleration and cornering are engaging without ever feeling unsafe. It turns eagerly into apexes and remains impressively composed despite its weight. Body control is excellent, with no roll or yaw to spoil the fun.

Suspension is perhaps the one area where rivals slightly edge ahead. It is comfortable and well judged, but not quite as finely controlled on broken surfaces. Even so, it never becomes an issue, even on Sussex and Surrey’s lamentable roads.

Overtaking, strictly when necessary, is effortless. Ample shove ensures you can surge past slower traffic and rejoin with ease. The car feels fast without franticness, a rare and welcome balance.

Range and Charging, Reassuringly Real

The Premium version sacrifices a little range for performance. If maximum mileage matters, the Extended Range model delivers up to 385 miles. Our Premium test car achieved 320 miles at 100 percent during a very cold week, around zero degrees Celsius, and maintained that on longer drives, even with heating in use.

In warmer weather, expect an additional 10 to 20 percent. Charging is genuinely fast: 100 miles in under ten minutes on a fast charger, 10–80 percent in around 26 minutes. In one instance at Ashdown Park Hotel, we arrived near empty, used the slow charger while enjoying a drink, and within 30 minutes had enough juice to find a faster charger. Modern electric touring luxury indeed.

Name Not Shamed

This Capri is more than a worthy successor to the original. The 1969 launch car was charming, quirky, and full of personality. Touring the south of England, or even the glamorous southern coast of Italy, you would be far better off in this version, ideally arriving in Capri itself. It has style and presence, and the Italians would approve.

Ignore the slightly misjudged interior plastics and focus on what matters: excellent real-world range, rapid charging, engaging handling, strong performance, and generous space. It wears its heritage lightly, drives with confidence, and misbehaves just enough to make you smile. Pas mal du tout.

On the road from: £56,335

As tested: £60,335 with Vivid Yellow paint, Driver Assistance Pack, heat pump, and 21-inch alloy wheels.

https://www.ford.co.uk/cars/electric-capri

Charging Made Easy- A Nice Touch

Ford’s Blue Oval Charge Network gives lifetime access to over 1 million chargers across the UK and Europe, all via the FordPass app or your touchscreen—no extra apps, no monthly fees, just pay for the electricity you use. Plus, enjoy a one-year IONITY trial for ultra-fast motorway charging at a cheaper rate, so you can reach your next stop without draining your patience (or your wallet).