Ford Capri makes comeback as family-friendly electric SUV

Britain’s favourite two-door cult coupe has returned. Only now it’s not a coupe, and it’s got four doors… Is Ford’s latest attempt to rekindle a classic badge a bridge too far, or a stroke of genius?

Where America got the original Mustang, we got the Capri. And, though dynamically it wasn’t always the sharpest tool in the shed (much like its cousin across the pond), it was bristling with an inimitable sense of character that helped it sell by the bucket load over two decades.  

Sensing a conspicuous opportunity to emulate that success and inject some personality into an otherwise anodyne all-electric crossover body, Ford’s latest retro reboot carries the Capri name. As you’ll find out, this moniker is needed, otherwise you’d probably never make the connection with the ‘60s classic.

The Capri’s new look

Stylistically speaking, aside from a modern take on the original’s “dogbone” front headlights, there’s little about the new Capri that feels familiar. But who’s to say that’s a negative?  According to Design Director, Amko Leenarts, the new styling is all about “celebrating our past while reinventing our future.” And when you look at it through that lens, things start to make more sense.  

It might not share much with the original, but this handsome new shape — with its swooping roofline, four-piece taillights, and hidden window pillars — does successfully channel the Capri’s essence, albeit in a radically more contemporary package.

Fun for all the family 

Peel away the retro-inspired design cues and you’ll find VW’s ID.5 platform beneath.  That means it’s vastly more practical than any Capri that’s gone before. A capacious 572-litre boot is larger than that found on the comparable Explorer and should have no trouble swallowing all five passengers’ luggage. Plus, there’s a nifty 17-litre “MegaConsole” nestled between the front seats that’s big enough for a laptop or several large plastic bottles.  

For items you’d rather keep hidden from prying eyes, the 14.6-inch connect screen retracts in James Bond-esque fashion to reveal a hidden storage cubby. While 12-way adjustable massaging seats, a panoramic roof, and a heated steering wheel all contribute to a premium-feeling atmosphere.  

Fast and functional 

Despite its more versatile billing, the Capri hasn’t forgotten its sports car roots. Entry-level cars get a 282-bhp electric motor sending power exclusively to the rear axle. This means punchy acceleration and a 0-60 dash in around 6.4 seconds. Those looking to keep up with more serious performance machines will be best served by the 335-bhp all-wheel drive model, which completes the same dash in just 5.3 seconds.  

Less has been divulged when it comes to the handling. There’s no escaping the fact that the electric motors and larger chassis have added a few unwanted kgs — at 2,100 kg, it’s no flyweight — though the effects of that extra heft should be mitigated by a lower centre of gravity than some ICE counterparts.  

Equally, standard Continental EcoContact 6Q tyres optimise grip and reduce road noise — two key considerations for all EVs — thanks to their asymmetric rib and sipe geometry. A new Green Chili 2.0 compound also helps to achieve Ford’s claimed range of between 250 and 390 miles, depending on the configuration.  

Is the new Capri affordable?

When it first hit British roads the most basic Capri could be picked up for a scarcely believable £890 — around £12,500 in today’s money. However, the model you got for that price didn’t even have power steering, and its paltry 1.3-litre engine was the definition of ‘all show and no go’. 

By comparison, the new model starts at nearly quadruple that figure (£48,075) for the standard range rear-wheel drive model, rising to £56,175 for the top rung all-wheel drive variant. Granted, those are some pretty considerable numbers, but given the new Capri runs rings around the original in most areas from performance to practicality, you are getting reasonable value for money.  

Eager to grab your slice of ‘70s nostalgia? The first UK examples are set to arrive later in 2024. Oh, and there’s even a more affordable, lower-performance version in the works for those willing to wait.  

What are your thoughts on the Capri’s evolution to EV? Let us know if you think it’s a fitting stablemate for the electric Mustang Mach-E.

Hero image credit: Ford