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Ford Explorer EV vs Volvo EX40 - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (340 HP vs 442 HP), boot space and price (34200 £ vs 42800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Ford Explorer EV or Volvo EX40?

Explorer EV

Street Presence: American brawn meets Scandinavian calm

The Ford Explorer EV arrives with a broad-shouldered attitude that reads as practical and purposeful, while the Volvo EX40 prefers a quieter, more refined kind of elegance that ages well. One feels more extroverted on the curb, the other more composed and considered, so your choice depends on whether you want to be noticed or admired. Both carry a clear design story that tells you immediately what kind of owner they’re courting.

EX40

Behind the Wheel: relaxed long-haul cruiser vs taut city charmer

On the move the Explorer EV leans into a composed, reassuring character that favors comfort over theatrics, making motorway miles effortless and unflappable. The EX40, by contrast, rewards sharper inputs with a tauter, more energetic demeanor that suits twisty backroads and urban hustle alike. Each car has a distinct personality — one soothes, the other engages — and your driving mood will decide which fits better.

Explorer EV

Life with luggage and little ones

Practicality is where the Explorer EV makes its presence felt: it’s the one that approaches family life with obvious accommodation and a fuss-free layout that eases loading and daily routines. The EX40 keeps things neat and clever in tighter spaces, with an interior that prioritizes thoughtful details over sheer volume. If your days revolve around school runs and weekend kit, both are competent, but they serve slightly different domestic philosophies.

EX40

Cabin comfort and everyday controls

Step inside and you notice two different takes on modern cabin life: the Explorer EV opts for familiar ergonomics and user-friendly controls that feel intuitive from day one, while the EX40 leans into Scandinavian minimalism, with materials and finishes that aim for a premium, tactile experience. The ambience you prefer — warm and practical or sleek and serene — will shape how you relate to each car every morning. Either way, both are designed to make time behind the wheel feel less like work and more like a quietly curated experience.

Explorer EV

Living with it: city chores to country runs

For everyday ownership the Explorer EV plays the versatile all-rounder, built to cope with mixed duties without drama and to slot into family life easily. The EX40 is arguably more at home in denser urban settings where its compact, polished manners and refined cabin come into their own. Both approachability and personality factor into running them day to day, so think about where most of your miles will be logged.

EX40

Peace of mind: tech that helps, not hinders

Safety and assistance systems are prominent in both, but they’re packaged with different philosophies — one prioritises robust, intuitive aids that blend into the driving rhythm, the other emphasises a layered, premium approach that underscores refinement. The result is confidence in different flavors: steady and reassuring, or precise and quietly authoritative. Either way, the technology is more about calm reassurance than headline-grabbing gimmicks.

Who should test-drive which?

If your priority is roomy practicality, uncomplicated usability and a car that adapts to family life, the Explorer EV should be high on your list; if you’re drawn to Scandinavian design, a taut driving feel and a refined, premium cabin, the EX40 will appeal. Commuters, style-conscious buyers, and families will all find a fit but in subtly different ways. Take them both for a proper spin and let everyday impressions decide which aligns with your life.

Keep reading to see who takes the DriveDuel crown

We’ve laid out the real-world characters of each contender — now dive into our full test and detailed comparisons to find the nuances that matter to you, and stay tuned as the DriveDuel Champion will be revealed afterwards.

Ford Explorer EV

4.9 (3 Reviews)
rate

Volvo EX40

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

You can find all user reviews further down on this page.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Ford Explorer EV has a evident advantage in terms of price – it starts at 34200 £ , while the Volvo EX40 costs 42800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 8648 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the advantage goes to the Ford Explorer EV: with 14.50 kWh per 100 km, it’s slightly more efficient than the Volvo EX40 with 16.60 kWh. That’s a difference of about 2.10 kWh.

As for electric range, the Ford Explorer EV performs slight better – achieving up to 602 km, about 26 km more than the Volvo EX40.

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Volvo EX40 has a evident edge – offering 442 HP compared to 340 HP. That’s roughly 102 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Volvo EX40 is to a small extent quicker – completing the sprint in 4.60 s, while the Ford Explorer EV takes 5.30 s. That’s about 0.70 s faster.

There’s no difference in top speed – both reach 180 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Ford Explorer EV pulls hardly perceptible stronger with 679 Nm compared to 670 Nm. That’s about 9 Nm difference.

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, Ford Explorer EV is hardly perceptible lighter – 1908 kg compared to 2040 kg. The difference is around 132 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Ford Explorer EV offers slight more room – 450 L compared to 410 L. That’s a difference of about 40 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Ford Explorer EV performs hardly perceptible better – up to 1422 L, which is about 22 L more than the Volvo EX40.

When it comes to payload, Ford Explorer EV somewhat takes the win – 585 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 105 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Ford Explorer EV sits just ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

Ford Explorer EV
Volvo EX40

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £34,200
Explorer EV

Ford Explorer EV

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 170 - 340 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.5 - 17.2 kWh
  • Electric Range : 360 - 602 km

Ford Explorer EV

4.9 (3 Reviews)
rate

The Ford Explorer EV translates the familiar big‑American SUV presence into whisper‑quiet electric motoring, offering roomy seating and a tech‑forward cabin that will please families and road‑trippers alike. It drives with more composure than its boxy looks suggest, blending a comfortable ride and eager acceleration while undercutting the guilt of gas stops — a practical, modern alternative for buyers who want Explorer space with electric charm.

details

Volvo EX40

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

The Volvo EX40 wraps Scandinavian calm and clever practicality into a compact electric package that feels both premium and refreshingly uncomplicated. It's the grown-up answer to flashier rivals — a safe, comfy, and city-friendly EV with thoughtful tech that makes everyday driving quietly satisfying.

details
Ford Explorer EV
Volvo EX40

Costs and Consumption

Price
34200 - 48800 £
Price
42800 - 58200 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.5 - 17.2 kWh
Consumption kWh/100km
16.6 - 17.6 kWh
Electric Range
360 - 602 km
Electric Range
480 - 576 km
Battery Capacity
52 - 79 kWh
Battery Capacity
67 - 79 kWh
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1908 - 2179 kg
Curb weight
2040 - 2170 kg
Trunk capacity
445 - 450 L
Trunk capacity
410 L
Length
4468 mm
Length
4440 mm
Width
1871 mm
Width
1863 mm
Height
1630 - 1639 mm
Height
1647 mm
Max trunk capacity
1417 - 1422 L
Max trunk capacity
1286 - 1400 L
Payload
561 - 585 kg
Payload
430 - 480 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
170 - 340 HP
Power HP
238 - 442 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 8.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.3 s
Max Speed
160 - 180 km/h
Max Speed
180 km/h
Torque
310 - 679 Nm
Torque
420 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
125 - 250 kW
Power kW
175 - 325 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Ford
Brand
Volvo
What drive types are available for the Ford Explorer EV?

The Ford Explorer EV is available as Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.