Ford
Capri
We’re not convinced this was the right car to resurrect the beloved Capri name for, but Ford loyalists will be happy to hear there’s another EV available from their favourite brand. The Capri shares its underpinnings with the Ford Explorer, which means it’s built on the Volkswagen Group’s electric car platform. Ford let its own engineers tweak the suspension, however – with good results for a balance of comfort and control – and the Capri uses Ford’s own infotainment system inside. Oddly, given it is supposedly a sportier alternative to the Explorer, the Capri is more practical with an exceptionally large boot. Impressively, the Capri can officially travel as far as 627km on a charge, though it’s quite expensive.
A choice of three powertrains is on offer, with one Standard Range car and two Extended Range derivatives – one of which can do up to 602km to a single charge of its 77kWh battery pack
Explorer
Ford takes the Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV underpinnings as the basis for its own machine called the Explorer. It possesses a blocky, upright appearance and a high-quality interior complete with a natty 14.6-inch infotainment screen that can tilt through 30 degrees. A choice of three powertrains is on offer, with one Standard Range car and two Extended Range derivatives – one of which can do up to 602km to a single charge of its 77kWh battery pack, according to the official numbers.
Tourneo Custom
No, it’s not a Transit even though everyone will call it that. Ford’s Transit-based Tourneo Custom has seats for as many as nine people, and all the space and versatility you could possibly want. There’s a fully electric version, but it’s a bit short on range for family life so the plug-in hybrid is probably the best all-round choice, or go old-school with diesel power if you regularly drive long-haul. Feels impressively car-like to drive.
Focus
The Focus used to be the lynchpin of the Ford range, but like all C-segment hatchbacks, demand for it has fallen. It was last updated in 2022 and still looks quite fresh outside and in. Buyers can choose from the conventional five-door hatchback or a practical estate and there’s also the Active model to consider, which gets a few styling changes to make it look a little like an SUV. Petrol, ‘mild-hybrid’ petrol and diesel engine options are available, and the Focus continues to be one of the more rewarding cars in its class to drive.
Mustang Mach-E
Until the arrival of the Explorer and Capri this year, the Mustang Mach-E was Ford’s only electric car. Its name causes less of a controversy amongst car enthusiasts in Ireland than it does in the US as the original Mustang ‘Pony Car’ was never very dear to Irish buyers’ hearts. Nonetheless, the Mach-E hasn’t been a huge seller, despite a spacious and well-made cabin, decent range (up to 600km) and a competent drive. Competition at this price point is just a little too strong for it.
Kuga
Competing against the best-selling cars in the country – such as the Hyundai Tucson – the Ford Kuga really should be more popular than it is. Perhaps the lack of a diesel engine option is holding it back, as plenty of SUV buyers still favour diesel power. The Kuga is offered with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, though neither are all-wheel drive. Maybe the facelifted version just arrived will grab more buyers’ attention as the Kuga has always been a comfortable and high-quality product.
Puma
The Puma is Ford’s most popular car as buyers looking for a crossover-like vehicle are satisfied by its high ground clearance and upright driving position, yet it looks more interesting than most SUVs and it drives a lot better, too. The Puma is one of the most practical options at the price as well. The engine line-up is quite limited, though, focusing on mild-hybrid-assisted petrol units, but the addition of the all-electric Gen-E model this year should enhance its appeal.
Ranger
Building sites across the country are the natural habitat for the Ford Ranger pickup. It’s a decent workhorse and can tick all the business-related boxes it needs to, but we know that the Ranger has become the trophy vehicle to have as buyers love its beefy looks. The wild Raptor model at the top of the range is the hero vehicle, but most sensibly opt for the more affordable – and cheaper to run – Wildtrak. There’s a single-cab option as well, but the extra seats of the double-cab model, understandably, are in demand. Moving with the times, a plug-in hybrid version arrives on the market this year.
Tourneo Connect
Buyers looking for maximum practicality would do well to consider a van-based car such as the Tourneo Connect. Sharing its underpinnings – and a few body panels – with the Volkswagen Caddy, the Tourneo Connect is a hugely versatile machine with buckets of space in all seats and a huge boot behind. There are regular and long-wheelbase variants and the choice of petrol or diesel power to suit your needs. It’s not pretty, but it is an extremely useful car.