Loading comparison
Citroën ë-C4 (2021-2024) vs Ford Explorer
Selected trim50kWh 136 · 2021-24Change trim217 mi · 50 kWh · £32,180
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C4 leads on running costs and city driving, while the Ford Explorer leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Citroën ë-C4 (2021-2024) if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Citroën ë-C4 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueFord
Citroën
5
Ford
6.1
Motorway Range
Citroën
3.7
Ford
3.5
Too close to call
Family
Citroën
6.5
Ford
6.7
Too close to call
Charging
Citroën
5
Ford
4.6
Too close to call
Cost Per MileCitroën
Citroën
5.1
Ford
3.5
City DrivingCitroën
Citroën
6.9
Ford
5.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
- 56 miles more WLTP range
- 90 litres more boot space
- 40 kW more power
- 2.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1000 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £32,180 (better) | £35,185 |
| Official range | 217 miles | 273 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 380 L | 470 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 25 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 10 sec | 8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Citroën ë-C4
Ford Explorer
Length
Citroën ë-C44,355mm-113mm
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Width
Citroën ë-C41,800mm-72mm
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Height
Citroën ë-C41,520mm-110mm
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,355 mm | 4,468 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm (better) | 1,872 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,063 mm |
| Height | 1,520 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare (better) | 528 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 916 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 380 L | 470 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1250 L | 1460 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 1,000 kg (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Citroën ë-C4 50kWh 136 (2021-24) |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.36m | 4.47m+113mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.87m+72mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.06m |
| Height | 1.52m | 1.63m+110mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.67m | 2.77m+97mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 193mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 380L | 470L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1250L | 1460L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 916mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,571kg (better) | 1,908kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 50kWh | 58kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 217 mi | 273 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 105kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,180 (better) | £35,185 |
| Price after EV grant | £32,180 (not eligible) | £33,685 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2024 | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 217 miles | 273 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 156 miles | 183 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 25 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 105 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 153 Wh/km (better) | 164 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 46 kWh | 58 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 10 sec | 8 sec (better) |
| Power | 100 kW | 140 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Citroën ë-C4
50kWh 136 (2021-24)
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Citroën ë-C4 50kWh 136 (2021-24)
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist63%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C450kWh 136 (2021-24) | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Citroën ë-C4
50kWh 136 (2021-24)
Owners love
- Owners consistently rate the ride comfort and seats as the car's biggest strength, softer and quieter than most rivals.
- Owners describe it as roomy for a family, with good rear legroom and a practical hatchback boot.
- Running costs on home charging are very low, and owners on off-peak tariffs report a few pounds per hundred miles.
Watch out for
- Range is the most common complaint: owners report around 140 to 150 miles in normal mixed driving, under 120 at motorway speeds and as little as 100 in cold weather.
- Owners find the range estimate optimistic and unreliable, and some early cars do not show the battery percentage on the dashboard.
- The MyCitroën app is widely described as poor and unreliable, and the infotainment as slow, with occasional freezes after software updates.
Owner tips
- Plan on about 150 miles of real range in mild weather and much less on winter motorway trips.
- Judge range by the battery percentage and your miles per kWh rather than the range estimate.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Citroën ë-C4
- £12,3522022Car360View
Ford Explorer
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Explorer worth the extra £3,005 over the Citroën ë-C4?
The Ford Explorer costs £3,005 more than the Citroën ë-C4. For that premium it adds 56 miles more WLTP range, 90 litres more boot space and 40 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Citroën ë-C4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C4 or the Ford Explorer?
The Citroën ë-C4 is £3,005 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C4 comes out roughly £3,045 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 156 miles for the Citroën ë-C4 and 183 miles for the Ford Explorer - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Ford Explorer goes roughly 27 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Citroën ë-C4 or the Ford Explorer?
The Citroën ë-C4 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 72 mm narrower than the Ford Explorer. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C4 and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Citroën ë-C4 or the Ford Explorer?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Citroën ë-C4 and 84% for the Ford Explorer. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Citroën ë-C4 comparisons
More Ford Explorer comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among the best family EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among the best city EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Citroën ë-C4 and Ford Explorer rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideUsed Citroën ë-C4 buyer's guide (2021-2024 and the 2025 facelift)
Buying a used Citroën ë-C4 or ë-C4 X: the 50 and 54 kWh versions, the recalls to check, realistic range, what owners report and what to pay in 2026.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .