The vehicle shares its name and design inspiration[4] with the larger SUV produced in the U.S., which is chosen by Ford "as a nod to our American heritage".

[4] During its introduction, Ford stated the vehicle combines "German engineering" with the brand's "iconic American SUV design".

Compared to its sister car, the ID.4, Ford designers were able to create a shorter rear section, move the A-pillars further rearward, and use a wider track.

To ensure the Explorer "drives like a Ford", Demkiw stated that the vehicle received different dampers, tyres, and suspension tuning compared to its Volkswagen counterpart.

[11] In the interior, the Explorer is available with an adjustable 14.6-inch portrait display running Ford's Sync Move software, which allows for full-screen mapping and access to all the smartphone connectivity options.

The Explorer EV also features a 5.0-inch floating digital instrument display that offers driving data, battery charge levels and driver assistance status.