First arriving in South Africa in 2015, the Ford Everest replaced the Ford Territory but the market was already being dominated by the much loved Toyota Fortuner and Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Ford Everest struggled while the new generation Ford Ranger was launched and it was selling really well. Today, the new generation Ford Everest is a popular seller. What did Ford do to achieve this? Let’s find out more about the Ford Everest Limited 3.2 6AT 4WD!
Body:
The new generation Ford Everest takes design cues from the much loved Ford Ranger. Much like the Ford Ranger, the Everest has a muscular look. The vehicle is large and squarish. It has a real strong looking front with a big chrome grill. Across the wide rear runs the EVEREST lettering which has been engraved into a strip of chrome plating. There are xenon headlights edged with bright white LED daytime lights. LED lighting sleekly wraps around the headlamps, giving the Everest a continuous glow and added visibility.
You also find chrome detailing on the mirror housings and the door handles which is not something you see every day. Silver bumper inserts, roof rails and Everest branded step sills really finish of the distinctive look. With 20 inch 6 spoke alloy rims the vehicle has a planted stance.
Interior:
Inside you find a spacious 5 seater SUV with 2 extra seats in the boot. The leather seats heat up to keep you warm in winter! There is a new version of Sync 3 together with an 8inch touch screen bringing the infotainment system to another level. There are 2 USB ports for charging devices and playing music, a micro SD card slot, AUX port as well as Bluetooth and voice control. The leather dashboard has a shiny panel with the Everest branding. The Speedometer is analogue but on either side are digital displays which give you the information you need, when you need it most. At the rear you will find 12V and 230V power ports, and climate controls to manage the fan speed and temperature for the back seat drivers. Looking up you will see the sky through the dual panoramic sunroof.
The boot opens with the touch of a button and you will find two extra seats which won’t fit adults that well but are perfect for kids. These two seats can be lifted mechanically with the touch off a button. While you can take 7 people along for the drive, what about all your gear that you may bring with you? In the boot there is capacity for 750kg. If this isn’t enough, you can place up to 100kg on the roof and tow up to 3000kg. Usually I don’t have more than 2/3 people with me in a test car but I went out with a group to Grandwest and there must have been around 7/8 of us and there was plenty of space and power to get us there in comfort.
The Everest is the kind of vehicle you will spend hours exploring in. It is the kind of vehicle where you don’t mind getting lost in.
Features:
The Everest comes loaded with features that will ensure that your drive is comfortable, easy and safe. You get active noise cancellation inspired by the recent trend of noise cancellation headphones. The Everest uses 3 highly sensitive microphones which detects and measures the noise of the engine. Sound waves are then used to counter act the noise. A camera mounted on the rear view mirror detects if there is any oncoming traffic and turns your high beams on or off so you don’t dazzle any oncoming drivers. The all new Sync 3 supports hands free phone calls, hands free music selection, hands free sat nav and hands free climate control so you can listen to your texts so your hands stay on the wheel and your eyes stay on the road. I’m not sure why you would let the Everest out of your sight but if you do, Ford MyKey will allow you to program the car to keep to certain conditions.
You also get key-less entry, seven airbags, active park assist, a rear view camera, a lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, blind spot information system and cross-traffic alert.
Performance:
The Ford Everest comes in two engine derivatives. A 2.2L TDCi engine which delivers 118kW of power and 385Nm of torque and a 3.2L TDCi Turbo Diesel engine which delivers 147kW of power and 470Nm of peak torque. The 2.2L gives a fuel economy of 6.9L while the 3.2L gives 8.2.
Using advanced aerodynamics, the Everest has less drag and more fuel savings.
The Everest automatically transfers torque between the front and rear wheels that have the most grip. This provides the maximum traction on and off road. If only one wheel has traction, the system can send all the torque to that wheel.
The Electronic Stability Programme provides grip and control when taking corners and overtaking. Roll stability control makes use of a gyroscopic sensor to detect the potential of the vehicle to roll and intervenes to restore stability. Considering that this is a big vehicle, the ESP really made me feel like I was in complete control no matter where I went. The steering is light which makes parking and doing three point turns pretty easy, even though the Everest is large compared to little hatch backs.
Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) with Pull-Drift Compensation technology measures the driver’s steering input, adapts to changing road conditions and helps compensate for slight directional shifts caused by factors such as crowned road surfaces or steady crosswinds.
While the Everest is a large vehicle,it is able to get some decent acceleration. The Everest comes in either Automatic or Manuel transmissions. Turbo builds up pretty quickly ensuring that each gear has enough to get you the boost you need with up to 3000rpm
Off Road:
Whilst the Everest can cruise along the open roads with ease, she is at home off road. Designed to tackle touch terrain and the unexpected obstacles, you won’t be afraid to take the unbeaten path. The Everest sits pretty high with 225mm of ground clearance. If you land up having to cross a stream of water or a river, you will be able to do so just as long as there is not more than 800mm of water.
It is obvious that a vehicle of this caliber would have Four Wheel Drive(4WD) but the Ford Everest has something up it’s sleeve that will help you if you land up in a sticky situation. The Everest’s Terrain Management System lets you take advantage of the 4WD to tackle any surface on or off road. By simply turning a dial you can choose between three modes to maximize traction and stability to stay in control. The three modes are for driving on gravel/mud/grass, sand and rocks
- Gravel/ Mud / Grass – For driving on slippery and shifting gravel, mud, grass and snow, this mode keeps RPMs low for greater control, while enhancing ABS and torque control helps minimize wheel slip.
- Sand – Aggressive torque transfer, increased accelerator sensitivity and wheel slip are used to help maintain the momentum needed to drive through sand.
- Rock – Keeps 4WD in first gear for greater control and maximizes ABS and torque transfer to help drivers navigate extreme off-road terrain.
The Everest also provides further traction and grip by locking the rear differentials to provide full engine torque to both rear wheels.
The Everest provides a smooth ride thanks to its watt linkage suspension which delivers improved stability and handling, providing maximum comfort.
Going up and down steep hills is not always the easiest task to do, even in an SUV. Hill Descent Control makes this easy for you. The HDC system uses the brakes to take you down a hill at a safe and steady pace. Going up a hill is also easy thanks to the Hill Launch Assist system which keeps you from rolling backwards for a few seconds while you move your foot off the brake to accelerate.
Models & Pricing
The Ford Everest comes in 6 models in either 2.2L or 3.2L engines with Manuel/Automatic transmissions and 2WD/4WD. Available in 8 colours I drove the Colorado Red model which is the feature colour and it looks really good! Starting at R459,900 for the entry level and up to R699,900 for the Limited model, the Ford Everest is well priced compared to competitors such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer (R464 000.00 – R623 200.00) and the Toyota Fortuner (R438 000 – RR663 900)
Verdict:
The Ford Everest is a rugged SUV with a premium, spacious and comfortable interior. The Everest has loads of features which will ensure that you are well equipped for any journey. On or off road, there is no limit where you can go. With competitive pricing and seriously good looks, the Everest is the perfect vehicle for someone looking for a luxury SUV that is highly cable on and off road.
