Conquering Everest
The first generation of the Ford Everest was released to the public in 2009 and has gone from strength to strength since then. A second-generation derivative arrived in 2015 and was met with a great deal of enthusiasm from local clientele. The marque proved to be so successful locally that SA actually made our own derivative called the Everest Sport which took many of the optional extras and made them standard in one package. The 2021 Everest Sport outsold all expectations and is now a permanent part of the brand's local lineup. History aside, South Africans have shown that the Everest is top of their shopping lists when it comes to a capable yet comfortable lifestyle SUV that can take them and their families on any adventure that SA Can throw at them.
Related: New details on the next-gen Ford Everest revealed!
Ford announced last year that the Everest would be returning along with the new Ranger and Ranger Raptor models, with a new look and new engine offerings and this had locals simply salivating at the thought of what could be. We were teased with pre-production images and announcements of joint ventures that would see new technology and new powertrains that would surely elevate the Everest to an entirely new category. As luck would have it, global supply chain issues, shipping, and a host of other factors pushed back the release of these models and continues to give motor manufacturers headaches, but we can finally say that the first of this new breed of Ford product has finally touched down in Mzansi, and we were on hand to test the first models on rollout.
A new Everest Sport model and the top-tier Platinum derivatives are nothing short of awe-inspiring and for two days we put down some mileage through the Everest's true backyard,
Styling
Anyone who has seen the American offerings, such as the Bronco and F150 will immediately see the design language that runs through the Ford lineup. The new Everest is now longer wider and taller than its predecessor and gets the now familiar front and rear end styling. This includes stunning C Clamp style DRL LED headlights and slimline, yet aggressive-looking rear lighting. The Everest models ditch the outgoing 17 and 18-inch wheels and now roll on 20 and 21-inch offerings shod in Goodyear multi-terrain tyres.
A quick comparison between the outgoing model and the new model shows wider flared arches on the Sport and Platinum, with the wheels being pushed to the corners of the vehicle not only aiding in better handling but also increasing stability and offroad prowess. Ford has released the new Everest in a new color palette including colors such as Snowflake White, Absolute Black, Sedona Orange, Equinox Bronze, Aluminium Metallic, Arctic White, Meteor Grey, and the Sport only, Blue Lightning.
Tech
This is without a doubt the highlight of the new Everest. The new tech is not only pretty to look at but highly functional as well. Both derivatives now get the massive 12 inches vertically mounted touchscreen infotainment system featuring Ford's new SYNC 4 software and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster with some of the best animations I have seen to date. Both models get a new drive mode program that can switch between Normal, ECO, Towing, Slippery, and Mud&Ruts on the fly.
If we had to list the standard features of each model, we would be here all week, suffice it to say that both derivatives are packed to the rafters with convenience tech that is sure to impress even the most die-hard overlanding enthusiasts.
Drivetrains
The new Everest Sport is equipped with the now famous 2.0l Bi-Turbo engine mated to the slick-shifting 10 Speed Auto. The package delivers 154kW and 500Nm and should return mid 9's if driven frugally.
The belle of the ball though is the new 3.0 V6 Diesel that pumps out 184kW and 600 Nm, also sending power to all fours through the 10 Speed Auto. Our test drive returned a mixed bag in terms of consumption, ranging from low 10's all the way up to 13l/100km.
The Drive
Our two-day adventure saw us test both vehicles in a variety of conditions that ranged from open freeway, gravel, stop-start city, and a small bout of offroad activity to low-speed crawling while searching for wild animals. Our test crucible was the low veld area of Mbombela, Hazyview, and lower regions of the Kruger Park.
Both vehicles had linear power delivery from 0-100km/h with the Platinum naturally having the higher performance in the higher speed ranges. The rolling hills were easily dispatched and overtaking was a breeze with the torque underfoot. The previous generation was well known for being very capable off the beaten path and things are no different with the new model, We took the Sport derivatives on a small 4x4 trail, and to say that it breezed through would be an understatement. The AWD system with low range and diff lock made the obstacles childs play, even with the road-biased tyre arrangement.
Models and Pricing
| Ford Everest Sport 2.0 BiT 4WD | R 965 400 |
| Ford Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 AWD | R 1 113 100 |
Pricing includes Ford Protect: 4 year / 120 000km warranty, 4 year / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance, 5 year / Unlimited km Corrosion warranty and the option to extend these plans should the customers so choose. 6 Year / 90 000km Service plan and 8 year / 150 000km Maintenance plan have been unbundled but are available at an extra charge. Speak to your local dealer for pricing.
Verdict
To put it mildly, the new Everest is an absolute winner. If this is any indicator of the work that Ford has been doing, the new Ranger and Raptor along with the Everest are going to dominate our market in short time. Unfortunately, there is some bad news .... the aforementioned global shipping crisis has resulted in thousands of completed Everest's being stuck in their home port of Thailand, The first few 100 have arrived in SA but were very quickly snapped up and if you are wanting one you will have to make your way to your local Ford dealer and get onto the waiting list. The vehicles will arrive in due time but are very much at the mercy of the global marine shipping system... I can say this though, it is absolutely 100% worth it!
