Next-gen Ford Everest shows its bold new face
Tuesday, 1 March 2022
Following a few months after the reveal of the new Ranger and hot on the heels of the ute’s hot Raptor version, Ford has shown off the next-gen version of the Ranger-based Everest SUV.
As expected, the new version of the Everest follows a similar styling direction as the Ranger, with the signature ‘C-clamp’ headlights framing the bold grille and squared-off ‘big American truck’ cues abound.
The Everest sits on the same T6 platform as the Ranger, but has had an increase of 50mm in both track and wheelbase over the last model, while it also gets a new coil-sprung Watts linkage rear end.
The SUV also shares the utes engines, with the 2.0-litre biturbo diesel four-cylinder engine carrying over from the last-gen models and the venerable 3.2-litre inline 5-cylinder turbo diesel being dropped in favour of a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6. Both engines will be hooked up to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission and an advanced, permanent 4WD system that uses an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed electromechanical transfer case with selectable drive modes.
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Ford will initially be bringing the Everest to New Zealand in three guises – Trend, Sport and Platinum, with the Trend packing the biturbo four, while the top-spec Platinum and off-road oriented Sport will be a V6-only affairs, at launch at least.
As before, Everest will be built in 2WD and 4WD guises, but Ford hasn’t confirmed what it will be offering here yet. The company also offers other trim levels, petrol engines and a part-time 4WD system in other markets, but won't likely offer them here.
Ford has yet to announce any power or consumption figures, saying they will be revealed closer to launch. Representatives also declined to discuss market-specifics, or the potential for their to be a Raptor version of the Everest. However, as with Ranger, they did say some form of electrified powertrain was in the pipeline.
On the inside, the new Everest heads further upmarket, with Ford saying its designers “put a lot of thought into the function and feel of the interior, taking inspiration from modern homes and bringing in plush materials, premium finishes and ambient lighting all in areas where customers can appreciate them the best.”
With a full-width coast-to-coast instrument panel and centre console with dual cupholder recesses plus dash mounted ‘pop out’ cupholders for front seat occupants, all Everest models will be equipped with a new leather trimmed e-Shifter, as well as integrated wireless charging and an electric parking brake. Depending on the variant, heated and ventilated 10-way power adjustable seats are available for the driver and the passenger, while heated seats are also available for second row occupants in the Platinum model.
Access to the third-row seats is now easier thanks to second-row seats that slide further forward than before. Additionally, all occupants now have places to store their things and charge their devices with USB power outlets in all three rows.
In addition to a more refined and comfortable interior, Ford says it has focused on incorporating the latest connectivity and technology features into the Everest, and it comes with either an 8 or 12.4-inch (depending on model) digital instrument panel that replaces the traditional analogue clusters.
The dash features a large, high-resolution portrait 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Ford’s latest Sync4 system, which comes with voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems, as well as an embedded modem that allows owners to connect to their Everest when linked with the FordPass App.
FordPass allows features like remote start, vehicle status check and remote lock and unlock functions via a mobile device, as well as controls for the unique exterior zone lighting system which lights up the ground completely around the vehicle, for safer approaches at night, or for camping. The system can also be controlled from the interior touchscreen.
In terms of heading into the rough stuff, the Trend and Sport models come standard with underbody protection and off-road selectable drive modes, plus a rear locking differential, two functional tow hooks upfront, and an auxiliary switch bank for accessories.
Dedicated off-road screen displays vehicle information and a front camera view of the terrain ahead, with predictive overlay guidelines designed to help the driver negotiate obstacles. With a single press of a button, the driver can view their driveline and diff-lock indicators, steering angle and guides, and vehicle roll and pitch angles.
The Everest has a wading depth of up to 800mm and a maximum trailer towing capability of up to 3500kg (braked) when fitted with a factory Tow Pack, which now boasts an integrated trailer brake controller.
A dedicated Tow/Haul drive mode has been tuned to optimise gear shift timing to maintain the best power delivery and engine braking when carrying loads, either in a trailer or in the cargo area, while an optional factory-fit integrated electric trailer brake controller helps deliver smooth and effective control of a trailer’s brake system.
Ford New Zealand says it will release more details about the new Everest closer to launch, and that it hopes to have the first vehicles here in the middle of the year.