Next-Generation Ford Everest Is Bold Outside, a Sanctuary on the Inside and Engineered for Adventure

“The Next-Gen Everest has been designed with one thing in mind, and that’s our customers,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “Everest owners are people who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends. Whether they’re conquering sand, rocky paths or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability and spaciousness of an SUV, and this is where the Next-Gen Everest excels by being tough on the outside, while providing a sanctuary on the inside matched to amazing capability underneath.”

However, Ford SA has said that supply of the new Everest will be limited due to current global issues. “We are already seeing a high demand around the world for Next-Gen Everest, and we are confident that this new model will live up to expectations for all those who have reserved a vehicle.

However, global supply chain challenges, including shipping logistics, are causing extended wait times across the industry,” says Neale Hill, President, Ford Motor Company Africa Region. “Our local and global teams are working around the clock to get vehicles to dealers and customers as soon as possible,” concludes Hill.

What’s on offer?

There will be two levels of trim from launch: Everest Sport and Everest Platinum. Customers will be able to choose from either a 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel engine or a brand-new 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel. Both vehicles feature a 10-speed automatic transmission.

In the Sport, the vehicle features an electronic shift-on-the-fly part-time four wheel drive system, while the Platinum has permanent all-wheel drive. The 2.0 has outputs of 154 kW and 500 Nm, while the 3.0 packs 184 kW and 600 Nm.

Both the Sport and Platinum models are equipped with Ford’s Lane Keeping System, which includes Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, along with Road Edge Detection and Driver Warning. Pre-Collision Assist with Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning, Automated Emergency Braking and Reverse Brake Assist further up the arsenal of innovative safety features. Additionally, the Platinum gains Distance Alert and Indication, Evasive Steer Assist and Intersection functionality.

Ford has prioritised flexible seating in the Next-Gen Everest; the second-row slides with a 60:40 split seatback, and the 50:50 split third row in the seven-seater configuration can be folded at the touch of a button on the Platinum series.

Offroad Ability?

The new Ford Everest comes armed with advanced offroad tech. The Sport derivative features its electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system with 2High, 4High and 4Low. The Platinum makes use of a permanent 4-wheel drive system. Both models can wade in up to 800 mm of water and tow up to 3 500 kg (which is 400 kg more than the predecessor). Ford says there’s enough space in the Everest Sport’s bay to accomodate a 2nd battery for aftermarket accessories.

There are 6 offroad drive modes on offer; Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud & Ruts, and Sand. Ford is also offering an electronic rear differential lock, and hill-descent control.

The selectable drive modes dovetail into the raft of other technologies designed to enhance capability, such as the electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the dedicated SYNC off-road screen, Hill Descent Control, and the front camera view with steering overlays which displays on the large-format infotainment screen.