Built Ford tough. They’re not kidding with the Everest.
I think Ford nailed the name with their latest big family 4×4. Tough by name and tough by nature, the Everest is.
Just to inject some extra toughness, and plenty of extra kit, I was fortunate enough to be test driving the Titanium model.
Ok, so the Titanium also comes at an extra cost.. starting at $76,990 compared with the entry level price for the Everest at about $55,000.
Built around the Ranger ute platform, the seven seater was full of spunk, style and sophistications – and with a somewhat chunky, strong and hardy feel to it all.
The Everest did not seem capable of doing things by halves. It’s safety systems, including the very enthusiastic heads-up warning prompted by sudden changes in traffic around you, support this view.
Not even the moulded plastic overhead handles – which in my teenage years were commonly referred to as “Oh Shit… handles” – are done by half. The Everest has a full complement of them.
It boasts four 12-Volt outlets, two USB ports and 240-volt household power point. That’s not overkill. That’s brilliant.
Leather trimmed seats, in the Titanium model at least, and heated of course, voice controlled GPS, A panoramic power sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels continue as evidence that there’s not been a great deal of holding back on the Everest.
And all the kit is not just there… plonked in and out of place to pump up a poor performer.
The five-cylinder, 3.2-litre diesel boasts fuel consumption of 8.5l/100km it pumps out 143kW of power and an impressive 470Nm of torque pushed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic.
It was not found wanting in our wide ranging test from city traffic to country roads, on the farm and highway cruising.
The ride matches the look… a little firm but commanding and comfortable.
The not doing things by half measures – as noted throughout this review – just keeps going. There are airbags and air vents for all three rows of seating, 30 storage spaces and a three-tonne towing capacity, 750 kilogram payload and 100 kilogram roof payload.
This is one build Ford tough beast.
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