Ford will have known that naming a vehicle Everest would create certain impressions and perpetuate expectations as far as delivery is concerned. It’s like naming your kid Einstein. Under this cloud of expectation I took charge of a Ford Everest SUV in sunny Western Cape thinking the journey would lead me to Mt Everest where I would be required to follow in Sir Edmund Hillary and Sibusiso Vilane’s steps up the world’s tallest peak. Luckily not.
The Everest is not that sort of vehicle, although it has a 4x4 version in the range. No sir, this is a family SUV made for people who like going on to gravel but not on to hard rocks and mud lakes. It’s for comfort, for the outdoor animals in us. While Mt Everest will not be conquered by this robust Ford (I can’t think of any vehicle that will anyway), other peaks are there for the taking. For instance, peak torque from the intercooled 3.0 TDCI is 380Nm at 1800rpm while power is 115kW at 3200rpm. Never mind the latter figure too much; diesels need torque and this Everest has more than plenty to get by. No need to floor the accelerator pedal, it responds quickly to a soft touch. Coupled with it is a 5-speed manual or automatic. I drove the slick automatic which felt alert at all times. A limited slip differential (LSD) is part of the package and although it’s not a diff-lock, it is adequate for semi-serious off-roading. If you want to pull whales out of beach sand get a Ranger 4x4.
As a replacement for the Territory, the Everest is a great improvement. One of the former’s issues was that it was a drinker of heavy proportions that could dismantle a tank of petrol in under 400km under normal circumstances. But for some reason cops in Gauteng loved it. The Everest should cover at least 600km before swinging by a fuelling station regardless of its small 71 litre fuel tank.
Interior conveniences include leather seats, a radio/ CD player with an auxiliary jack for gadgets like the iPod, air conditioning, sunglass holders and a leather-covered steering wheel. All models are 7-seaters and Ford insisted that the number is for adults and not just five adults and two children. The seats can be configured in a number of ways to suit prevailing conditions. As an example the third row of seats can be flattened or even removed completely. At 5 metres long, 1.8m wide, 1.8m high and with a wheelbase of 2.9m the SUV is significantly larger than the Territory. It looks it too.
Speaking of looks, I may not be a vehicle designer but there’s something a bit off with the Everest. From the sides it looks quite handsome, sturdy and robust. The front end is modern with big headlights, chrome grille, a powerful bonnet dome and chrome side mirrors. But the rear is a different story. At the launch I kept thinking I was at a launch of a Chinese SUV. From the C pillar al the way to the other side there just wasn’t any attempt at style. It’s all flat and plain. I guess function won the battle against form. Not even the stylish 16”x7JJ alloy wheels wrapped in 245/70 R16 tyres can help it. If you are buying try any colour other than silver.
The SUV comes with a 5 year / 90 000km Service Plan and a comprehensive 4 year/120 000km warranty with service intervals of 10 000kms. Customers will also benefit from 3 years of Roadside Assistance and a 5 year corrosion warranty as part of the Ford Everest package. Free off-road driver training through the Scorpion Off-Road College is offered on all 4x4 derivatives.
Expectations are high as the new Ford climbs its own Everest by going after vehicles like the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. It’s a growing segment and one that should see Ford take a healthy stake in.
Ford Everest Pricing
3.0 TDCI XLT manual 4x2 (R324 990)
3.0 TDCI XLT manual 4x4 (R364 990)
3.0 TDCI LTD automatic 4x4 (R382 990)
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