The Ford Everest is admittedly beginning to hit its stride in Australia.
After a slow-ish begin resulting from brief provide of high-demand variants, Ford’s 4WD SUV twin to the top-selling Ranger ute is now prime of its class for gross sales, and often breaking gross sales data for the nameplate.
It’s nearly now experiencing the kind of recognition the Territory as soon as loved. With good purpose too, it’s a benchmark amongst its friends for efficiency, refinement and functionality. Plus, it blurs the strains between ladder body and monocoque SUVs by way of driving manners.
Right here we now have the Ford Everest Platinum V6 4WD, the flagship of the vary with all of the bells and whistles. At launch it was thought of costly, however now that cheaper rivals are getting nearer in worth, and the next-gen Toyota LandCruiser Prado will prime out at $100,000, the top-spec Ford will not be such a nasty concept in spite of everything.
Technically the automobile we now have on take a look at is an MY23 instance, however bar some minor worth and have changes it’s largely consultant of a brand new automobile in case you order one now – sadly, the older construct was all we had entry to.
Whereas costly, the flagship Everest is fitted with all the pieces the nameplate has to supply; and packs sufficient efficiency, luxuries, tech and functionality to rival a top-spec LandCruiser Prado or perhaps a VW Touareg.
Is that this top-spec Everest nonetheless a prime choose for these wanting an opulent household journey automobile with all of the fruit? Or is the asking worth too steep? Learn on to seek out out.
How does the Ford Everest evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Ford Everest towards equally sized automobiles.
Ford
Everest
How a lot does the Ford Everest price?
The Everest Platinum is just accessible with a V6 diesel and 4×4, and costs are up by $1625 for MY24.5.
| Mannequin Variant | $RRP |
|---|---|
| 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente RWD | $54,240 (+$250) |
| 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente RWD | $59,240 (+$250) |
| 2024 Ford Everest Sport RWD | $63,740 (+$250) |
| 2024 Ford Everest Pattern 4WD | $67,040 (+$250) |
| 2024 Ford Everest Sport 4WD | $73,740 (+$1250) |
| 2024 Ford Everest Platinum 4WD | $81,115 (+$1625) |
To see how the Everest compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.
What’s the Ford Everest like on the within?
It’s actually just a little dressier in right here than lower-grade variants.
Whereas the general design and structure are the identical Ford Everest (and Ranger) we’ve come to know and (largely) love, the Platinum will get some nicer detailing which actually helps to raise the atmosphere above the Pattern and Sport.
The graceful, quilted leather-accented chairs are an apparent differentiator, and undoubtedly feel and appear very good. They’re additionally heated and ventilated with energy adjustment. Very good.
It’s a disgrace the upholstery can’t be ordered in one other color, with black the choice domestically. The brown wood-look inlays are delicate and an aesthetic contact on this reviewer’s eyes.
Extra padded and stitched surfaces line the dashboard and the door tops, and the Platinum is the one Everest variant to characteristic the high-end 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – which is significantly better than the bottom unit.
The distinction sew particulars even lengthen to the edges of the centre console in addition to the entrance centre armrest, and there’s a stunning cross-stitch impact for the steering wheel rim, too. Stylish.
As famous earlier the bigger digital instrument panel kills the piddly unit in decrease grades, with pretty graphics, readability and animations. It’s not fairly as configurable as we’d like although, enjoying second or third fiddle to the models employed by the Volkswagen Group by way of configurability and options.
The portrait-oriented 12-inch central touchscreen operating Ford’s SYNC 4 interface stays a spotlight particularly in comparison with the models supplied by rival off-roaders. It’s slick, absolutely featured and fairly straightforward to make use of.
Along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s DAB radio and embedded satellite tv for pc navigation with reside visitors updates. The on-board modem additionally facilitates FordPass Join, which along with the net-based visitors knowledge provides distant performance by way of the FordPass app – it stays a benchmark right here.
Whereas some will lament the transfer to digitised local weather controls by way of the touchscreen, Ford has cleverly retained bodily knobs and buttons for these features so homeowners are supplied the selection.
Construct high quality in our fairly outdated (by press automobile requirements) take a look at automobile appeared to carry up fairly effectively, with no free becoming bits of trim or any noticeable squeaks or rattles.
A few of the joins across the sides and bridge components close to the touchscreen aren’t fairly as constant as we’d like for a automobile costing the Platinum’s coin, nevertheless, and the more durable, scratchier supplies dotted all through areas of the cabin are undoubtedly leaning into the Everest’s utilitarian utes – an Audi Q7 it isn’t, nor does it actually should be.
Storage choices embody a deep shelf underneath the touchscreen with wi-fi cellphone charging pad, an assortment of cubbies together with a double glovebox and underarm bin, in addition to comparatively deep door bins.
The elevated theatre-style rear seating means little ones can have a superb view out within the second row – no extra emergency stops for automobile illness.
Leg-, head- and knee room are all plentiful even in case you’re over six-foot like myself, and you may squeeze three throughout for shorter journeys. I’ll notice the respectable driveline hump within the flooring eats into foot room, nevertheless.
Whereas there isn’t a 3rd zone of local weather management, there’s a guide fan management to toggle the air velocity by way of the roof-mounted air vents within the second and third rows, which is helpful. Behind the centre console can also be a module with USB-A and USB-C cost ports to maintain telephones and iPads juiced.
Different rear seat facilities embody map pockets behind the entrance seatbacks, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, bottle holders within the doorways, in addition to the requisite ISOFIX window seat anchors and top-tether factors throughout all three second-row seats.
Entry to the third row is by way of folding and sliding the second row ahead, however it’s not fairly as straightforward to get in as it’s in one thing like a Kia Sorento or the now defunct Mazda CX-9.
When you’re again there it’s greater than child pleasant, and you may most likely pinch some adults in there for a shorter journey.
Air vents characteristic again there, together with 12V ports, and the curtain airbags cowl all three rows of seating. Large home windows are additionally a plus.
Behind the third row, there’s 259L of cargo house, increasing to 898L with it folded and 1818L with the second row folded. With all three rows up, you may match both some small baggage or maybe one suitcase, pending dimension.
| Dimensions | Ford Everest Platinum 4WD |
|---|---|
| Size | 4914mm – with out tow receiver |
| Width | 1923mm – excluding mirrors |
| Peak | 1837mm – to prime of antenna base |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
| Kerb weight | 2512kg |
| Cargo capability | 259 litres – 7-seat mode 898 litres – 5-seat mode 1818 litres – 2-seat mode |
To see how the Everest compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Everest Platinum is solely accessible with Ford’s V6 turbo-diesel and four-wheel drive with 4A mode.
| Technical Specs | Ford Everest Platinum 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 |
| Energy | 184kW @ 3250rpm |
| Torque | 600Nm @ 1750-2250rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto |
| Drive sort | 4WD with 4A mode |
| Gas financial system – claimed | 8.5L/100km |
| Gas financial system – as examined | 10.0L/100km |
| CO2 emissions – claimed | 224g/km |
| Gas tank | 80 litres |
| Kerb weight | 2512kg |
| Payload | 638kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross automobile mass – GVM | 3150kg |
| Gross mixture mass – GCM | 6250kg |
It’s value noting the whole Everest engine lineup options AdBlue injection in step with Euro 6 emissions requirements, which helps to scale back dangerous particulates emitted by diesel automobiles akin to nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Most rivals solely match a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in step with Euro 5 rules, the minimal requirement in Australia presently.
To see how the Everest compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.
How does the Ford Everest drive?
Ute-based SUVs have traditionally been amongst my least favorite vehicles to drive resulting from their workhorse-like nature, however this newest Everest has actually flipped that notion on its head.
The Ranger is already an excellently well-rounded utility, however the Everest’s rear coil suspension and household leaning vibe takes {that a} step additional. In Platinum trim, it drives like a correctly luxurious automobile.
Efficiency from the V6 diesel is just a little lazy but in addition easy, with all 600Nm accessible from simply 1750rpm, and the 10-speed automated has what looks like infinite ratios to select from in order that progress is easy.
You barely discover it row by way of the cogs, and in case you’re not in a rush it shortly settles in eighth or ninth with revs barely sitting above idle at a cruise.
In case you plant your foot it’ll take one, two moments to kick down and get going, however it hustles alongside alright for a tall, boxy truck weighing 2.5 tonnes. Throughout our 4WD SUV Mega Take a look at, the Everest Platinum V6 managed a 9.39-second 0-100km/h time, which is over a second faster than the four-cylinder bi-turbo model.
That doesn’t essentially inform all of the story both, as a result of whereas huge diesel SUVs and utes have sluggish 0-100 occasions by passenger automobile requirements, it’s the rolling acceleration that actually impresses – particularly relative to four-cylinder rivals.
Having 600Nm on faucet means the Everest will carry out freeway overtakes fairly simply, and in keeping with our testing it’ll do 80-120km/h on the trot 1.3s faster than an Everest bi-turbo and a pair of.0s faster than an Isuzu MU-X 3.0.
And, whereas it’s doing it the six-cylinder oiler has a way more engaging and muscular engine notice than rattly four-cylinder equivalents. In case you’re planning to tow usually, this powertrain would kind because the extra engaging possibility.
What I like most concerning the Everest V6’s character is cruising on the freeway, the place at 100-110 clicks it’s quiet, settled and safe. For household highway journeys, there are few 4WDs with this degree of refinement.
It’s fairly darn quiet, with minimal highway and wind noise permeating the cabin save for a touch of tyre noise on rougher blacktop and a few faint wind whistle over the chunky facet mirrors at excessive speeds on windy days.
The tall physique and rugged underpinnings imply you shouldn’t expect sporty dynamics, however the mild and correct steering makes this straightforward to position in tight metropolis manoeuvres in addition to winding nation roads, and the physique is effectively managed towards lateral forces.
Outward visibility is fairly good due to the tall glasshouse and massive mirrors, and the encompass digicam system presents a superb view of the automobile’s surrounds to assist hold the Everest between tight carpark markings. That mentioned, at 4.9m lengthy and 1.9m vast with bluff, upright edges; that is nonetheless an enormous ol’ bus.
Journey high quality is fairly good even on the Platinum’s 21-inch alloys. You can too possibility smaller 18-inch rims in all-terrain rubber in case you want the extra rugged footwear for off-road expeditions. Personally, I feel 19s or 20s would have been greater than sufficient.
At occasions the ute underpinnings come by way of on sharper hits, with a little bit of a terse edge to the preliminary affect. It’s removed from uncomfortable although, and the Everest is an efficient head and half a shoulder forward of most rivals on this regard.
The Everest’s suite of help programs are very effectively calibrated and are one other space the place it beats out its opponents, with intuitive adaptive cruise and lane centring programs to facilitate semi-autonomous driving.
In Platinum trim the Everest is absolutely loaded, which means blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for serving to navigate gaps in visitors or reversing out of blind parking spots, and there’s a encompass parking digicam as famous earlier.
The Platinum additionally scores the accessible Matrix LED headlights with auto levelling as commonplace, with an adaptive highbeam perform that not solely does a superb job of illuminating the highway forward in poorly lit areas, but in addition intelligently blanks out mild segments to keep away from dazzling oncoming highway customers.
As for off-road efficiency, this actual Everest took half in our 4WD Mega Take a look at in 2023, and carried out fairly effectively even with its road-focused wheel and tyre package deal.
Founder Paul Maric mentioned: “[It] walked by way of the offset moguls in 4A mode, neatly shuffling torque to the grounded wheels to tug the automobile out. It was the identical state of affairs in 4H with the rear differential unlocked, and the automobile set to Mud/Ruts mode”.
“The Everest did contact down barely, indicating it had much less floor clearance than a few of its rivals. Regardless of a little bit of wheelspin led to by its road-oriented tyres, the Everest V6 did a formidable job shuffling torque round to climb Mogul Mountain with a continuing throttle.
“Ford’s hill-descent management is the most effective within the enterprise, permitting the driving force to regulate velocity utilizing the cruise management buttons. The shortage of ugly noises from the brakes can also be spectacular.
“Gravel Mountain challenged the Everest; it didn’t scale it on the third try regardless of a wholesome serving of the throttle – doubtlessly resulting from its highway-terrain tyres.”
| Technical Specs | Ford Everest Platinum 4WD |
|---|---|
| Monitor entrance and rear | 1620mm |
| Floor clearance | 226mm – unladen |
| Method angle | 30.2 levels |
| Departure angle | 25.0 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 21.9 levels |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
To see how the Everest compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.
What do you get?
Everest Ambiente highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- All-season tyres
- 17-inch metal spare wheel
- LED reflector headlights
- C-shaped LED daytime operating lights
- Entrance fog lights
- LED tail lights
- Black facet steps
- Auto power-folding facet mirrors
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Two entrance tow hooks
- Metal underbody safety (4×4 mannequin solely)
- 10.1-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen infotainment system
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Embedded modem
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Embedded voice assistant
- FordPass with distant begin
- Twin-zone local weather management
- 5 seats (7 seats non-compulsory)
- Cloth upholstery
- 8-way guide driver seat adjustment
- 4-way guide entrance passenger seat adjustment
- Driver flooring mat
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Sprint-mounted pull-out cupholders
- Open storage shelf
- Tilt and attain steering wheel adjustment
- Keyless entry with push-button begin
- Vinyl console lid
- Digital parking brake
- Typical mechanical gear shifter (4×2 solely)
- e-Shifter gear shifter (4×4 solely)
- Locking rear differential (4×4 solely)
- Push-button selectable drive modes
Everest Pattern provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels with matching spare
- Privateness glass
- Energy tailgate
- Heated, power-folding facet mirrors with puddle lamps
- 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen infotainment display screen
- 7 seats
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
- 8-way energy driver seat
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Driver and passenger flooring mats
- Higher glove field
- Off-road display screen (4×4 fashions solely)
- Rotary drive mode selector (4×4 fashions solely)
- Sand, Mud/Ruts drive modes
- Black stand-off roof rails (NEW)
- Zone lighting (NEW)
Everest Sport provides:
- 20-inch black alloy wheels with matching spare
- Black exterior accents
- Handsfree energy tailgate
- Black 3D bonnet lettering
- 10-speaker sound system
- Distinctive leather-accented upholstery with ‘SPORT’ embossing
- Distinctive inside color accents
- 10-way energy driver seat with reminiscence
- 8-way energy passenger seat
- Heated and cooled entrance seats
Everest Platinum provides:
- 21-inch alloy wheels with matching spare
- Black-painted roof
- Satin chrome exterior accents
- Matrix LED headlights with auto-levelling
- 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12-speaker B&O premium sound system
- Encompass-view digicam
- Energetic park help
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Satin chrome inside accents
- Leather-based-accented quilted upholstery
- Heated second row seats
- Energy-folding third row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Premium entrance and rear flooring mats
- Inside ambient lighting
Choices
The Everest Platinum is obtainable with the next choices for MY24.5.
18-inch Alloy Wheel Pack: $NCO
- All-terrain tyres
- 18-inch alloy wheels
Towing Pack: $1900
- Tow bar
- Built-in brake controller
- Blind-spot trailer protection
Professional Towing Pack: $2900
- Professional Trailer Backup Help*
- Tow bar
- Built-in brake controller
*Professional Trailer Backup Help permits the driving force to ‘steer’ the trailer by way of the outer ring of the drive mode controller whereas the automobile strikes the steering wheel.
Status paint: $700
Is the Ford Everest protected?
The Ford Everest has a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing of the intently associated Ford Ranger ute.
It scored 86 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for baby occupant safety, 74 per cent for susceptible highway person safety, and 86 per cent for security help.
The five-star ranking applies to the entire Everest vary.
Commonplace security tools contains:
- 9 airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration alert
- Lane departure warning
- Lane hold help
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Submit-impact braking
- Reverse AEB
- Reverse digicam
How a lot does the Ford Everest price to run?
The Everest is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader Ford vary.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, and the primary 5 companies are every priced at $379 underneath the Blue Oval’s capped-price service program – $50 greater per service than in pre-MY24 automobiles.
| Possession Program | Ford Everest Platinum 4WD |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | As much as 7 years – service activated |
| Service interval | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Service pricing | $379 per service, first 5 visits |
To see how the Everest compares with its rivals, try our comparability device.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Ford Everest
The Everest stays a benchmark for big 4WD SUVs, and the fully-loaded Platinum – whereas expensive – is a showcase of all the pieces the nameplate has to supply in its present iteration.
It’s loaded with all the pieces Ford can throw at it, together with the trick Matrix LED headlights and absolutely digital instrument cluster, whereas the extra luxurious trimmings inside make this much less of a workhorse-come-family-bus and a bit extra premium tourer.
Ford’s V6 turbo-diesel is a peach, and is a good all-rounder by way of on a regular basis commuting efficiency in addition to heavy-duty hauling. Even in manicured Platinum trim, the Everest V6 feels function constructed for Australian households.
However the flagship’s new asking worth of $81,115 plus on-road prices is getting precariously near extra premium metallic. The Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI is just $5000 extra and is arguably much more premium and refined due to its shared underpinnings with the likes of the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, and can also be rated to tow 3.5 tonnes.
The subsequent-gen Toyota LandCruiser Prado is across the nook, and $80,000 will solely purchase you a one-up-from-base GXL however it needs to be extra tech laden and higher to drive than the outdated one. We’re very eager to get our fingers on one.
In case you don’t plan to tow or go off-road, the Mazda CX-90 D50e GT has more room for folks and is extra luxuriously trimmed with a equally punchy six-cylinder diesel, and that’s earlier than you go into different road-biased rivals like high-grade variations of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Sorento.
However that’s not why you purchase an Everest, is it? Ford’s trusty household 4WD is the Ranger for mums and dads that wish to carry the youngsters and their buddies alongside for the trip, with equal functionality and extra refinement than the model’s top-selling ute – and the Platinum is ideal for those who need all that however with a splash of fancy.
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