FORD MOUNTS AN URBAN ASSAULT
Everest update lures city slickers with extra safety gear and a thriftier engine
Ford’s bush-bashing Everest has been to finishing school. The new model is more refined, has more technology and boasts the same bi-turbo diesel engine that powers the Ranger Raptor. The Blue Oval is making a play for the faux-wheel drive fraternity with an emphasis on comfort and a more car-like driving feel.
Features such as keyless entry and push button start are now standard, along with satnav and upgraded infotainment with smartphone mirroring and digital radio. There are price increases of $1000-$2200.
Base grade Ambiente now starts from $49,190 before on-roads for the rear-wheel drive variant, whereas the top-shelf four-wheel drive Titanium is slightly cheaper at $73,990
Base models carry over the 3.2-litre fivecylinder turbo diesel with a six-speed automatic. The engine is also available in the most popular mid-spec Trend exclusively with four-wheel drive.
Ford recognises some buyers are sceptical about the 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo from the Raptor. The company doesn’t mention its capacity in media material and says the better fuel efficiency and increased torque and power numbers will speak for themselves.
The new bi-turbo diesel starts from $56,190 and the all-wheel drive version adds $5000.
About 85 per cent of Everests leave the showroom with a tow bar (capacity is 3100kg) and research shows about 40 per cent regularly get off-road use. For that reason, off-road 18-inch wheels are available on the Titanium.
Trend grade comes with leather trim, heated-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lamps, power rear tailgate and LED running lamps. There is a no-cost optional cloth interior with manual seat adjustment.
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian protection has been added from Trend models up. It will be standard on Ambiente from next year — a conspicuous omission for a family- focused, $50,000-plus vehicle. A welcome addition is speed sign recognition, which uses cameras to provide a constant reminder of the zone.
Titanium grade gets blind spot and crosstraffic alert, along with power folding third row seats, parking assist and 20-inch alloys.
New Ford Australia president and CEO Kay Hart says customer satisfaction remains pivotal to the success of the new Everest.
“Where my focus is, and where I have been working in past roles, is really that customer experience and working with our dealers,” she says. “That’s where our opportunity lies ... working in that customer experience and rebuilding some of that trust.”
The move to a five-year warranty across the range is a positive first step.
DRIVING
Under-the-skin changes mean the Everest is less prone to pitching its nose down over bumps and leaning through corners.
It feels more nimble when changing direction, an achievement considering its work truck underpinnings. It doesn’t have the car-like feel of bitumen-focused rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento but it closes the gap to the Toyota Prado, the best of the genuine bush-bashers. Ford says interior serenity has been improved — the claim to have reduced cabin noise by 4dB is hard to disprove.
The new bi-turbo can sound a little agricultural at low speeds. Under way, it’s a smooth and quiet ride thanks to the 10-speed auto — on the highway at 100km/h it chugs along at less than 1500rpm.
Ford marketing manager Karen Larkin says the focus on refinement was important as most Everests spend the bulk of their time in the city.
“Everest has established its 4x4 credibility. Last year we launched the rear-wheel drive and we have seen in the marketplace significant growth in SUVs generally. (We are) recognising a lot of the buyers are spending a lot of time in an urban environment,” she says.
The bi-turbo “brings the refinement and quietness in the cabin the urban SUV buyers are looking for”.