Everest reaches new hights

Fresh off its win in the Large SUV category of AA Driven Car of the Year 2023, Ford has upped the game for the Everest with the release of the Platinum edition.

Now the new model is available to test drive at Fairview Motors.

The Ford Everest is a proper 4x4 with incredible off-road and towing ability. It also makes the most of its considerable exterior dimensions by providing generous space for seven.

The Platinum takes it a step further, adding chrome grille accents, 21” wheels, 12” digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting and extra comfort for passengers.

In the top-of-the-range model, driver and front seat passenger have 10-way electrically adjustable seats with heating and cooling. The driver seat has a memory function.

Second-row passengers also have heated seating and all three rows of seats have leather accented quilting.

Motorvation comes from the excellent 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel which delivers 184kW of power and a massive 600Nm of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission to either two wheels or four.

Claimed fuel economy is 9.7l/100km - so with an 80-litre tank, it is good for an 825km roadie.

On top of the standard array of safety features and driver assistance, the Platinum features Active Park Assist and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

The B&O Premium Audio System sounds fantastic, in my case banging out the classic rock from 12 speakers.

Not that I tested the 4WD capabilities, but the selectable terrain system is well-proven in both Everest and the Ranger it is based on, although it is likely the high-end model may not see much off-road use.

It does have a 3.5-tonne braked towing rating, so that 4WD may come in useful for the boat or caravan. There is no doubt the Everest is big, but that gives it the room for seven people, versatility of load configurations and the ability to carry or tow a lot of kit. And with its safety features and cameras and sensors it doesn’t feel enormous, just purposeful and poised.