Ford Everest 2.0 BiT LTD 4WD

THERE IS AN entirely new Everest hitting the showrooms soon, that’s true. But that’s not to say we should just discard what’s come before. The current Everest is not to be overlooked – it’s a highly capable large SUV, especially in the form of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel LTD edition.

Two litre!? I hear you say! Yes, this twin-turbo engine, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivers a hefty 500 Nm of torque, and 157 kW. During our week with the vehicle we cruised on the highways and the back-ways up to the Cape’s Cederberg Mountains, and loaded with four adults and their gear, the vehicle performed exactly as I wanted it to… Open-road cruising is easy, overtaking is effortless, and gravel roads (and worse) are swallowed up without breaking a sweat.

Included in this model is a hands-free power tailgate, parking sensors at the front and rear, as well as a reverse camera. Yes, the dimensions of the vehicle are sizeable, so these features certainly come in handy.

On the driving aid front there’s adaptive cruise control, as well as forward- and distance alert, and collision mitigation.

It might be an SUV that’s often seen around shopping malls and the kids’ sports field on a Saturday, but don’t be fooled. With its 4×4 low-range, ground clearance of 225 mm, wading depth of 800 mm, and approach-, breakover- and departure angles of 29.5°, 21.5° and 25° respectively, the Everest will take you well beyond where the tarred road ends, into the depths of Southern Africa if you like.

If you have a large family, you’ll appreciate the third row of seats, though legroom back there is limited. So too is the boot space, with those seats set up, but fold them down and the stowage space is cavernous.

I won’t lie and say I’m not frothing to get behind the wheel of Ford’s new interpretation of Everest, but this version has served us loyally for years, and a track record like that counts for a lot. And, in spite of the vehicle’s bulk, the fuel economy figure I achieved of 8.6 L/100 km was decent, something that’s important to factor in with every vehicle purchase these days.

The Everest will take you well beyond where the tarred road ends, into the depths of Southern Africa.