Having recently expanded its Everest line-up, Ford is looking to reposition its popular Everest. We had a chance to drive the new Wildtrak variant, and here are our thoughts!
The latest Ford Everest is no longer in competition with the Toyota Fortuner from a pricing and positioning perspective as the brand looks to go upmarket with its seven-seat offering. We had a chance to sample the Everest in Wildtrak guise recently.
Styling
The latest Everest is a good-looking SUV, garnering attention wherever it goes, particularly in Wildtrak guise when painted in the bright Luxe Yellow hue. The product looks to appeal to those with an active lifestyle or those who perhaps are seeking the aesthetic of the Wildtrak bakkie but find the SUV proportions and practical considerations of the Everest in keeping with their vehicle needs.
Interior and space
Being the more off-road-ready Everest model, the interior of the Wildtrak looks the part, with black leather seats complete with contrasting orange stitching along with features such as USB Type A and C ports up front, a wireless smartphone charger, climate control, keyless entry/start, a 400-Watt inverter that can power larger devices, LED head and taillights, ambient lighting and an electrically operated tailgate.
There are also semi-autonomous driving aids, including Active Park 2.0, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning and a blind spot monitor. As with the previous Everest we tested, there were some perceived issues with the interior fit and finish, as there were a few rattles, two of which were prominent and appeared to be emanating from the dashboard and the area surrounding the large infotainment screen.
The Infotainment system is class-leading, with a customisable 12.4-inch digitised instrument cluster and a portrait-mounted 12.0-inch central screen that uses the SYNC4 operating system. In addition to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, there is a 360-degree surround view camera and a built-in modem that allows the user to use the FordPass application, allowing you to have remote access to various details surrounding your vehicle.
Looking at Everest from a practical perspective, there is seating for seven occupants across three rows, with the third row proving suitable for shorter occupants. The boot varies in size, depending on the configuration, with 259-litres with the seats up, 898-litres with the third row stowed, and 1 818-litres with the second and third row stowed. The product boasts a 3 500kg braked towing capacity, 220mm ground clearance, and 800mm of wading depth.
Performance and driving impression
Powering the Wildtrak-spec Everest is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 that produces 184kW and 600Nm of torque. The engine is mated to the brand’s 10-speed automatic gearbox that sends the power and torque through all four wheels via a permanent four-wheel drive system. There are several driving modes available, including Eco, Normal, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud & Ruts as well as Sand. Despite all of the off-road systems, our press unit was fitted with 20-inch wheels and tyres; however, 18-inch items with all-terrain rubber are available as an option for those looking for more versatility and less aesthetic clout.
The latest Everest is wonderfully refined regarding ride and handling, with a supple ride quality that matches the effortless progress that the torquey V6 mill up front provides. It’s a wafty experience, and despite the fact that you are aware of its immense weight and do not turn or brake particularly well, the suspension and powertrain perfectly complement each other and produce an impressive large SUV driving experience. We found it rather large in day-to-day operation, which is a symptom of the segment, where cars are simply getting bigger with each passing generation, but out on the freeway, it provides a commanding presence and is a joy to munch the miles in!
Safety
The Everest range was crash-tested in 2022 by the ANCAP programme and achieved a 5-Star rating with 86% for adult occupant safety, 93% for child occupant safety, 74% for pedestrian safety and 86% for its safety assistance systems.
Fuel consumption
Ford claims that the Wildtrak will consume diesel at a rate of 8.5 L/100km; however, our week with the model yielded a figure of 12.0 L/100km, which is relatively heavy when looking at what we have achieved in admittedly less powerful rivals such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Pricing
The Everest, in Wildtrak guise, was priced at R1 104 600 at the time of writing, making it similar to the recently updated Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento. The new price bracket that Everest occupies makes it slightly cheaper than a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and now more in line with the less capable but equally practical rivals from South Korea.
Verdict
We were disappointed by some of the rattles and squeaks experienced in the new Everest because, apart from these fit-and-finish niggles, this is a deeply impressive product which, in Wildtrak guise, now has even more mass market appeal, offering a capable, comfortable, practical and tech-laden family SUV that is a must-driven when shopping in this segment!
Keyword: Ford Everest Wildtrak (2023) Review