Ford Everest Wildtrak vs Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Here's our winner

Since adding a potent V6 diesel and taking the latest generation Everest more upmarket, Ford has opened its seven-seat SUV up to a new set of competitors, but would we choose it over the Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado?

The latest Everest is a dramatic departure from its predecessor, which was a massive upgrade from the model it replaced, making this third-generation variant a large luxury seven-seater with a new segment of competitors. Today, we are comparing the Wildtrak variant with two rivals in the form of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Hyundai Palisade, but which one would we choose? Our trio today feature different powertrains but are nearly identical in price.

Ford Everest 3.0 V6 4WD Wildtrak

Powertrain and performance

Powering the Wildtrak is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 184kW and 600Nm, sent through all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 8.5 L/100km, and the 0-100km/h is not quoted.

Standard equipment

The Everest, in Wildtrak guise, comes with LED headlights/ taillights, fog lamps, black leather seats with orange stitching, USB Type A and C ports, a wireless smartphone charger, climate control, keyless entry/start, a 400-watt inverter, ambient lighting, an electrically operated tailgate, 6 airbags, semi-autonomous driving aids, including Active Park 2.0, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and blind spot monitor. There’s also a 12.4-inch digitised instrument cluster, a vertically mounted 12.0-inch central screen system, a 360-degree surround view camera and a dual panoramic roof.

Safety

The Everest received a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP in 2023.

Practicality

Depending on the seating configuration, the Ford boasts a large boot and offers between 259-898 and 1 818-litres of boot space, seating for seven occupants, 220mm of ground clearance and a braked towing capacity of 3 500kg.

Price and value proposition

At R1 115 700, the Everest is the cheapest here, and offers a compelling package overall.

The competition

Hyundai Palisade 2.2D 4WD Elite 7-seater

Powertrain and performance

Powering the Palisade is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 142kW and 440Nm sent through all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 8.2 L/100km, and the 0-100km/h time is quoted at 10.5 seconds.

Standard equipment

The Palisade comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/ fog lights, a tyre pressure monitor, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning/lane keep assist, a colour touchscreen infotainment system, ambient interior lighting, a digitised instrument cluster, 6 airbags, multiple USB ports, rear window blinds, privacy glass, dual panoramic sunroof, climate control, keyless entry/start, artificial leather seats, heated/ventilated/electrically adjustable fronts seats, heated/ventilated second-row seats, as well as front and rear PDC with a surround-view camera.

Safety

The Palisade was crash-tested by ANCAP in 2023, achieving a 5-Star rating.

Practicality

In this configuration, the Palisade features seating for seven, a boot that varies between 509-1 297-2 447-litre boot, 203mm of ground clearance, and a braked towing capacity of 2 200kg.

Price and value proposition

At R1 44 500, the Palisade is nearly the exactly the same price at the Toyota, providing reasonable value for money.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD TX

Powertrain and performance

Powering the Prado is a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 150kW and 500Nm sent through all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 7.9 L/100km, and a 0-100km/h is not quoted.

Standard equipment

In TX specification, the Prado comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 7 airbags, climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, leather seats, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, LED fog lamps, rear PDC and a rear-view camera.

Safety

The Prado was crash-tested by ANCAP in 2011, achieving a 5-Star rating; however, this rating has expired, and an all-new model is on the way.

Practicality

The Toyota boasts seven seats, a boot that varies from 104-974-litres of boot space, a ground clearance figure of 220mm and a braked towing capacity of 3 000kg.

Price and value proposition

At R1 145 500, the Prado is the most expensive, least specified and oldest model here, meaning that its replacement is sorely needed.

Facts and figures:

* Manufacturer’s claimed figures.

Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.

Verdict

Looking at the figures, as an overall package, we find the Ford Everest Wildtrak to be the most compelling here, although the Palisade is certainly worthy of consideration, too!

Keyword: Ford Everest Wildtrak vs Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Here's our winner