Ford Everest XLT (2023) - Review

The latest Ford Everest in XLT form is nothing to scoff at. A capable product with toughness and elegance, too. Here's our review of the well specced Everest XLT.

Interior & Space

“Built Ford Tough is”, a slogan that’s been reverberating whenever this scribe thinks of a Ford utility product. The first models that come to mind naturally after this slogan are the illustrious Ranger and, in this case, Everest models. Ford lately, with the release of the current generation Ranger and now Everest, has once again proven the ‘tough’ factor, winning the hearts of many and taking a few awards in the process.

The more than capable offroad family SUV has received much customer input to make the Everest better and better. As Ian Foston, the chief platform engineer for the Everest, has stated, the current generation Everest is tough on the outside, sanctuary on the inside and amazing capability underneath. Enter our entry-level test unit, Everest XLT 4×4 in Equinox Bronze, to prove the aforementioned statement.

Styling 

The sheer size of the Everest is the first thing that catches your eye. A wide track and long wheelbase attribute to this. This generation of Everest looks more like the American-styled Ford SUVs in this scribe’s eyes. Apart from size, the Everest looks muscular and toned, perfectly fitting into the tough mould that it sets out to be compared to the previous generation Everest. Unique to the Everest and Ranger vehicles are the C-shaped headlights, which, if anything, look like a flexing bicep curl. It’s certainly something different and doesn’t look ugly. Joining the headlights together is a chrome garnish nestling the Ford badge in the centre.

Looking at the side profile, a slight protrusion of the fenders looks elegant but also adds to the toned features of the Everest. You’ll find side steps to go with the machined alloy wheels. Gracing the front fenders is a trim piece containing “Bi-Turbo” lettering. The rear of the Everest is sculpted. The tail lights are LED and segmented within the light housing. Overall, the Everest looks good and does it with brawn.

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Space & Interior 

The Everest XLT is a 7-seater vehicle; emphasis has been placed on this vehicle being a sanctuary inside. The long wheelbase and wide track make the Everest feel roomy inside and have benefitted the boot space as well. With all the seats up, you’ll get 259 litres of capacity to play with, 898 litres if you fold in the 3rd row of seats and finally, 1823 litres when you fold both the 2nd and 3rd row of seats. Plenty of room for all your lifestyle activities.

Speaking of lifestyle, the Everest interior in XLT guise comes standard with partial leather seats, which feel sturdy even when you throw the vehicle about. The Interior materials as a whole do have a luxury look to them but feel hardwearing. This is quite good considering that this SUV is definitely going to be put through its paces not only on the school run, but even the family camping trip and still look good. Not much has changed dashboard and centre stack-wise compared to the Ranger. The clever integration of the door handle with the grab handle is welcomed. The Everest feels like a solidly made vehicle inside.

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Comfort & Convenience 

Praise needs to be given to the NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) levels in the Everest; apart from slight firmness, which is expected from bakkie-based SUVs, the Everest is quiet inside and pleasant to be in with much reassurance that you are in a robust product. Seating for everyone in the cabin is pleasant, and feels like it’s all made to last.

Your attention will be drawn to the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is as good as having a whole large tablet smack-bang in your dashboard’s centre stack. The system works well and is Android Auto and Apple Car Play enabled. Complimenting the infotainment is an 8-speaker sound system, which, as expected by Ford, is a system that thumps. A slight infotainment screen tilt towards the driver would be welcomed to improve the viewing angle and operation, but otherwise, it’s a good system to use. The driving position of the Everest is well placed, and the 8-way powered front seats allowed for fine-tuning that position. The interior of Everest is quite well-considered and really is hard to fault in our eyes.

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Performance 

Powering the Everest XLT is the Bi-Turbo 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 154kW and 500Nm. The engine is supremely refined with a meaty powerband. Further adding the sanctuary-like cabin is just how quiet the engine is. Far from agricultural is what we’ll say here. The engine makes power smoothly but delivers it with gusto. Power is sent via a 10-speed automatic gearbox, and in XLT, 4×4 trim can be sent to all 4 wheels. The automatic gearbox shifts effortlessly, and we didn’t find ourselves fighting with it. You’ll find an electric locking rear differential here as standard for the XLT 4×4.

Being based on the award-winning Ranger means the chassis for the Everest is blessed with the same capabilities, but in a form that 7 occupants can enjoy. The Everest feels confident and composed both on and especially offroad. While this writer only did soft roading for the most part, the Everest likes the rough stuff. You have a multitude of drive modes to choose from, like Mud/Ruts, Eco, Tow/Haul (Which we’d expect many Everest owners to use) and more, including an electronic 4×4 mode selector. The drivetrain for the Everest is a grand one.

Fuel Economy 

Claimed fuel economy for the Everest in XLT 4×4 guise is 7.5l /100km. We managed 9.8l /100km in our combined cycle.

Safety 

You’ll find the following standard safety items for the Everest in 4×4 XLT form:

• ABS, ESP
• Airbags –  Front, side and curtain
• Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter
• BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage
• Hill Descent Control
• Hill Launch Assist
• Pre-collision assist, Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning, Automated Emergency Braking
• Lane Keeping System incl. Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Road Edge Detection & Driver Warning
• Park Distance Sensors – Front & Rear
• Rear parking camera
• Offroad Screen

Price 

The Ford Everest in XLT 4×4 trim comes with 4 year /Unlimited km Roadside Assistance, 4 year / 120 000km warranty, 5 year /Unlimited km Corrosion warranty, and a 6 year /90 000km service plan optionally.

  *Pricing was correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change without any prior notice.   New Ford Everest (2022) First Drive Review

Competitors 

• Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
• Isuzu mu-X
• Toyota Fortuner

Verdict 

Many would argue that the Everest has just been in the shadow of the Toyota Fortuner, but Ford wasn’t playing any games with the latest Everest. It’s indeed capable and practical, and we’ve said it a lot in this review, tough. Can it compete with the stiff competition its competitors put up? We don’t think it would break a sweat doing so.

Keyword: Ford Everest XLT (2023) - Review