New Ford Everest vs Toyota Prado – Luxury SUV shootout

Performance
Features
Pricing
Ford Everest Platinum
Toyota Prado VX

The new Ford Everest is now on sale in South Africa, with the range-topping Platinum model starting at R1,113,100.

This is a big step in price over the previous generation, which means the Everest is now competing in a different price bracket altogether alongside Toyota’s own Prado.

Comparable to the Everest, the Prado’s mid-range VX offering goes for R1,196,100.

We put these two luxury SUVs side-by-side to see how Ford’s latest seven-seater compares to its new rival.

Performance

The top-of-the-range Everest Platinum ships with a new 3.0-litre, V6 turbocharged diesel engine which generates an impressive 184kW and 600Nm.

For the gearbox, Ford has opted to install a 10-speed automatic to transmit power to the permanent all-wheel-drive system, and this nets a combined fuel consumption of 8.5l/100km.

Furthermore, the SUV is certified to tow up to 3,500kg and has a maximum wading depth of 800mm.

Regarding its other off-roading attributes, the Everest has an approach angle of 30.3 degrees, a break-over angle of 21.9 degrees, a departure angle of 23.3 degrees, and a wheelbase measuring 2,900mm.

The driver also has access to Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand drive modes, as well as 2H, 4H, and 4L gear settings and a lockable rear differential.

Additionally, the Platinum has a “4A mode” which adaptively adjusts the flow of power between the front and rear axles to provide better traction.

Looking at Toyota’s creation, the diesel Prado is fitted with an in-line, four-cylinder, 2.8-litre powerplant which produces a maximum of 150kW and 500Nm – 34kW and 100Nm less than the Ford.

It then uses a six-speed automatic transmission to connect the driveshaft to the all-wheel-drive underpinnings, and the end result is a better average fuel consumption compared to the Everest at 7.9l/100km.

However, the max towing figure is lower at 3,000kg, and it has a 100mm-lower maximum water wading depth of 700mm.

For its various angles, the Prado clocks in with an approach of 31 degrees, a break-over of 22 degrees, and a departure of 25 degrees, and its wheelbase is also slightly shorter than the Everest’s at 2,790mm.

The ground clearance of both cars, on the other hand, is very similar at 226mm for the Ford and 220mm for the Toyota.

As for its driving features, the mid-range VX includes dynamic suspension, which uses hydraulics to disperse uneven forces across each axle and improve the ride, and a Multi-Terrain Select programme covering Mud, Sand, Rock, Dirt, and Loose Rock settings.

Features

Both these premium SUVs are shipped with a vast array of luxurious features, including but not limited to full leather interiors, heated and electric front seats, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For the Everest, this media screen has a new 12-inch vertical design, and it also has a fully digital 12.4-inch driver’s display.

The Ford additionally comes with 12 speakers, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera system, all-round parking sensors, wireless phone charging, 20-inch alloys, and LED headlamps.

It also receives lane-keeping assist, road-edge detection and warning, forward collision warning with dynamic braking, reverse brake assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and Active Park Assist 2.0.

Toyota’s Prado, on the other hand, boasts equipment ranging from 19-inch alloys and heated rear seats, to conventional cruise control, a panoramic reverse camera, 14 speakers, front and rear park distance control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, 9-inch entertainment screen and an instrument cluster with analogue dials.