This is the all-new 2023 Ford Everest and it looks ready to mount a challenge to the bakkie-based SUV brigade.

Read/watch our full review of the 2023 Ford Everest here

What you see here are three trim levels of the all-new 2023 Ford Everest; Sport, Titanium+ and a new flagship grade called Platinum. While it’s too early to confirm what our market will get, it’s good to see the differences. Market availability for South Africa will be confirmed at a later stage, but we estimate it’ll hit our shores in 2023.

Under the skin, there are substantial changes with a longer wheelbase and wider track, and more powerful engines on offer. The new 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 has been confirmed, along with single-turbo and bi-turbo 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesels. For the petrol fans, a 2.3-litre EcoBoost will be offered, but we’ll confirm closer to launch if SA will be getting this engine. The 2023 Ford Everest is available with either a 6-speed automatic or a 10-speed automatic.

The front design is quite similar to that of the new Ford Ranger, with shared elements like the C-shaped daytime running lights. At the rear, those modern tail lights look good.

If you are the offroading type, you’ll be pleased to hear about the 2023 Ford Everest and its choice of two four-wheel drive systems, underbody protection, and off-road selectable drive modes plus rear locking differential, two functional tow hooks upfront, and provision for accessories. A wading depth of 800 mm is claimed.

The two 4WD systems available are: A two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, also known as a part-time 4WD system; and an advanced, permanent four-wheel drive system that uses an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed electromechanical transfer case (EMTC) with selectable drive modes.

The cabin has been given a complete overhaul and there’s now a large infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster as well as a rejigged seating setup, with Ford claiming the 3rd row of seats are now more accessible. The boot has received a rejig, with a lip that stops loose items from rolling out.

Spec level at first glance looks impressive with higher-end derivatives gaining wireless charging, leather-trimmed gear selector, electronic parking brake, heated and ventilated front seats, 10-way electrically adjustable driver seats, and charging ports for all three rows. The 2nd and 3rd row of seats can fold flat, allowing for large items to be transported.

The new SYNC4 infotainment system makes its debut in the 2023 Ford Everest. Depending on trim level, Everest comes with 8- or 12.4-inch digital instrument panels and there are high-res portrait 10.1- or 12-inch touchscreens.

As far as safety is concerned, the new Ford Everest has a number of semi-autonomous features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and pre-collision assist. There are also up to 9 airbags, including a new airbag located between the driver and the passenger.

Find a new or used Everest for sale here.

2023 Everest Availability in SA?

The latest Ford specs and prices here

This announcement is essentially just a first look at the all-new 2023 Ford Everest and we’re still some time away from the vehicle launching locally. As it stands, we do know that it will be assembled in Thailand and not in SA. We assume the Ford Silverton factory needs all the capacity as it will be building both the new Ford Ranger and new Volkswagen Amarok.