In parallel with the recent upgrade to its Ranger line-up, Ford has introduced a range of styling, suspension, powertrain and feature upgrades to its Everest 7-seater Adventure SUV. See details below…

Upmarket looks

The latest Everest now features a more refined and accomplished look.

The Everest has traditionally been the most glamorous-looking of the Adventure SUV troop and that looks set to continue with a raft of tasteful aesthetic updates. From the front, the Ford features a refreshed chrome-look grille with 3 distinctive grille bars, a revised lower bumper with a horizontal-beam insert, while a new 20-inch wheel features on the Everest Limited.

There are a few subtler detail updates too. The grille includes a secondary mesh texture to contrast with the brightwork andthe metallic accents move from a single-layer satin metallic to a two-layer glossy metallic paint, while the wheel accent paints are now of a darker hue.

New interiortrim and features

High-grade derivatives are equipped with SYNC3 and revised trim adds premium appeal to the Everest's interior.

With the implementation of Ebony cabin material, complemented by a wider selection of soft-touch materials, the interior feels more upmarket and allows the details and brightwork to stand out better. The top-of-the-range Everest Limited is distinguished by contrast stitching, “shadow chrome” finishes, perforated leather and a bold new transmission lever.

Whereas the entry-level XLS features Ford’s SYNC1 4.2-inch infotainment system (with Bluetooth voice control and audio streaming, as well as USB and auxiliary ports) as standard, the impressive SYNC3 8-inch infotainment system, with 3D navigation (including elevated map view, enhanced graphics and point-of-interest images) and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility is fitted to XLT and Limited derivatives.

The system, which is complemented by 2 USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity, supports multi-touch gestures (such as swipe, slide, scroll and pinch-to-zoom), plus voice recognition. Tracks4Africa is included in the package, as well as maps for over 20 countries in Africa. Free annual map updates are included for a period of 5 years, and the text and voice guidance functions are available in a multitude of languages, including Afrikaans and isiZulu!

New engine and transmission

New 2.0-litre engines join the range along with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Of course, the updated Ranger’s new 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines – a 157 kW/500 Nm bi-turbo and 132 kW/420 Nm single turbo – have been carried over to the Everest. Not only are they quieter and more refined than the current offerings–they offer lower levels of vibration (which reducesNVH). The bi-turbo, which produces 10 kW and 30 Nm more than the existing 3.2-litre TDCi engine, is available in the XLT 4×2, XLT 4×4 and the Limited.

The single turbo (with up to 340 Nm at 1250 r/min) is available in XLT 4×2 specification. The previous range’s 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, with 118 kW and 385 Nm, features in the XLS 4×2, while the 3.2-litre 5-cylinder TDCi engine, with 147 kW and 470 Nm, is still offered in XLT 4×4 guise. Both motors are mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The new engines, in turn, are paired with the new 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford claims its transmission is smart – it offers real-time adaptive shift-scheduling (including skip-shift and direct downshift capabilities, if selected by the driver) to ensurethat there's no unnecessary hunting for gears and the correct ratio is always selected. The existing Select Shift Transmission (SST) functionality is retained, enabling the driver to switch to Sport mode or shift manually via the + and – buttons on the lever for optimal control.

Reworked suspension

On-road driving comfort has been enhanced with a revised suspension system.

Ford has further reworked the Everest’s suspension to improve on-road pliancy. The anti-roll bar has been repositioned to behind the axle, which improves roll control, which, in turn,facilitates lower front spring rates. Overall suspension pliance, plus steering precision and control has been improved (with 3 damper tunes being adopted in place of the single set-up used previously). The standard tyre pressure has been reduced from 2.4to 2.1 bar.

Meanwhile, the Everest has a maximum towing capacity of 3000 kg on the 2.2 TDCi, 3.2 TDCi and single-turbo derivatives. The bi-turbo is rated at 3100 kg (with a braked trailer).

Safety and security

The updated Everest range is well positioned to increase its influence in the local 7-seat SUV market.

Being a large family car, Ford’s latest-spec Adventure SUV comes equipped with a diverse array of safety features. ABS (including EBD and brake assist) is complemented by an electronic stability control system with traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist, hill descent control (on the 4×4 derivatives), load adaptive control and rollover mitigation.

The top-spec Limited additionally features Semi-Automatic Parallel Park Assist (SAPPA), adaptive cruise control with forward-collision alert (which recognises pedestrians, in addition to its ability to detect other vehicles), lane-keeping aid and lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring (with cross-traffic alert), tyre pressure sensors, as well as auto high-beam control.

In terms of security, a Passive Entry and Passive Start (PEPS) system, which is best described as a keyless unlocking-and-start function, is fitted to the XLT and Limited derivatives. A full Category 1 Thatcham-specification alarm is now standard on all Everest versions, however.

Price and after-sales support

All Everest derivatives come standard with a 4-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000km service plan is included, with services required at 15000-km intervals.

2.2 TDCi XLS 6AT 4×2 – R499 900

2.0 SiT XLT 10AT 4×2 – R584 900

2.0 BiT XLT 10AT 4×2 – R607 600

3.2 TDCi XLT 6AT 4×4– R626 900

2.0 BiT XLT 10AT 4×4 – R669 500

2.0 BiT Limited 10AT 4×4– R741 100

Buy a new or used Ford Ranger on Cars.co.za

Related Content

Ford Everest 2.2 XLT Automatic (2017) Quick Review

Ford Everest 2.2 XLT auto (2017) Video Review

Off Road in the New Ford Everest 4×4 Video Review

Ford Ranger (2019) Launch Review

What's Really New About the 2019 Ford Ranger?