Review - Ford Everest

Ford is no stranger to this part of the market, having built family-sized SUVs for decades now, so with that in mind, how does the latest generation Ford Everest hold up against its newer competitors?

Let’s find out.

Starting Price: $50,090

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

Ford Everest - AMBIENTE (RWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Ford Everest car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Ford Everest lineup comes in five variants, priced from just over $50,000 and stretching out to $73,190. The base model Ambiente is available from $50,090 in a five-seat, rear-wheel drive configuration, while an all-wheel drive, seven-seat Ambiente is priced around $55,190. The range moves to the Trend, which is priced from $57,090, or $60,890 for the four-wheel drive variant.

The step-up rear-wheel drive Everest Sport is available from $60,090, while a four-wheel drive system adds just under $3,000 to the price tag. Finally, the range-topping Everest Titanium is priced from $73,190.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by sourcing one of our car specialists to help you find the best value model for you.

What Features Does the Ford Everest Have?

The entry-level Ford Everest Ambiente comes with features like a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, reversing camera with rear parking sensors, 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio, sat-nav, ten-speaker audio system, voice controls, traffic sign recognition and optional four-wheel drive system.

Stepping up to the Everest Trend variant adds larger 18-inch alloys, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights with daytime running lights, leather steering wheel and gear lever, a powered tailgate, front-mounted parking sensors, leather seats, and the option of a third-row of seating to bring the capacity to seven. Opting for the Everest Sport adds 20-inch alloys, automatic tailgate lift, a front grille finished in black, as well as some blue interior upholstery tweaks.

The range-topping Everest Titanium adds a panoramic sunroof, front scuff plates, six-way adjustable heated seats, ambient lighting, chrome body highlights, semi-autonomous parking and safety additions like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Range Features:

• 17-inch alloys
• 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Reversing camera with parking sensors
• Keyless entry & start
• LED headlights (Trend & above)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (Trend & above)
• 20-inch alloys (Sport & above)
• Panoramic sunroof (Titanium)

Ford Everest - AMBIENTE (RWD) Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

The Ford Everest offers an extremely comfortable ride quality that will no doubt keep the family happy on school runs and long holiday road trips. The lineup is powered by a choice of two diesel engines that make it easy to pick up speed, putting power to the road via a smooth six speed automatic transmission. For a large car, the Everest is effortless to drive, with light steering that makes low speed maneuvers like parking a simple task. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Everest is easy to park, though. Considering its size, tight car parks might prove a little worrying, but the rear view camera and sensors are a very welcomed extra touch.

On the road, the Everest offers an extremely user-friendly drive, and is the perfect companion for long holiday road trips and school-trips alike. The one gripe we have, however, is with the amount of engine noise that enters the cabin while accelerating up to speed. Other than that, though, the engine has more than enough torque from the engine to make accelerating an easy task, and means the Everest holds its own against its rivals in terms of driving dynamics.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Ford offers the Everest in both five and seven-seat configurations, so keep this in mind if you’re planning on trips to the sports field and weekends away with the kids and their friends. Overall, though, the layout of the front of the cabin offers a simple, straight-forward and spacious design, with a huge amount of leg and headroom in the second row of the cabin. The third-row of seats in the seven-seat configuration are suitable for young children, but lack the overall space of rivals like the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport which can more comfortably sit even adults for short journeys.

In terms of practicality, though, the Everest holds its head high with its rivals, offering a huge amount of boot space. With the third-row of seats standing, there is still 450L of storage on offer, which extends to a massive 1050L with the third-row folded down. This means that the Everest can easily accommodate large, bulky items and sports equipment for the holidays.

Is it Safe?

Ford’s Everest lineup has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum Five Star Safety Rating, with the entry-level Ambiente coming packaged with seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and a rear-view camera with parking sensors. The majority of the smart safety features, however, are reserved for more expensive variants in the Everest lineup. For example, adaptive cruise control and front parking sensors are included in the Trend variant, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and semi-autonomous parking are available only in the range-topping Titanium.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Ford offers the Everest with the choice of a 3.2-litre, turbocharged five-cylinder diesel, or a smaller 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit. The base model’s engine returns economy figures of 8.4L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the step-up engine is rated at a more economical 6.9L per 100km. It’s easy to see, then, that if economy is a key priority for you, the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel is no doubt the engine of choice, but it does come at a premium over the base model.

Our Verdict: Is the Ford Everest Worth it?

The Ford Everest is an extremely capable car from a manufacturer that rarely misses a beat. In its latest generation, the Everest is somewhat dragging its tail behind some of its rivals in terms of economy and standard safety equipment, but remains an attractive option if you’re looking for an adaptable seven-seat SUV, considering its entry-level price. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that there is a $23,000 difference between the bottom and top end of the Everest lineup, so have a close look at what features you can and can’t live without, and choose your variant accordingly. You can also get a free quote before you buy car online and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 to find out which Everest is right for you.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Rear-wheel drive standard, 4WD optional
2. Five-Year, Unlimited KM Warranty
3. Five and Seven-Seat Options
4. 8.0-inch touchscreen with DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
5. Two Engine Options Across Four Models

Pros

• Easy and comfortable to drive 
• Extremely practical offering
• Economical twin-turbo unit

Cons

• Dated infotainment system
• Noisy diesel engine at speed
• Key safety equipment reserved for most expensive variant

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Ford Everest Competition