Ford unveils 2015 Everest SUV with off-road focus
Ford has officially revealed the 2015 Everest, a seven-seat SUV based on the Ranger, set for launch across Asia-Pacific and Africa in 2015.
Ford has taken the covers off the 2015 Everest, confirming the new seven-seat SUV will go on sale in Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Africa and several ASEAN markets from 2015. The Everest shares its underpinnings with the Ranger pickup but introduces a more upmarket interior, a raft of advanced safety features and a focus on genuine off-road capability.
Off-road ability and utility
The Everest is positioned as a serious off-roader, with Ford quoting 225 mm of ground clearance and the ability to wade through water up to 800 mm deep. The SUV’s maximum towing capacity stands at 3,000 kg, while the cargo payload is rated at 750 kg. Ford also claims a 100 kg roof payload, catering for roof tents or additional luggage. The Everest’s platform and four-wheel drive system are closely related to the Ranger’s, but the Everest gets aluminium underbody protection front and rear, and bespoke suspension tuning for SUV ride comfort.
Inside, Everest offers seven seats and more than 30 stowage spaces, totalling 48 litres. Both the second and third rows fold flat, expanding the cargo area to a claimed 2,010 litres. A 240-volt socket is fitted for the second row, along with two USB ports and three 12-volt outlets distributed across the cabin and boot.
Engines and technology
Buyers will have a choice of three engines: a 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol four-cylinder, a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel and a 3.2-litre five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi diesel. Transmission options include six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes, depending on market and engine. Ford has not released specific power or torque figures at this stage.
Standard equipment includes Ford’s SYNC2 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as a suite of driver assistance features. These include Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Information, Adaptive Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Curve Control, electronic stability control and Roll Stability Control. The Everest is pitched as a family SUV with a strong safety focus, though full crash test results were not available at launch.
Market positioning and rivals
The Everest enters a segment that includes the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X, all of which are based on pickup platforms and aimed at buyers seeking a mix of family practicality and off-road ability. Ford’s approach with the Everest emphasises both ruggedness and a higher level of interior comfort than typically found in this class.
Pricing and full market specifications will be confirmed closer to launch. For more on the Ranger platform that underpins the Everest, see Ford unveils facelifted 2016 Ranger with new tech and engines.
