The all-new, next-generation Ford Everest SUV debuted a little over one year ago, and began shipping to a variety of global markets from Thailand just a few months later. Thus far, the brand new Everest has proven to be a popular entity in those markets, with demand outstripping supply by a large margin. Now, multiple additional Ford Everest variants are set to launch in South Africa as well, joining the next-generation Ford Ranger in that same market.
That lineup begins with the Ford Everest Sport, which adds a two-wheel drive variant for those that don’t have a need for four-wheel drive. Otherwise, these two models are essentially identical inside and out, with plenty of black exterior trim, 20-inch wheels, a 12-inch infotainment screen, and the twin-turbocharged Ford 2.0L diesel powerplant mated to the automaker’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
Next up, we have the Everest XLT, which is designed to be a well-equipped yet affordable seven passenger SUV for the masses. It can be distinguished by its chrome grille bars and body-color door handles and mirrors, though the XLT also comes with LED lighting to boot. Otherwise, it shares the same partial leather seats and diesel powerplant with the Sport and is also available in two- or four-wheel drive configurations.
Finally, the first-ever Ford Everest Wildtrak offers customers a more off-road-focused version of the new SUV, much like the Ranger Wildtrak does for mid-size pickups. On the outside, the Wildtrak gets its own unique front grille, Bolder Gray accents, a bash plate and available skid plates to protect its undersides, the Wildtrak-exclusive exterior color Luxe Yellow, and standard 20-inch wheels with 255/55 tires or optional 18-inch units wrapped with 255/65 all-terrain rubber.
The new Ford Everest Wildtrak is powered by the same turbocharged Ford 3.0L V6 diesel engine as the range-topping Platinum, which is mated to the 10-speed gearbox and a permanent four-wheel drive system. “Introducing the Wildtrak series to Everest for the first time is especially exciting, as it has been immensely successful on our Ranger lineup for well over a decade,” Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “The Wildtrak badge embodies trend-setting style, luxury, comfort, and advanced driver assistance technologies,. The new Everest Wildtrak continues this legacy as an aspirational model that will further reinforce the Next-Gen Everest as a leader in design and innovation.
We’ll have more on the Ford Everest soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Everest news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
That’s the truck, the explorer should be. Why doesn’t Ford bring that to the states. There’s a truck that would sell like hot cakes, all day long.
Ford needs a crossover that fills the price, size and driving characteristics currently filled by the Explorer. The Everest is its own model for a reason… and those looking for a model like the Everest would simply step up to the Bronco, despite the Bronco being substantially less refined than the Everest.
The Everest is one of those models I wish we could get in the US, simply because it has better towing capacity than the Explorer without the bulk of the Expedition.
The Everest would be a direct competitor to the Toyota 4 runner, and Ford has no good answer in that category. I think I saw one on a car hauler today with other luxury makes, near Seattle. It was way better looking than the Explorer!