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2022 Ford Everest specs, release date revealed
The next-gen Ford Everest is tougher on the outside and softer on the interior. Welcome to the ever-evolving world of off-road SUVs.
Predicted to arrive in the third quarter of the 2022 calendar year, Ford hasn’t fettled the new Everest SUV so much as reimagined what it is to be a capable SUV for on and off-road duties. Will it work? Time will tell but Australia’s love of big SUVs suggests this is a winning formula.
In terms of capability Ford has looked to add rugged off-road ability with a far more amenable interior, down to soft-touch surfaces on the interfaces our hands usually deal with and improved visual displays.
The global reveal indicates there will be eight and 12-inch infotainment displays, depending on which model buyers opt for, along with a digital driver’s display stretching up to 12-inches long.
The 3.0-litre turbo V6 engine in the Ford Ranger will also feature in high-spec models, providing enough impetus to propel up to 3.5-tonnes of towing capacity (with an optional tow pack).
Paired with a 10-speed automatic, the engine will be standard in the range-topping Platinum version and available as an option on the Sport variant, which defaults to Ford’s proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbodiesel. The Trend and Ambiente variants will rely on the four-cylinder engine, again coupled to the 10-speed automatic.
Ford isn’t yet talking GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and associated figures yet but assured the global media contingent that this version of the Everest is more capable than the current model in terms of carrying capacity.
Ford Everest more capable of going off
The Blue Oval has responded to owner input in that the Everest needs to be more capable off-road. That’s a big ask, given the last generation wasn’t a slouch over tough terrain.
This time around, Ford has widened the track by 50mm and pushed the wheels farther out on each corner to improve bush-traversing performance.
It has also introduced an enhanced “terrain management system” with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case that lets the big SUV negotiate serious obstacles more securely and provide all-wheel-drive capability on bitumen roads.
Six drive modes will be standard on four-wheel-drive versions of the Trend, Sport and Platinum. They’re calibrated to deliver Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery operation for on-road use, while Mud/Ruts and Sand modes are intended for off-road use.
Outputs from the 3.0-litre engine equates to 190kW and 600Nm - more than enough for towing and serious off-roading.
In terms of aesthetics, beyond the more rugged exterior looks, wheel sizes will range up to 21 inches on the Platinum.
Interior is suite
If it’s what inside that counts, then the new Ford Everest is a big improvement on the previous model.
Think soft-touch plastics on the top of the doors and dash, classier plastics all-round, improved seating through all three rows and improved insulation to improve the interior ambience.
The third-row seating has had an overhaul to provide more space and more storage options.
There will be USB ports across all rows of seating, reflecting our obsession with smartphones and tablets.
Ford says the infotainment touchscreen will be 10.1-inches on the entry Ambiente and 12.0-inch displays on the higher-spec versions, while the digital driver’s display will vary from 8.0-12.4-inch screens, depending on variant.
An electronic park brake is standard across the range.
It’s worth noting that local specification has yet to be finalised. Expect Ford Australia to aim high, given local buyers’ preference for the good things in life.
Listening to owners
Ford says many of the changes to the Everest have been based on owner feedback - and it referenced buyers in China, Saudi Arabia, Australia and South America as examples.
As a result, there’s a lip on the cargo floor, Ford calls it the “apple-catcher”, to stop loose groceries from rolling out when the car is parked on an uphill incline. The tailgate hinges have also been revised for quicker opening and closing, while the foot-swipe auto-tailgate opening mechanism has been retained.
Semi-automated parking is also part of the top-end itinerary.
The nine airbags include side-curtains that extend into the third row and Ford is working with leading aftermarket companies like ARB on a range of accessories, potentially including a long-range fuel tank.
Pushing out the wheels to the edges of the vehicle has improved articulation for off-road use. Ford won’t yet divulge those angles, other than to say the approach-angle has been approved, while departure angles and running depth are commensurate with existing model.
This version of the Everest has also been built with the potential for electrified versions … again Ford doesn’t want to talk about specifics ahead of the launch.
Ditto with the payload. Ford says the front and rear axles loads are an improvement but won’t cite by how much.
Given how popular the existing Everest has been, the new model promises to increase the appeal. That’s good news for potential buyers … and a shot across the bows of the Toyota Prado.
In terms of pricing, expect a bump from the $50,000-$73,000 retail cost of the current model.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
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