2022 Ford Everest: Full details revealed

FORD Australia has pulled the covers off its third-generation Everest. The heavily revised seven-seat large SUV has been bolstered by the addition of a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, uprated towing capacity, and significant improvements in safety, connectivity, and driver assistance technologies.

As was the case with the recently released Ranger, Ford said it had listened to customer feedback to adapt its latest Everest, which is, of course, based on the popular ute, to meet the changing demands of buyers across the globe. It conducted extensive customer feedback sessions every six months in countries including Australia, China, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Thailand to ensure the Everest ticked every box possible.

Almost universally, customers told Ford they wanted more power, improved towing ability, and better off-road performance from the Everest, as well as a more refined cabin with easier third-row access.

“When we started imagining the next-gen Everest, we started not at the beginning, but at the end: with our customers,” Ford Everest chief platform engineer Ian Foston said.

“They’re people who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends. Whether they’re conquering sand, rocks, or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability, and spaciousness of an SUV,” he added.

Mr Foston said Ford Australia would offer four full-time trim grades of the Everest: Ambiente, Trend, Sport and Platinum. The range will include 2.0-litre bi-turbo and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engines, both of which are paired exclusively to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

Like Ranger, the new Everest rides on a wider track and longer wheelbase, which enabled Ford’s designers “to create a more muscular appearance”. The model features the C-clamp headlight treatment synonymous with Ranger, and a strong horizontal upper grille and bar.

Ford says the fascia comprises a mix of vertical and horizontal themes to give Everest a “more commanding appearance”, while its strong shoulder lines, swollen wheel arches and more upright rear glasshouse provide a “strong and modern look”.

“We showed customers the Everest at several points during the design process, and their feedback was consistent. They loved the exterior with the strong and rugged design, but they also thought it was sleek and modern,” Ford China and international markets’ group design director Max Wolff said.

“They said that Everest would give them the confidence to go off-road; they wouldn’t have to second-guess if it could go off-road while camping – it looks like a proper four-wheel drive.”

Mr Wolff said that although customers wanted the Everest to have a rugged exterior, they preferred an interior that was both comfortable and practical, and more in keeping with the cabin attributes of an urban SUV than those of an off roader.

“One of the first things you’ll notice when you get into a new Everest is how quiet it is. We’ve all been in vehicles with multiple rows of seats, where you have to twist your head around and almost shout to be heard by passengers in the second- or third rows,” he added.

“That’s an issue we wanted to solve for Everest, so the interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together.”

Mr Wolff said improved door sealing, a greater focus on aerodynamic design, and more liberal applications of sound-attenuation materials were part of what made the new Everest so quiet. He also said that mounting certain components on the chassis rails – and away from the body – helped to reduce mechanical noise ingress and vibration.

On the design front, the cabin of the Everest now includes what Ford says are more premium finishes and plusher materials. Depending on variant, it includes LED ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, vertically oriented infotainment cluster, leather-trimmed e-Shifter, wireless device charging, and an electric parking brake.

Sport and Platinum variants feature heated and ventilated seating, which is optional on second-tier Trend. The driver’s seat is 10-way electrically adjustable (with memory function) on top-tier Platinum variants, as are second-row heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Platinum variant is further differentiated by 21-inch alloy wheels, a unique grille design, quilted leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. It is available exclusively with Ford’s new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine.

On the practicality front, Mr Wolff said his team worked hard to ensure the Everest’s third row of seats was easier to access, which was why the second row had extended sliding capability. There are also more storage cubbies, power outlets and a larger, more upright window area for third-row occupants, and 60:40 or 50:50 split-folding rear seats (depending on variant).

Further, to stop groceries and other smaller items from rolling out of the cargo area, Ford has installed what it affectionately calls an “apple catcher” lip to the rear of the load floor.

New technology features include an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster for Ambiente, Trend and Sport variants, which grows to 12.4 inches in Platinum versions. A high-resolution portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen measures 10.1 inches on the Ambiente grade and 12.0 inches on other variants.

Ford employs its latest SYNC 4A infotainment technology in all grades of the Everest, while a factory-fitted modem and FordPass mobile phone accessibility are additionally available. The system also displays the Everest’s 360-degree camera system, controls its exterior zone lighting system, and provides access to the vehicle’s park assist technology.

“Our customers’ feedback on what they loved about the current Everest, and what they didn’t, has helped us create a truly remarkable vehicle – one that is very capable, safe, smart and powerful,” Ford international markets’ group president Dianne Craig said.

And it’s the “powerful” part of the new Everest that is most likely to appeal to Australian buyers. The range-topping V6 turbo-diesel – sourced from the North American F-150 – is expected to produce 190kW/600Nm, while the carryover 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder trubo-diesel motor is likely continue making 157kW/500Nm.

“Regardless of engine, our customers can be confident that they have the power and torque they need whether they’re towing, going off-road, or just heading out on a family adventure,” Ford Everest program manager Pritka Maharaj said.

“The three-litre turbo-diesel really delivers that big-engine torque and power customer want. It feels really tough in the sense that it’s got endless power and torque, but it is also refined and quiet on the road,” she added.

On- and off-road, the Everest’s 50mm increase in track is said to provide “a more controlled ride”. Newly recalibrated dampers, four-wheel coil springs and a Watts Link rear-end provide Everest with what Mr Foston claimed was a more controlled, fun-to-drive experience.

“Everest was always well regarded for its plush ride on- and off-road, but the track increase allowed our dynamics team to create a greater connection between the vehicle and driver, with a more controlled ‘fun-to-drive’ ride around town and on the highway,” he added.

For off-road adventures, Ford has equipped the Everest with additional underbody protection, a locking rear differential, and dual front tow hooks. Two transfer cases are available, with higher grades receiving Ford’s latest multi-mode Terrain Management System, while a dedicated rear-wheel drive configuration is offered on Ambiente and Trent grades.

Ford has yet to reveal the off-road geometry and ground clearance of its new Everest, but says the model will continue to offer water wading ability of 800mm. Braked towing capacity of the new model increases to 3500kg (+500kg) and an electronic brake controller is fitted as standard.

Up top, the Everest features two new roof rails that can support dynamic loads of 100kg and static loads of 350kg, which is perfect for roof-top tents.

In improving safety of its newest family hauler, Ford has endowed Everest variants with up to nine airbags, active park assist, Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go functionality, a lane centring and -keeping system (with road-edge detection), evasive steer assist, reverse brake assist, a blind-spot information system with trailer coverage, and pre-collision assist with intersection functionality.

Everest customers are further offered online service booking capabilities, a service loan vehicle, and access to an online Everest Expert to address any questions they might have of their new vehicle.

The 2022 Ford Everest is expected to appear in local showrooms before the middle of the year. Full specification and pricing information will be revealed closer to the model’s local launch.