Mountain goat or school runner?

Ford asserts its Everest is leaving the Fortuner category to compete with luxury sports utility vehicles such as the Prado. We examine this claim by getting behind the wheel of its latest model.

- Cyril Klopper

Even though the Ford Ranger is giving Toyota’s Hilux a proper run for its money in sales, it’s universally acknowledged that this is hardly the case when comparing the manufacturer’s Everest with the ever-popular Fortuner. That could be the reason for Ford’s decision to largely move away from entry-level models and focus more on luxury offerings. Yes, there is an “entry-level” for the Everest, but this XLT costs R896 300 and can hardly be called basic.

Ford South Africa’s representative gave us the 2.0 Sport model to test, perhaps because they know how much we love off-road driving… and because the more expensive 3.0 V6 Platinummodel’s 21-inch low-profile tyres wouldn’t have worked out well…

So what’s new?

Externally, it’s striking howmuch wider the rig appears, and it is indeed 3 cm wider (and also 5 cm longer) than before – although the latter can be attributed to the towbar, which is now standard. Its ground clearance isn’t significantly better – only 4 mmmore – and the payload is only 9 kg more than before (now 759 kg).

The most noticeable differences externally are cosmetic with entirely new body panels, finishes, a bold grille and lights. The Everest has always looked manly and American, but its lines are even more muscular now, as if it abandoned cycling to take up crossfit instead.