The newest addition, the Sport, is based on the XLT variant.
The design: interior and exterior
Chrome gives way to a black mesh grille, black mirror caps, and door handles with black treatment for the front bumper chin and rear valance in place of silver. It also gains ebony roof rails, Sport decals and black 20-inch wheels.
Black mesh grille
The sporty visage is enticing enough, but the interior is something to marvel over with its embossed leather seats with blue stitching, soft-touch leather for the dashboard and eight-way adjustment for the driver’s seat.
The Everest Sport also comes standard with LED headlamps, daytime running lights, cruise control, and front and rear park sensors with a rear-view camera.
Safety and tech modifications
The standard safety package comprises Electronic Stability Programme with traction control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Launch Assist and Roll Over Mitigation. There are seven crash bags (front, side, curtain, and driver’s knee bag).
Leather interior and SYNC3 infotainment system
The SYNC3 infotainment system comes standard with an embedded navigation system with mapping and Tracks for Africa for those venturing off the beaten track. It links to an integrated eight-inch touch-screen colour display with multi-touch gestures such as swipe, slide, scroll and pinch-to-zoom.
The road test challenge
The process of switching between road modes is through a rotary knob. With the push of a button, you can switch to 4x4 – all very much in keeping with modern technology trends. However, I did take comfort from the solid auto gear shift lever in contrast to the current trend of dial or button.
No terrain too tough
The stick-shift inclination refuses to go away. There is something about having that lever close to the left hand – perhaps just a reminder you are ‘driving’ the vehicle and not merely a passenger in a tech space that could emanate from the Matrix.
In the peer-to-peer comparison, the Everest Sport would dance with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D 4x4 Exceed and Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 among a growing list of options and configurations in this playground.
Engine, power and torque time
Power comes from a 2,0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine, delivering 132 kW at 3 500 r/min and 420 Nm from 1 250 r/min, mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
Post-road test verdict
Initially, I was apprehensive when Ford introduced the 10-speed gearbox. I envisaged an overkill with the likelihood of an annoying hunt for gears. I was wrong, and this most recent drive confirmed that.
On or off-road, the gearbox switches smoothly, rapidly, and instantaneously up and down the cogs to be in the right slot at the right time. It carries through with the various off-road modes, and the electronic adjustments to how the gearbox reacts to throttle, steering, and even vehicle angle on the road make it easy to drive, even when doing some challenging donga-diving.
The standard Terrain Management System allows the driver to easily select the preferred driving mode to suit the terrain by turning the TMS dial, ranging from snow to mud, grass, rocks, or paved roads. Additionally, Hill Descent Control helps negotiate steep slopes.
The off-road monster
There is a manual option with changes made via a thumb switch on the right side of the gear lever, but, in my test cycle, this never became a necessity.
Akin to its class, the Everest Sport will spend most of its time battling traffic on urban roads and highways. For this, it will return average fuel consumption of around 7,3 l/100 km, which is better than the claimed numbers of the two opposition vehicles previously mentioned.
Warranty, service maintenance plan
All Everest models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a 4-year/120 000 km comprehensive warranty, 3-year roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. And six-year/90 000 km service plan is included, with 15 000 km service intervals.
The new Ford Everest is a radically different vehicle, so this truly is a fond farewell. It makes sense to consider it a worthy buy for its durability and long-lasting engineering.
