All-New Ford Everest launched in Malaysia

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SADC) has just launched the 2022 Ford Everest and it’s a beauty. Just two months ago, its sibling, the Ranger was presented to the market and it has garnered rave reviews.

Now comes its brother with three offerings and these prices (on-the-road without insurance):
– 2WD Sport 4X2 6AT – RM263,888.00
– 4WD Trend 4X4 10AT – RM281,888.00
– 4WD Titanium 4X4 10AT – RM308,888.00

As this SUV rides on the same platform as the Ranger, obviously it would share signature design touches. A larger rugged-looking front grille with horizontal bar sports the Ford badge. C-Clamp LED headlights are really cool and way cooler when switched on at night; the Sport and Trend variants get these whereas the range-topper Titanium gets Matrix LED projector headlights with auto beam.

The rear is more squarish and gets its very own design, featuring integrated full-width LED tail lamps. As for wheels, the middle variant get an 18-inch set while the other two get 20.

For us here in Malaysia, we get two engine and drivetrain options – Single-Turbo and the Bi-Turbo 2.0 inline four-cylinder diesels. If you’re getting the Sport variant, it comes with the 2.0 Single-Turbo (170 PS at 3,500 rpm and 405 Nm from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Trend and Titanium are equipped with the Bi-Turbo unit, churning 210 PS at 3,750 rpm and 500 Nm from 1,750 to 2,000 rpm and is coupled with a 10R80 10-speed SelectShift automatic; there is an e-Shifter on the Titanium. Both variants also come with a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, also known as a part-time 4WD system, with an e-locking rear differential. Which would you prefer?

If you’re opting for the 4WD variants, they get additional two driving modes — Mud/Ruts and Sand — compared to the entry-level variant which only has Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery. As we are prone to torrential rain in these parts of the world, you may be relieved to know that the wading capacity is 800mm and it has a towing capacity of 3,500kg.

This seven-seater measures 4,914 mm in length, 1,923 mm in width and 1,841 mm in height. And it has a 2,900 mm-long wheelbase. Its track has also been increased by 50 mm compared to its predecessor to assist in delivering a more controlled ride and making it more comfortable for third-row passengers.

Ford has put much thought into the function and feel of this vehicle wherey premium finishes and improved material are used to give that superior sense. The cabin is similar to the Ranger but the carmaker has gone to great lengths to make it quieter. Ambient lighting adds to its premium-ness.

Leather upholstery, ebony interior trim, eight-way adjustable powered front seats, an eight-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, wireless Qi charing and an electronic parking brake, among others, come standard in the Everest. But the Sport and Titanium have a hands-free powered tailgate.

The vertical 10.1-inch touchscreen on the Sport and Trend, and a 12-inch unit on the Titanium operate communications, entertainment and information with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and an eight-speaker audio system.

There is much more headroom, legroom and kneeroom. Should you need to get to the third-row 50:50 split seats, it is much easier now thanks to 60:40 second-row units that slide further forward than before. And a good thing compared to other makes is that both rear rows have been designed to fold flat to offer improved cargo carrying ability. The ones on the Titanium are powered. More storage area and power outlets at all three rows for device-charging are really helpful.

Safety-wise, standards are seven airbags, ABS, EBD, electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control, emergency brake assist (EBA), hill descent control, hill launch assist, roll-over mitigation and adaptive load control. However, for driver assistance features, the Sport and Trend come equipped with emergency stop signal, turn assist, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a reverse camera.

The Titanium takes it up a notch by adding a range of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind spot information system (BLIS), lane departure warning (LDW), high beam assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Also added are adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, Active Park Assist 2.0, rear cross traffic alert and reverse brake assist, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support and pre-collision assist.

You get to choose colours from Absolute Black, Aluminium Metallic, Arctic White, Equinox Bronze, Meteor Grey, Sedona Orange and Lightning Blue (only Sport). So, after going through this article, would the Everest be top of your shopping list? (Pun not intended.) Tell us.