How will Ford react to new Toyota LandCruiser Prado? 2026 Ford Everest takes shape in new renders, with updates expected for Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner rival

The Ford Everest hit the Australian market in August 2022 based on the same body-on-frame platform as the Ranger ute. 

Ford’s large off-road SUV was an instant hit, leaving rivals such as the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner and even 150 Series Prado in its dust, proving the importance of true local development in Australia. 

Despite only being a little over two years old, rumours of a mid-life Everest update are already circulating with changes expected to the design, cabin technology and even the diesel engines coming, likely in late 2026 or early 2027. And it’s needed if the Everest is to continue taking sales from the new and much-improved Toyota Prado. 

CarsGuide has commissioned these speculative renders from Thanos Pappas to illustrate one direction Ford may travel in, leaning on design changes from the brand’s US-only Maverick for the new style. 

A larger, simpler black mesh grille replaces the existing item with its two horizontal bars. It tidies up the appearance, as do the new upside-down ‘L’ shaped LED headlights, instead of the existing ‘C’ shaped look. 

The Everest and Ranger’s mid-life makeover is expected to be minor because Ford spent so much nailing the design and packaging the first time around. 

2026 Ford Ranger facelift render (image Thanos Pappas)

Don’t expect major changes to the cabin design as it already has plenty of thoughtful details. The screen size may swell beyond the current 10- and 12-inch items (depending on trim) and we expect a graphics reskin, too. 

There will undoubtedly be more variants and special editions, too, following the addition of a Tremor trim. An Everest Raptor? That would be nice, but there’s no word yet. 

More changes are likely to come under the bonnet because, as CarsGuide previously reported, the Everest and Ranger’s diesel V6 and twin-turbo four-cylinder oiler are endangered species. 

2026 Ford Everest facelift render (image: Thanos Pappas)

This is due to Australia's changing regulatory environment, with emissions regulations that will punish carmakers for exceeding increasingly stricter CO2 emissions targets. 

Ford’s existing ‘Panther’ series four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine will be developed in single turbo guise. It’s currently found in the base Ranger XL producing 125kW and 405Nm, and the fifth-gen Transit Custom (125kW/390Nm), though no Everest variants. 

There’s an expectation Ford will effectively replace the V6 with its new 2.3-litre turbo-petrol based plug-in hybrid for the Ranger, but the Everest’s path is less clear. 

Any engine changes will have to occur without changing the Everest's core winning attributes: a 3500kg towing capacity, plenty of poke, off-road capability and decent payload ratings for a 4x4 wagon.

With the Ranger’s sales life expected to end in 2030, the Everest is unlikely to be far behind it in current guise. We’ve got a lot of waiting to do for now, though, with the Everest’s mid-life update still expected to be more than two years away.