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Ford is burning the midnight oil preparing the next-generation Everest for launch later this year, putting the finishing touches on a bunch of new features that should make the seven-seater off-road capable family SUV stand out of the crowd.
With several breaking new ground for the segment, we outline a few of our favourite fresh innovations and/or inclusions in the U704-series Everest.
Keep reading, because some might be enough to sway buyers away from that new Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Hyundai Palisade or even Land Rover Discovery.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the 2023 Ford Everest’s best bits.
Thankfully, Ford turfed out the outgoing Everest’s old and creaky interior for a completely redesigned set-up cribbed from the coming new Ranger, bringing a far-more modern and – depending on your budget – upmarket layout that should instantly elevate it from Fortuner to Prado class in one fell swoop.
Consider the following: 8.0-inch or 12.4-inch (Platinum only) digital instrumentation cluster, portrait-orientated touchscreen of up to 12.1 inches, BMW-esque ‘e-Shifter’, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, wireless charging and even an embedded modem.
Ford actually commissioned 10 competing dash design themes for Everest/Ranger, whittling that down to four, as it became clear that trucks and SUV interior requirements were converging into one.
But our favourite detail inside are the rear door handles, as part of the reprofiled door trims. And they’re straight out of the Ford F-Series truck parts bin. They’re designed to be opened with a single hand movement, rather than needing both hands as per the previous arrangement, while minimising the chance of strong gusts of wind blowing the doors wide open since your hand will already be clasping the handle.
With the next-gen Fords globally all converging under the one umbrella from 2027, the F-Series-ification of the Everest (and Ranger) has begun, going beyond those C-clamp headlights…
The old Everest’s poor third-row access – that required some deft contortionists moves to get in or out for larger folk – has been alleviated a little thanks to a crucial extra few millimetres of centre-seat movement. It’s still essentially the same tilt and slide arrangement.
Additionally, the redesigned rear section allowed for less bulky interior trim that creates fewer obstructions for feet and legs as you’re clambering in and out of the SUV.
The redesigned body means the third row is now wider than before, while revised seats and increased legroom promise better comfort.
A boon for highway driving, the Everest fitted with the optional Tow Pack includes blind-spot monitoring that extend to cover the entire length of the trailer (or caravan) up to 10 metres long and 2.4m wide, making lane changes so much safer.
Another technology shared with the F-Series truck, the Everest’s new zone lighting allows the area around the SUV to be illuminated, either when still inside the vehicle via the new touchscreen or on approach using the FordPass App remotely.
Great for added personal security, manoeuvring out in low light conditions or at a camp site at night.
If you spring for the optional highly-anticipated 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel taken from Ford’s US truck division in the Sport or new Platinum flagship, and then add the optional Tow Pack with integrated trailer-brake controller, towing capacity will jump from 3200kg to 3500kg.
Plus, every Everest’s automatic transmission now includes a tow-haul mode for improved response.
Adding the Tow Pack also brings a trailer light check/connection check list function that drivers can witness from outside the vehicle, without the need to have somebody else apply the brake pedal, indicators and lights.
This is possible via the FordPass App, and includes a trailer connection checklist.
Along with the increasingly more common front centre airbag to help contain lateral head impact injury during a side collision, the new Everest gains knee airbags for the front passenger as well as the driver.
As before, the curtain airbags reach all the way to the third row in the newly restyled Everest, to provide vital occupant head protection out back too.
Objects lurking behind the Everest, like other vehicles or pedestrians, can be detected using the new rear cross-traffic alert functionality that also applies the brakes if the driver fails to do so.
There’s also post-collision braking, should the vehicle be struck by another after the initial impact.
The new Everest’s Lane Keep technology uses painted lines on the road to help keep it within the chosen lane, but it also recognises where the edge of the road is, to provide an extra level of protection. This is great for rural drivers.
Along with what the Everest’s off-road status is, the central touchscreen can also provide a view of the road immediately below the front of the vehicle when the optional 360-degree cameras are fitted.
Ford says there’s also a bird’s eye top-down view, 180-degree front and rear split view and rear trailer hitch view.
Available initially only on the Platinum grade are new stand-off roof racks that can now hold 100kg on the move, or 350kg when parked – so you can scale and sleep on top of Everest using a roof-top tent.
The 50mm track-width stretch means there’s greater suspension articulation for greater 4x4 capability. Which means the Everest 4WD can go further off-road than before.
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