The present-generation Ford Everest body-on-frame SUV has been on sale in Australia for effectively over 12 months now, and there’s nonetheless loads of demand for the V6 turbo-diesel variants.

There may be additionally a variety of Everests with the four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine supplied and these are extra seemingly in inventory. This contains the mid-specification Development 4WD variant on check right here.

The 2024 Ford Everest Development 4WD is technically the costliest variant within the four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel line-up. It’s additionally obtainable with a variety of elective packages that may carry the asking value eerily near the better-specified Sport V6 4WD.

As not too long ago detailed, Ford is rising the pricing for your complete Everest vary for autos produced from January 1, 2024. Pricing is up by $2490, relying on the variant, with no corresponding specification adjustments.

Learn alongside to learn the way the Everest Development 4WD fared over 4 months and effectively over 3000km of CarExpert testing.

How does the Ford Everest fare vs its rivals?

View an in depth breakdown of the Ford Everest towards equally sized autos.

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Everest

How a lot does the Ford Everest value?

The Ford Everest vary at the moment begins at $53,490 earlier than on-roads for the Ambiente 4×2, and extends all the way in which to $78,530 earlier than on-roads for the flagship Platinum. A full breakdown of pricing is additional down.

Our tester is a mid-specification Development variant with the full-time four-wheel drive system. This mannequin at the moment begins from $66,790 earlier than on-roads.

It was absolutely optioned; although, with the $2300 Touring Pack, the $700 Development Premium Seat Pack, in addition to the $500 All-terrain Tyre pack. The tester was additionally completed within the Aluminium exterior paint color which is a further $700.

This brings the whole asking value for our Everest Development 4×4 tester to $70,990 earlier than on-roads, or $77,755 drive-away for Victorian consumers (every state has barely totally different taxes).

2024 Ford Everest pricing:

• 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $53,990
• 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente 4WD Bi-Turbo: $58,990
• 2024 Ford Everest Development 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $61,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Sport 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $63,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Development 4WD Bi-Turbo: $66,790
• 2024 Ford Everest Sport 4WD V6: $72,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak 4WD V6: $74,704
• 2024 Ford Everest Platinum 4WD V6: $79,490

All costs are earlier than on-road prices

When it comes to equally priced three-row SUV rivals, this absolutely optioned Everest Development is priced up towards a lot of bigger unibody three-row SUVs.

Key rivals embody:

An exception to this rule is the Toyota Prado which in mid-spec GXL guise begins from $69,530 earlier than on-roads. Our tester is notably costlier than different seven-seat ute-based SUVs together with the likes of the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, SsangYong Rexton, in addition to the Toyota Fortuner.

What’s the Ford Everest like on the within?

Entering into the Everest Development is made simpler by a set of aspect steps (fitted as normal) because it’s a good manner up. As soon as in I discovered I needed to wiggle round a bit to get snug within the driver’s seat.

All seats within the Everest Development are completed in a black leather-accented upholstery as normal, although our tester was fitted with the elective Premium Seat Pack that provides perforations to the first- and second-row seats.

This elective package deal additionally provides 10 methods of electrical adjustment for the motive force’s seat, eight methods of electrical adjustment for the entrance passenger’s seat. The entrance seats are additionally heated and ventilated.

The driving force’s seat is extraordinarily snug with loads of aspect bolstering holding you in place. The headrest is basically mushy and supple too.

I used to be in a position to get my driving place dialled in completely thanks partly to the how a lot thigh help there was. I felt a bit of like I used to be in a clamshell, in one of the simplest ways doable.

This driving place was helped by the respectable tilt and attain adjustability of the Everest’s steering column. I’ve lengthy legs and a shorter torso which generally means my knees hit the steering column and I’ve to stretch to achieve the steering wheel.

The Everest Development comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel which feels good within the hand. The leather-based isn’t fairly as buttery mushy as some higher-spec Everest variants; although it’s nonetheless good sufficient.

Identical to the Ranger, the Everest’s steering wheel buttons are a bit of ‘spongey’ however the rocker switches have a exact and agency really feel.

Forward of the motive force is an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster that’s extremely configurable, but a bit of on the smaller aspect.

Though you miss out on the total 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster (for which you’ll want to buy the flagship Platinum) the 8.0-inch unit seems higher than conventional dials, with a tiny display sandwiched between them. It nonetheless tells you all of the important data you’ll want to know.

Transferring throughout the sprint, the Everest Development receives the bigger 12.0-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which seems very high-resolution however is an absolute fingerprint magnet. There’ll be much more smudgy fingerprints for those who discover the ‘Sketch’ part too.

In comparison with the smaller 10.1-inch touchscreen, this bigger unit appeared to lag a bit of extra upon start-up or when loading new pages. Ford has since launched a brand new software program replace that’s rolling out to all Rangers and Everests that can carry a refreshed look.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are each obtainable by way of wired and wi-fi connections. You’ll be able to change between two view sizes for the smartphone mirroring, with a bigger squarer or smaller rectangular window. The latter of those frees up a spread of shortcut buttons.

Satellite tv for pc navigation comes as normal on the Everest vary and it’s extraordinarily straightforward to make use of. Looking up factors of curiosity takes no time in any respect, making the method really feel pure and easy.

A wierd a part of the Everest’s inside, just like the Ranger, is the local weather management set-up. Elements of it are built-in into the touchscreen, whereas the opposite components are bodily buttons and knobs.

There’s a bizarre double-up of the temperature controls; they’re in a position to be adjusted both by bodily dials or by tapping the display. I nonetheless don’t actually see the purpose of getting each…

Across the cabin of the Everest Development there’s a combination of each softer and tougher plastics. Fortunately, softer stuff is round high-traffic contact factors just like the armrests and the principle part of the dashboard.

You don’t must stray too far-off from the armrests to search out tougher plastics, nevertheless.

The Everest Development comes with: tradie-style cupholders which might be mounted on the dashboard; an higher glovebox; and a wi-fi cellphone charger. There’s additionally the e-shifter that’s a bit of arduous to gauge which gear you’re in when utilizing. It’s intuitive as a daily typical gear shifter, although.

Transferring to the second row there’s a noticeable step down when it comes to high quality. The seats don’t really feel fairly as snug as those within the first row; though, the door and fold-down centre armrests are nonetheless mushy.

The second-row seats each slide and recline which permits second-row passengers to loosen up, or to maximise cargo capability.

At a leggy 182cm I anticipated a bit of extra space within the second row, as I wanted to splay my legs across the driver’s seat with the intention to sit comfortably. There was nonetheless sufficient head and shoulder room although.

When it comes to second-row facilities there are fortunately a set of seize handles to permit for simpler ingress and egress, a separate blower management with roof-mounted air vents, and a 12V socket.

Attempting to get into the Everest’s third row is a mission in itself. These seats ought to be thought of an emergency, kids-only house as a result of there’s no knee, head or shoulder house for adults.

The armrests are completely rock arduous and there’s an ungainly cupholder house on all sides of the automobile.

When it comes to boot house with the third row of seats upright, there’s 259 litres of boot capability – and it’s truly pretty usable. This expands to a beneficiant 898 litres with the third row folded away, and an virtually van-like 1823 litres with the second and third rows of seats folded.

Different little storage nooks embody a small house off to the left-hand aspect of the boot, in addition to a small coated part below the boot house the place the instruments that decrease the total dimension spare wheel are saved. It’s price noting the Everest doesn’t include a load cowl – which implies you’ll should be cautious what you will have within the boot as a result of will probably be on show for everybody who walks previous.

The Everest Development comes with an influence tailgate as normal. It ought to actually be normal throughout the vary. One final thing to say concerning the Everest’s inside is the boot is extremely effectively lit up with a light-weight on the right-hand aspect and one other mounted on the tailgate. I want extra automobiles had the latter.

What’s below the bonnet?

The Everest Development is powered solely by a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 154kW of energy and 500Nm of torque.

That is mated to a 10-speed computerized transmission with drive despatched both to the rear wheels solely or by means of a full-time four-wheel drive system. Our tester was outfitted with the latter.

If you would like the sought-after 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine you’ll must step as much as the Sport 4WD variant which begins at $72,490 earlier than on-roads. That’s not an entire heap greater than our absolutely outfitted Development tester.

Your complete Everest vary comes with a braked towing capability of 3500kg, no matter whether or not it’s two- or four-wheel drive. Most unbraked towing capability is 750kg.

Claimed mixed gas economic system for the Everest Development 4WD is 7.2 litres per 100km. Over virtually three months of CarExpert testing we achieved a median of round 9.0 litres per 100km throughout a spread of city, metropolitan and freeway driving.

All Everest variants include an idle stop-start system. It has an 80-litre gas tank and in addition requires AdBlue.

How does the Ford Everest drive?

In case you thought the Everest’s inside was just like the Ranger’s, you shouldn’t be shocked to study it drives in an identical manner too.

The Everest Development’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine produces wholesome outputs of 154kW and 500Nm, which implies it’ll sustain with site visitors with no issues in any respect. In case you push it on the mild you’ll seemingly pull forward.

You’ll have to therapeutic massage the Everest’s throttle if you’ll want to get shifting rapidly; nevertheless, as stabbing the accelerator simply leads to turbo lag.

Your complete Everest vary comes with a 10-speed computerized transmission that retains the revs within the torque band, which is between 1750 and 2000rpm.

Additionally similar to the Ranger, the Everest’s transmission can get a bit of confused at low speeds and in stop-start site visitors. It’s prefer it has too many gears to select from.

The Everest’s steering is kind of like Goldilocks within the sense it’s not too mild nor too agency. In city eventualities; nevertheless, and particularly when parking, there’s no disguising how giant the Everest is.

The Everest Development sometimes solely comes with a reversing digital camera plus entrance and rear parking sensors, however given our tester was fitted with the elective Touring Pack it provides a surround-view digital camera, amongst different options. This actually helps while you’re making an attempt to line up in a park to be sure you’re even on each side.

Across the metropolis the Everest is extraordinarily compliant, although at low speeds and through parking manoeuvres, the Everest’s ute roots start to point out as there’s ever so slight rocking and swaying.

In comparison with the Ranger which has leaf-spring rear suspension, the Everest receives a extra passenger – and pace bump pleasant – multi-link coil rear suspension setup. There’s no denying how effectively the Everest rides because it was tuned for Australian situations.

At greater speeds the Everest actually finds its groove and it’s the place it feels most snug. Driving on the freeway or freeway you positively get a ‘King of the Street’ feeling as you sit up so excessive.

One thing to notice is you’ll want to plan your overtaking manoeuvres as a result of this virtually 2.4-tonne SUV takes some motivation accelerating to the next pace . This might be much more obvious for those who’ve obtained the automobile loaded with folks, or are towing.

You’ll must step as much as at the very least to the Everest Sport 4WD to get the sought-after V6 turbo-diesel if you need extra easy overtaking. It produces 30kW and 100Nm greater than the bi-turbo four-cylinder.

Our tester was outfitted with the elective all-terrain tyres which trigger a little bit of tyre roar on sealed surfaces, however unlock a lot extra off-roading potential.

On the flip aspect; nevertheless, the all-terrain tyres could make the automobile really feel a bit of skiddy on moist sealed surfaces, which is the place the full-time four-wheel drive system is useful. In case you spend nearly all of your time on sealed surfaces I’d personally stick to the common freeway tyres.

On the security entrance, the Everest Development is just about absolutely loaded and comes with loads of energetic security gear. Just like the Ranger, the adaptive cruise management system is excellent. Its response to autos is basically pure because it accelerates progressively and it doesn’t overreact and brake closely when autos pull in entrance of you.

The lane-keep help works rather well and takes a bit for it to get confused. The identical goes for the lane-centring perform which is basically robust and proper for probably the most half.

What do you get?

Everest Ambiente highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• All-season tyres
• 17-inch metal spare wheel
• LED reflector headlights
• C-shaped LED daytime working lights
• Entrance fog lights
• LED tail lights
• Black aspect steps
• Auto power-folding aspect mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Two entrance tow hooks
• Metal underbody safety (4×4 mannequin solely)
• 10.1-inch Sync4 touchscreen infotainment system
• 8-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Embedded modem
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• 8-speaker sound system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Embedded voice assistant
• FordPass with distant begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• 5 seats (7 seats elective)
• Cloth upholstery
• 8-way guide driver seat adjustment
• 4-way guide entrance passenger seat adjustment
• Driver flooring mat
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Sprint-mounted pull-out cupholders
• Open storage shelf
• Tilt and attain steering wheel adjustment
• Keyless entry with push-button begin
• Vinyl console lid
• Digital parking brake
• Typical mechanical gear shifter (4×2 solely)
• e-Shifter gear shifter (4×4 solely)
• Locking rear differential (4×4 solely)
• Push-button selectable drive modes

Everest Development provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with matching spare
• Privateness glass
• Energy tailgate
• Heated, power-folding aspect mirrors with puddle lamps
• 12-inch Sync4 touchscreen infotainment display
• 7 seats
• Leather-based-accented upholstery
• 8-way energy driver seat
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Driver and passenger flooring mats
• Higher glove field
• Off-road display (4WD mannequin solely)
• Rotary drive mode selector (4WD mannequin solely)
• Sand, Mud/Ruts drive modes

The next elective extras can be found on the Everest Development 4WD:

• Touring Pack: $2300
  • Black stand-off roof rails
  • Encompass-view digital camera
  • Zone lighting
  • Tow bar
  • Built-in brake controller
  • Trailer protection for blind-spot monitoring

• Tow Pack: $1700
  • Tow bar
  • Built-in brake controller
  • Trailer protection for blind-spot monitoring

• Premium Seat Pack: $900
  • Heated and cooled entrance seats
  • 10-way energy driver seat with reminiscence
  • 8-way energy entrance passenger seat

• 18-inch All-Terrain Tyre Pack: $500

Is the Ford Everest secure?

The Ford Everest earned a five-star ANCAP security ranking towards the 2020-2022 testing protocols.

This outcome was primarily based on assessments carried out on the intently associated Ford Ranger ute.

The Everest scored 86 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for baby occupant safety, 74 per cent for susceptible street consumer safety, and 86 per cent for security help.

Normal security gear throughout your complete Everest vary contains:

• 9 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Reverse AEB
• Publish-impact braking
• Lane-keep help
• Lane departure warning
• Driver consideration alert
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Reverse digital camera
• Entrance, rear parking sensors

A surround-view digital camera is elective as a part of Touring Pack on the Development and Sport 4×4 fashions, and is normal on the Wildtrak and Platinum.

How a lot does the Ford Everest value to run?

The Everest is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, like the remainder of the Ford vary.

Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

The primary 4 companies are priced at $379, $420, $450, and $680, respectively, which is a complete of $1929. Ford Australia additionally gives a four-year, 60,000km pay as you go service plan which prices $1385 and represents a saving of $544.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Ford Everest

The Ford Everest continues to be a benchmark in its phase; though, its pricing continues to push in the direction of bigger and plusher seven- and eight-seat giant SUV rivals.

That is made extra obvious the upper you step up within the Everest vary.

The mid-specification Development on check is a well-equipped variant that may be a candy spot within the vary. There are fairly just a few possibility bins you possibly can tick; although, be ready to pay for the privilege.

In case you’re not keen to attend months for the V6-equipped Everest, this Development variant with the four-cylinder bi-turbo engine remains to be actually good. It produces wholesome outputs and doesn’t really feel sluggish in any respect in on a regular basis driving.

You’ll solely miss the additional 30kW/100Nm of the V6 turbo-diesel for those who’re towing or have the automobile absolutely loaded.

One thing to remember for those who’re thinking about getting the Everest is it’s a ute-based body-on-frame SUV that’s excessive driving and doesn’t provide fairly the identical stage of on-road dynamics as a unibody giant SUV.

In case you spend nearly all of your time on sealed surfaces I’d advocate procuring round and testing another unibody giant SUVs earlier than placing your hard-earned money down on an Everest.

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