Fancy footwork with Ford’s all-new Everest

CHIANG RAI, Thailand—Companies that make things like cars, computers, smartphones, or even sportswear are always out for the next big thing. Game-changers, they like to call them. They like to claim that their new car/phone/shoe will redefine the genre.

Well Ford is up to those exact same word-mongering this time around. And are they putting their money where their mouth is!

Never mind ABS and EBD. Those acronyms (initialisms, actually) are par for the course even for subcompacts. Let’s try Hill Descent Assist, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Curve Control, Active Park Assist, Active Transfer Case with Torque on Demand, and Active Noise Cancelation. Let’s try intelligent four-wheel drive and a cutting-edge Terrain Management System. Let’s try power-folding third row seats and a power liftgate. Add to that a fold-flat second row to add flexibility and versatility.

Just a few years ago, those cutting-edge features could be found only in a Range Rover, a Mercedes-Benz, BMW or a Volvo—vehicles that cost anywhere from almost four to over eight million pesos.

And it’s now on a Ford SUV that starts at a little over P1.3 million. Okay, those features are found in the top-of-the-line version costing just under P1.9 million. But that’s still one heck of a bargain considering the level of equipment—or the lack thereof—of its predecessors and its rivals.  

The new Everest, which is made in Ford’s Auto Alliance plant in Rayong, Thailand, is still based on a body-on-frame construction but boasts a coil spring suspension with a new Watt’s linkage that combines ruggedness with agile handling and (almost) car-like riding comfort.

It’s a rear- or four-wheel drive mid-sized SUV that seats seven people and it features perhaps one of the most—if not the most—premium-looking exterior and interior in its class. The all-new Everest sports the Blue Oval’s trademark Ford-tough look but in a significantly more contemporary and upmarket look.  

Its bold front end with signature LED daytime running lights and wide stance give it a powerful presence on the road. Its smooth, seamless side view and a rear end that looks like it belongs to a luxury European off-roader complete the total exterior transformation. 

Complementing the stylish exterior is a modern and ultra-refined cabin that, in the higher-end models, boast true super-smooth luxury car leather on the seats, door panels, steering wheel, and shift knob. Interior features balance comfort with ultimate practicality, including a dual-panel moonroof, a first-in-class powered liftgate, more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces, multiple power outlets (including a 230V outlet) and flexible seating and cargo arrangements.

Ford equipped the new Everest with Active Noise Cancellation in addition to optimizing cabin sealing and using sound absorbing materials throughout the vehicle to achieve very low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The new Everest comes with either of two modern and muscular common-rail diesel engines, both mated to class-leading six-speed automatic or manual transmissions.

For maximum power and torque for heavy-duty towing, Ford is offering the latest generation of its 3.2-liter Duratorq five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine with 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque.

For maximum fuel economy without compromising performance, Ford is also offering the latest generation of the 2.2-liter Duratorq four-cylinder TDCi diesel, putting out 118 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque

The automatic transmission on the new Everest features advanced driver recognition software. This allows the transmission to adapt to the current driving style by analyzing acceleration and deceleration rates, brake and throttle applications, and cornering speed. By “learning” the driver’s style and adjusting transmission settings according to whether the driver has a more economical or sporty style, this software helps the vehicle flatter the novice driver and reward the expert.

The Everest has a true body-on-frame design, assuring the torsional strength required for challenging terrains. Together with an intelligent four-wheel drive system, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand, Terrain Management System, a best-in-class water-wading capability of 800mm, 225mm of ground clearance, and aggressive approach and departure angles, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease—something we experienced firsthand when we took the Everest through some challenging off-road obstacles including a river crossing, on the outskirts of Chiang Rai.

For ultimate capability, the advanced, first-in-class Terrain Management System gives drivers four preset modes—Normal, Snow/Mud/Grass, Sand and Rock—that alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control to help drivers confidently tackle any situation. For extreme off-road environments, drivers can manually lock the transfer case in low-range four-wheel drive mode for increased control—again a feature we used to great effect in our off-reading forays.

These impressive off-road credentials are paired to a new level of ride quality and dynamic handling beyond what consumers have come to expect in a rugged SUV. Thanks to its coil spring front and rear suspension and a Watt’s linkage on the rear axle, the new Ford Everest provides a comfortable, stable ride with agile and predictable handling in urban environments, keeping the promise of Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA. True enough, the more than four hours of driving on both broken and paved city streets and highways to and from our hotel resort to the off-road venue underscored the surprisingly high levels of riding comfort that this new Everest has.

The latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC 2, lets drivers use natural voice commands to control the car’s entertainment system, climate controls and connected mobile devices more easily than ever before. SYNC 2 also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with color-coded corners for easy menu navigation. The entertainment system features a first-in-class 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer, providing accurate and precise sound reproduction and deep, rich bass.

Other segment-first technologies include Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, which informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots.

The vehicle also offers other advanced features, including Roll Stability Control and an Electronic Stability Program that works with traction control to help the driver stay in control. To reduce parking anxiety, Active Park Assist enables drivers to parallel park hands-free, requiring only accelerating, shifting and braking from the driver.

In addition to advanced active safety systems, a strong passenger cage built using high-strength materials like boron steel, and passive safety features, including up to seven airbags, help to keep occupants safe in the event of a collision.

Ruggedly handsome styling, a premium and highly versatile interior, impressive on- and off-road performance and capabilities, class-leading intelligent features—the new Ford Everest has its rivals quaking in their all-terrain boots.