Two Critics: Ford Everest Wildtrak

A cost-of-living crisis has not but the brakes on demand for premium versions of Australia’s favourite off-road vehicles.

The Ford Ranger-based Everest with V6 engine has been in huge demand. Our family tries the loaded Wildtrak seven-seat 4WD.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

IAIN: With a bright orange Ford Everest in the driveway I feel like rugged, macho, adventure Dad.

JULES: It’s the Wildtrak version, too, so you can head off huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ with the kids. Somewhere wild, naturally.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

IAIN: That’d be our weekends. This seven-seat SUV, based on the best-selling Ranger ute, comes complete with torque-monster V6 turbo-diesel.

JULES: Its C-shaped LED headlights, blacked-out grille, 20-inch rims and jacked-up height give it serious road presence. Bet it’s not cheap.

IAIN: Correct. It costs about $83,000 drive-away, but they’re in such demand you’ll need more than $90,000 for dealer “used” ones with delivery mileage. For now, Wildtraks are sold out.

JULES: Supply shortage?

IAIN: Yep. Driving away a lesser Everest Sport V6 is about $80,000, while the flagship Platinum is $89,000.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

THE LIVING SPACE

IAIN: It’s roomy and a bit fancy inside, with well-sculpted perforated faux-leather seats and jazzy orange stitching everywhere.

JULES: It’s a good blend of rugged feel and modern tech. The dash top’s hard plastic, but the rest is nice squidgy stuff with really comfy armrests.

IAIN: But the gear shifter’s a clunky rotter. You can’t smoothly select gears.

JULES: The screens are superb, though. A 12.4-inch, iPad like unit for infotainment and an 8-inch digital driver’s display.

IAIN: The middle seats are spacious, with padded doors and a folding arm rest.

JULES: I love the individual rear climate control through ceiling vents, plus the choice of USB-A and USB-C ports.

IAIN: There’s a nice recline to the comfy seats and you’re bathed in light under panoramic glass.

JULES: Our kids (11 and 8) fitted the third-row, which also has ceiling vents.

IAIN: Adults won’t want to ride there for long; the seats are upright with firm backs. You need to slide the middle seats forward for tolerable leg room, and my head was on the ceiling. There are cup holders, but no USB ports.

JULES: The back two seats fold and rise with just a handle and strap. Brilliant. No waiting for daft electric folding that’ll ultimately break.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

THE COMMUTE

IAIN: Everests are still rudimentary body-on-frame cars, but the ride quality is better than a Ranger ute due to more sophisticated coil rather than leaf-spring rear suspension.

JULES: Fascinating, thank you. I like how mightily high you sit, and there’s a nice V6 rumble on start-up.

IAIN: There’s 184kW and 600Nm of torque on tap from the 3.0-litre. It’s brawny if not outright quick, and the ten-speed auto gearbox’s a slick thing.

JULES: It cruises quietly and comfortably at speed, with handy radar cruise control and traffic jam assist. But it’s cumbersome in town.

IAIN: Yes, although good visibility, cameras and sensors help. It corners OK, but it’s rather jittery at low speed and can’t hide its size and bulk.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

THE SHOPPING

JULES: The 360-degree camera’s a godsend when parking. You can choose multiple views at the same time through the screen.

IAIN: The power tailgate is handy when you’re loaded up with grocery bags and there’s reasonable space even with seven seats up. Fold them and there’s a cavernous space.

SUNDAY RUN

IAIN: If you really want the outdoor lifestyle, this thing will tow 3500kg. That’s a decent-sized caravan. But If you don’t off-road or tow, buy a different seven-seater. A Hyundai Santa Fe or Palisade, Kia Sorento or Toyota Kluger are comfier and cheaper options.

JULES: But the Everest is damn impressive off-road. It ploughed through our muddy, sodden bush route and easily scaled rocky climbs.

IAIN: It’s so capable while remaining cosseting inside. It easily clunks into low-range 4WD, there’s a locking rear diff and drive modes for towing, mud or sand where engine, gearbox and traction are custom calibrated.

JULES: It removed my off-road fear factor. I’d trust its abilities to reach out-there camp spots, backed up by its excellent cameras.

IAIN: It’s limited by on-road specific tyres and big rims. All-terrain tyres on 18-inch alloys are a no-cost option for true adventurers. But that’ll reduce wet weather grip and braking – already not Everest strong points.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

THE FAMILY

JULES: It scored five stars in crash tests, there are airbags for all three rows and useful safety such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It’ll also emergency brake if you’re going to reverse into something.

IAIN: The diesel bills will be high. It officially returns 8.5L/100km, but our test saw 10.4L/100km overall. Four prepaid services are $1385, while it’s $385 for a fifth. That’s reasonable.

THE VERDICT

JULES: It’s an impressive package. I can see why they’ve sold out. It’s a bit unwieldy in town but there’s a classy cabin for seven and the off-road drive’s excellent.

IAIN: A competent and desirable all-rounder, but too expensive. Only off-roaders and towers should buy one. Cheaper, comfier three-row SUVs from Kia, Hyundai and Toyota are better for on-road life.

2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak.

FORD EVEREST WILDTRAK V6

PRICE: About $83,000 drive-away (expensive)

WARRANTY AND SERVICING: 5 years/unl’td km warranty (average), prepaid $1770 for 5 years/75,000km (good)

ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, 185kW/600Nm (solid)

SAFETY: Nine airbags, advanced auto emergency braking, radar cruise, lane keep and steering assist, road sign assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree camera (very good)

THIRST: 8.5L/100km (thirsty)

SPARE: Full size (excellent)

BOOT: 259L-898L-1818L (very good)

Originally published as Two Critics: Ford Everest Wildtrak