New Ford Everest Wildtrak shakes up the 4WD class

This rugged off-roader blends go-anywhere engineering with creature comforts to give adventurous families an enticing new option.

Ford has applied the Wildtrak treatment to its Everest four-wheel-drive.

Like the Ford Ranger ute of the same name, the Ford Everest Wildtrak benefits from desirable extras that ramp up its appeal – and price.

Ford’s Everest Wildtrak shapes up as an attractive 4WD.

Available to order for $73,090 plus on-road costs – about $80,000 drive-away – the Everest Wildtrak costs about $3000 more than a mid-grade Everest Sport V6, or $6000 less than the range-topping Everest Platinum.

The seven-seat Everest is more family-friendly than the Ford Ranger ute.

The new model delivers new-look bumpers, 20-inch machined alloy wheels and steel underbody protection that separate it from lesser models, along with luxuries such as a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting and panoramic sunroof.

A 12-inch central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring matches premium versions of the Ranger ute.

Everest Wildtrack cabins feature brightly coloured stitching.

The cabin features leather trim with orange stitching that matches “luxe yellow” paint unique to the Wildtrak.

Ford says the model will be a special-edition machine built in limited numbers.

Ford says customers know what to expect from a Wildtrak model.

The brand’s Australian boss, Andrew Birkic, says “Australians understand what the Wildtrak badge means”.

“Which is why it is one of our most popular Ranger variants – and we’re thrilled to add it to the Everest family for the first time,” he said.

The Wildtrak has a huge touchscreen and digital dash.

“Everest Wildtrak will give customers a vehicle that helps them go wherever their adventurous spirit takes them, and puts a smile on their face while doing it.”

Powered by the 3.0-litre, 184kW and 600Nm turbo diesel V6 engine found in the Ranger and new Volkswagen Amarok, the Everest has a 10-speed automatic transmission with full-time all-wheel-drive.

The Blue Oval has already ruled out the possibility of selling an Everest powered by the twin-turbo V6 found in the Ranger Raptor.