2022 Ford Everest revealed: Australian details

The Blue Oval has revealed its Australian developed four-wheel drive that is due to hit local roads later this year.

Ford’s new and improved Everest four-wheel drive has broken cover ahead of its arrival in local showrooms later this year.

The fresh Everest brings bulked-up looks, tough off-road pedigree, more powerful engines and big tech upgrades.

The Everest is a big deal for Ford, as it is designed and engineered in Australia, built on the same platform as the new Ford Ranger ute.

The Australian developed Ford Everest.

More than 2000 employees worked on the project in the company’s facilities in Victoria.

Max Wolff, design director for China and international markets, said Ford has been working on the project for about five years.

“The early stuff is exploratory and looking at how much we wanted to change, how much we wanted to keep,” he says. “Once we have all of that in place it’s probably a two and half year, three year cycle.”

The new Ford Ranger is the Blue Oval’s most global car, sold in 180 markets. The Everest is slightly less prolific.

The Everest shares its underpinnings with the Ranger ute.

When designing the new Everest, Ford did a lot of research around the globe, says Wolff, and Australia played a big part as it is one of the key markets for Ranger/Everest.

Ford wanted the outside to match the car’s off-road ability by making it look larger and toughening up the styling.

The interior is intended to be a sanctuary to keep owners comfortable when off-roading and on longer trips, says Wolff.

Under the bonnet is a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 engine that is slated to make 190kW and 600Nm. It also carries over the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine making 157kW and 500Nm from the current version.

It can tow up to 3500kg.

This is matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission and the choice of either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

Pritika Maharaj, Everest Program Manager, says “the 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel really delivers that big-engine torque and power customers want”.

“It feels really tough in the sense that it’s got endless power and torque, but it is also refined and quiet on the road,” she says.

Four-wheel drive models are now more capable than ever on rough terrain.

Permanent four wheel drive is complemented by high and low range gears and a locking rear differential.

Inside has been given a huge makeover.

Off road driving modes for Sand and Mud/Ruts helps navigate difficult surfaces and a new front facing off-road camera helps you see what’s directly in front of you and displays where your tyres will go.

The Everest has a braked towing capacity of up to 3500kg.

Ford has upped the Everest’s prestige with a new range-topping Platinum version that brings giant 21-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting and plush interior finishes.

All versions score a thoroughly updated interior.

Tougher looks are designed to show off its tough off-road capability.

The base Ambiente version gets an eight-inch digital instrument display combined with a 10.1-inch tablet-style central screen. All other models get a 12-inch tablet-shaped central display and the Platinum gains a 12.4-inch instrument display.

There is Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a bird’s-eye view camera.

Ford has recognised the Everest is a family car and has loaded it up with plenty of safety equipment.

“Drivers told us that their number one concern was safety on the road,” says Stefan Seemann, Australia-based driver assistance technology engineer for Ford.

“Next-Gen Everest gave us the opportunity to really look at ways we could help keep drivers and their passengers safer than ever before.”

There are nine airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring. The rear cross traffic alert even covers an attached trailer.

Originally published as 2022 Ford Everest revealed: Australian details