Ford Everest Trend Quick Review

The Ford Everest Trend is a four-wheel drive wagon that combines go-anywhere capability with class-leading sophistication and style. It’s a seven seater based on the top-selling Ford Ranger ute platform and was 4X4 Australia magazine’s 4X4 of the Year for 2016.

PLUS

• 4X4 capability. The Everest was extensively developed in Australian locations such as the Simpson Desert. The result is an off-roader that’ll take on just about anything – plus, its dual-range 4x4 system is full-time, so you can drive straight off a highway and up a rutted hill, without touching a dial or button. If you want to touch something, there’s the Multi Terrain selector as well as options for low range and a locked diff.
• Grunt. Like the Ford Ranger, the Everest has a 3.2-litre engine, bucking the trend toward smaller-capacity engines. It’s relaxed and quiet when touring, but switch to bush mode and it’ll unleash torque (470Nm) and power (143kW) that’ll leave most competitors in the dust.
• Comfort. The Everest is about as capable as they come off road, but it’s also among the most comfortable on the bitumen, with a big-car feel, independent/coil suspension and electronically assisted steering – the latter making car park navigation a breeze.
• Style. It’s hard to pull off a look that’s both rugged and sophisticated. Ford Australia has managed to do it, with a car that’s tough and truck-like yet modern and chic. It’d look just as at home at a VIP event as it would with mud under its tyres or a pack of kids in the back. And it has the capability and features to back it all up.
• 4X4 of the Year. It’s the first Ford to win 4X4 Australia magazine’s 4X4 of the Year Award and it beat the likes of the new Toyota Hilux and the well-proven Toyota Prado to do it. So you know it’s no smashed crab.
• Safety. It has leading crash-avoidance technology and a five-star ANCAP rating.

MINUS

• Fuel consumption. It’s a bit thirsty. It’s ADR combined figure is 8.5L/100km, but our real-word tests showed it gulped more like 13L of diesel for every 100km – which would make it one of the least fuel efficient new wagons out there. It’s a trade-off of having a bigger-capacity engine – and it’s something that’s surely not helped by the fact that it’s so tempting to put the pedal to the floor!
• Electronics. This is a high-tech machine, which is great, as long as everything works. Things such as the electronically shutting boot and electronically assisted steering make life easier, but traditionalists might prefer a simpler car with a more familiar feel.
• Price. While the Everest Trend is reasonably priced, at $60,990, especially considering its features, the top-spec model, the Titanium, is a bit pricey, at $76,990.

Click here to read the full review on the Ford Everest