2022 Ford Everest spied after bush bashing with Ranger Raptor – UPDATE

UPDATE, September 13, 2022: New Ford Everest on sale, and we've driven it!

The new-generation 2023 Ford Everest is finally on sale in Australia, and our man Matt Raudonikis has driven it. Get the full story, and our first-drive video, at the link below.

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The story to here

UPDATE, December 13: The 2022 Ford Everest has been seen driving on the streets of Thailand, with more of its front-end spied.

The latest Everest images, posted by the Kurdistan Automotive Blog, show the SUV in greater detail following the unveiling of its Ranger ute sibling late last month.

Ford manufactures both the Everest and the Ranger in Thailand, with the company investing $1.26 billion to upgrade its manufacturing facilities to help increase its annual output.

It’s believed to be the first time the Everest has been seen in Thailand, suggesting the model is nearing production readiness – though prototypes have been spied in both the US and Australia, including off-roading in the Victorian High Country alongside a camouflaged Ranger Raptor.

In recent days, artist Sascha Thilmany created digital renderings based on camouflaged spy photos, providing a glimpse of what we can expect when the Everest makes its debut.

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The story to here

November 15: The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor and Everest have been spied testing in Victoria’s rugged High Country, ahead of the reveal of the standard Ranger on November 24.

These photos, posted to the Vic High Country Trips, Info, Vehicle Setups Facebook group by user Warren, show the new Ranger and Everest testing a suite of ARB accessories – in addition to a left-hand drive Ranger Raptor.

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The thinly-disguised Ranger and Everest models were fitted with a number of off-road parts, including; a front bull-bar, LED spotlights, antenna, snorkel, roof racks and tow bar. Meanwhile, the Ranger Raptor remained stock – apart from the addition of a snorkel – during the trip along the steep Blue Rag Range Track, near Dargo and Mount Hotham in East Gippsland, this week.

These spy photos follow an announcement by Ford Australia earlier this year that it will partner with ARB to supply accessories from the aftermarket giant for the Ranger and Everest through its dealership network, covered by the manufacturer’s full five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

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Providing our best look yet at the 2022 Ranger Raptor, we can see a set of chunky off-road tyres similar in design to the 285/70 R17 wheels on the current Raptor, as well as Fox suspension shocks.

In addition, the larger flared guards, high-strength aluminium side steps, unique F-O-R-D grille and separate black bumper bar are also set to carry over into the next-generation model.

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Meanwhile, the camouflaged 2022 Everest is equipped with a set of bigger BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres and steel wheels in comparison to the regular tyres and alloy wheels that will be fitted to the production Everest in stock form, which is expected to be unveiled in early 2022.

Design wise, an evolution of the current rear-end design is seen underneath the camouflage, with LED tail-lamps and a larger tailgate.

As with the current Everest, the front of the next-generation model is virtually identical to the Ranger – albeit with a redesigned grille.

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A set of twin exhaust pipes can be seen on the Ranger Raptor, which is rumoured to be fitted with the 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 found in the F-150, producing around 185kW of power and 600Nm of torque, for the Australian market.

The 2.7-litre turbocharged petrol found in the Bronco is also expected to feature on the Ranger Raptor bound for the North American market, meaning this left-hand drive example could instead feature petrol V6 power – rather than the diesel V6 bound for Australia.

While the diesel V6 is likely to be available on selected Ranger and Everest variants, the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel from the current model is tipped to carry over largely unchanged across the broader line-up.

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A single turbo version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine is also expected to replace the ageing 2.2-litre mill found in the outgoing Ranger, while the 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel will also be dropped from the next-generation range.

The engines are expected to be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with no word on whether, or where, a manual transmission will be available.

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Our earlier coverage of the next-generation Ranger and Everest indicates each model might pick up a rotary gear shifter, where drivers shift from ‘park’ to ‘drive’ in a clockwise motion.

An electronic parking brake will also be fitted on selected Ranger variants and across the Everest range, owing to the expected fitment of rear disc brakes.

Lower-grade Ranger variants are tipped to forego the modern rotary dial and electronic parking brake, instead offering a regular shifter and manual hand brake lever.

A large portrait-orientated touch screen featuring Ford’s latest ‘Sync 4’ infotainment system is also anticipated on upper grades of the Ranger and Everest.

Stay tuned to 4X4 Australia on November 24 as the covers come off the next-generation Ranger (6pm AEDT).