The Star: February 28, 2019

THE
MIGHTY
EVEREST
BY ROSS KIDDIE
I’ve had just two Ford Everest drives – one from the
previous generation, and the new model for 2019.
Interestingly, both have involved long road trips while
my wife and I have been holiday. The first was ticking
off a route I’d long had on my bucket list – the Great
Ocean Rd from Melbourne to Adelaide.
The most recent was to travel to Queenstown to see
January’s Gibbstson Valley Winery concert. Both
drives served to prove how comfortable and capable
the Everest is on a long journey.
However, there was one significant difference between
those two sport utility vehicles. The original Everest
used the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel, the new
model for 2019 has a 2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel.
Ford is quick to point out the new engine is more
powerful and has significantly more torque than
the five-potter, and it is also claiming fuel economy
improvements. I’m not disputing any of that, the
2-litre engine is a real gem, it is refined, smooth and
uncharacteristically quiet for diesel and, for that
matter, it is a beauty.
Total power outputs are 157kW and 500Nm, against
143kW and 470Nm for the five. That’s a significant
gain, and when you are powering a vehicle that weighs
in at around 2500kg, any bit of extra oomph is useful.
The $79,990 Everest glides beautifully on the open
road, it is whisper quiet and even when the engine
is put under pressure it flows through the rev range
unimpeded.
A lot of the latter is due to the pairing of it to a new
10-speed transmission as it is also a revelation.
You could almost believe the transmission was
continuously variable, unless you are looking at the
gearshift position lights on the dash panel or moving
through the gears sequentially, you’d have no idea
what gear is selected, except to say it works through
the transmission seamlessly, and there’s never a point
where the wrong gear is selected. I carried out many
a highway overtake and the engine was always in the
sweet spot.
Even though it is based on the Ranger’s four-wheeldrive
system, ladder chassis and live rear axle, the
Everest has been softened considerably, the big sevenseater
lends itself to comfortable motion. There’s no
denying it is bulky, but it has space on the inside so
that comfort levels aren’t compromised. Sure, it’s a bit
of a juggle accessing the rear row of seats, but it is no
worse than many other seven-seaters.
Of course, if you have the rear seats folded the cargo
area is voluminous. My wife doesn’t travel light, so
even for just a couple of days we had much luggage,
yet it was swallowed easily. For the record, the rear row
of seats move forward electrically, which is just one
of the many things the Everest can claim as a luxury
vehicle. It arrives in one specification only – Titanium.
In that form it is loaded with goodies, and I guess
when you have a big vehicle on a solid foundation, as a
manufacturer you can throw everything into it
Ford dealers have long sold Everest, and Ranger,
knowing they have long had the engines with the
highest capacity in their respective segments of the
market: “Bigger is better,’’ has been a catchphrase.
Now it’s time for a change of direction, and while
the 2-litre unit is honest and up to the mark in every
aspect, buyers may take some convincing that it’s going
to work as well as the five-cylinder engine that has
powered Ranger, New Zealand’s best-selling motor
vehicle for the last four years.
Price – Ford Everest Titanium,
$79,990
Dimensions – Length, 4892mm;
width, 1860mm; height, 1837mm
Configuration – Four-cylinder,
four-wheel-drive, 1996cc, 157kW,
500Nm, 10-speed automatic
Performance – 0-100km/h, 9sec
Fuel usage – 7.1l/100km
11
LIVING
LIFE
LOVE AUTO
The 2019
Ford Everest.
Perfect in any
environment.
YEAR
UNLIMITED
KILOMETRE
WARRANTY 3
2019 EVEREST TITANIUM
• New 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine (157kW/500Nm)
• New 10-speed transmission
• 3,100kg towing capacity 1 • Updated suspension
• New driver assist safety features 2
TEST DRIVE TODAY
1. When fitted with a genuine Ford towbar. 2. Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace drivers judgement. 3. Warranty conditions apply. Warranty period commences on the date of
delivery except where the vehicle is a dealership, demonstration or service loaner vehicle, in which case it commences on the date on which it was first registered by an Authorised Ford Dealer. Tyres,
tubes and supplier branded parts and accessories are excluded. Shock absorbers and batteries are subject to shorter warranty periods. Visit www.ford.co.nz/owners/warranty for further information.
Anywhere Avon City Ford
Cnr Main South Rd and Epsom Rd, Sockburn | CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 4129 or 0800 655 551
123 Rangiora Sample Service Road Centre | SAMPLEVILLE | 78 Ivory St | 03 313 | P 7059 01 234 | avoncityford.co.nz
5678 | anywhereford.co.nz