Function and form from Ford

Ford’s new seven-seater called Everest to be found in the SA marketplace supercedes the full Australian import Territory vehicle. While sales were steady for the Territory, the Everest really doesn’t have a “mountain to climb” because it’s a known quantity thanks to being largely based on the highly successful Ford Ranger bakkie.

Three models of Everest are available ex stock — two right now — the 4 x 2 version is expected any day soon. Under the bonnet — common to all three derivatives — is a 3-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel unit of 2,953cc that develops 115kW and 380kW of stump-pulling torque.

I’ve traversed a lot of the Western Cape of late — certainly around Cape Town and its environs, anyway, for about a month now and remember being totally impressed with the Everest. True, I haven’t tackled much in the way of harsh 4 x 4 stuff (I prefer to leave that to the experts), but with superb ground clearances, a limited slip diff, high-trail suspension and electronic shift-on-the-fly transmission, can well believe that this vehicle can go just about anywhere.

Comfort features are particularly strong — all the usuals are there such as power steering, windows, air-conditioning, etc. but for me it was pleasing to note that rear-seated passengers all five(!) of them can adjust their individual air conditioning to their heart’s content.

Practicality again remains strong — the cargo area with the rear-most row of seats in place is better than reasonable — but fold them up, a really easy thing to do, and the Everest really is capacious. That third row of seats is not just for kiddies . . . there’s leg-room for growing teenagers who probably wouldn’t “run a mile” if a trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, for instance, was considered.

Safety levels in the Everest are superb. There’s four airbags (crash-bags as a colleague never fails to remind me), ABS braking and EBD. Factor in remote central locking, alarm and an immobiliser and the vehicle will always remain exactly where you left it after a night out at your favourite restaurant.

Value for money is the name of the game these days. Without mentioning comparison vehicles, the Ford Everest retails R30,000 less than a Toyota Fortuner for much the same vehicle — give or take — that’s a big pile of money if stacked up on a table . . .

Warranty and price: Ford Everest prices start at R324,990. Service intervals are set every 10,000km; there’s a five-year/90,000km service plan, roadside assistance and a comprehensive warranty for four years/120,000km. Rusting is largely a thing of the past in vehicle manufacture these days, but it’s good to know that Ford offer a five-year/unlimited kilometres offer in this direction.