News / 30 May 2023 / Michael Taylor

New Ford Everest models officially go on sale in South Africa – What’s available

The new Ford Everest XLT and Wildtrak are officially on sale in South Africa, adding two new trim levels to the existing line-up for a total of four derivatives.

The update has also added new 4×2 versions for the XLT and Sport nameplates, meaning customers now have six variations of Ford’s seven-seater to choose from.

Powertrains

The engine line-up for the new models remains the same as it was when there were only two specifications available, with buyers having the choice of either a 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel or a 3.0-litre, V6, turbo-diesel powerplant.

The 2.0-litre is available on the XLT and Sport, while the V6 is reserved for the Wildtrak and Platinum.

Both drivetrains are mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, and the bi-turbo produces 154kW and 500Nm while the 3.0-litre ups this to 184kW and 600Nm. Fuel consumption then works out to 7.5l/100km for the 2.0-litre and 8.5l/100km for the V6.

Another important distinction is that the 4×4 XLT and Sport use a part-time shift-on-the-fly system, while the Wildtrak and Platinum are fitted with a permanent all-wheel-drive configuration.

The 4×4-enabled seven-seaters all come with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, but the 3.0-litre models also feature a 4A mode which automatically adjusts the flow of drive between the front and rear axles for better traction while on the move.

Furthermore, the 4WD Fords are equipped with a rear differential lock, hill descent control, and six driving modes for Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand.

As for their shared attributes, every Everest is capable of towing 3,500kg and can wade through 800mm of water. They also have a ground clearance of 226mm, and a wheelbase measuring 2,900mm.

Features

Starting with the baseline XLT, standard features include automatic C-clamp LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, a multifunction steering wheel, chrome styling elements, partial leather upholstery, eight-way electric front seats, dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger, keyless entry and start, an 8-inch digital driver’s display, and a 12-inch portrait infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and eight speakers.

Assistance systems take the form of cruise control, a reverse camera, front and rear park distance control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The mid-range Sport trim then adds larger 20-inch alloys, a 400W inverter for the second row seats, and Sport branding on both the seats and the exterior.

Moving up to the Wildtrak grants access to ambient cabin lighting, a 360-degree camera, a larger 12-inch instrument cluster, an “E-Sport” gearshift, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, additional underbody protection, full leather upholstery with a model-specific stitch pattern, a dual-panoramic moonroof, and an exclusive Luxe yellow paint scheme.

Finally, the range-topping Platinum receives a 12-speaker stereo, model-specific seat branding, and heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support and memory functions.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the expanded Ford Everest range is as follows:

Ford Everest XLT 2.0L BiT 4×2 10AT – R832,400 (New)
Ford Everest XLT 2.0L BiT 4×4 10AT – R896,300 (New)
Ford Everest Sport 2.0L BiT 4×2 10AT – R918,500 (New)
Ford Everest Sport 2.0L BiT 4×4 10AT – R984,800
Ford Everest Wildtrak 3.0L V6 4WD 10AT – R1,084,000 (New)
Ford Everest Platinum 3.0L V6 4WD 10AT – R1,146,500

This includes a 4-year/120,000km warranty and a 4-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance plan. Customers can also purchase a service or maintenance plan for up to 8 years or 165,000km.