2023 Ford Everest revealed! So different you'll rethink that Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and even Land Rover Discovery order, as the only Australian SUV steps up

Ford has revealed the long-awaited, next-generation Everest, bringing greater internal and structural changes than first anticipated, and promising better space, safety, performance, refinement, handling, durability and off-road capability than before.

Expected sometime in the second half of this year, the Australian designed and engineered body-on-frame large SUV version of the coming T6.2 Ranger adopts the latter’s blockier bonnet, wider tracks and myriad other technical improvements.

There’s also new bodywork from the central pillar back for more practicality, a sturdier stance and better proportions – factors that were deemed essential in overcoming consumer resistance to the outgoing Everest against the all sales-conquering Toyota Prado.

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The Thai-built recreational Ford’s all-diesel engine line-up switches things up too, ushering in the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine also debuting in top-line versions of the redesigned Ranger. That one’s slated only for the newly-minted Platinum flagship that ousts the old Titanium in Australia, though the Sport might also offer V6 muscle as an option.

Everest swaps out the old 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel as the standard engine as well, for the previously-optional 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder ‘Lion’ engine badged ‘Bi-Turbo’. Other markets also have a 2.0-litre single-turbo version choice.

While the rear-wheel-drive (4x2) drivetrain will be limited to the base Ambiente and mid-level Trend, four-wheel drive (4x4) will be standard on the Sport and new Platinum flagship, and optional on the other grades.

Ford will reveal Everest engine outputs, consumption figures and other associated data at a later date.

The Platinum is powered by a a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.

For Australia, all models will offer a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, with the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo versions undergoing comprehensive internal changes to improve performance and response. Fresh five and six-speed manual gearboxes have also been developed for the markets that require them.

There are also seven drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and – Ambiente excepted – Mud/Ruts and Sand on 4x4 models.

2022 Ford Everest Trend.

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2022 Ford Everest Ambiente.

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2022 Ford Everest Sport.

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2022 Ford Everest Platinum.

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Like the T6.2 Ranger, project U704 Everest’s chassis is longer and wider than before, with all of the dimensional gains made up front to accommodate V6 engines, bigger wheels, greater suspension articulation and other engineering packaging solutions pertaining to items like dual-battery capability, better airflow for improved cooling, stronger air-conditioning performance and new-generation safety tech.

The latter includes new driver-assist tech like blind-spot monitoring that extends to the entire length of a trailer or caravan being towed of up to 10 metres, rear cross-traffic alert, an integrated electric trailer brake controller with Ford’s optional Tow Pack, adaptive cruise control with lane centring, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pre-collision brake preparation and front cross-traffic alert/braking and AEB with evasive steering assist, reverse braking assist and post-collision braking.   

The interior has been completely redesigned from top to bottom, with a wide-look dashboard restyle bringing either an 8.0-inch or 12.4-inch (Platinum only) digital instrumentation cluster, as well as comfier seating, updated materials and different door panels attempting to modernise the Everest inside. Multimedia and touchscreen technologies also rise to the fore, bringing Ford’s updated Sync 4A systems.

2022 Ford Everest Trend.

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2022 Ford Everest Ambiente.

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2022 Ford Everest Sport.

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2022 Ford Everest Platinum.

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Other advances for the series include nine airbags, including a Ford Australia-first front-centre airbag. New, too, are the portrait-orientated touchscreen (10.1-inch on Ambiente, 12.1-inch on Trend, Sport and Platinum), a so-called ‘e-Shifter’ transmission lever, electric park brake, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, wireless charging, an embedded modem, FordPass app with remote start, vehicle status and remote locking and – optional from Trend up with 4x4 – an off-road screen showing predictive overlay guidelines, driveline and diff-lock indicator, steering angle, vehicle pitch and surround-view camera. There is also a zone lighting option on 4x4 models.

There's an off-road screen showing a number of things, such as predictive overlay guidelines and surround-view camera.

Ford’s designers and engineers also took the opportunity to eke out a few extra millimetres of space to make the cabin slightly roomier up front, while the more upright sides and reprofiled roof section has more substantially increased space for occupants as well as cargo out back, although specific volumes are yet to be confirmed. This in turn improves third-row entry/egress, backed up by a redesigned centre seat and associated trim, as well as the latter’s ability to slide further forward than before.

Boot space has increased to an undisclosed volume.

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Entry and exit to the third row has been improved.

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Mirroring the T6.2 Ranger, both the Everest’s tracks and wheelbase have been stretched 50mm, meaning the wheelbase ought to be around 2900mm. And like Ford’s popular pick-up, this means the SUV’s suspension (wishbones and coils up front, a Watt’s link coil set-up out back) is similar in design to before, but actually redesigned due to being further outboard.

Consequently, there’s now more scope for spring/damper articulation, and greater tuning range to improve both ride and handling capabilities on road, as well as 4x4 prowess due to greater wheel travel off it.

The Everest’s tracks and wheelbase have been stretched 50mm.

Bolstering the latest Everest’s heightened off-road ambitions and shared with more up-spec T6.2 Rangers is a new permanent four-wheel-drive system across the range, employing an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed electromechanical transfer case offering several selectable drive modes. Water wading ability is up to 800mm and most ground clearance metrics improve. Plus, there is greater underbody protection thanks to larger steering/engine/sump guards with bolt on/off removability for easier mechanical servicing access.

The V6 turbo-diesel with optional Tow Pack featuring a trailer-brake controller ups towing capacity from 3200kg to 3500kg, while all models’ auto transmission now includes a tow-haul mode for improved response. There’s also a trailer light check/connection check list function that drivers can witness from outside the vehicle.

The Everest has a minimum towing capacity of 3200kg.

The roof redesign gave Everest’s engineers impetus to improve the roof rail system’s capabilities, with the roof now able to stand up to 100kg on the move and 350kg when the vehicle is parked (such as for a roof-top tent).

Chasing the popular Toyota Prado VX and Kakadu grades, a new luxury model known as Platinum will top the series, headlined by the new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and 10-speed auto, and replacing the old Titanium grade in Australia.

Besides the badges, baritone exhaust notes and presumably stronger performance, you’ll pick the Platinum by the Matrix LED adaptive headlights, lashings of “silk chrome” trim around the nose and body work, unique grille design, ‘stand-off’ roof rails, 21-inch polished alloys (a Ford Australia first), heated/vented powered front seats with memory, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, quilted leather inserts, panoramic glass roof, zone lighting and a broader automatic parking system which takes care of acceleration and braking as well as steering, and can drive itself out of a parallel parking spot.

Finally, Australian 4WD specialists ARB have formed a strategic collaboration with Ford for their bespoke items to be installed at Ford dealers.

ARB has supplied 4x4 accessories to Australian off-roaders since the 1970s, and is now a company with a global reach.

As with all T6.2 models, all Everest dimensions, engine outputs, fuel consumption figures, equipment levels per grade, payload numbers, specific towing capacities, pricing and other details will be revealed over the next few weeks.

Like what you see? Keen to find out more? So are we. There’s heaps more information coming soon from Ford, so stay tuned.