– By Rod Fuller –
I was really looking forward to driving this vehicle, SUV of the year, to see if it would live up to all the hype. And what I found was an attractive, stylish and very practical SUV that didn’t disappoint.
The Ford Everest Trend is an easy vehicle to drive, with the right combination of comfort, space and practicality which was great to drive in all conditions. And I know because I took it from a city car park to outback NSW. To be honest I didn’t want to give the keys back.
To get to know the Everest better and try and experience all of it capabilities both on and off road, I took it on a trip across country NSW (From Sydney to Bourke and back – about 3,000 km’s over 5 days).
Whether it was a sealed highway, country back road or a dirt road short cut, the Everest never missed a beat with the effortless power of the five cylinder (143kw 470nm) turbo diesel delivering very respectable fuel economy with sub 8.5 litres per 100.
Whilst technically I didn’t go “off road”, I put the Everest through road conditions that the toughest and roughest 4WD’s fear and it was amazing how well it coped. Let me explain.
I had to cross the Pilliga scrub to make my overnight destination – Coonabarabran. But I was in Walgett which is black soil country. And when it has been raining leave the bitumen at your peril because wet black soil roads are well known for trapping even the toughest 4WD’s – embarrassing owners when they get stuck in the mud.
To try and avoid black soil roads and the inevitable mud I headed east on the bitumen before turning south towards Pilliga. Down a road which I knew was about 35km dirt but thought was far enough east to avoid the black soil. I was wrong.
About 20km outside of Pilliga I encountered water over the road and soft black mud. I was concerned. I needn’t have been because the Everest was amazing! I simply selected the ‘Sand/Mud mode’ on the transmission as well as engaging low range 4WD and kept the momentum up.
I gained new appreciation of how good and very responsive the electric steering is on the Everest. As I slipped and slid my way along the black mud road with the wipers furiously flying across the windscreen clearing each massive mud splash one after the other just to see where I was going.
As the Everest and I continued our dance across the mud I encountered a local farmer coming the other way in his ‘Cruiser’. We exchanged a smile and a wave long enough that I could see he was struggling in the conditions even with mud tyres. While the Everest was riding high on the OE 265/60R18 Bridgestone highway tyres demonstrating it 4WD DNA.
On the inside the Everest is very well equipped with the Sync 2 system looking after all your climate control, satellite navigation, entertainment and communication needs. The 8” screen also doubles as the display when reversing, giving the best rearward view of any reversing camera system in the market today.
There are power and USB outlets galore and even a 240v outlet as well. So no-one’s phone or iPad will run out of power. Adaptive cruise control, lane monitoring and forward collision alert are all standard on the Everest, helping keep you safe on the road.
As a true seven seater the third row seats have a foot-well so adults can sit comfortably in the “back-back” seat as friends of mine call it. There’s Dual Zone climate control so the rear passengers get their own temp controls and when you fold down all the back seats the space is HUGE.
With its three tonne towing capacity, seven seat versatility, excellent road manners, on and off road capabilities, the Everest offers everything you could want…..
