Checking out the levels of the Everest

Just like the mountain that it was named after, the Ford Everest has come a long, long way from its humble beginnings.

More truck-like in appearance and performance, its 2003 first-generation model now feels more like a distant cousin twice removed than simply a model that’s a generation old.

The anticipation for the second generation was nothing short of intense and it has not disappointed. Even as a far second fiddle to the Ranger in terms of sales at 4,165 units in 2019, it still sold almost twice as many as the third-ranked unit (EcoSport).

We take a look-see at what all the hype is about and outline the four different variants of the Ford Everest.

Starting at P1.738 million, the Everest 2.2L Trend 4x2 AT (automatic transmission) is the entry-level unit. It uses a 2.2-liter TDCi (Turbo diesel common rail injection) engine that puts out 158hp and 385Nm of torque, and it mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The body comes with a chrome grille, LED (light-emitting diode) projector auto-levelling headlamps with auto On/Off feature, daytime running lamps, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding/power-adjustable sideview mirrors with turn indicators, side steps, power liftgate, front and rear fog lamps, and front and rear splash guards.

It doesn’t have a smart keyless entry feature and no push button start/stop system.

The chassis uses double wishbone with coil spring and anti-roll bar suspension in front and coil spring with Watt’s Link and anti-roll bar at the rear. It has ventilated front disc brakes and rear disc brakes, standard rear differential, and electric power-assisted steering with Pull Drift Compensation Technology.

Inside are leather seats, leather steering wheel, manually adjustable for the driver and passenger seats, third row has a 50:50 folding seatback features, electrochromic rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, passenger side-only vanity mirror on the sun visor, front scuff plates, and a second row bench seat with 60:40 split-folding seatback.

The infotainment option features an eight-inch color TFT (thin film transistor) touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also uses Sync3 with voice-activated controls, has three USB ports, DAB+ (digital radio broadcasting) digital radio, a premium 10-speaker system with sub-woofer power amplifier, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Safety, security, and driver-assistance features include cruise control, electronic stability control with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist, roll stability control, rollover mitigation, hill launch assist, traction control, seven airbags (front passenger, side, curtain, and driver knee), front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, volumetric burglar alarm system, and child seat Isofix anchorage points.

It also comes with two 12V power sockets, roof rails, and sits on 18-inch alloy wheels that are paired to 265/60 R18 tires.

Priced at P1.868 million is the 2.0L Turbo Sport 4x2 AT that was just launch early 2020.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter single-turbo TDCi engine with 177hp and 420Nm of torque. It is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift.

The body comes with black accents from the blacked-out honeycomb grille, black 20-inch alloy wheels, black front center air intake, black fog lamp housings, black side mirror caps, and black roof rails.

Below the rear doors are "Sport" decals signifying the variant.

Inside, it uses a blue trimming on the dashboard panel, touchscreen infotainment system, on the door panels, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, handbrake boot, and on the front center armrest.

It comes with LED projector auto-levelling headlamps with auto on/off feature, daytime running lamps, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding/power-adjustable sideview mirrors with turn indicators, side steps, hands-free power liftgate, front and rear fog lamps, and front and rear splash guards.

Open the doors using smart keyless entry. Plus. it now comes with a push button start system.

The chassis uses double wishbone with coil spring and anti-roll bar suspension in front and coil spring with Watt’s Link and anti-roll bar at the rear. It has ventilated front disc brakes and rear disc brakes, standard rear differential, and electric power-assisted steering with Pull Drift Compensation Technology.

Inside are leather seats with unique Sport accent, leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and manually adjustable passenger seat, third row 50:50 folding seatback, electrochromic rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, passenger side-only vanity mirror on the sun visor, front scuff plates, and a second row bench seat with 60:40 split-folding seatback.

The infotainment option features an eight-inch color TFT touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also uses Sync3 with voice-activated controls, has three USB ports, DAB+ digital radio, a premium 10-speaker system with sub-woofer power amplifier, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Safety, security, and driver-assistance features include cruise control, electronic stability control with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist, roll stability control, rollover mitigation, hill launch assist, traction control, seven airbags (front passenger, side, curtain, and driver knee), front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, volumetric burglar alarm system, and child seat Isofix anchorage points.

It also comes with two 12V power sockets, roof rails, and sits on 20-inch alloy wheels that are paired to 265/50 R20 tires.

Next up is the 2.0L Turbo Titanium 4x2 AT that goes for P1.995 million.

It uses the same 2.0-liter single turbo TDCi engine with 177hp and 420Nm of torque, and is also paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift.

The façade is highlighted by a chrome grille and comes with LED projector auto-levelling headlamps with auto on/off feature, and daytime running lamps. It also comes with LED taillights, puddle lamps, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding/power-adjustable sideview mirrors with turn indicators, side steps, hands-free power liftgate, front and rear fog lamps, and front and rear splash guards.

Getting in is easy with the smart keyless entry feature. Engage the engine by simply using the push-button start/stop system.

The chassis uses double wishbone with coil spring and anti-roll bar suspension in front and coil spring with Watt’s Link and anti-roll bar at the rear. It has ventilated front disc brakes and rear disc brakes, standard rear differential, and electric power-assisted steering with Pull Drift Compensation Technology.

Inside are leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable for the driver and front passenger seat with manual lumbar support, third row 50:50 power-folding seatback, electrochromic rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, driver and passenger vanity mirror on the sun visor, front scuff plates, and a second row bench seat with 60:40 split-folding seatback.

This model now comes with illuminated scuff plates, ambient lighting, rear air-conditioning with control switch, and an 230V AC outlet.

The infotainment option features an eight-inch color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a navigation system. It also uses SYNC3 with voice-activated controls, has three USB ports, DAB+ (Digital Radio Broadcasting) digital radio, a premium 10-speaker system with sub-woofer power amplifier, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Safety, security, and driver-assistance features include blind spot information system (BLIS) with cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, cruise control, electronic stability control with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist, roll stability control, rollover mitigation, hill launch assist, traction control, seven airbags (front passenger, side, curtain, and driver knee), front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, volumetric burglar alarm system, and child seat Isofix anchorage points.

It also comes with two 12V power sockets, roof rails, and sits on 20-inch alloy wheels that are paired to 265/50 R20 tires.

At the top of the heap is the 2.0L Bi-Turbo Titanium 4x4 AT that retails for P2.299 million.

This is powered by a 2.0L TDCi Bi-Turbo engine with 210hp and 500Nm of torque sent to the wheels by a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. It is also the only Everest that uses Ford’s Terrain Management System.

The exterior sports a chrome grille, LED projector auto-levelling headlamps with auto on/off feature, daytime running lamps, LED taillights, puddle lamps, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding/power-adjustable sideview mirrors with turn indicators, side steps, hands-free power liftgate, front and rear fog lamps, front and rear splash guards, roof rails, a panoramic moonroof, and it sits on 20-inch alloy wheels that are paired to 265/50 R20 tires.

It also has smart keyless entry feature and the push button start/stop system.

The chassis uses double wishbone with coil spring and anti-roll bar suspension in front and coil spring with Watt’s Link and anti-roll bar at the rear. It has ventilated front disc brakes and rear disc brakes, standard rear differential, and electric power-assisted steering with Pull Drift Compensation Technology.

Inside are leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable for the driver and front passenger seat with manual lumbar support, third row 50:50 power-folding seatback, electrochromic rearview mirror, illuminated scuff plates, ambient lighting, rear air-conditioning with control switch, dual-zone automatic temperature control, driver and passenger vanity mirror on the sun visor, front scuff plates, a second row bench seat with 60:40 split-folding seatback, two 12V power sockets, and a 230V AC outlet.

The infotainment option features an eight-inch color TFT touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a navigation system. It also uses Sync3 with voice-activated controls, has three USB ports, DAB+ digital radio, a premium 10-speaker system with sub-woofer power amplifier, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Safety, security, and driver-assistance features include active park assist (semi-auto parallel park assist), adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, auto high beam control, driver alert system, hill descent control, lane keeping assist, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection (autonomous emergency braking), tire pressure monitoring system, blind spot information system (BLIS) with cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, electronic stability control with anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, roll stability control, rollover mitigation, hill launch assist, traction control, seven airbags (front passenger, side, curtain, and driver knee), front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, volumetric burglar alarm system, and child seat Isofix anchorage points.

All Everest variants come with active noise cancellation that uses microphones to detect and eliminate unwanted cabin noise while also creating "inaudible" white noise that cancels out any unwelcome noises.

Photos from Ford Philippines