Ford Everest vs. the competition

In the Philippine market, three-row, mid-size sports utility vehicles (SUV) have been a popular segment. It has been going strong for several years now, and while crossovers have somewhat caught up in terms of popularity, it is clear to see that Filipinos still have a strong love for the big and burly vehicle type. 

A majority of the models belonging to the local mid-size SUV market are from Japanese brands. However, the Ford Everest cemented itself to become the only American-branded offering that has become as well-known as its rivals. 

 So, how does the Blue Oval’s mid-size SUV compare to its chief competitors? We’ll get to listing down its challengers in a bit, but first, let’s have a short overview of the Philippine-spec Ford Everest. 

Ford Everest

Currently, the Ford Everest is in its third generation and has been around since 2003. In its current form, the Philippine-spec trim is offered in four different trims, with a price ranging from P1.829 million-P2.555 million. 

Mechanically speaking, the Ford-made seven-seater still shares a ladder-frame platform with its Ford Ranger pickup truck sibling. In its most powerful form, it utilizes a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel mill capable of outputting 207 horsepower (hp) and 500 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

For its transmission, it is available with a six-speed or 10-speed automatic. It may also come with a 4x4 or 4x2 drivetrain, depending on the trim. 

Other key features of the American SUV include leather upholstery, a large portrait-oriented 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, a drive mode selector, an electronic parking brake, and a power tailgate. 

Notably, the top-spec Titanium+ 4x4 trim comes with a comprehensive advanced driver assist (ADAS) suite as well. 

Here is a table showing the specifications of the Everest Titanium+ 4x4:

Model	Ford Everest Titanium+ 4x4
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,914x1,923x1,842
Wheelbase (mm)	2,900
Ground clearance	227
Wheel size	20-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Power-adjust front seats Rain-sensing wipers Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger Eight-piece speaker system Power tailgate Dual-zone automatic climate control
Instrument cluster	12-inch digital gauge cluster
Infotainment system	12-inch portrait touchscreen
Seating capacity	7
Powertrain
Engine	2.0-liter bi-turbo inline-4
Fuel type	Diesel
Transmission	Ten-speed automatic
Horsepower	207
Torque	500 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technologies
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control ISOFIX Hill-start assist control Downhill assist control Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree view camera Tire pressure monitoring Roll over mitigation
ADAS	Automatic high beams Automatic emergency braking Forward collision warning Blind-spot information system Lane keep alert Lane keep aid Adaptive cruise control Active parking assist Adjustable speed limiter
Security	Car alarm Engine immobilizer
Price	P2.555 million

Toyota Fortuner

One of the most significant rivals of the Ford Everest is the Toyota Fortuner. It has faced the American-branded SUV locally since its first-generation version entered the market back in 2005. 

In the present day, the Fortuner version offered by Toyota Motor Philippines in seven different variants, with a price ranging from P1.769 million-P2.65 million. 

As the top-spec Fortuner GR-S trim, the Toyota-made SUV uses a 2.8-liter inline-4 turbodiesel oil burner that can put out up to 220 hp and 550 Nm of torque. With the said output, the Fortuner counts as one of the most powerful nameplates in its segment. 

Handling gear shifts of the Japanese-made seven-seater is a six-speed automatic gearbox. It also has a 4x4 drivetrain, though the rest of its variant lineup comes in 4x2. 

For utmost safety, the higher-spec trims of the Fortuner were kitted out with the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite. Like its Ford rival, it also has a wireless smartphone charger, a drive mode selector, an electronic parking brake, and a power tailgate. It does get a smaller nine-inch infotainment screen, but it also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Here is a table showing the specifications of the Toyota Fortuner GR-S:

Model	Toyota Fortuner GR-S
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,795x1,855x1,835
Wheelbase (mm)	2,745
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Power-adjust front seats Rain-sensing wipers Front seat ventilation Tilt and telescopic steering column Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger Nine-piece JBL speaker system Power tailgate with kick sensor Dual-zone automatic climate control
Instrument cluster	4.2-inch TFT
Infotainment system	9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	7
Powertrain
Engine	2.8-liter 1GD-FTV (high)
Fuel type	Diesel
Transmission	Six-speed automatic
Horsepower	220
Torque	550 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technologies
Safety	Dual front airbags Side airbags Curtain shield airbags Knee airbag Anti-lock braking Stability control ISOFIX Hill-start assist control Downhill assist control Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree view camera
ADAS	Pre-collision system Lane departure alert Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Rear-cross traffic alert
Security	Car alarm Engine immobilizer
Price	P2.65 million

Nissan Terra

Another model rivaling the Ford Everest is the Nissan Terra. 

Locally, the Nissan-made mid-size SUV is offered in six different trims, with a price ranging from P1.729 million-P2.469 million. 

To note, the Terra isn’t as powerful on paper as the Everest Titanium+ and Fortuner GR-S, which both punch above 200 hp. In comparison, the Nissan SUV’s 2.5-liter turbodiesel mill can produce 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Regardless, it also uses a tough ladder frame chassis combined with a three-row seating configuration. Like the others, it is also available with a 4x4 variant. 

Similar to its rivals, the Nissan Terra’s top-spec trims come with plenty of creature comforts. It has leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a Bose sound system - among others. 

However, it is the only model in its segment that may come with an extra display in the form of an 11-inch monitor, at least for the top-spec Sport 4x4 AT trim. 

Here’s a table detailing the specs of the top-of-the-line Nissan Terra Sport 4x4 AT:

Model	Nissan Terra Sport 4x4 AT
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,900 x 1,865 x 1,865
Wheelbase (mm)	2,850
Ground clearance	225
Wheel size (in inches)	18
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Power-adjust front seats Rain-sensing wipers Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger Eight-piece Bose speaker system Dual-zone automatic climate control 11-inch flip-down rear monitor
Instrument cluster	Seven-inch digital gauge cluster
Infotainment system	Nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Seven
Powertrain
Engine	2.5-liter inline-4 turbo
Fuel type	Diesel
Transmission	Seven-speed automatic
Peak power (in horsepower	187
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	450
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technologies
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control ISOFIX Hill-start assist control Hill-descent control Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree view camera Tire pressure monitoring
ADAS	Intelligent Forward collision warning Intelligent emergency braking Lane departure warning Blind spot warning Rear cross traffic alert
Security	Car alarm Engine immobilizer
Price	P2.469 million

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is another long-term rival to the Ford Everest. It has been around since 2005, and now, in 2024, it is offered by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation in four different trims. 

Headlining the Montero Sport trim lineup is the Black Series 4x4, which is priced at P2.502 million. Under its hood is a 2.4-liter inline-4 turbodiesel capable of outputting 178 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The top-spec trim comes with a 4x4 drivetrain with the famed Mitsubishi Super Select 4WD-II system, as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Inside, the Mitsubishi SUV offering comes with a power-adjustable driver's seat, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, an electronic parking brake, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Safety-wise, the Montero Sport’s high-spec versions have an ADAS kit consisting of a blind spot warning system, lane change assist, and rear-cross traffic alert - among others. 

Here are the specifications of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series 4x4 AT:

Model	Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series 4x4 AT
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,825 x 1,815 x 1,835
Wheelbase (mm)	2,800
Ground clearance	218
Wheel size (in inches	18
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Power-adjust front seats Rain-sensing wipers Roof rails Six-piece speaker system Dual-zone automatic climate control Hands-free power tailgate
Instrument cluster	Eight-inch digital gauge
Infotainment system	Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Seven
Powertrain
Engine	2.4-liter inline-4 turbo
Fuel type	Diesel
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Maximum power (in hp)	178
Peak torque (in Nm)	450
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technologies
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control ISOFIX Hill-start assist control Hill-descent control Trailer stability assist Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree view camera
ADAS	Adaptive cruise control Ultrasonic mis-acceleration mitigation Forward collision mitigation system Blindspot warning  Lane change assist Rear cross traffic alert
Security	Car alarm Engine immobilizer
Price	P2.502 million

Isuzu mu-X

Last but not least on the list of Ford Everest rivals is the Isuzu mu-X. 

The mu-X was introduced locally by Isuzu Philippines Corporation in 2021, and it is available in four different trims, with prices ranging from P1.675 million-P2.58 million. 

The higher-spec LS-E and LS-A variants of the mu-X are propelled by a 3.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel mill with a maximum output of 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque.

Only the top-spec LS-E is available with a 4x4 drivetrain, while the rest are rear-wheel-drive only. All trims also come with a six-speed automatic gearbox, making the Isuzu model the only mid-size SUV in the market without a manual transmission version. 

Inside, the mu-X LS-E was kitted out with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It is also equipped with a 4.2-inch multi-information display, an eight-piece speaker system, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a wireless smartphone charger, and plenty of safety bits. 

Here’s a table showing the specifications of the Isuzu mu-X LS-E 4x4: 

Model	Isuzu mu-X LS-E 4x4
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,850 x 1,870 x 1,825
Wheelbase (mm)	2,855
Ground clearance	235
Wheel size	20-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Power-adjust front seats Power tailgate Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger Eight-piece speaker system Dual-zone automatic climate control
Instrument cluster	Analog gauges with 4.2-inch multi-information display
Infotainment system	10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Seven
Powertrain
Engine	3.0-liter inline-4 turbo
Fuel type	Diesel
Transmission	Six-speed automatic
Maximum horsepower	187
Peak torque	450
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technologies
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control ISOFIX Hill-start assist control Hill-descent control Rear parking sensors 360-degree view camera
ADAS	Adaptive cruise control Forward collision warning Blind spot monitoring Autonomous emergency braking
Security	Car alarm Engine immobilizer
Price	P2.58 million

 

Final thoughts

There you have it, the four main rivals of the Ford Everest. Each of the models has a lot of similarities, but each comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. 

As established, however, all four can comfortably accommodate up to seven occupants and have the toughness and the right mechanical bits to deal with a variety of local driving situations. 

Serious would-be SUV buyers, however, should do their due diligence and give each model a thorough test drive. Reading about a market segment in articles such as this makes for good initial research, but first-hand experience with the ride will provide more mileage when it comes to establishing a more informed car purchase. 

Also read: 

Zigwheels PH Top 5 most searched SUV models for 2024

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