MANILA: The next-generation Ford Everest has finally made its world debut, combining adventure-ready capability with outstanding comfort and customer-centric technology in a rugged, sleek, and fun-to-drive sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The next-gen Everest has been developed to excite and has been made for the adventurous – with capability at its core. Inside, a serene and exquisite haven for up to seven people has been created, while class-leading technology and safety make every trip more enjoyable.

In a statement, Ford Everest Chief Platform Engineer Ian Foston said, “When we started imagining the next-gen Everest, we started not at the beginning but at the end: With our customers. They’re people who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends. Whether they’re conquering sand, rocks or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability, and spaciousness of an SUV.”

With more customer input than ever before, Foston stated that the goal for the next-gen Everest was clear: tough on the outside, sanctuary on the inside, and incredible capability underneath.

To demonstrate this, three grades of the next-gen Everest were unveiled: Sport, Titanium+, and a new flagship grade, Platinum. A range of different variants will be available, depending on market, to meet the needs of the customers. More information will be released closer to the in-market launch.

Designers were able to create a more progressive, powerful image with the Everest’s wider track and longer wheelbase. The C-clamp headlamps and robust horizontal upper grille bar represent Ford’s global design DNA. The front end also has a mix of horizontal and vertical elements that contribute to the overall stability.

A strong shoulder line runs front to back on the sides, while the wider track results in a more dramatic swell over the wheels, accentuating the robust and modern appearance.

“We showed customers the Everest at several points during the design process, and their feedback was consistent: They loved the exterior with the strong and rugged design, but they also thought it was sleek and modern. They said that the Everest would give them the confidence to go off-road; it looks like a proper SUV,” Ford International Markets Group (IMG) Design Director Max Wolff stated.

It was a different story when it came to what customers wanted for the interior. They preferred a sanctuary on the inside.

“One of the first things you’ll notice when you get into a new Everest is how quiet it is. We’ve all been in vehicles with multiple rows of seats, where you have to twist your head around and almost shout to be heard by passengers in the second or third rows. That’s an issue we wanted to solve for Everest, so the interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together,” Wolff added.

Designers also gave careful consideration to the interior’s function and feel, drawing influence from modern homes and using premium materials, luxury finishes, and ambient lighting in spots where customers can appreciate them the most.

The sense of spaciousness is enhanced by the full-width coast-to-coast instrument panel and center console with dual cupholder recesses and dash-mounted “pop out” cupholders for front seat occupants. Integrated wireless charging, a sleek new leather-trimmed e-Shifter, and electric parking brake are all standard on high-series models.

Second-row seats that slide further forward make access to the third-row seats easier. Furthermore, all occupants now have areas to keep their items and, depending on the model, power outlets in all three rows to charge their electronic devices. Both the second- and third-row seats fold flat to enable safe transport of long loads.

Because Everest customers requested more power and torque for towing, hauling heavy loads, and off-roading, the team chose Ford’s proven 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine and improved it for the Everest. It is one of three turbodiesel engine options available at launch, depending on the market.

While the new 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 leads the lineup, the new Everest offers a variety of engines to fit different lifestyles, including Ford’s proven Single-Turbo and Bi-Turbo 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder diesels, as well as a 2.3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine. A six-speed automatic or Ford’s efficient 10-speed SelectShift automatic will be available, depending on the model.

A 50-mm increase in the track gives a more controlled ride, while modifications on damper settings allowed the team to infuse fun and control into the Everest’s ride on- and off-road.

“Everest was always well regarded for its plush ride on- and off-road, but the track increase allowed our dynamics team to create a greater connection between vehicle and driver, with a more controlled fun to drive ride around town and on the highway,” Foston said.

The dedicated off-road screen, when available, shows vehicle information as well as a front-camera view of the terrain ahead, with predictive overlay guidelines to assist the driver in negotiating obstructions. With a single button press, the driver may see their driveline and diff-lock indicators, steering angle and guides, and vehicle roll and pitch angles.

We asked Ford about the level of testing the New Ford Everest has undergone and we were informed that the vehicle was tested in a number of markets to ensure it could handle not only temperature extremes but a variety of terrains from dirt, rock, sand, mud and icy roads safely and reliably.

The New Ford Everest was tested for hundreds of thousands of kilometers across different countries and in all types of terrain and at extreme temperatures. Not just to see how the vehicle would perform, but to see how you would feel as a passenger after a long adventure.

“Our customers’ feedback on what they loved about the current Everest, and what they needed, has helped us create a truly remarkable vehicle – one that is very capable, safe, smart, and powerful,” Ford IMG President Dianne Craig stated. “But just as importantly, their feedback has helped us create a remarkable ownership experience as well. Everest customers lead busy lives, juggling work, family time, a social life, and recreation. They need their vehicle ownership experience to be easier and more rewarding, so we’ve created a collection of services that, depending on market, are designed to help do just that.”

Photos from Ford Philippines

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