The Ford Everest is a Ranger-based SUV offered in several markets, including Australia, South Africa, and Thailand. Unfortunately, Ford won’t offer it in North America.
The third-generation Everest (In India, the Everest was marketed as the Ford Endeavour) was revealed on March 1, 2022. It was developed under the U704 development code and known as the UB series in Australia. Sharing most of the front-end components with the Ford Ranger, overall dimensions of the third-generation Everest remain mostly the same, with an additional 50 mm (2.0 in) in wheel track and wheelbase. The changes were done to achieve a longer dash-to-axle ratio to accommodate the optional V6 engine and a slighter wider wheel track.
The T6 platform continues to underpin the Everest with upgrades, such as longer control arms for the independent front suspension and Watts’ link rear suspension to suit the wider wheel track. All Everest models in this generation are equipped with underbody protection, a rear locking differential, selectable off-road drive modes, and two functional tow hooks at the front. The vehicle also offers 800 mm (31.5 in) of wading depth.
The four-wheel-drive model will be available with the option of 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 and 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) towing capacity. To accommodate the increased towing capacity, Ford worked on the engine cooling package, stiffened the frame and increased the front and rear axle load capacities.
Instead of using a more conventional centre differential with a limited-slip or locking function for off-road driving, the Everest uses an electromechanical clutch pack that would connect and disconnect the front and rear wheels. It allows the Everest to operate in rear-wheel drive on high traction surfaces and move the front wheels if needed. The clutch pack can engage completely in off-road situations.
In January 2023, Ford released the Everest Wildtrak V6 in Thailand and New Zealand. The Wildtrak V6 is differentiated from other models in the range by adopting the same styling treatment as the Ranger Wildtrak, such as the front bumper with darker accents, black wheel-arch flares and window trim, and Wildtrak badging. Positioned between the mid-trim Sport, and the luxury-positioned Platinum model, the Wildtrak model is solely powered by the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine.
In July 2022, Ford launched the third-generation Everest in the Philippines. It is available in 5 trims: 4×2 Trend, 4×2 Limited, 4×2 Sport, 4×2 Titanium Plus, and 4×4 Titanium Plus. The former 4 were powered by a 2.0L EcoBlue turbo I4 engine, while the latter was powered a 2.0L Ecoblue twin turbo I4 engine.
The third-generation Ford Everest was launched in the Middle Eastern markets on 10 October 2023, it is powered by a 2.3-liter turbo petrol engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It is offered in three grades, XLS, XLT, and Limited. It will be available in the Middle East for the first time.
Ford Everest Raptor
The Asian nation has a grand love affair with these Ford products, and one aftermarket shop has decided to create a unique iteration of the Everest, decked out with Raptor styling cues and an F-150 front end.
This special off-roader has been enhanced by Shana E-sport with fender flares, Raptor stickers, and the front fascia from a Ford Raptor R. But it’s not just about rugged looks. The Everest receives AMP Terrain Attack A/T tires and increased ground clearance, making it even more capable off-road.
There’s no mention of whether the suspension has been upgraded to Raptor standards. The new Ranger Raptor is equipped with Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve Bypass shocks which adjust based on the various Drive Modes. There’s a coil-over setup up front and piggyback reservoirs at the rear, along with upgraded mounting points, front shock towers, and rear shock brackets.
The most powerful engine offered in the factory Everest is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 making 246 horsepower. Hopefully the Everest would get the same engine as the Ranger Raptor since their build on the same platform. The Ranger Raptor packs a 3.0-litre V6 Twin-Turbo EcoBoost gas engine with 391 horsepower overseas and 405 horsepower here in the states.
Here in the United States, buyers who want Raptor performance in an SUV body style only have the Bronco to choose from. With 418 horsepower, it has even more power than the Ranger Raptor and is equipped with a seriously impressive suspension system. However, all this capability comes at a hefty price, with the entry MSRP coming in at over $86,000.
Seeing as the new Ranger Raptor costs $56,960, a potential Everest Raptor could come in at just over $60,000, making it a steal compared to the Bronco Raptor. But then, Ford wouldn’t offer a Raptor version of the Everest when they can make more money selling the Bronco.
But imagine the possibilities.
