Production Models

Heroes are supposed to stand tall in the face of adversity and when the villain is SUV mediocrity, the Ford Everest stands up to the challenge. In the two years it has become available locally, it has become Ford's crowning glory-being its best or second best-selling nameplate month after month. And now, we'll take a closer look at what makes the Ford Everest so popular.

Two years have passed since the world first saw it and its competitors have yet to hold a candle to its styling. From every angle, it's simply purposeful yet elegantly beautiful. The basic shape is dictated more or less by the need to create a larger feeling of space without taking up a huge footprint; and while that's been achieved, it's been done so with unmatched refinement.

The Everest's high-set cabin means a step and a half just to get inside. Once aboard though, it greets you with a combination of the familiar and the new. The view is much the same as the one in the Ranger, but some unique touches like a stitched up dashboard, higher quality leather appointments, and programmable ambient lighting do impart a higher-end feel. The new for 2017 black and gray color scheme is welcome as it masks any hard plastics in the cabin.

Seated in the first or second row, there's no denying the feeling of space. Plus, the seats themselves are really good. And with power adjustment for those in the front, finding a comfortable driving position is easy. It's largely the same in the second row where the seats are well-shaped and capable of seating three abreast even if Ford claims they're the thinnest seats they've ever designed. It's only in the third row where things get cozier. Getting in and out is a challenge because the second row only slides. Once you squeeze through though, you're greeted with ample space.

And with the second row seats now offering two slide adjustments, those in the rearmost row can bargain for more knee room.

Ford has always prided itself with technology and the Ford Everest is chock full of it. It has SYNC 3, their newest infotainment system. In addition, it also gets automatic high beam assist, a 10-speaker sound system with Active Noise Cancellation, a dual panel moonroof, power folding third row, and a power tailgate.

Compared to other pick-up based SUVs, it's quite adept in absorbing road undulations with most lumps and bumps soaked up with surprising delicacy. Through the bends, it's surprisingly well composed with a chassis that's predictable and controllable. And with a Watt's Linkage packed into the rear coil spring suspension, body pitching is controlled, aiding high-speed stability.

< With 200 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque, the Everest's 3.2-liter inline-5 may not be the segment's most powerful offering anymore, but it's still very competitive. It's a gusty performer with stout low-end response. There's little in the way of turbo lag and is responsive throughout the rev range. It's no road rocket, but it has no issues coping up with the near 2,500-kilogram curb weight. The 6-speed automatic always seems to pick the right gear at the right time too.