Scaling new heights in the updated Ford Everest Sport

Image credit: Naresh Maharaj

The thrill for me was driving the Everest up the Swartberg pass. It was just ironic that I was driving a black (Agate Black) Everest on the Swartberg mountain range (black mountain in English) which runs roughly east-west along the northern edge of the semi-arid area called Little Karoo.

It rained quite heavy the previous day so it was quite treacherous scaling new heights on muddy terrain with sharp off the cliff turns. One had to be super careful but the adventurous Everest was just a pleasure to drive up, around the corners and downhill, once all four wheels were engaged. Thrilling to say the least. Imagine sitting in a premium-quality cabin featuring embossed leather seats with distinctive blue stitching, soft-touch leather for the dashboard, eight-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat to get that perfect driving position.

Sports pack

It is no doubt that Ford has bolstered its position in the expanding and highly competitive SUV market with the Everest Sport, which is based on the popular Everest XLT. The Everest is Ford’s premium offering in the SUV market and offers quality, refinement and luxury, combined with exceptional space.

The addition of the Sport pack gives the Everest a more dynamic and athletic look, and adds to its appeal as a versatile vehicle for those with an active lifestyle. Available in 4x2 and 4x4 guise equipped with an electronic locking rear differential as standard, the Everest Sport offers great capability.

Sporty design

Visually, what sets the Everest Sport apart from its established siblings are a black mesh grille and unique Everest badge on the bonnet, along with black mirror caps and door handles – replacing the chrome finishes on the Everest XLT.

Image credit: Naresh Maharaj

Further reinforcing the dynamic appearance is the black treatment for the front bumper chin and rear valance in place of silver, along with ebony roof rails, special Sport decals on the rear doors and striking 20-inch black alloy wheels. There are six body colours to choose from Diffused Silver, Frozen White, Agate Black, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey and Copper Red.

It’s all safe

The Everest Sport comes standard with LED headlamps and daytime running lights, cruise control and front and rear park sensors with a rear-view camera. The extensive standard safety package comprises Electronic Stability Programme with traction control, Hill Launch Assist and Roll Over Mitigation. Enhancing the family-oriented nature of Everest’s seven-seater configuration, occupant protection includes a total of seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbag).

Keyless entry

Another high-tech feature of the Everest Sport is Passive Entry and Passive Start (PEPS), a keyless entry and passive start system that uses intelligent access to allow the driver to unlock the vehicle and start the engine without removing the key fob from his/her pocket or bag.

When the key is detected in the vehicle, the driver simply presses the Start/Stop button while applying the brake pedal to start the car.

Tracks for Africa

One of the key features carried over to the Sport derivative is Ford’s pioneering SYNC 3 infotainment system, which offers exceptional connectivity and multimedia options, along with intuitive voice control for ease of use. The system comes standard with embedded navigation – comprising standard mapping as well as Tracks for Africa for those venturing off the beaten track – and is linked to an integrated eight-inch touch-screen colour display that recognises multi-touch gestures such as swipe, slide, scroll and pinch-to-zoom.

Supremely capable

Potential buyers will have the choice of 4x4 and 4x2 models, both of which are available with Ford’s frugal 2.0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine, delivering 132kW and 420Nm. This is supremely mated to Ford’s sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, which contributes to exceptional fuel and all-round performance.

Image credit: Naresh Maharaj

Further enhancing the capability of the Everest 4x4 models is the standard Terrain Management System which allows the driver to easily select the preferred driving mode to suit the terrain by simply turning the TMS dial, ranging from snow to mud, grass, rocks or paved roads. Additionally, Hill Descent Control helps owners safely negotiate steep slopes with supreme confidence. That drive on the 23.8km Swartberg Pass in literally thick mud will be forever etched in my mind but being in the Ford Everest Sport made that drive all the more enjoyable.

Pricing

• 2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4x2 - R675,600
• 2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4x4 - R718,000

All Everest models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120,000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90,000km service plan is included, with 15,000km service intervals.