Ford South Africa has bolstered its position in the expanding and highly competitive sport utility vehicle (SUV) market with the introduction of the new Everest Sport. Based on the popular Everest XLT, the new Sport derivative includes a host of feature enhancements, both to the exterior and the cabin, and we are loving it.
The Everest is Ford’s premium offering in the SUV market and, as such, offers quality, refinement and luxury, combined with exceptional space and practicality. 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 4×2 and 4×4 guise equipped with an electronic locking rear differential as standard, the Everest Sport offers excellent practicality and capability.
“From when it was first introduced locally in 2019, the latest-generation Everest has given Ford a strong foothold in the SUV segment of the local market,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “With the attractive new Everest Sport, we raise the stakes even further, catering to buyers who recognise and appreciate the qualities of the Everest but would like to set themselves further apart from the crowd through distinctive styling and feature enhancements.
“Everest XLT models are already extremely well equipped, with an eye-catching design, a refined and luxurious cabin, several trend-setting technologies and Ford’s legendary capability and durability all forming part of the package. In Sport guise, it offers all these features, and much more,” Mashinini says.
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. 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.
Premium luxury
Befitting a vehicle of its sportier status, key interior features of the Everest Sport include model-specific embossed leather seats with distinctive blue stitching, soft-touch leather treatment for the dashboard and a driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment.
The Everest Sport also 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, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Launch Assist and Roll Over Mitigation. Enhancing the family-oriented nature of the Everest’s seven-seater configuration, occupant protection includes a total of seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbag).
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.
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. In addition, SYNC®3 offers the benefits of smartphone integration provided through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Supremely capable
Customers have the choice of 4×4 and 4×2 models, both of which are available with Ford’s frugal 2.0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine, delivering 132kW and 420Nm – with up to 340Nm available from just 1 250 r/min. This is mated to Ford’s sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, which contributes to exceptional fuel and all-round performance.
Further enhancing the capability of the Everest 4×4 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.
PRICING
2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4×2 R662 800
2.0 Single Turbo 10AT 4×4 R704 400
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.
