It’s been four months since the Ford Everest Platinum joined our long-term test car fleet. Since then, the Everest, summed up as a leather-bound lazy-boy couch with 21-inch wheels, has performed its daily duties with aplomb but it’s not all smooth sailing. Our editor Damian Adams shares his thoughts on the Ford Everest Platinum for the Car Magazine December 2023 issue.
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As reported in the November issue, we initially assumed that the slushing sound emanating from the rear of the Everest was a consequence of a half-filled 20-litre AdBlue tank. It became apparent the culprit was rain that had entered the tailgate.
With it sent off for repairs, Motus Ford, Diep River, Cape Town, established that over time, water had seeped into a cracked taillamp seal. Although unusual, it coincided with one of the wettest winters in the Cape’s recorded history. We were grateful for the use of a courtesy Everest XLT for the duration of the seven-day repair. The return of the flagship Everest Platinum to our care overlapped with the delivery of the XLT press unit.
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As mentioned in that test, while it is easy to note on paper the differences in specification level between Ford’s two bakkie-based SUVs, parking them side-by-side gave us the opportunity to fully appreciate the visual enhancements enjoyed by our long-term tester. The 21-inch alloy wheels on the flagship model contrasted with 18-inch items on the XLT obviously played a big role, and closer inspection revealed the amount of chrome accenting the Platinum model features throughout, particularly on the running boards and roof rails.
These were key in making the flagship Everest stand out. Besides its plusher interior and a not-insignificant weight penalty associated with the fitment of a 3,0-litre V6 turbo-diesel motor against the four-cylinder unit in the XLT, the top-of-the-range Everest feeds back discernibly more substance on the road without a sense of being underpowered. This only adds to its presence and the premium SUV feel of this vehicle.
Fast facts:
- Engine: turbo-diesel, 3,0-litre V6
- Power: 184 kW @3 250 r/min
- Torque: 600 N.m @ 1 750 r/min
- Fuel consumption: 10,9 L/100km
- Distance driven: 6 252 km
