It’s been a month since the Ford Everest Sport arrived. After four weeks using the 7-seater SUV as a daily companion, road tripper, and occasional off-roader, Oliver Keohane shares his initial thoughts.
First impressions? It’s easy to see why the Everest is a strong contender in South Africa’s large SUV segment. The Sport is positioned just below the Everest Platinum and Wildtrak, but above the entry-level XLT. It is the most affordable 4×4 of the Everest range, and somewhat a “sweet spot”, offering unique style and 4×4 capabilities without as premium a tag as the Wildtrak or Platinum.
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It comes with the familiar 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, delivering 154kW and 500Nm through a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The part-time 4WD system and selectable drive modes, make it capable on various terrains while still refined on tar. The Sport looks the part, too; Finished in blacked-out trim, with Everest lettering across the bonnet and gloss black 20-inch wheels, the Sport carries a more aggressive, adventurous presence compared to the chrome-heavy Platinum. Inside, the black leather-trimmed seats are both comfortable and durable, with blue stitching and “SPORT” badging to distinguish it from other models. The cabin is spacious, modern, and solidly built.
What stands out after the first month is just how refined and quiet the Everest is on the road. The highly-regarded bi-turbo engine is equal parts smooth and powerful, and the 10-speed gearbox remains in a class of its own compared to other systems in the segment. Given the number of public holidays in April, we’ve been able to do a good mix of urban and highway driving, with decent stretches of gravel road included. The seven-seater SUV handles the dirt easily, and we were able to put that to the test on a trip to the Cederberg over Easter weekend. Packed with four occupants, we set off for Jamaka Campsites. The Everest took from highway to gravel with ease, and the part-time electronic shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel-drive system (which includes 2H, 4H and 4lL) comes in handy when moving intermittently between gravel and tar. The Sport feels more like a large premium SUV than a rugged ladder-frame 4×4, while maintaining top-class off-roading capabilities. The plump tyres worked well to mitigate any firmness that may result from the big wheels.
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Ford’s tech offering is another highlight. The large 12-inch touchscreen running SYNC 4A is intuitive, and wireless Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly. There’s also a fully digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. In terms of safety and convenience features, the Everest Sport is well-specced. Fuel economy is claimed at around 7.5 L/100km. We’ve settled on 9.2L/100km so far, which is fair given the size and weight of the vehicle, the hilly network in which my apartment block is located and the fact that our longest drive involved a decent amount of time spent in 4H, with a fully-laden vehicle. Consumption should change as more open-road driving gets added to the mix.
In terms of practicality, the Everest has shown its worth so far. The second row has ample space for adults, and the third row, while best suited to kids, is usable for shorter trips. In our case, it was used mainly for my friend’s obnoxiously big tent. The powered tailgate and flat-folding seats make it easy to load gear, and the storage throughout the cabin is generous.
Over the past four weeks, the Everest Sport has proven to be a comfortable, well-equipped and capable all-rounder. Over the next two months, I’ll be exploring more gravel roads, long highway stretches, and continuing to fully load the cabin with passengers and luggage (it feels like my responsibility to do so with so much space). Month one has made a strong case for the Everest as a practical, premium-feeling family SUV. Let’s see how it continues to perform.
