This one has been a long time coming. Ford’s sole Malaysian importer and distributor, Sime Darby Auto Connexion has just launched the all-new Ford Everest, a seven-seater ladder frame SUV with the beating heart of a Ranger.
Available today at your nearest showroom are the 2.2L Trend 4×2 and 3.2L Titanium 4×4, priced at RM198,888 and RM258,888 respectively. Yes, they are very much on the higher side price wise, far exceeding the Toyota Fortuner 2.7L SRZ’s RM200k asking price, mostly because they’re fully imported from Thailand and don’t benefit from the same incentives as the Fortuner.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Ford Everest 2.2L Trend (4×2) | Ford Everest 3.2L Titanium (4×4) |
| Engine |
2,179cc; 4-cylinder TDCi with VGT
|
3,198cc; 5-cylinder TDCi with VGT |
| Transmission | 6-speed 6R80 automatic | 6-speed 6R80 automatic |
| Max Power | 158 hp @ 3,200 rpm | 197 hp @ 3,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 385 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,500 rpm | 470 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm |
| Price | RM198,888 | RM258,888 |
We’ve gone through the five reasons why we think the Everest is the car for you, so here’s a quick recap on some of the features that will come with these SUVs.
EXTERIOR
The 3.2L Titanium variant comes with auto-levelling HID projector headlamps (with washer), halogen fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, chromed side mirrors with integrated signal indicators and huge six-spoke 20-inch wheels shod with 265/50 series tyres.
The 2.2L Trend however, gets manual adjustable halogen projector headlamps with fog lamps, body-coloured side mirrors and 18-inch wheels wrapped with 265/60 tyres. Other standard equipments include mud flaps, LED tail lamps, painted roof rails, removable plastic running boards and chromed front grille.
INTERIOR
While the Everest’s exterior packaging lose out to the better looking Fortuner, the cabin of this Blue Oval SUV is far more impressive than its Japanese rival. Standard features include dual zone climate controls, electronic parking brake, cruise control and Isofix child anchors.There is also Active Noise Cancellation which uses three highly sensitive microphones to further reduce cabin noise.
Naturally, the 3.2L Titanium fares better in terms of equipment levels, as seen in the pictures above. It comes with an 8-inch SYNC2 touchscreen head unit, supporting the usual array of USB, iPod, SD Card and Bluetooth connectivity. This system is hooked up to 10 speakers, whereas the 2.2L Trend settles for a 4.2-inch SYNC1 head unit with eight speakers.
Seats on the Titanium variant are wrapped in leather, and this extends to the door trims as well. Ambient lighting and electrochromic rear view mirror are also offered exclusively for the more expensive variant, as are the 8-way powered driver seats and powered second and third row seats (60:40 and 50:50 split respectively). On the Trend, the leather is replaced with fabric, and it also loses out on all electronic seats as well as ambient lighting.
PERFORMANCE
Just like the Ranger, the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine packs a healthy 158 hp and 385 Nm of torque, but drive is sent only to the rear wheels (with standard differential). The larger 3.2-litre five-cylinder TDCI engine produces 197 hp peaking at 3,000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm.
Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, and only the 3.2L Titanium gets four wheel drive with locking rear differential. It’s also the only variant to come with Terrain Management System, consisting of several off-road drive modes such as Sand, Mud, Grass, Gravel and Rock.
SAFETY
This part is almost neck-and-neck with the Fortuner. The 2.2L gets just three airbags (two front and driver knee airbags), while the 3.2L gets seven including curtain and driver knee airbags. Standard safety systems include ESP Brake System, Roll Stability Control, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Light, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Trailer Sway Control. Reverse camera and front parking sensors are reserved only for the 3.2L Titanium, which means the 2.2L Trend will only get reverse sensors.
WHAT ELSE?
The Everest comes with a 3-Year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty programme and can be had in four different colours – Aluminium Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Sunset Metallic (only for 3.2L) and Cool White (only for 2.2L). Both price tags of RM198,888 and RM258,888 are OTR and include GST, but excludes insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ford Everest 2.2L
Ford Everest 3.2L
Ford Everest Cutout
