Ford Everest 2023 review: Sport 3.0

The Everest has always been a refined open-road touring vehicle because it's always been at the forefront of refinement in the 4WD wagon realm. And the V6 simply adds punch to the prestige.

The new engine is a gutsy unit, consistently able to deliver smooth and sustained power and torque at low and high speeds. It's low-key torquey and offers plenty of its 600Nm across a broad rev range.

The 10-speed auto transmission has been reined in so thoroughly that most of the previous-gen's thrashiness between ratios has been ironed out – and if you want to take over duties yourself you can do so via the 'e-Shifter' in this 4WD wagon.

But before you even get going, you can dial-in your preferred driving position with a reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel and a power-adjustable seat.

The Everest's V6 engine is a gutsy unit. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

At 4940mm long (with tow receiver; 4914mm without) with a 2900mm wheelbase, and at 2207mm wide and 1837mm high, the Everest is an SUV with size, but it never feels too bloated to steer accurately, with a well-weighted helm keeping it under control.

NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels are so effectively subdued that the cabin is very quiet, with nothing much intruding other than low-level wind-rush around the wing mirrors.

The suspension set-up – including coil springs all-around – helps to produce smooth, sure-footed ride and handling. The new-generation's longer wheelbase and wider track help to make the Everest feel composed and predictable.

This latest Everest is one of the best large SUV wagons to drive on-road. And it's not too shabby off-road, either.

The Everest has a long wheelbase thus making its undercarriage vulnerable to ‘touching earth’ moments. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The Everest has a listed length of 4914mm (with a 2900mm wheelbase), a width of 2015mm, and a height of 1837mm. It has a turning circle of 11.8m and an official kerb weight is 2457kg.

So, while it feels pretty nimble, even on tight overgrown tracks, it requires the driver's full and sustained attention at all times.

Approach angle is 30.2 degrees, departure angle is 25 degrees, and ramp break-over is 21.9 degrees.

The Everest has a long wheelbase thus making its undercarriage vulnerable to ‘touching earth’ moments, so if you want to avoid belly-scraping and sidestep run-ins with rocks, tree stumps or exposed tree roots, it's something to keep in mind.

The Everest has a listed length of 4914mm. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Low-range gearing is good and the Everest has an electronic rear diff lock to enhance this wagon's dirt-grabbing abilities.

Driver-assist tech aimed at making 4WDing safer and easier for everyone includes off-road driving modes such as Mud/Ruts and Sand, which adjust engine outputs, throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls to best suit the driving conditions.

Hill descent control is quietly effective and kept the Everest to a controlled 3.0-4.0km/h while we traversed short but steep downhills at our unofficial 4WD testing ground.

Wading depth is 800mm and the Everest performed admirably when we drove the it through a knee-deep mud hole several times.

The Everest's ramp break-over angle is 21.9 degrees. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

One definite, but easily solved, problem with the Everest is its standard 20-inch alloy wheels on Goodyear Wrangler Territory HTs (255/55R20).

A 20-inch tyre doesn't give the driver much flexibility in terms of how much air they can drop out of it for 4WDing – because there isn't much tyre to let air out of!

And when you start dropping air pressures in a 20-inch tyre, it impacts the vehicle's running ground clearance, making a vulnerable undercarriage even more susceptible to damage.

Those 'all-season' tyres also became swiftly gummed up with wet clay mud out in the bush.

The Everest performed admirably when driven through a knee-deep mud hole several times. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

When 4WDing, an 18-, 17- or even 16-inch wheel-and-tyre combination is preferable to a 20-inch combo.

The easy fix? Ford offers 18-inch black alloys on all-terrain tyres as a no-cost option.

If you’re thinking about using your Everest as a adventure-touring vehicle then it's handy to know that payload is 741kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3150kg, and gross combination mass (GCM) is 6250kg.

What's that, you say? Hauling caravans, camper-trailers, and boats is your thing. Well, keep in mind that the Everest's towing capacity is 750kg (unbraked) and 3500kg (braked).