Ford Everest now $7000 cheaper

Ford's popular Everest is now available from $47,990 following the introduction of a new five-seat, rear-wheel drive version of the entry-level Ambiente model grade.

The price is $7000 lower than the cheapest Everest available before, the Ambiente 4WD seven-seater (previously $54,990).

In the absence of a replacement for the Australian-made Territory crossover until the all-new Edge arrives from Canada next year, the move also closes the price gap between Ford's large off-road SUV and the mid-size Escape priced between $28,490 and $47,490.

Ford added its first rear-wheel drive Everest model last December, when it released the mid-range Trend RWD at $55,990.

Now the addition of RWD Ambiente models in five- and seven-seat form (the latter costing $1000 more at $48,990 plus on-road costs), plus the new Ambient 4WD five-seater ($52,990), brings the number of Everest variants to seven.

All Ambiente models now come with added standard equipment too, including SYNC3 infotainment with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, dual-zone climate-control, 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, 10-speaker audio and running boards.

There are also price cuts for all pre-existing Everest models, including the $53,990 Trend RWD and $58,990 Trend 4WD seven-seater (both down $2000), and the $74,990 Titanium flagship (down $1715).

While the new five-seat options are limited only to the base Ambiente, the $5000-cheaper RWD system is available only in the Ambiente and mid-spec Trend, with the top-shelf Titanium remaining 4WD and seven-seat only.

All versions of the Australian-developed, Ranger ute-based Everest continue to be fitted with Ford's 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.

They also come with full-length side curtain airbags, a five-star ANCAP crash rating and the availability of class-leading safety features like Forward Collision Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Active Park Assist, Rollover Mitigation and Blind-Spot Information with Cross-Traffic Alert.

Like 4WD models, RWD Everests come with 225mm of ground clearance, the same approach and departure angles, and the same 3000kg towing capacity.

Ford launched the facelifted and renamed Escape in February, and will follow the expanded Everest line-up with a revised EcoSport small SUV later this year.

It says its SUV expansion, which will culminate in the Edge in 2018, is in response to unprecedented demand for SUVs, which outsold passenger cars for the first time Australia in February and continued to do so last month.

2017 Ford Everest pricing (plus ORCs):
Ambiente RWD five-seat -- $47,990 (new)
Ambiente RWD seven-seat -- $48,990 (new)
Ambiente 4WD five-seat -- $52,990 (new)
Ambiente 4WD seven-seat -- $53,990 (-$1000)
Trend RWD seven-seat -- $53,990 (-$2000)
Trend 4WD seven-seat -- $58,990 (-$2000)
Titanium 4WD seven-seat -- $74,990 (-$1715)