All about the Ford Everest: Dimensions, models, accessories and more

The second-generation Ford Everest arrived in Australia in 2022 with new looks and a comprehensive overhaul across the board, headlined by a V6 turbo-diesel engine option.

Utilising the all-new Ford Ranger ute as its foundation, it’s fair to say Everest has taken a big upswing in refinement while safety and tech has also taken a leap forward.

Four Everest model grades make up the launch range – Ambiente, Trend, Sport and top-spec Platinum – with a seven-seat layout standard from Trend onwards (Ambiente starts as a five-seater).

There are two turbo-diesel engines on offer, the familiar 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder joining the new 3.0-litre V6. Both are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission and, in 4x4 guise, a full-time on-demand four-wheel drive system with low-range transfer case, locking rear differential and off-road drive modes.

We’ve gone through the mountain of specs to help find the right one for you, so let’s go…

At the entry level, the 2023 Ford Everest Ambiente 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 5-seat model opens at $53,290 plus on-road costs, and includes the following equipment as standard:

• 10.1-inch infotainment colour touch-screen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Dual-zone climate control
• Nine airbags
• Selectable drive modes
• Rear-view camera
• 17-inch alloy wheels

Optional in the entry Ford Everest Ambiente is a third-row seat for $950, giving you seven seats in total.

If you want a towing pack with integrated brake controller, kick in another $1700 across the range.

Specifying 18-inch alloy wheels for your Ambiente with all-terrain tyres adds a further $1100. (It uses 17-inch wheels as standard.)

It’s worth noting that A/T tyres on 18-inch alloys set you back an extra $500 when ordering a Trend variant. Ford also offers changing to 18-inch A/T tyres and alloys on the Sport and Platinum models for no cost.

A $2300 Touring Pack is available on the 4WD Trend and 4WD Sport models and comprises black roof rails, 360-degree cameras, zone lighting and a tow bar with integrated brake controller.

Exclusive to the Trend for another $900 is Premium Seat Pack that heats and cools the 10-way powered driver’s seat (with position memory) and eight-way powered front passenger’s seat.

Seven colours are on offer and all except Arctic White add $700. Blue Lightning is exclusive to the Sport variants.

Whether it’s the base Ambiente or the top-spec Platinum, the Blue Oval brand has crammed the new Ford Everest with a full cache of safety tech.

All models come with nine airbags, reverse brake assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) both forward and reverse, post impact braking and a lane keeping system that detects unmarked road edges, keeping you on the safe and often narrow.

There is also lane departure warning, driver alert monitoring, parking sensors front and rear, cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and a reversing camera.

Completing the safety kit are automatic headlights with auto high beam, rain-sensing wipers, anti-lock brakes, rollover mitigation, stability and traction controls, hill start assist, pre-collision assist and post-collision steering and braking.

If you want a 360-degree camera and hands-off parking as standard, shoot over to the Platinum.

The entire Ford Everest range also carries a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

Infotainment tech has stepped up in the latest Ford Everest and all models feature a portrait-style colour touch-screen operating the car-maker’s latest SYNC 4A system.

On the Ambiente the screen is 10.1 inches, rising to 12” on the Trend, Sport and Platinum.

There is an embedded modem, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, sat-nav with traffic messaging, DAB digital radio, wireless smartphone charging, voice assist and remote start capability.

The instrumentation display in the Ambiente, Trend and Sport is an 8.0-inch digital cluster.

While the Ambiente and Trend make do with eight speakers, enter the Sport and its extra two speakers or take another step up to the Platinum and its B&O premium sound through 12 speakers.

The Platinum flagship also gains a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster.

Dual-zone climate control with separate controls and vents for rear passengers are fitted standard across the Ford Everest range, along with USB ports and an overhead console with map lighting and a sunglasses holder.

Is the first-class look and feel of leather on your ‘must have’ list? If so, glide over to the Trend to enjoy its leather-accent seats in the front two rows, while sitting in the eight-way powered driver’s seat holding the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter.

The Sport variant also has leather-accented seats with ‘Sport’ embossing, plus a 10-way powered driver’s seat (eight-way for the front passenger). Both front seats have heating and cooling functions. Unique tones highlight the Sport interior.

The flagship Platinum model adds a quilted look to the leather-accented seats, and those dwelling in the second row will enjoy the heated seat during winter, just as the driver will welcome the heated steering wheel.

How about the convenience of a powered tailgate? Once again, the Trend is your friend as it’s standard along with power-folding/heated door mirrors with puddle lamps. But should you want a powered third-row seat, make a beeline for the Platinum.

Do you want seven seats? Stay with the Trend as the cheapest way to get them as the Ambiente is a five-seater.

Privacy rear glass, you ask? Yes, and once again the Trend is the model where this feature starts.

Speaking of windows, would you like a sunroof? Then sign up for a Platinum and its panoramic dual-panel sunroof.

Are changeable drive modes at a push of a button of interest? The 4x2 and 4x4 Ambiente models, along with the 4x2 Trend and Sport, offer four drive modes, while the four-wheel drive Trend, Sport and Platinum offer six.

Tyre pressure monitoring is handy, especially if you go bush but it is only available in the Platinum.

Inside and out the Everest sports a new look and picking one at a glance isn’t that hard with the entry-level Ambiente getting around on 17-inch alloys, the Trend rolls on alloys one inch larger, the Sport ups that to black finish 20-inch alloys and the Platinum cruises on 21-inch alloys. All come with a matching spare.

Setting the Ford Everest Platinum further apart from its siblings is satin chrome on the grille and window surrounds, Matrix auto-levelling LED headlights, a black-painted roof and silver roof rails along with steel underbody protection.

The Sport pops with its black alloy wheels, black door mirrors, glass surrounds, ‘Everest’ branding in black on the bonnet and black grille.

As mentioned earlier, two diesel engines and one transmission take care of the Ford Everest driveline.

Powering the Ambiente and Trend in both 4x2 and 4x4 layout is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine producing 154kW and 500Nm from a low 1750rpm.

Sitting in the front of the Sport and Titanium is the all-new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with 184kW and 600Nm also kicking in at 1750rpm and partnered exclusively to a 4x4 layout.

All models have a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 variants are full-time four-wheel drive and have a locking rear diff.

The Thai-built, Australian-designed Ford Everest was developed alongside the Ford Ranger ute and is longer and taller than the first-generation family SUV but no wider.

It measures 4914mm long, 2207mm wide and up to 1842mm tall, with a longer 2900mm wheelbase.

Cargo capacity ranges from 259 litres with all seats in place to a maximum of 1823L behind the front seats.

Maximum braked towing capacity is 3500kg across the range, up from 3100kg.

The new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and 10-speed automatic combo suits the new Ford Everest perfectly. Smooth, quiet, powerful and economical – you can’t ask for more.

That said, if you are being careful with your moolah, the Bi-Turbo in the Trend in rear-drive as a family wagon or 4WD for some off-road exploring form will keep you more than happy.

For me, the new Ford Everest Sport with the V6 turbo-diesel nails it. It comes with a very long list of luxury and practical features, loads of safety kit and enough infotainment and connectivity trinkets to keep tech types (teenagers) happy.

And being a 4WD it allows me to go bush in this big brown and sometimes waterlogged land with confidence.

How much does the 2023 Ford Everest cost?
Ambiente 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 5-seat – $53,290
Ambiente 4x4 2.0 Bi-Turbo 5-seat – $58,290
Trend 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $60,590
Trend 4x4 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $65,590
Sport 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $62,790
Sport 4x4 3.0 V6 7-seat – $69,590
Platinum 4x4 3.0 V6 7-seat – $77,530
*Prices exclude on-road costs