The second-generation Ford Everest has only been on sale in Australia for a couple of months, but that hasn’t stopped Ford from announcing a model year update for its brand-new large off-road SUV, bringing not only subtle price increases but a new variant.
The latter is the 2023 Ford Everest Sport RWD which, as the name suggests, blends all of the key Sport goodies with a more affordable rear-wheel drive configuration and the smaller 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine.
Priced from $62,790 plus on-road costs, the range newcomer slots into the line-up as the most expensive two-wheel drive Everest variant.
However, the sub-$63K price tag is $6800 lower than that of its V6-powered 4x4 counterpart, which for the record now starts at $69,590 (+$500).
While the Sport RWD inevitably misses out in the V6’s class-leading outputs, 4x4 traction and off-road capability, it’s still able to tow up to 3500kg and comes with all the same black styling cues, 20-inch wheels, leather-accented interior, seven seats, powered tailgate, heated and cooled front seats with power adjustment and memory adjustment for the driver.
For anyone not familiar with the Everest range, the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel develops 154kW/500Nm while the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 churns out 184kW/600Nm, and both mills are hooked up exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The $500 increase mentioned above for the Sport 4x4 is far from the only pricing tweak set to be implemented for the new model year; every variant besides the newcomer will increase in price by $300-$649 depending on the grade.
The biggest increase belongs to the range-topping Everest Platinum as a result of the standard inclusion of steel underbody protection and a black painted roof designed to enhance the flagship’s sense of luxuriousness from the outside.
No other spec changes are being made to any other variant, but the optional Touring Pack available on the Trend 4x4 and Sport 4x4 will include black stand-off roof rails, a 360-degree camera, zone lighting, tow bar and integrated trailer brake controller.
Production of the 2023 Everest isn’t scheduled to start until March next year and so the updated pricing won’t come into effect until then.
Ford has confirmed existing orders will not be price protected once production rolls over to the 2023 model year, meaning anyone with an unfulfilled order as of then will need to pay the new price.
How much will the 2023 Ford Everest cost?
Ambiente 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 5-seat – $53,290 (+$300)
Ambiente 4x4 2.0 Bi-Turbo 5-seat – $58,290 (+$300)
Trend 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $60,590 (+$300)
Sport 4x2 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $62,790
Trend 4x4 2.0 Bi-Turbo 7-seat – $65,590 (+$300)
Sport 4x4 3.0 V6 7-seat – $69,590 (+$500)
Platinum 4x4 3.0 V6 7-seat – $77,530 (+$649)
* Prices exclude on-road costs