Entry price is up a bit, but we reckon it’s totally justified.
Ford’s local office has announced that the 2019 model year will bring quite a number of changes for its handsome and well-liked Everest SUV, which will help shore up its appeal as a spacious and versatile family car capable of handling all the duties that come when maintaining that work-life balance. As a result, the cost of entry into the Everest range has gone up by some $1200 but if you read on, you’ll see why it’s well justified.
The biggest update (to us at least) is the inclusion of autonomous emergency braking on the top two trim levels, finally dealing with a glaring omission from the kit list that was frankly rather embarrassing. Additionally, smartphone mirroring for both Android and iOS devices has also been brought to the Everest range, though this update was applied more liberally and encompassing the whole lineup.
Another big change comes in the form of a new engine: A 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel mill, borrowed from the Ranger Raptor producing 157kW and 500Nm, has joined the Everest lineup. Paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, this engine is standard on flagship Titanium and rear-drive Trend models, though it can be optioned onto an all-wheel drive Trend too. Base Ambiente & 4WD Trend cars will soldier on with a 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbodiesel, but with a 6-speed automatic gearbox (output rated at 143kW and 470Nm).
The range continues to start at the Ambiente, in rear-drive form with 5 seats and a 3.2L turbodiesel. $49,190 will be asked for the pleasure, and bringing back an 2019MY Ambiente will net a few upgrades over the preceding year: You get things like that new Sync3 infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, new halogen projector headlights, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry & go, a new ‘Ebony’ cabin colour scheme, and a 10-speaker audio system. There’s also a revised grille & new bumpers, though that’s applied across the range.
Step up to the Trend and in addition to things like the 18-inch alloys (17” standard), auto lights & wipers, and all other manner of things, you now get the option of that 2.0L Panther turbodiesel, as well as auto-levelled HID headlights, leather-accented trim (on only the forward-5 seats), electric seat adjustment for the driver, AEB, and traffic-sign detection. If you want your Everest Trend for work you can ask Ford to revert the cabin trim to cloth at no cost, though it will cost you electric adjustment for the driver and the leather gear knob.
Splurge on an Everest Titanium and for the 2019 model year you get a new set of 20-inch alloys, a parking assistant (for parallel parking), and a leather-wrapped handbrake lever. This of course comes in addition to the already-generous kit on the Titanium, including things like chrome on the running boards, door handles, and exterior mirrors, as well as heated & electrically-adjustable front seats, cabin accent lighting, a sunroof, and blind-spot monitoring. If your Titanium has a life of overlanding ahead of it, you can ask Ford to fit your Everest with 18-inch wheels, matching tyres, and a less road-oriented version of the suspension too.
Ask for premium paint on any Everest and expect to pay either $600 for Ambiente and Trend cars, or $780 for Titanium models. You’ll also have to fork out $1000 if you want a tow-bar with your car. The 2019 Ford Everest range now kicks off at $49,190 for a 5-seat rear-drive Ambiente, while an all-wheel drive version will cost you $54,190 and 7-seats will cost an additional $1000.
Trend variants and upwards all get 7-seats as standard, and that starts at $56,190 for a rear-drive model with the new 2.0-litre biturbo diesel. The all-wheel drive Trend goes for $59,990, but that’s with the 3.2-litre turbodiesel mill; You’ll need to fork out $61,190 to get an all-paw Trend with the new engine and its 10-speed auto ‘box.
The Titanium (mercifully) is available in just one guise: 7-seats, all-wheel drive, and the 2.0-litre biturbo diesel and 10-speed auto combination. This will set you back $73,990. The MY19 Ford Everest will be in showrooms come September, and all models will be covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and Ford’s ‘Service Price Promise.’
For more information on Ford, check out our Showrooms.
